Clothing

Intense sun disqualifies tank tops, shorts, and even short sleeves. Like the cowboys in old westerns, wearing long sleeves is the surest way to prevent sunburn. The ideal FT thru-hike outfit is pictured above: convertible 100% nylon pants, a 100% polyester t-shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat. 

When shopping for outdoor gear, nothing is more overpriced than clothes. An outfitter may charge $70 for a pair of shorts, $100 for a t-shirt, and $250 for a fleece jacket. Yikes. Their marketing materials usually include scientific-looking graphics touting wicking or fast drying features, but these expensive name-brands aren't any better or lighter than inexpensive versions at generic big-box stores. 

So when shopping for (most) clothes, we recommend avoiding outfitters and checking out places like Dick's Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, Big 5, and even Target. General athletic/ running/ workout clothes are just as good as "hiking" clothes. If you do shop at an outfitter, ignore the name brands and only look at the in-house brands made by REI or Eastern Mountain Sports.

Mornings and evenings can be quite cold on the FT — not cold enough for an extra layer under your pants but definitely too cold for a single shirt. So are conventional baselayers a good choice to stay warm while hiking?

First, let's ask ourselves what exactly the difference is between a shirt marketed as a baselayer versus a regular wicking athletic shirt. The baselayer costs more, for one. It's also supposed to be tight/ form fitting to minimize air movement and thus maximize warmth. Not a good idea in humid Florida, where baselayers trap sweat like a sponge and hold it against your skin (especially if they're wool). That's not supposed to happen of course, but instead of wicking away, your outer shirt plus the humidity prevent sweat from going anywhere. 

What About When Sleeping?

As we discuss on the sleeping bags page, the wide range of temperatures on the FT have led us to recommend a 20-32 degree bag combined with a silk liner. Some people are particularly sensitive to cold however, especially women and folks over sixty. If you know your comfort level and are worried about being too cold at night, then wool or polypropylene baselayers (top and bottom) are a good idea. 

As we discuss on the health problems page, heat rash can be a painful problem. The key is prevention, and while applying Gold Bond to your thighs helps, so too does wearing underwear made from polyester or some other synthetic material. 

Within hiking circles cotton is maligned for exacerbating hypothermia, but nevertheless many hikers still wear cotton underwear. Usually this is not a problem, and on another trail we might even encourage it since synthetics tend to smell bad and thru-hikers go weeks without laundry. However, since cotton dries so slowly and Florida is so humid, cotton underwear traps moisture (and subsequently heat) and that causes painful rashes. 

It's a good idea to carry a fleece beanie and fleece gloves. Like shirts and jackets, these are usually way overpriced at an outfitter. As long as they are 100% fleece, simple inexpensive gloves and beanies from Target or Wal-Mart are sufficient. 

The subtropical sun is intense, even in winter, and there will be long stretches on the FT with little shade. The Florida Trail is not a long green tunnel like the AT, so a pair of sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays is important.

Polarized lenses are nice, but more expensive. Plus, if you plan to take lots of photographs or use your phone often, polarized lenses make it impossible to read LCD screens. You have to take the glasses off to see the screen, so it's best to avoid polarization. 

No item of clothing is more overpriced than sunglasses, which can cost as much as $400 at an outfitter. This is especially ridiculous considering how often sunglasses break or get lost. We recommend getting sunglasses at the dollar store or otherwise not spending more than $5 on a pair.