Camping is an excellent way to explore and experience the 
outdoors. The weather needn’t be an obstacle to what sorts of 
climates and places you might trek to. Outdoor clothing has 
become incredibly innovative in its designs and features, 
allowing the adventurous at heart to know no limits.

Given so many choices it is necessary to do a little research 
before making your clothing purchase, this way you are only 
buying the pieces you will need, therefore essentially getting 
your money's worth. The following suggestions should be helpful 
for any outdoor enthusiast. A popular term you will hear 
mentioned in today’s clothing features is waterproof-breathable 
technologies. This technology strives to keep liquid water 
(precipitation) out of the garment interiors, while allowing the 
moisture vapor (perspiration) to escape out of the wearer’s 
clothing. 

There are three major waterproof-breathable technologies which 
are microporous laminates, microporous coatings and monolithic 
membranes. The microporous laminates contain millions of pores 
which allow for molecules of water vapor to pass out, but not 
allowing for water to enter. The microporous coatings act in 
the same way by letting water vapors pass out but not allowing 
vapor to enter. The monolithic membranes absorb moisture vapor 
directly into its structure, in turn heat from your body drives 
the moisture through the membrane towards the outer surface. 
The amazing thing about the monolithic membrane is that as you 
work harder the membrane absorbs and exhales more vapor. 

One of the popular face fabrics of the past has been nylon; it 
has been a preferred fabric because of both its waterproof and 
breathable features and its abrasion resistance for rugged use. 
But today’s newly designed polyesters are closing the gap. 
Polyester is popular because it only absorbs about a tenth as 
much water as would nylon. This is wonderful as it keeps the 
inside surface of the garment warmer, while reducing the 
interior condensation. The great thing about the new polyesters 
is they are naturally repellent without having to use spray on 
repellents that eventually wash off. 

Knowing about the popular fabrics used today and why they work 
is important in making some of your outdoor clothing selections, 
but if needing any clothing that will be used for cold or 
extremely cold conditions you will need to know what clothing 
insulations will best suit you and the conditions you might be 
facing. First off is down filling. Down filling has been around 
forever and is still one of the most popular choices. It is 
unbelievably light, compact and durable. It moulds to your body 
helping to keep you warm while absorbing any moisture; however 
down is not a good choice if you will be in constantly damp 
cold or wet snow conditions. Next is the synthetic fills. There 
are different types of synthetic fills available, some of which 
are much heavier and bulkier than down but will not collapse 
when wet. Some of the special synthetic fills are specially 
treated to resist moisture penetration while still keeping you 
warm if wet.

After you’ve done a bit of research and familiarized yourself 
with some of the fabric technologies available, you will next 
want to know exactly what you will be doing and what sort of 
weather you can expect. For people interested in adventures such 
as mountaineering, skiing, ice climbing and other backcountry 
sports, you will want an excellent jacket offered in one of the 
waterproof-breathable designs offered. These jackets should 
offer protection from extreme wind, snow, and rain while still 
keeping you comfortable. Along with a great jacket you will want 
to select a compatible pair of pants which will also offer you 
protection from the elements. When shopping for your clothing you
will notice for more extreme conditions there will be three-ply 
garments which consist of an outer face fabric, a membrane and 
protective backer, whereas the two-ply garments are more for 
general use with a lighter liner instead of the knitted inner 
backing.

The waterproof-breathable designs are excellent for people 
constantly moving, because of the movement you really need 
something that breathes. Now on the other hand for people doing 
outdoor activity where they are making frequent stops or 
standing around for periods of time they will need outerwear 
that is insulated to keep them warm. These particular designs 
come in various synthetic and down fills in a variety of weights 
and shell materials. The design appropriate for you is again 
dependant on what sort of activities you’ll be doing.

Now for the people who might not be venturing into quite as 
extreme conditions they may just need jackets and pants that 
protect them from the wind. Windwear is not to be confused with 
rainwear, but is to be used for cool, windy, damp conditions. 
For outdoor activities such as backcountry skiing and hiking, 
windwear provides water-resistance in breathable fabrics.

Regardless of what sort of camping or outdoor activities you may 
do, having proper rainwear is essential when spending time in 
the wilderness. Having great raingear such as jackets, pants 
and hats can make what might have been a bad weather experience 
and allow for your trip to go on. Excellent rainwear today 
offers features such as water repellent finishes, fully taped 
seams, cinched ankle cuffs and reflective trims for safety. 
Rainwear designs really make hiking in the rain a comfortable 
pleasure.

One of the most versatile pieces of clothing offered is those 
made of fleece. Fleece is light in weight, warm even when the 
weather is wet, and can be used for either a mid-layer or outer 
layer. Usually used for insulation, fleece also will pick up 
moisture from the surface of your underwear moving it outwards 
to keep you dry. Fleece is an excellent addition to any outdoor 
wardrobe, combined with a two or three ply jacket, windwear or 
rainwear; it provides added warmth and comfort. Fleece is 
available in heavyweight, midweight and lightweight options.

Modern underwear is another outdoor clothing option that has 
improved with time. New polyester blends not only provide needed 
insulation from the elements but keeps perspiration away from 
your body while in motion. Unlike cotton, the new fabrics make 
perspiration evaporate quickly keeping you warm and comfortable. 

There are so many outdoor clothing options available. The above 
mentioned pieces of clothing serve well for protection from all 
of the elements. There is also clothing available for trekking 
such as shirts, pants, shorts and t-shirts. Again what is 
wonderful about all the clothing choices is the excellent 
fabrics used. Fabrics that dry quickly, keep moisture away, 
and provide stain, odor and wrinkle resistance. 

Lastly, we cannot forget the great clothing accessories that 
keep our head, hands and feet warm and protected. Gloves 
available for ice climbing, mountaineering and skiing in 
waterproof, windproof and breathable fabrics. Gloves, hats and 
socks that provide excellent warmth and comfort for any weather 
condition.

Whatever the outdoor activity you are planning, whether it be 
ice climbing, mountaineering, snowboarding, hiking or just a 
simple walk outside, the wonderful fabrics and designs offered 
in outdoor clothing today can make your experience a comfortable 
one. Given so many clothing choices and designs, it truly gives 
adage to the saying that “there is no bad weather just bad 
clothing”.