Vancouver BC Hiking Tips: Hiking Clothing

1. Don't wear cotton: Cotton Kills! It quickly gets soaked with rain, or sweat, and takes too long for it to dry. When cotton gets wet it loses 100 percent of it's insulation properties. Wet clothes wick heat away from the skin.

2. Don't wear jeans: You'll be hiking in BC rainforests, not herding cattle in Saskatchewan. Jeans are heavy, and don't insulate when wet. Cotton sweatpants are just as bad.

3. Wear Synthetic Fabrics: Synthetic fabrics don't retain water easily, they insulate when wet and dry rapidly.

4. Dress in Layers: Layer 1 should be comfortable thin synthetics ( ie T-shirt and shorts). Layer 2 should be for warmth (ie a fleece jacket/vest and long pants). Layer 3 should be for protection (ie goretex jacket, toque, gloves)