YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Mountain Fashion

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Mountain Fashion https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:31:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php rabbit on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion/page/2#post-1198735 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 05:06:37 +0000 rabbit 1198735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sarah I enjoyed reading all your tips and am taking notes.... Sarah A on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion/page/2#post-1198610 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 01:38:38 +0000 Sarah A 1198610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Okay... back to the subjects at hand. Quick dry undies. I have both patagonia capeliene and ex officio (the ExO which give horrible VPL so I dont usually wear them). The gal at the outdoor store here tells me the Ibex are the best sellers these days, they no longer carry the patagonia undies b/c they sat on the shelf while the other flew off. Not sure of their fit model. Patagona is cut super straight (I always end up adding elastic to the waist b/c it will be like 4" too big for stuff that fits my hips.) If you are going to buy at REI do the member thing I think it is $20 for a lifetime and you get back 10% on all full price purchases. Forever. I dont buy a lot full price but I have gotten my $20 back for sure. They also so memebrs only coupons for the REIOutlet so outlet + 20% off makes the prices competitive wih pretty much anywhere out there. And I shop around for the best price You have given yourself plenty of time to plan ahead so that will serve you well to be able to be frugal. I love merino wool T's for their ability to go at least 3 days without stinking so if they are in the budget that is nice, occasionally Sams or Costco can be a good option for this. A UPF (sun protection) shirt & hat pretty much rounds it out for me. Really though, almost all of me recommendation are "nice to have" will make you comfortable etc. I am CERTAIN you could go to your closet right now and do this trip without buying anything, you might do more laundry or not be as comfortable as you could be if it rained or whatever so realize that my lists here are my luxuries that make me comfortable when out doing something I find really fun Beth Ann on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion/page/2#post-1198605 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 01:28:49 +0000 Beth Ann 1198605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ CC:  Absolutely right to remind me of the "present tic situation."  We certainly know this tiny menace in northern Illinois --- tic checks are an excuse for tickle fights in our family! Carter:  Even City Girls like us can love being in nature once in a while!    I didn't think about timed showers -- good thing I can be pretty fast (so much for leg shaving).  I hadn't thought about noisemakers for bears, but I could always toss off Tosca's big finish -- you know, when she screams, "Scaaaarpia" as she throws herself off a parapet.  That oughta be good for a couple of grizzlies!  And I so wish we had time to get to Canada! Sarah:  Thanks for typing your foot-saving wisdom on a tiny phone keyboard!  I will definitely try some of these out!  I think I might take a t-shirt dress, in addition to my black one, it would be great for showering. Sarah A on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion/page/2#post-1198602 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 01:26:10 +0000 Sarah A 1198602@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The sweater weight down vest or jacket is worth its weight in gold (which is about what they cost but....) and gets MVP status. Can put under a rain shell for warmth (aside on rain shells: I am looking at maybe getting a Helly Hansen striped Lyness which seems to have good fashion crossover factor i think but havent seen in person), can wear by itself on cold mormings and evenings can throw into small bag in it's pocket and put in bag when out for day, sleep in it if the night is colder than what you planned for... yadda yadda. I have a vest style (lowe alpine) and a jacket (eddie baurer first ascent line) never ever go into the backcountry without them. Another item I love love love for car camping are the Ikea tarpulan bags, not the huge blue ones (which are awesome for carrying firewood btw) but their cute ones that are slightly larger than a grocery bag. Everyone gets one in our tent and they are waterproof so even if it floods your clothes stay dry. I know you will be in the camper but they are like $2 and you can set them on the ground and they dont wick water! amazing! On the subject of water, if your camper doesnt have a water tank get some of those 5 gal collapsable jugs with the spicket. Have someones chose be to keep them filled each morning and your back and forth the the water source trips will stop cutting into your day. Baby wipes are awesome for cleaning up too and less expensive than makeup remover wipes, unscented and I always put them and the toothpaste in the bear box/bag just because i dont want any troubles. Well, now I have to go back and reread your questions because my own train of thought has taken me way off course! Sarah A on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion/page/2#post-1198594 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 01:14:12 +0000 Sarah A 1198594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Are your leopard crocs flats? Those could be shower shoes? You can dry them with a towel and they will be ready 10 sec later. Agree about a dress etc to wear to showers.. The floor is always wet and if you try to find somewhere to balance your nice clean dry clothes they always fall and get yucky. Change into your clothes for the day at your campsite always so much easier, also showerjng at night is a great way to avoid crowds, check for ticjs and keep your bedding cleaner eadier. I basically hate cotton for camping but usually bring jeans for campfire sitting about times. I dont like to put bug stuff on after my shower and the mosquitos will bite right through those lightweight nylon pants. I dont care for the zip iff legs myself but i think thats a matter of personal comfort, id rather wear ling pants under a skirt or dress and pull them iff if i get too hot. Also i usually run hot so bare kegs work in early morning as long as i have a nice layer on top... Which brings me to "sweater weight" down jackets. The. Bomb. ETA: Just reread, and oh my typos "bare kegs in early morning" well... that does sounds like some camping trips i've been on! Sarah A on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion/page/2#post-1198586 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 01:04:41 +0000 Sarah A 1198586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, i have been hoping to get on the computer to type to no avail, so please excuse in phone typos and autocorrects... For hiking id use a trail runner (bonus you could get some runs in!) for runners used to a structured shoe brooks cascadia is a potential. For a flexible minimal shoe but that has a nuce rock plate i like my patagonia evermores. I have a soloman fellcross pair of trail runners too and because of them i am selling my zamberlain hiking boots. Short of needing crampons the soloman shoes can do it all. They have some trail models that are less expensive than the fellcross too. I wear mens sizing for the width and it works really well. Socks i am a fan of the ol two pair method to avoid blisters.. Body glide on know likely to get tender on feet places then toe socks (inininji or smartwool) then thin over sock (smartwool or goodhew or defeet who also makes thin wool in addition to coolmax) JamC on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion/page/2#post-1198550 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 23:36:55 +0000 JamC 1198550@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just want to add that Smart wool socks are really good and come in many weights so you might want to look for some summer ones!  Really comfortable and durable. carter on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion/page/2#post-1198443 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 20:59:26 +0000 carter 1198443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I've been on exactly one extended camping/hiking trip in my adult life, so my suggestions may be a bit "city girl", but here goes. We were in Montana in September, and there were lots of bears, so take some noise makers...whistles, tin cups, etc. Make up remover cloths are great to remove facial dirt and grime throughout the day so you can reapply sunscreen. Figure out how long it takes to shower the days you wash your hair. When I was there, each token was something like 7 minutes. Turns out 7 minutes is not long enough for me to get the conditioner out of my hair. Take gum or breathmints. all the huffing and puffing had me dying to brush my teeth several times/day. Purell is a Godsend. Make sure your feet don't slide forward in your boots when you're headed downhill. I came home with only 9 toenails. Probably a good idea to cut them really short as well. It won't apply to you, but don't try to set up a tent in a blizzard because your boyfriend (mine) was in denial that there could really be a blizzard in September. Finally, if you'll make it all the way up to Canada, we stayed the last two nights at an adorable little inn on a lake at the base of beautiful snow capped mountains. I'll search out the name if you need it. That's all I've got. Have a wonderful and safe trip! Classically Casual on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion/page/2#post-1198414 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:42:14 +0000 Classically Casual 1198414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ i don't think anyone's mentioned ticks. You'll be in tick infested areas, and this is another reason to wear long sleeved stuff. I forget about them, 'cuz they're so far not here, but I know they're in Idaho and east. We went on a short hike through tall grass, and our poor dog was covered when we checked him later. Lyme disease isn't to be messed with. You're visiting some beautiful places. Hope it's a great trip. Beth Ann on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion/page/2#post-1198332 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:31:35 +0000 Beth Ann 1198332@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mann:  That's it exactly!  I'll take workout leggings to wear underneath in case of cold weather, too.  And whether I'll need a more "real pants" look will depend on where I am! Gaylene: Such excellent advice!  Public showers are my least favorite part of camping, and it's been decades since I've used them! Sarah:  Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Gaylene on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion/page/2#post-1198316 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:21:48 +0000 Gaylene 1198316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, Beth Ann, your comment about using park showers just reminded me of a couple of other tips. Bring along a pair of flipflops or, even better, water shoes, that you can wear right into the shower so your feet are never in contact with the floor. I personally like the water shoes because I don't like having to mess around with socks and shoes in those tiny shower areas, and water shoes keep my damp feet from getting dusty when I walk back to the tent. I also recommend a cheap plastic basket with handles to carry your shampoo, shower gel, towel, clean undies etc to the shower area to keep everything dry and within easy reach. My plastic basket cost $.99 at the dollar store and is worth it's weight in gold because I can set it on the bench, or hang it from a hook, and keep everything up and out of the sometimes less than pristine floor area. I also wear a pair of sweats, or a loose T-shirt dress, sans undies to the shower to make getting undressed quick and easy. Changing into your actual clothes and shoes is easier in your own environment. And a final hint: go for your shower either very early in the morning (say around 6 am) or mid morning (around 10:30 or 11am) to make sure that you have hot water! Otherwise, your shower can be unexpectedly refreshing and your teeth will be chattering. :) And, on a brighter note, the vast majority of park showers are just fine as long as you keep things simple and don't attempt much grooming/dressing in them. Anonymous on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1198310 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:11:03 +0000 Anonymous 1198310@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, sounds like a lot of fun! Sarah A on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1198308 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:09:03 +0000 Sarah A 1198308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have tons to say but no time to say it now... flagging to remember to come back. This type of trip is so how I roll in the summer.... Have a great time. More soon Mann on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1198297 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:52:28 +0000 Mann 1198297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Beth Ann,  oh, I get it now about the hiking pants - you really want actual casual pants instead of gym wear that are a bit more functional for the occasion than say hiking in jeans.  Sounds like this is also something you might use then after the trip?  I like the zipoff styles like alaskagirl was talking about as I find having "two lengths in one pant" quite useful.  I personally find the hiking pants that are of stretchy material more comfortable than the non-stretchy ones.   kkards on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1198288 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:37:57 +0000 kkards 1198288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ trip sounds like all kinds of fun! when i was 16 my family took 4 weeks and drove across the country (and back), stopping in all the places you mentioned. for an east coast girl, it was eye openning. nothing to add on the gear, it seems like that was pretty well covered . Beth Ann on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1198271 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:27:54 +0000 Beth Ann 1198271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Una:  I'm remembering a canary yellow poncho on my family trip in 1975.  Raingear is likely where I'll economize, since we'll likely try to do our hikes before the typical late afternoon mountain thundershower.  I will be taking a simple black dress in a sort of "travel knit." (in photo) I figure I'll brave the National Park shower house before a trip into Jackson Hole for a nice lunch and some light shopping. Suz on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1198261 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:16:36 +0000 Suz 1198261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I have no words of wisdom but I did want to wish you an amazing trip! catgirl on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1198182 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 14:58:40 +0000 catgirl 1198182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Our camping trips involve a lot of beer and bacon.  The guys love to sit around the campfire and cook meat on sticks, so yes to one pot meals and letting the boys do the "work".  As for expense, I agree to definitely use what you have if these items are for a single trip and purpose.  I have had the same camping gear for 15 years now, because until it falls apart, there is no point replacing it.  It's all going to get holes from fire sparks, stains, and wear.  I am not a cute camper!  Bring lots of baby wipes for shower-free days.  And a hat is my best friend for cold evenings and bad hair.  Frankly, our cheap rubber raingear from Army/Navy is the most waterproof... No need to spend a lot - just remember it will feel like the old days of being encased in rubber. pil on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1198158 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 14:33:39 +0000 pil 1198158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ .We're thinking of packing up our dogs and heading for Mt. Rushmore this summer too! A friend of mine wore some Royal Robbins pieces for a mountain hike in France and Switzerland. Minnie on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1198128 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:46:49 +0000 Minnie 1198128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That sounds like a great, fun trip. I prefer hiking/trail shoes over hiking boots for most situations and my favorites are Merrell. Athleta has nice functional clothing that packs well and can be used on and off trails.  Beth Ann on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1198105 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:16:49 +0000 Beth Ann 1198105@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gaylene:  Yep.  This will be a "family" trip.  Fortunately, I married a kind and useful man, and as we all know, useful is sexy.  On winter mornings, he warms up my car, takes care of the snow, and carries out my work bag.  My DD is busy going through my camping pins and making cooking plans, and my DS, while he'd play with Legos or on the Wii 24/7 if I let him, he can be suprisingly resourceful and helpful.  I'm sure there will be eyerolling, but I intend to raise independent young adults! Mann:  Good word.  I intend on buying only what I think I would use again hiking near home.  