Even when hunting, dressing for success should be the rule
While hunting is an age-old art, dressing for the hunt has picked up some new high-tech twists, all intended to keep the outdoorsperson warmer and drier for an extended trip through the wild.
Modern technology has combined traditional fibers, such as wool, with synthetics in an effort to make outdoor clothing more efficient. Layering is the recommended method of dress for the outdoors, and new fibers are being used in every layer, starting with the one that sits right next to the skin.
The old woolen long underwear has been replaced with synthetic materials designed to wick moisture away from the skin. The body cools itself as moisture evaporates from the skin's surface; to keep warm, the idea is to transport the moisture away before it has a chance to evaporate. Synthetic fibers are able to do this more efficiently than wool, and they itch a whole lot less.
"The idea is to keep you drier on the inside," Eric Minelga, an employee at Wilderness Way Outfitters in Soldotna, said while discussing a good outdoors wardrobe last fall.
Most outdoorspeople recommend layering with materials other than cotton. While it is soft to the touch, cotton soaks up water and holds it next to the body. Cotton makes a great bath towel, but wet clothes are uncomfortable and dangerous in Alaska's wilderness.
"Once it gets wet, it takes forever to dry," Minelga said. "Holding moisture is good if you're in a desert, but up here, it leads to hypothermia."
The no-cotton rule should be applied to all layers, including underwear. Spending money for a nice set of long johns is great, but the wicking action is ineffective if a layer underneath is still holding moisture.
The no-cotton rule should be applied to all layers, including underwear. Spending money for a nice set of long johns is great, but the wicking action is ineffective if a layer underneath is still holding moisture.
The middle layer should be made up of clothing that traps body heat, creating warmth, yet still allows moisture to pass through. Fleece has replaced wool as a middle layer in many outdoors wardrobes. The material comes in a variety of brands, styles and colors -- from day-glo yellow to tiger-stripe camouflage.
"Fleece comes in 100, 200 and 300 weights," Minelga said, "and there's regular fleece and bipolar fleece, which has a nappy feel and traps dead air really well.
"There's also windstop fleece, which is woven a lot more tightly to block the wind. It's a little thinner, but it traps heat real well with the tighter weave."
The outer layer adds some warmth, but its main function is to keep the elements out while letting perspiration evaporate. Lightweight shells are available that are "water-repellent, lightweight and very breathable," according to Minelga, while heavier shells constructed of waterproof materials also are available.
"One version uses fibers encased in silicone to make the garment water-resistant," said Minelga. "There's another membrane that's designed to expand and contract. When it's cool, it contracts so water can't pass through, and when your body heats up, it expands just enough to let the vapors out."
A line of fleece products has been developed for hunters with a thin layer of camouflage-patterned fleece on the outside and a waterproof layer on the inside, giving hunters the ability to move comfortably through wet conditions without making the swishing sound associated with nylon.
"It's a thin layer of fleece, so it's quiet, but it won't soak up a lot of water," Minelga said.
Wool is still the most common fiber used in socks, though it often is blended with other materials, such as Lycra, to keep it from stretching out, or polyester for enhanced moisture control. Socks are made with extra padding in the heels and toes for long days of hiking and with elasticized sections around the arches for added support.
"There's a lot of stretchable fabrics being interwoven with wool," Minelga said. "A liner sock is always a good idea. The purpose of that is to suck the moisture away from your feet. As soon as your foot gets wet, you become much more prone to blisters."
Minelga said that a pair of extra socks is one of the most commonly overlooked items when packing for a trip.
"If it's sunny, you can dry a pair of socks, but if it's raining and you have to hike in wet socks, that can be a problem," Minelga said.
Minelga recommends thoroughly testing all gear before venturing into the wilderness.
"If I get a new rain jacket, I take a shower in it," Minelga said. "That way, if there are any leaks, I know what I need to seal." The same goes for boots, which might need a fresh treatment of waterproofing before an extended outing.
"Also a bring a hat, even when it's warm," Minelga said. "It gets chilly overnight, and it'll keep your ears warm in the morning."