Winter - clothing the bottom half

[Donna Sch]

I'm thinking about doing a winter camino in February 2019 and am wondering what everyone has worn at that time of year! So many combinations re thermals/tights/shorts/trousers/rainpants. I know for trousers and shorts that I like big cargo pockets. I do like compression gear but I'm used to wearing these in summer conditions not winter ie compression shorts and calf sleeves. Since I live in the tropics these days I expect to feel the cold but I want to minimise the warm/waterproof gear causing too much sweating and getting wet as a result.

Any particular items you recommend?

 

[Bradypus]

Very difficult to judge how someone else will feel cold or heat. I always prefer several thin layers to carrying heavyweight clothing which may rarely be used. That way you can mix and match to suit the day and time. I wear lightweight walking trousers with zipped pockets at the waist where I can carry anything valuable in ziplock plastic pouches. Most of the time on a winter camino they are warm enough for me while I am actually walking and generating heat. If it is very cold - especially when windy or wet - then I will wear close-fitting synthetic thermal long johns underneath these. Also double as sleepwear if the albergues are chilly. You cannot always assume that the dorms will be heated to your own comfort level in winter.

 

[Kanga]

For my colder camino (October/November) I found silk long johns were fabulous under thin hiking pants.

 

[mspath]

During all the good years when walking in winter this was always my kit. Nothing more nor less.

Happy planning!

 

[Paddington Bear]

During all the good years when walking in winter this was always my kit. Nothing more nor less.

Happy planning!

Great blog. Thank you.

 

[hillwalker]

... when walking in winter this was always my kit.

thank you @mspath for your well annotated list - helpful for summer planning too ... I'm reassured someone else wears socks for sleeping but sad to discover you're no longer walking, I was imagining being able to serendipitously thank you with a hug!

 

[Glenn Rowe]

I've been accused of being half Polar Bear, so what works for me may not work for you.

With that said, even when walking in sub-freezing temps, I have found that lightweight long underwear pants worn under loose-fitting but tightly-woven pants are sufficient. If I need a bit more warmth, I use large rubber bands to "blouse" the bottoms of my pant-legs like a paratrooper. If the wind gets too strong, adding a pair of rain- or wind-pants keeps me toasty.

Though you probably already know this, clothing that keeps you cozy when you're inactive will prove to be much too warm when you're walking.

 

[katie@camino]

For my colder camino (October/November) I found silk long johns were fabulous under thin hiking pants.

@Kanga where did you get these silk long johns?

 

[Kanga]

@Kanga where did you get these silk long johns?

NZ Nature - here

 

[FLEUR]

I've bought silk long johns and silk long sleeved vest from Landsend in u.k.
Like Kanga and Katie I wear mine under my lighter walking gear .

 

[katie@camino]

NZ Nature - here

Thankyou @Kanga. How did you go with washing silk on the Camino? Does it dry quickly? And can i ask why you choose silk? Does it provide enough warmth?

 

[Kanga]

@katie@camino I wash by hand - but as I only wear the long johns when it is very cold and as silk is rather like wool in that it resists odour, I don't recall having to wash them often. Drying depends on the weight of the silk fabric - the double knit takes longer than the single knit, but it is warmer and more opaque so can be worn by itself (mine are black). And yes, by weight, silk is warmer than wool, which is one of the reasons for choosing it.

 

[Athena Atterdag]

I walked the Camino this winter, and I wore Forclaz mountain trekking trousers* with very warm thermo leggins. They kept me warm in the early mornings when it was cold (often slightly below zero), and after walking for two or three hours, I would take off the leggins and walk on in the trousers. I was very glad that I decided on the combination of simple trekking trousers and thermo leggins and left my fleece trousers at home, because fleece trousers would be too warm for walking during the day. Not to mention the extra weight!

*No special reason for buying trousers for mountain trekking other that a special price for them at the store