Mountain equipment clothing: the old rule of dressing like an onion!

The mountain is a natural environment very different from the city and therefore requires a specific clothing and equipment.

I hope nobody would think to go on trails with bathroom slippers, but probably an equipment climbing Everest is not only excessive, but uncomfortable and even harmful for the purposes of a walker.

You need to find the right balance for your choices, and balance is achieved primarily with our own experience: only with experience we can understand if we need heavy or light boots, if we need one, two or three batteries to take with us or if chopsticks will help us or just be a hindrance. But the goal must be clear to everyone: security and comfort.

What I can do is to tell you my own experience: I hope that this information will help you to find the balance in your choice of material and clothing, which will accompany you in your excursions.

• First of all you need a jacket: a waterproof jacket, perhaps anti-wind. I will suggest a light jacket so that when folded it occupies little space in your backpack. You will need also a pile. In my opinion the old rule of dressing like an onion, in layers, is very valid.
• two thin shirts, one long sleeve, to keep in contact with your skin. I use synthetic t-shirt that are designed to move moisture away from your skin.
• long pants if you plan to go to the woods (watch out for scratches in the legs) or if you suffer from cold, but do not bother jeans: they are heavy! In summer you can use shorts, but it is a good idea to have a pair of pants with you in case of sudden weather change.
• hiking socks: again I avoid the old woolen socks, which are heavy and make your feet sweat. The new synthetic materials perform admirably to the task.
• Boots: personally I prefer to use high boots that protect the ankle. The rigidity of the boot helps protect the foot from shocks, but has the disadvantage of being heavier. For easy walks I normally use a pair of low boots.
• sun hat with a visor (helps protect your face in case of rain) and warm hat
• gloves

Now you know what you need if you want to go to the mountains!