Pilgrimage Clothing
Pilgrimage Clothes
While making pilgrimage, you should wear what makes you comfy for the task. Walk in clothes you love, that feel good.
BUT - do try to follow the ‘No Cotton’ rule. Not jeans, cotton socks, nor cotton t-shirts. Cotton soaks up sweat, and creates a bacteria-rich wet cold janky nightmare. It is not the right material to walk in, unless your pilgrimage is for only a day or two.
As exceptions to this semi-rule, poly-cotton makes a reliable quick-drying trouser/jacket, and Ventile cotton makes a solid weatherproof shirt/jacket/trouser.
In my opinion, wool is the best fabric for pilgrimage clothing. Wool is natural, and at the end of its life cycle it will biodegrade cleanly and harmlessly. Synthetic clothes are effective, and usually cheaper to buy, but come with these expensive hidden costs. As oil derivatives, synthetics need to be sourced from deep earth drilling. When they finally break down, they release toxins. Also, during their life, washing synthetic clothes releases micro-plastics into water courses.
Wool is a wonder fabric. When it is wet, it is exothermic, releasing heat. It is also naturally anti-bacterial, so will not get smelly quickly. If you can find merino wool garments, well done. This fabric is super comfy, and often styled in ways that modern folk like. That being said, a good old woolly jumper or plaid shirt works too.
Socks
During pilgrimage, socks keep your feet safe, comfy and warm, so I recommend thick wool in winter, and thinner wool in summer. Merino wool (blended) is best. A fabric blend offers durability as well as the benefits of wool. On long journeys, three pairs is ample. Two is also functional if you are disciplined. You just have to wash them as you go.
Trousers
Poly-cotton is the most typical material for hiking trousers, as it is durable and quick-drying. You can pay between £40 and £300 for a pair of these, without vast differences. Some brands add a layer of wax, like Fjallraven, and call it G-1000. This makes their poly-cotton mildly waterproof, but also less breathable.
With poly-cotton, fit is everything. We all have different shape and length legs, yet all trousers are bought ‘off the peg’, tailored to an arbitrary pair of imagined limbs. So almost everyone shares the discomfort of ill-fitting clothes. And we call industrialisation an improvement! Bring back tailors!
Anyway, if you find a pair of trousers that fit well enough, stick with this brand and size. They may be the cheapest or the dearest. Otherwise, it is a great unending quest to find decent fitting trousers for pilgrimage.
The problem with poorly fitted trousers is that they can cause over-heating, which can lead to rubbing and soreness. Also, they can resist your leg movement, making your clothes actively work against journey’s progress. The knee test - when you lift your knee to your chin - is how to know whether trousers are on your side or not.
Ventile trousers can be good in winter, especially if you like natural fibres. But they are not stretchy, and really need to fit well. Paramo trousers are also a solid all day waterproof option. The advantage of top quality weatherproof trews is that you don’t need to remove them, whatever the weather. Having extensive zips is important, so you can ventilate during the dry/hot times.
My preference in spring/summer/autumn is climbing trousers. These allow a full range of movement. You can make them warmer with baselayers as required, and waterproof with outers as required. Patagonia make some great climbing trousers from recycled materials.
Wool trousers are hard to find, and are usually too hot for anything except winter walking. Sasta make the best I’ve ever found. Don’t buy thin suit-style trousers, as they will rip out at the gusset (between the legs) pretty quickly.
One pair of trousers is ample, as long as you have something else, shorts or leggings, to wear while you wash them.
Shorts can be vital in high summer, and can double (for men) as swimwear. Basic running shorts are often the best bet, and light enough to carry as well as trousers. Some people might go for zip-off trousers. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. You can get poly-cotton zip-off trousers very cheaply, or you can pay a pretty penny for a branded pair. But remember, if they don’t fit, paying more won’t make them better. Shorts are not so good in areas with high insect life, or overgrown heavily nettled paths, so do your research before setting out bare-legged.
If you’re making a journey in deep winter, you may want insulated trousers. The best possible are from PHD. In damp climates, these should probably be synthetic insulation, because down can suffer in the wet. PHD Kappa trousers are expensive, but super warm and waterproof. For cheap alternatives, check out GO Outdoors.
Underwear
Underwear is best in merino wool too (at least a blend) for anti-bacterial and comfort reasons. As with socks, even on long journeys carry three pairs only, and regularly wash them. Finisterre make good merino undies.
Personally, I find pants with an advertising waistband to be deeply annoying. But different strokes for different folks. If you are into branded wool boxers, Smartwool are a good bet. Montane also offer a quality merino blend called Primino.
Ultimately, just take the underwear that you already have, if it’s comfy for you. If it’s cotton, wash it very regularly.
Baselayer Leggings
You may want merino long-john/leggings to supplement your trousers’ warmth. Ruskovilla make the best (organic) merino! You can also find cheap options somewhere like GO Outdoors. One pair is usually enough. Go for thinner in Spring/Autumn, and thicker in winter. Under waterproof trousers, a wool layer is both comfortable and effective at managing condensation.
Baselayer tops
Your baselayer tops should again be merino or synthetic, ideally the former. Ruskovilla remain the very best bet. Smartwool are very good too. There are a very wide range of manufacturers making good merino tops. I would suggest carrying a long sleeved base layer and a short sleeved one. If you’re cold, double up. Wash them as regularly as you need. Did I mention to avoid cotton t-shirts for longer journeys?
I like zip collars, because they can be opened in heat and closed in cold. Temperature variability makes clothes more useful. But you may prefer a simpler round neck.
Midlayer tops
For a mid-layer, a thicker woollen layer works. Ruskovilla have good ones. Or an old fleece will do - though fleece is micro-plastic and will pollute. But they are practical and good as a layer under a waterproof jacket. If you’ve already got one, it’ll suffice.
Having a garment that protects the neck is recommended.
For colder seasons, you have the choice of a thick wool layer, perhaps made in England by Bison Bushcraft, or the similar but far more expensive McNair. The most famous wool layer is made by Swanndri. These layers would constitute overkill for warmer months, but in deep winter they can be a really good all-day garment.
A lighter and more effective (but more crinkley and platicated) outer layer option would be an insulated puffy jacket. Patagonia and PHD make excellent options. PHD in particular offer a wide range of puffy clothing that can protect in almost every climate. The advantage of a plastic layer is that it will cut the wind completely, and offers unparalleled weight-to-warmth.
Outer Layer
Typically, an outer-layer comprises a waterproof, or hard-shell. I talk about these in detail here.
Hat/Scarf/Gloves (HSG)
A really important trio of kit is HSG - Hat/Scarf/Gloves. I would suggest always carrying this combination, even in summer, though obviously varying the thickness per season. A merino wool Buff is an excellent scarf for warmer months, while a thicker wool scarf makes sense in autumn/winter.
Gloves are a big personal choice - I like fingerless, but in some seasons you need fingers covered too. Wool is the best fabric, as if it gets wet it won’t leave your hands cold. But wool, unless felted, is not totally windproof, so for prolonged bad weather you may want a waterproof shell glove too. In harsher climates, consider a dedicated waterproof and insulated glove.
Your hat is also very much dependent on personal pilgrim preference. A beanie in winter is vital for warmth - wool, or possum fur - works best. But in summer, something to protect you from the sun is crucial. Tilley hats work well. So do straw hats. In winter, you may wish to wear a felt wide-brimmed hat to keep the rain off your face and neck. Brixton make great hats. The gold standard for brimmed felt hats is Akubra.
