February 16, 2001


What are your favorite models for shorts and long underwear?

You mention that you like to wear shorts over long johns for three-season hiking. What brands and models do you prefer? I am considering following you example. Thanks for your advice.

— Paul Evans Kansas City, Missouri

My advice on this one: Don't follow my example. The shorts-and-long-johns look is one that I'm pretty sure got its start here in the Pacific Northwest back in the early 1980s. And as a fashion statement, it definitely belongs in the same circle of hell as leisure suits.

Still, I gotta admit, it's pretty practical. I usually wore (OK, wear) lightweight synthetic long johns -— Helly-Hansen's Lifa, REI's house brand, they're all fine. Then add some light, nylon shorts —- preferably six-pocket types for storage. In case of rain, Gore-Tex pants slip over the whole outfit easily. And of course the tights can be upped to mid-weight or even expedition weight if conditions warrant.

Of course, one reason this look became popular is that trousers often aren't practical. Wool trousers were too heavy and warm, while cotton-based trousers such as Levi jeans were, of course, death-traps in cold, wet weather. But that has changed. New fabrics have led to the development of several trouser styles that work well under a wide range of conditions. One that I like a lot is the L.L. Bean Guide Pant ($115), which uses a fabric called Dryskin, developed by Schoeller Textil. It's a stretchy synthetic that wears well, breathes well, and dries in a flash. And it's comfortable across an extremely wide temperature range. Other pants in this category include the Mountain Hardwear's Pack Pant ($125) and The North Face's Packable Pant II ($70).

Still, it's certainly cheaper to get some $15 long johns and add some $25 shorts. But oh, talk about dorky-looking...