I will indeed pack some of my workout gear and try to choose a boot that I can use of the nice trails that are within 10 minutes of my home -- right now I realize my walking shoes aren't giving enough support to my feet, so trail shoes will get a lot of use.  I like the idea of one pair of hiking pants, just because I don't like wearing slinky workout pants in, say, a visitors center.  However, I don't want to blow the budget on clothes! Rabbit:  Sounds like a great work-sharing system!  I think we'll take my brother's camper on a 2-3 night trip nearby in May/June.  We have several options 30-50 minutes away from home.  Some practice for the big game!  And no bears! Gaylene:  I would love to camp in Europe.  Sounds like a whole different type of experience, but a wonderful one!    I hope to plan and prep before we go, too.  Of course, with a 10-12 day trip, I probably can't do it all before hand, but I can get a good start! Gaylene on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1197969 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 05:55:05 +0000 Gaylene 1197969@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rabbit, sounds like you and I would be good camping mates! Our family loved to camp and backpack in the mountains and, like you mention, a big part of the fun is dividing up all the tasks so everyone has things to do. Because we did so much backpacking, I still use the same system for preparing and bagging all our meals in advance when we camp so pretty much all I do in the field is to boil water and dump in the contents of the bag. When our sons were just 3 and 5, we took our camping gear to Denmark and Norway for a summer. Now THAT was luxury camping for this wilderness girl because every campground had a kiosk where you could buy fresh milk, rolls, cheese, and other goodies on site--with the option of having these supplies to your camping site in the morning for your breakfast! Others had heated buildings with kitchens and dining areas for food prep and dinners. But what I loved best were the campgrounds with a "mother's room" that held showers and facilities just for moms and little kids; it was so much fun meeting other moms and seeing all these little kids getting prepped for bed in their jammies. rabbit on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1197959 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 05:13:38 +0000 rabbit 1197959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gaylene - my ears are steaming just thinking about your last sentence. argh. I love camping and backpacking, but there has always been a very equal division of labor with whoever is involved, and it falls out according to who likes doing a particular chore and is good at it, not gender roles. Backpacking with my husband we've developed a system over the years and we don't even have to talk about it, we just do our thing.  He cooks, I wash dishes.   I set up the tent and find a place to hang the food above bear height and throw the line up there.  I deal with trash and anything which would attract critters.  I filter the water and replenish the water bottles.  He gets up at the crack of dawn and makes hot cocoa while I'm still lying muzzily in the tent waiting for the sun to warm things up.  He deals with the stove and we both build a campfire if it's permitted.  He does most of the navigation and map / terrain reading, although I double-check and make sure I fully understand where we are at all times.    He carries the heavier stuff in his bag. :) I agree with Gaylene that one pot meals are delish and if it's anything more involved than opening packets and chopping a few things, everyone ought  to help out. ETA:  also I agree with what Mann wrote.  I haven't tried merino undies, but  I've had Gortex eventually soak through after hours and hours of rain exposure, and wished I had a trash bag to wear.  My trail shoes are Columbia, but were 35$ from an outlet. Mann on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1197957 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 05:05:11 +0000 Mann 1197957@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That sounds like a great trip!  A couple of suggestions from me (years of climbing and backpacking in the Pacific Northwest).  It's expensive, but I'd go with merino underwear (Icebreaker, Ibex, Smartwool).  It's very breathable in the summer (ok, PNW summer), and it really does not stink.  Synthetic underwear and bras (and clothes in general) get really smelly on multiday active trips.  For the same reason, I also prefer merino tops, even in the summer - the merino tops come in multiple weights, and the lightest is suitable for hot weather activities in my experience.  It might be less important for a camper van style camping though when the volume and weight of things you bring is not that restricted so you can bring multiples of everything, but if bringing less stuff and doing less laundry is important, I'd really consider merino wool options.  These you could of course wear later on for exercizing or maybe even other activities.  Second, re rain gear.  I do have a rain jacket I like and use, but nothing is really going to keep you dry in long downpours, and the jacket might not dry completely overnight if you are camping in damp weather.  Putting on a wet jacket in the morning is not fun.  On multiday trips where I need to cover long distances but the forecast points to likely heavy and prolonged rain, I typically bring a cheap-o poncho (~10 bucks) and use that instead of a rainjacket.  (The poncho would be awkward for cycling and rafting though, but you probably wouldn't cycle in rain?)  Also, some of my climbing partners sometimes use umbrellas in the rain on training (day) hikes if the trail is nice and there is no hands-on scrambling.  It might sound like a strange practice but it's worth considering and I've done it occasionally myself.  I don't think there is any reason to spend a lot of money on a very good rain jacket for just this one trip in my opinion. And re footwear.  Unless you are plunge stepping in snow or need to wear crampons or carry an enormous pack or in other specific circumstances, I would suggest you consider just trail running shoes with good traction instead of a hiking boot. These might be also something you can use often afterwards.  Or do you already have something like that perhaps? And re hiking pants.  Do you have a pair of capri length or long workout pants?  Like yoga pants?  And exercise shorts?  Those should already be quick drying.  If you do, is there a reason why you specifically want pants marketed as hiking pants?  The pants marketed as hiking pants are going to be more abrasion resistant and water resistant, but how important are these two characteristics to you for this one trip? I sound like I'm on anti-shopping crusade here.  Maybe I'm old school, but it sometimes irritates me how looking at catalogues or talking to some REI sales associates it seems like it's simply impossible to walk into the outdoors without first spending hundreds of dollars on "gear".  I don't mean to be negative, just trying to say that if you DON'T WANT to spend ton of money, you shouldn't! Neel on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1197956 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 05:00:55 +0000 Neel 1197956@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have no useful advice .. But just popped in to say that it sounds like its going to be one super vacation! And I think you are doing well by preparing in advance Gaylene on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1197954 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 04:56:08 +0000 Gaylene 1197954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A Gortex (or similar breathable/windproof) jacket is an essential in my books for any type of camping trip. I'd also suggest a fleece jacket or vest because the mountains can get pretty cool in the evenings and early mornings. And a hat--if for no other reason that to keep the rain and sun off your head and hide your bedhead hair. My biggest suggestion, though, is to keep things simple if you are camping in a pop-up trailer. Unless your husband and kids have been trained to do a lot of the cooking, cleanup, and other chores, I'd think twice before keeping to the standards that you do at home. My mantra was if I did the cooking, someone else did the cleanup. That alone convinced my husband and kids that one-pot meals were the way to go, reinforced by the fact throwing everything into one pot usually made for a fast meal once we got set up in the campground. Hunger and fresh air do remarkable things to those one-pot concoctions, especially with the promise of chocolate bars for dessert. Most of my female friends intensely dislike tent camping, and, after seeing women doing meal prep and other chores while the rest of the family were off hiking, I can certainly understand their feelings. Deborah on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1197938 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 04:37:06 +0000 Deborah 1197938@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ok, that sounds a little more acceptable lol  It does all sound fun. Beth Ann on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1197936 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 04:34:30 +0000 Beth Ann 1197936@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Deborah:  I am not resorted to the light and heater in the truck under duress.  There's a nice make up mirror in there, and the seats are heated! Beth Ann on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1197933 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 04:33:30 +0000 Beth Ann 1197933@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachy:  Love your idea of skirt over pants, at least if it's not hot.  I am a bit Diva, you know.  I have leopard, ballet style crocs that I hope last the summer and make the trip!  BTW -- My DH is Mr. Safety, so I bet he'll have one of those blankets! Ami:  What fun!  Have you checked out the KOA near Rushmore?  I think we'll stay there. JAileen:  Great tips on REI!  So wish we had time for Glacier...and Banff....and... Rabbit:  I will be checking all your links closely.  Love the hiking boots! I went on a 3 week trip when I was 12 --- Badlands, Yellowstone and Teton, Idaho, Oregon, Washington in Vancouver Island, Banff, Lake Lousie, Montana.  Yep.  It was one of my best childhood memories.  My kids are 12 now, and I hope I can leave the with some great memories, too!  Besides, the mosquitoes are far worse in Illinois! And I am so going to make those "brownies in an orange" over the campfire........as long as DH chops the firewood! Jeanie on "Mountain Fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mountain-fashion#post-1197927 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 04:28:37 +0000 Jeanie 1197927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, how exciting Beth Ann!  Our family did the same trip last year minus the camping and it is stunning countryside.  I am a bit jealous as I am an avid hiker but DH is not so I missed seeing the land on foot but we did cover a lot of sites.  We had bison mommies and babies crossing the road right in front of our car and prairie dogs and donkeys scampering around.  Well, maybe donkeys don't scamper! Agree with everyone about investing in good rain gear.  I like something with Gortex.  Nothing is more miserable than being wet and camping.  LL Bean is good but Patagonia or other brands are probably more stylish.  I always threw in some of those plastic rain ponchos in my Boy Scout camping days for backup.  They fold up into a little square. Fit is the most important for hiking boots and they should also be waterproof.  I would say shop around and get the best boot for your foot and then make sure you wear them in before your trip to avoid blisters.  I also like Keens sandals for lighter hiking in the summer because they have holes which keep your feet cool and dry.  They would be good around the campsite. Attaching a fond memory