What should a tourist wear for hiking in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan?
Planning a wardrobe for a mountain hike should start with a weather forecast and studying the climatic features of the area. The Tian Shan mountains are not uniform in this regard. The air temperature in the plains usually exceeds 30 degrees during the summer, while the climate in the mountainous areas (from 800 meters and above) is noticeably colder.
On hikes, especially short trips to nature during weekends to popular places with many tourists, one often observes the same picture – many do not know how to choose clothing for outdoor trips, confusing a journey, even if short, with a physical education class. While such an approach may be acceptable for a one- or two-day hike, it can have serious consequences on a longer trip. In a short time, it is quite possible to catch a cold, get injured, or deprive oneself of the pleasure of being in nature.
Typically, most people embarking on a long hike in the mountains for the first time approach the issue of clothing selection with justified seriousness. Some items can be borrowed from friends and acquaintances, but for the rest, one has to go shopping.
Clothing for hiking should not be purchased in trendy stores, nor will items you set aside for the dacha be useful. Go to a sports store and look for functional, comfortable, and attractive items that possess the necessary qualities for mountain travel: repel moisture, dry quickly, and provide reliable warmth.
The influence of environmental factors on hiking
What happens to us during physical activity in nature? First, when we are moving actively, we generate a large amount of localized heat. The body responds to this with active sweating, especially intense in certain areas of our body. This can happen even in very cold weather. In such cases, if this sweat and excess heat are not transported away from the skin in time, the clothing that is close to the skin will become wet, and after stopping active movement, we will start to freeze.
Next point. If it is significantly colder around us than inside, we need to insulate ourselves from that cold, that is, to warm up. The temperature can vary significantly, meaning we should have the ability to layer our protection against the cold with the option to quickly release excess heat (ideally, to accumulate it, but that is still a very complex and expensive technology), and then quickly warm up again.
In addition to temperature fluctuations, our thermal comfort is also greatly affected by a factor such as air movement around us, in other words, wind. Strong wind, if our clothing does not block it, can cause serious hypothermia to an unprotected body even at significantly positive temperatures.
Another important component of our weather equation is humidity. It is well known that in dry climates, both frost and heat are much easier to tolerate than in humid conditions. This is compounded by direct atmospheric precipitation – rain and snow. Precipitation combined with wind can make life unbearable for a tourist if they are not prepared for it. Wet clothing significantly worsens our protection against heat loss; many insulators, when saturated with moisture, almost cease to be effective.
One should not underestimate the power of solar radiation, primarily ultraviolet. Sunburns, in extreme cases, can lead to very unfortunate results. Therefore, paradoxically, in very hot, sunny weather, it is necessary to stock up on light clothing that completely covers the body and protects against ultraviolet rays and contact with hot air.
General rules
Rule No. 1. The warmer, the better. When going to the mountains even in the height of summer, always take warm clothing with you. This is not just about a jacket or sweater. You will need thermal underwear, a hat, and gloves.
Rule No. 2. Layering. Let’s repeat: when traveling in the mountains, you will likely cross several climatic zones, which means temperature fluctuations are guaranteed. So don’t hesitate to wear several layers of clothing. You can wear a t-shirt, a warm sweater, and a down vest. You can always remove the top layer or, conversely, quickly warm up as needed. Spare footwear should also be on hand. In the plains, you may need lightweight canvas sneakers, but in the mountains, you cannot do without specialized boots that fit snugly to the foot.
Rule No. 3. Maximum coverage. Even if the day is sunny and warm, wear only closed clothing. Shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops are not suitable for mountain hikes. The body should be covered as much as possible. This way, you can avoid sunburns — they are much easier to get in the mountains than in the plains.
Rule No. 4. Opt for synthetics. Don’t be afraid to choose clothing made from high-tech synthetic fabrics for your trekking wardrobe. The density and strength of the items should be high, and the fabric should dry quickly and allow air to pass through. Additionally, synthetic clothing is much lighter than natural fabrics, such as wool.
Rule No. 5. Bright colors. Buy clothing in bright colors for your mountain hike. This will not only ensure a good mood during your trip but will also be quite practical. Brightly colored clothing will make you visible even from a distance — in case you get lost. However, choose bright colors wisely.
