For those who follow this blog or my podcast (APPLE | GOOGLE | YOUTUBE | WWW), you’re familiar with my essential packing list for the Camino De Santiago. If you haven’t heard me talk about my preferred gear for walking pilgrimage or backpacking, you can find my complete lists of recommended backpacking gear on the GEAR LIST section of One Step Then Another.

Layering Ultralight Clothing for Pilgrimage Backpacking

For 2021, I continue to optimize my ultralight clothing layering system for backpacking by exchanging gear and adding different layers to find the best clothing for new. By testing my clothing on pilgrimage and backpacking trips including the Appalachian Trail and Florida Trail, I continue to refine my kit.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Layering 101
What Has Changed for 2021?
What Hasn’t Changed?
Ultralight Clothing Recommendations
Real-World Layering Examples
Clothing Considerations for Pilgrimage

LAYERING 101

When backpacking, having an effective clothing layering system allows you to regulate your body temperature in a wide-range of environments, from extreme heat to extreme cold in dry, damp, and wet conditions. While it may seem counter-intuitive, wearing/carrying several high-performing layers can keep you more comfortable outdoors than a basic shirt+jacket system.

At the risk of over-simplifying, a good layering system consists of base layers for moisture management and moving sweat away from your body, mid-layers for insulation and retaining warmth, and outer layers to protect you from wind and rain. Within each of those layers (base, mid, outer), you may have a one or more items designed to keep you comfortable in any environment.

Regarding outer layers, there may be times when your rain/wind layer would go OVER your outer layer, especially if you have a down outer layer. I use this method FREQUENTLY to maximize the wind-proofing power of my outer layers during rain.

For more on layering in different climates and seasons, I recommend this primer from Outdoor Gear Labs.

WHAT HAS CHANGED FOR 2021?

After quite a bit of time to research and test during the COVID pandemic, I’ve optimized my three-season mid and outer layers to perform better in all conditions and to be particularly high-performing for wind and rain. With upcoming trips in California, Great Britain, and Spain, I’m focused on being able to walk with a small, versatile kit.

WHAT HASN’T CHANGED?

I strongly suggest merino clothing whenever possible. Merino naturally resists odor, retains its warmth even when wet, resists wrinkles, and – as a natural fiber – is exponentially better for the environment than synthetics. For base layers and polos, merino wool remains an absolutely essential part of my ultralight clothing layering system.

ULTRALIGHT CLOTHING LAYERS FOR BACKPACKING

All of the listed gear has performed exceptionally well for me; your milage may vary. I purchased all of the gear listed on this site on my own and did not receive any incentive for providing a review. The views expressed regarding this product are mine alone based on my own experiences.

Why polo shirts? See Clothing Considerations for Pilgrimage below.

REAL WORLD LAYERING EXAMPLES

To assist in understanding how an ultralight layering system can work, please find real-world examples using the gear above during my backpacking pilgrimages:

COOL/COLD DRY WEATHER
BASE Woolly Clothing Men’s Merino Wool Ultralight Shirt
MID Arc’teryx Delta LT Versatile Fleece Jacket
MID RAIN / WIND Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell Hoody | 1/2 Zip Pullover

COOL/COLD RAIN
BASE Woolly Clothing Men’s Merino Wool Ultralight Shirt
MID Arc’teryx Delta LT Versatile Fleece Jacket
OUTER RAIN / WIND Montbell Peak Dry Shell

WARM DRY WITH WIND
BASE Woolly Clothing Men’s Merino Wool Ultralight Shirt
MID RAIN / WIND Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell Hoody

CLOTHING CONSIDERATIONS FOR PILGRIMAGE

From the Camino De Santiago or Kumano Kodo to the Via Francigena or the California Missions Trail, I’m always mindful of cultural expectations for respectful visitation to these sacred spaces and shrines. In North America and Europe, men should consider wearing collared shirts. Men may be asked to wear long pants and head coverings in some areas. Women should consider wearing dresses or tops with sleeves past the shoulder; skirt lengths should be to the knee. Women may be asked to wear head coverings in some areas.

RECOMMENDED ONLINE RETAILERS

          
NOTE: I purchased all of the gear listed on this site on my own and did not receive any incentive for providing a review. The views expressed regarding this product are mine alone based on my own experiences. If you purchase an item linked from this site, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

MORE PACKING LISTS AND GEAR REVIEWS

• 2023 Packing List: My Recommended Gear for Walking the Camino de Santiago
• Via Francigena Packing List – Updated 2022
• Charging your Phone, Headphones, and Battery on the Camino de Santiago
• Layering Ultralight Clothing for Pilgrimage Backpacking
• 2021 British Pilgrimage Packing List
• Packing List: Backpacking Gear for England’s Pilgrims’ Way
• CAMINO 101: Should you take a sleeping bag on the Camino de Santiago?
• PACKING LIST: Trekking The World
• PACKING LIST: Backpacking First-Aid Kit
• The Ultimate Backpacking Gear List for Hiking the Florida Trail
• PACKING LIST: First-Aid Kit for Blisters and Foot Care
• HOW TO: Five Tips for Urban Hiking

Kevin Donahue

Husband. Father. Backpacker. Pilgrim. Author.

After years of section hiking the Florida Trail and Appalachian Trail, I set out in 2019 to complete the Camino de Santiago through Portugal and Spain. The experience changed the direction of my life and I’ve been walking in pilgrimage ever since. My recent journeys include the California Mission Walk and England’s Pilgrims’ Way from London to Canterbury. I’m currently walking sections of the Via Francigena through Europe to Rome.

Follow me on social media or walk virtually alongside me on the Sacred Steps Podcast and in my upcoming book, Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal.