Save weight on your expedition clothing

By embracing the art of layering, you can save weight and ensure you will remember your expedition for its awe-inspiring views and experiences rather than discomfort and inappropriate clothing.

This article is the first recipe in 6 weight saving recipes to shave weight off your DofE expedition kit list, a series of articles to help you save weight on your expedition kit without compromising comfort or utility, helping you to make more sustainable choices and invest in kit that will last a lifetime.

When you're on an expedition, dealing with changing weather and varying levels of activity can be tricky. You don't want to end up too cold or too hot. It's important to have the right kind of clothes to keep your body temperature just right, handle sweat well, and protect you from the weather, especially when you're on the move.

You will not be wearing all of your layers at once, so your clothes should compress down to fit in a backpack. By combining layers that are dual-purpose, waterproof, breathable, light, and dry fast, you can adjust to different weather conditions easily, save weight and stay comfortable, even if you get caught in sudden spring rains.

You can read more about the concepts of the layering system here. For now, let's jump straight into some solutions.

Ingredients

1. Base layer (moisture-wicking material)
2. Insulating layer (fleece or synthetic jacket)
3. Outer layer (waterproof and windproof jacket)
4. Quick-drying trousers or shorts
5. Lightweight hiking boots
6. Moisture-wicking socks
7. Hats and gloves

Preparation

• Ensure your outer layers are sized to go over the top of your inner layers.
• Play around with layers to create the most flexibility.
• Garments with multiple uses will save you weight overall.
• Put your outer layers through a tech wash to improve water resistance and breathability.

Method

1. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from your skin.
2. Add an insulating layer for warmth.
3. Top with an outer layer to protect from wind and rain.
4. Adjust layers as needed for changes in temperature, rain, wind chill and activity level.

Chef's tips

Consider varying fabric weights based on climate, and explore natural fibre alternatives such as merino wool as your experience and budget allow.

Where you can save the weight

The DofE publish a recommended kit list which is a great place to start if you are kitting yourself out for an expedition for the first time. We do have alternatives, which we have listed below, to help you reduce the weight. Our recommendations are a guide – you should always check with your Leader that the kit you choose is suitable for your particular expedition.

Our next recipe covers which tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat you will need to save an additional 1kg helping you to pack light and sleep soundly on your wild camp.