Orange shades are considered optimal at any time of the year: they always stand out against the background of the surrounding landscape.
The three-layer clothing concept for hiking
Currently, the most proven and effective is the three-layer clothing concept. It is very simple, understandable, and quite affordable, as it can be implemented at various financial levels, starting from very budget options. A properly dressed budget-level tourist will be significantly better protected from the whims of the weather than a poorly dressed novice in expensive and branded gear.
The first layer – "your shirt closer to the body" - our second skin, is usually thermal underwear;
the second layer – insulation, something warm, pleasant, and soft, for example, fleece or down;
the third layer – our armor, our shield. This is a protective layer worn, like the previous one, "as needed" by the body, depending on the weather. This is windproof and waterproof clothing.
Clothing for hiking: list
When deciding what to wear for a hike, you should primarily consider the difficulty of the hike, its duration, the climate of the area where it will take place, and the temperature fluctuations between day and night.
Underwear:
Thermal underwear
The main purpose is to wick moisture from the skin surface to the fabric surface. When you move, you sweat, and thermal underwear wicks moisture away, keeping your skin dry.
Thermal underwear is classified by:
- types of activity: active (lots of movement) and passive (little movement);
- by season: summer, transitional, winter.
Many people mistakenly believe that thermal underwear is only necessary for winter activities. In the summer in the mountains, thermal underwear is an indispensable item. In low temperatures, it will keep you warm, and in warm weather, it will help maintain normal body temperature and wick away sweat. If you are going on a harsh hike with sharp temperature fluctuations, take warm fleece thermal underwear.
If you plan to travel in a milder climate, pay attention to thermal underwear made from thin merino wool — an excellent option for summer trips.
Be sure to bring two sets with you, so you always have the option to change. Choose thermal underwear with minimal seams. The straps of a heavy backpack can press on the seams, chafing the skin and causing discomfort. With properly selected thermal underwear, this will not be a problem.
Important: thermal underwear, shirts, and pants should fit snugly to the body, like a "second skin," for the moisture-wicking effect to work.
T-shirts.
For summer hikes, synthetic t-shirts that dry quickly are suitable.
Underwear.
Special shorts (boxers) made from quick-drying materials such as microfiber or polyester. When calculating the quantity, consider the possibility of organizing "laundry days." If this is possible, two pairs will be enough for the entire hike. If not, then one pair for every two days.
Socks.
Two pairs of trekking socks, of the thickness that matches the trekking boots you selected. As clothing for hiking in the mountains, they are indispensable.
If you have a short forest hike in dry and warm weather, you can manage with regular, preferably linen socks. The main thing is that the footwear is not designed for a denser "underlayer" and fits snugly on the foot, rather than being loose.
Outerwear:
Storm jacket.
Ideally, the jacket should have a fully separating zipper, an inner pocket for "delicate" items – phone, money, a windproof flap for the zipper, adjustable cuffs on the sleeves, a spacious, adjustable hood (if the hike is extreme, it may need to be worn over a helmet), and an adjustable drawstring at the bottom of the jacket.
Ventilation openings are also desirable, especially if you are unsure about your membrane.
They are usually located under the arms. Reinforcements made of more durable material in "problem areas" — places that come into contact with straps and the waist of the backpack, as well as on the sleeves, are also useful. Especially if your jacket is made from modern lightweight materials. The fabric should have a rip-stop weave to prevent the "spreading" of punctures and cuts. Stretch fabric is very convenient but is rarely found in such clothing. If you have protective pants in addition to the jacket, the length of the top is of secondary importance; if not, the longer the jacket, the better. The cut of the jacket should allow you to make any movements, and the sleeve length should be sufficient even with raised arms and a backpack on.
Insulated jacket.
A membrane jacket with insulation (can be replaced with a warm transitional jacket) helps retain heat during stops, in the evening, and is used in worsening weather during movement.
Synthetic insulation dries faster when wet than down, but down is warmer. Down jackets should be protected from moisture with a rain jacket, as down loses its properties when wet and dries slowly.
