I’m planning a cross country road trip from the southeast to Montana around July 20th. I’ll be car camping for three days at a music festival near Two Medicine Lake, close to Glacier National Park. Afterward, I’ll probably do some hiking and exploring in the park. I’ve read that temperatures can range from 60 to 90 degrees during the day and can drop below 40 at night. Rain is also unpredictable.
What kind of baselayers and gear should I bring for both the festival and for hiking around Montana? I’m debating between linen and merino wool for the trip. I love linen in the southeast, but I don’t have much experience with merino wool.
I’m thinking about packing a short-sleeve linen t-shirt, long-sleeve linen shirt, linen tank top, linen pants, 4-way stretch jeans or Kuhl pants, linen shorts, merino wool long sleeve and leggings, a fleece jacket, maybe a puffer jacket, and a rain jacket. For footwear, I plan to bring trail runners, sandals, and Altama jungle boots. I’ll also pack plenty of underwear and Darn Tough socks. I’ve been eyeing the Teren Campfire jacket, but not sure if it’s worth the $400. Does this sound good or should I consider something else?
I would go with merino wool. It resists odors much longer and stays warm when wet, but it’s a bit pricey. Polyester is cheaper but you’ll smell pretty fast after 1-2 days of use. You won’t need the base layers during the day, but they’ll be useful at night.
As for the Campfire jacket, I don’t think it’s worth the $400. You can get a good puffer like the Decathlon Trek 100 or a Marmot down jacket on clearance for much less.
For camping at the festival, I’d recommend getting cheap gear like a budget tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. Go for a sleeping pad with an R-value of at least 3 or 5 for comfort.
I suggest cheaper gear because at festivals, you might run into people who aren’t respectful (drunk, high, or even causing theft). If possible, get VIP tickets to avoid long lines and rowdy crowds. But for hiking or backpacking into a campsite, you’ll want lightweight, more expensive gear.
@Keaton
Thanks! This really helps. I’ll stick with merino wool then. We have a small, budget UL tent for backpacking, but I’m thinking about upgrading my sleeping pad since the one I have isn’t very comfortable or warm.
It’s actually on Blackfeet Tribal land, and alcohol is banned, so hopefully that will cut down on the troublemakers. There’s no running water, electricity, or campfires allowed, and they only have porta-potties.
@Lex
Sounds like a more chill festival! I like that. I’ve been to Electric Forest and a festival in Canada, and there were some pretty bad experiences with people misbehaving. Have a great time!
Lex said: @Keaton
What weight merino baselayers would you suggest? Do you think Icebreaker 125 Cool Lite Sphere shirts and 175 thermals would be a good option?
Yeah, that combination would work well.
Also, check out deals on merino wool at REI’s outlet, Steepandcheap.com, Sierra.com, and Decathlon. I’ve used brands like Decathlon, Mons Royale (my favorite), Norrøna, Icebreaker, and Smartwool. Personally, I find that merino wool blends (with nylon or rayon) last much longer than pure merino wool. This is especially true for socks.
You’ll probably want a lightweight long sleeve hiking shirt, maybe with a hood, since a lot of the park is exposed and doesn’t have much tree cover. Unless you’re on the west side at a lower elevation, you’ll be hiking in the open.