WHAT TO WEAR

Adventurers need clothing that will withstand the rigours of hostile weather and terrain. Here are the principles you should follow when selecting clothing for backpacking in wild areas.Above all, do not compromise when it comes to clothing.

If you have just survived a plane crash or similar accident, the chances are that you will be dressed in light, comfortable clothes that are totally unsuitable to survival situations. In this case you must improvise (see the chapter on improvising clothing, tools and weapons). However, if you are a backpacker or similar adventurer, you should be better clothed and equipped to deal with a survival situation, and there is really no excuse for wearing sub-standard clothing and carrying poor equipment.

Today, because of the explosion in outdoor leisure activities, there is a bewildering variety of clothing available to the backpacker, with a corresponding diversity in quality and price. It is impossible here to give a detailed breakdown of the range of clothing currently available. Nevertheless, some guiding principles can be provided that will enable you to make a wise choice when selecting outdoor wear.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SURVIVAL CLOTHES

Above all, you must select the proper clothing for the job. For example, clothing that is suitable for a Sunday afternoon stroll in a temperate climate will not stand up to the severe conditions encountered in the arctic, tropics or desert. Do not skimp when it comes to clothing – IT WILL BE THE MAIN FACTOR THAT PROTECTS YOU FROM THE COLD, WET AND WIND.

But how do you know what to kit yourself out in? Simple: read this book, go through the plethora of magazines dedicated to outdoor pursuits, go to camping exhibitions, go to camping and survival shops and discuss your requirements with staff who have a knowledge about such things. In short, like all special forces units, undertake detailed research before your embark on an operation. In this way you will not find out the hard way that the clothing you purchased is totally unsuitable for the expedition you are currently undertaking. A little prior planning will pay dividends.

Gore-tex is an excellent material for outdoor clothing. It is a ‘breathable’ material which allows perspiration vapour to exit but prevents water from entering. This is achieved via the microporous Gore-tex membrane, which has nine billion pores per square inch. These pores are 20,000 times smaller than a droplet of water but 700 times bigger than a molecule of water vapour. This prevents the entry of wind and water but allows perspiration to escape freely. Gore-tex clothing is not cheap, but what price do you put on your life?

The layer principle offers the maximum protection and flexibility in all types of climate. The principle is very simple: dead air is the best form of insulation, and the best way of creating it is to trap it between layers of clothing. The more layers you wear, the greater the insulating effect. Temperature control is very easy: all you do is add or take away layers according to your wants.

Remember, overheating can be as much of a problem as being cold. If you sweat when it’s cold, the body chills when you stop sweating, and your sweat-soaked clothing will act as a conductor to draw away body heat into the air. It is important that you prevent this. Here are the layers you should wear:

• Next to the skin you should wear thermal underwear, so-called ‘long johns’.
• Over this should be worn a woollen or wool mixture shirt.
• On top of this will be a woollen or good woven fibre sweater or jacket (woven fibre tends to be better because it is warmer and more windproof).
• Then have a fibre-filled or holofil (man-made material) jacket. Down is not recommended, when it gets wet it tends to lose its insulating properties.
• The final layer must be windproof and waterproof.

US AIR FORCE TIPS:

GENERAL CARE OF CLOTHING – THE ‘COLDER’ PRINCIPLE

USAF pilots learn this simple acronym for when they are stranded in hostile terrain with only their jump suits for protection.

C Keep clothing Clean.

O Avoid Overheating.

L Wear clothing Loose and in layers.

D Keep clothing Dry.

E Examine clothing for defects in wear.

R Keep clothing Repaired.

ROYAL MARINES TIPS:

CARING FOR YOUR BOOTS

As they have to trek everywhere on foot, often over long distances, Britain’s Royal Marines have tried and tested rules for the care of boots.

• Stuff wet boots with newspapers and dry them in a warm, airy place, though not in direct heat, which will bake and then crack the leather.
• In winter rub silicone or wax over the laces to stop them freezing when they get wet.
• Your boots should be of a size that allows you to wear two or three pairs of socks underneath.
• Socks which are too tight will restrict the circulation and the layer of warm air that is between them – this can lead to frozen feet.
• Always carry a spare pair of socks.
• Whenever feet get wet change socks as quickly as possible. Boots should also be dried as best they can.

FOOTWEAR

For any outdoor activity it is best to equip yourself with a pair of waterproof boots. Training or tennis shoes should NOT be worn; they will not protect you from the cold and wet. The best kind of footwear for general backpacking is walking boots, which have a flexible sole with a deep tread.

It is important to look after your boots, and it is always wise to carry a spare pair of laces around with you. Keep the uppers supple and waterproof with a coating of wax or polish, and always check your boots before you use them for broken seals, worn-out treads, cracked leather, rotten stitching and broken fastening hooks. Remember, if you look after your boots they will look after you, and there is no reason you won’t be able to get up to 10 years of use out of them if you do. Many backpackers wear nylon gaiters over their boots to help keep water out when walking through wet grass and the like.

Socks are another important item of footwear, and most backpackers wear two pairs on their feet for comfort and to prevent blisters. Whether you wear a thin pair and a thick pair, two thin pairs or two thick pairs is up to you, but find a combination that suits you before you undertake any serious walking.

TROUSERS

Windproof trousers are recommended for outdoor use, but they should also be light and quick-drying. Synthetic/cotton gaberdine-type weaves are the best. The better makes of trousers are compact, light and extremely quick to dry, even after being soaked. In addition, they have around five pockets with zips, making them excellent for carrying items securely.

WATERPROOF TROUSERS

These fit over your trousers and should have a side zip to allow them to be put on if you are wearing a pair of boots, or they should be wide enough to allow you to put them on while wearing boots. Be careful they are not tight-fitting, if they are your legs will quickly start to sweat. .

JACKETS

Your jacket forms your outer shell, as such it must be windproof and waterproof. A jacket with a covered zip is best, as this will prevent the wind and wet entering, and will be a backup if the zip fails (zip coverings are usually secured by studs of velcro).

The jacket should have a deep hood which can accommodate a hat, comes up to cover the lower part of the face, and has a wire stiffener (hood drawcords with cord locks are better than the tying variety, especially if wearing gloves).

The sleeves should cover the hands and the jacket should have wrist fasteners. It should also be big enough to accommodate several layers of clothing and allow the flow of air in warm weather. The number of pockets is a personal choice, but you should select a jacket that has at least two on the outside with waterproof flaps and one inside that can hold a map. The jacket should be knee-length and also have drawcords at the waist and hem.

Colour is a matter of choice. Some people prefer the more military looking types in olive green or camouflage. However, while it may be more pleasing to the eye to wear a colour that blends into the surroundings, remember that it will be more difficult for rescue patrols to see you in an emergency. Bright colours, on the other hand, stick out and draw attention to yourself – excellent for a survival situation.

A jacket is one of your most important items of clothing, if not the most important. Do not compromise when it comes to buying one.

PAYING A LITTLE BIT MORE AND GETTING A GOOD GORE-TEX JACKET WILL GET YOU A HARD-WEARING ITEM THAT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE.

GLOVES

There are a host of woollen and ski gloves on the market, but mittens are better for heat retention. However, they can be very awkward if you want to use your fingers. Therefore, wear a thin pair of gloves under your mittens.

HEADGEAR

It is estimated that between 40 and 50 per cent of heat loss from the body in some conditions can occur through the head, therefore it is important to wear something on the head (headgear can also provide protection from the heat in hot weather). Any sort of woollen hat or balaclava will help prevent heat loss, though of course they are not waterproof.