When choosing an insulated jacket, two more indicators are added that characterize the filling: fill power and thermal resistance (CLO).
For synthetic insulation in clothing, the thermal resistance index CLO is used - the higher the CLO, the warmer the product.
Down jacket.
A down jacket is a warm jacket filled with down, indispensable for ascents, hikes, and winter travel, and serves as an insulating layer in summer. Light, compact, warm. Handle it carefully – there is a risk of burning it with sparks from a fire, getting it wet in the rain or damp weather. It will be difficult to dry. When wet, down loses its properties and will provide less warmth. To avoid this, during hikes, travels, or ascents, store it in a dry bag or a thick package. At home, store it in an expanded state to prevent the down from getting compressed.
For down products, the fill power indicator is used, which corresponds to the degree of compression and expansion of the filling - the higher this number, the more down and less feather, lighter weight without losing warmth, and smaller volume (with the same thermal characteristics).
A down vest or a vest made of synthetic insulation. A very pleasant and often necessary element of your hiking clothing. Made from modern materials, a vest weighs almost nothing and takes up little space; you can take it with you "just in case," but how nice it is to wear it on a cool evening or during a sudden drop in temperature while on the march.
Pants.
Windproof and waterproof pants - thin, lightweight, breathable, made from synthetic materials, windproof, and waterproof. Suitable for movement. It is advisable to have two pairs for the hike.
Leggings or tights – can be taken for summer hikes. Made from synthetic, stretchy, NON-denim fabrics. Suitable for movement – they wick moisture well, breathe, dry quickly, and do not restrict movement. They can be used for insulation under windproof and waterproof pants in worsening hiking conditions.
Jeans are NOT suitable: they are heavy, restrict movement, and cannot be dried when wet.
Fleece or Polartec pants - good for insulation in the evening, at camp, or for sleeping. Lightweight, warm, and quick-drying.
Insulated, winter, or ski pants - made from windproof and/or waterproof fabric, membrane fabric with insulation, or with a fleece lining. Indispensable for winter hikes, travels, and ascents. In summer, windproof and waterproof pants combined with fleece or Polartec pants are sufficient.
It is convenient if the pants have long zippers. Such a model is called "self-removing." They are easy to put on and take off without removing your shoes.
Shorts.
If you want to take shorts on a hike, it makes sense to wear them only with gaiters. This will protect your legs from insect bites, scratches, and sunburns.
Sweaters and pullovers. This type of hiking clothing should be made from modern materials based on Polartec (fleece).
There are wonderful soft, thick, but very lightweight fleece jackets. There are also combined – multi-layered, wicking heat but not allowing cold to pass through.
Of course, a regular knitted sweater can also be used as hiking clothing – it will protect well against evening chill, but it should be kept dry; otherwise, it will be difficult to dry in field conditions.
Headgear.
For hiking in the mountains, you need to stock up on two hats: for protection against cold and sun. During hot weather, an ideal headgear model is a wide-brimmed hat. Make sure it is secured with a strap under the chin, so it won't be blown away by the wind. A wide-brimmed hat will protect not only your face but also your neck and ears from the sun.
High in the mountains, where snow lies and cold winds blow, you will need a warm hat made of wool or fleece.
Gloves.
Indispensable clothing for hiking in the mountains, especially in the snow. In summer, thin fleece or regular work gloves are sufficient.
Sunglasses.
Urban and beach models are only suitable if your journey is limited to flat routes. For hiking in the mountains, special mountaineering glasses with a high degree of UV protection are necessary.
Raincoat.
A raincoat (cloak, jacket, poncho) made from dense polyethylene or special waterproof fabric is essential to bring along. A raincoat made from dense polyethylene is inexpensive, protects from rain, but does not breathe. With prolonged use, you will sweat.
A poncho is a raincoat-cape with a hood made from special fabric that covers a person along with their backpack. However, it is difficult to put on, does not fit snugly – there is a risk of getting wet in windy conditions or during a sideways rain. When resting, to remove the backpack, you must first take off the poncho.
Footwear
Backpack
Tent
Sleeping bag