ULTIMATE CLOTHES GUIDE FOR YOUR FALL CAMPING TRIP 

Ready to turn your autumn camping trip into an adventure of both style and comfort? Look no further! Our ULTIMATE CLOTHES GUIDE FOR YOUR FALL CAMPING TRIP is here to help you conquer the great outdoors without sacrificing your fashion sense. Forget about shivering in a too-thin sweater or sweating in an overzealous jacket. With our guide, you’ll discover how to layer up like a pro, stay snug in unpredictable fall weather, and maybe even impress a few fellow campers with your savvy wardrobe choices. Buckle up for a journey where your clothes are as ready for adventure as you are!

Once cooler temperatures grace the state of Florida, we hit the state parks and our fall camping adventure begins! For us, having the right camping gear for car camping is JUST as important as having the right camping outfits to keep us comfortable. Yet, knowing the right clothing and what to wear can pose just as challenging as curating your gear, ESPECIALLY if you venture out of sunny Florida in search of that gorgeous fall foliage.

IN THIS GUIDE WE’LL…

Discuss the best essential clothing items that are comfortable, breathable, and SUPER effective in protecting you from the elements. We’ll show you the best ways to layer for this time of year. No matter where you’re adventuring we’ve got you covered! Let the weather conditions and our crazy Florida fall humidity come because you’ll be dressed for success! We’ll even share what to wear when your option is to grab what you have!

When we embarked on this new season of life, we were clueless. With a fall hiking and camping trip planned for the Smokey Mountains, these Florida babies needed to get a clue fast! With temperatures already in the mid to low 30s, we knew we would freeze to death! I know…a bit dramatic!

So, we did what ANYONE would do coming from the Sunshine State…we dropped by our local outfitters, dropped some serious cash, and looked like poster children for REI! Because we invested in good quality pieces that kept us warm, we’ve been able to use them throughout our fall and winter camping experiences.

LET’S GET BACK TO BASICS…

Wherever your outdoor adventures lead you this autumn season, whether it is a longer camping trip or just heading out for the weekend, let our ULTIMATE CLOTHES GUIDE FOR YOUR FALL CAMPING TRIP  steer you in the right direction with the perfect camping apparel.

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Looking to curate the perfect camping gear like this ULTIMATE CLOTHES GUIDE FOR YOUR FALL CAMPING TRIP!?  We think you’ll LOVE our TOP CAMPING GEAR ESSENTIALS: BEST PICKS FOR FAMILIES!

ULTIMATE CLOTHES GUIDE FOR YOUR FALL CAMPING TRIP: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BASICS OF LAYERING.

The fall season as beautiful as it is, can be riddled with temperature changes throughout the day. One minute you are freezing and putting on EVERY piece of extra clothes you brought. Still cold, you stuff yourself inside your sleeping bag ONLY to break out in a sweat mid-afternoon! Really!? Been there.

This is where the beauty of layering comes in.  As the temps change throughout the day, you can add or eliminate different layers. The name of the game is to be comfortable camping. Let’s dive in!

-BASE LAYERS

First things first, start with a good BASE LAYER.  What does this look like!? A great base layer is a layer made of moisture-wicking fabric. This allows it to “wick” the moisture AWAY from your body and help regulate your body temperature throughout the day.  

In our opinion, it’s an essential clothing piece. We want this layer to fit “comfortably snug” around the body but still allows us to move about comfortably during our outdoor activities. In Florida, it looks a little different. Usually by mid-morning, it’s perfectly comfortable so our base layer might be a t-shirt or a tank top.

FLORIDA PRO TIP: I like to wear these tanks under my base layer so they can easily be layered with a light jacket or a flannel shirt. Cute and functional!

– MID and INSULATING LAYER

​The MID LAYER and the INSULATING LAYER are the second layer of clothing to put over your base layer. This layer is a great way to keep the body warm by trapping your body heat. Look for Marino, Smartwool, fleece, and down to keep you toasty warm.

​PRO TIP:  Choose the mid and insulating layers you can easily add or remove as the weather changes during this transitional season. Camping in Florida during Fall and Winter will have you changing layers throughout the day! 

• fleece pull-over
• lightly insulated jacket
• puffy jacket
• vest
• flannel shirt

-OUTER SHELL LAYER

​This is the final puzzle piece to the basic layering puzzle. This outer shell layer serves these purposes:

• protects you from the elements
• should be waterproof to keep you dry
• will also be windproof
• needs to be breathable

When we hiked Mt. Leconte in late October, this additional layer was AMAZING! It not only kept us warm but blocked much of the wind as well. We chose one that was thin enough for Florida yet perfect for the Smokey Mountains. 

What to choose for the outer shell layer:

• windbreaker
• rain jacket
• hard shell jackets

PRO TIP: A great option is to choose a lightweight outer shell that takes up very little space when packing. Ours folds up through the pocket and is super easy to toss in a bag!

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ULTIMATE CLOTHES GUIDE FOR YOUR FALL CAMPING TRIP: EXTRA GEAR.

• BOTTOMS. Listen, I know what you’re thinking….bottoms…REALLY!? Yes. Here’s why. While your Judy Blue jeans are SUPER CUTE they won’t keep you warm. Look for long pants, corduroy, and leggings. 
• BLANKET SCARF. My secret weapon when fall camping. It doubles as a scarf, wrap, or a light blanket.
• WARM SOCKS & COMFY SHOES. Smartwool makes the warmest and comfortable socks. Before your trip, try them on with your shoe to make sure they are a good fit. Closed toe shoes are a must! Unless you are camping in Florida then sneakers or sandals/flipflops work out great. Even in fall!
• WARM HAT OR BEANIE.
• GLOVES.
• COMFY PJ’S– Thermajohn & Thermajane are awesome!
• SUNGLASSES, BUG REPELLENT, AND SUNSCREEN
• SQUIRREL’S NUT BUTTER. Chaffing is real Ya’ll!
• SWIMSUIT.

PRO TIP: Thermal pajama’s can do double duty as a base layer and sleepwear. Pack an extra set just in case.

HOW TO USE WHAT YOU HAVE AND BUDGET IDEAS.

Ok, I perfectly understand. Your bank account is giving you dirty looks and you think you have some clothes that will work. Great! Here are some options:

• JEANS. I know what I said above. But sometimes we need to use what we have. Pack them. Layer thermal pj’s underneath, leggings, or tights.
• BASE LAYER. If cotton is all you have, bring it. If you know your going to be doing a lot of sweating while hiking or other adventuring, throw an extra in your backpack to change into. Tank tops work great also. As mentioned above, have your pj’s do double duty.
• OUTER LAYER. Flannels are a hard working piece of clothing! Use as a jacket and a simple layer. Grab a sweater, sweatshirt, or large button down.
• THRIFT IT. Goodwill and thrift stores are a gold mine to score all of these items. Most have only been used for one season! Here’s a GREAT post by my Friend Lori over at shoppingwithlori.com for the ULTIMATE thrifting guide!

FLORIDA CAMPING: Jeans are fine, honestly. We are not cold enough for very long to go out and purchase a whole new camping wardrobe. I would however grab some Squirrel’s Nut Butter for any chaffing! Just sayin’…

ULTIMATE CLOTHES GUIDE FOR YOUR FALL CAMPING TRIP: LET’S GET ORGANIZED.

First things first…check the weather conditions for where you are camping and pack for the weather. Once you’ve determined the weather, decide on what your using to pack it all in and how you want to handle it on yoour outdoor get away.

• Comfort is King! When packing, comfort is your number one priority! You’ll spend most of your time in these clothes. Make sure everything is breathable and air can freely circulate around your body.
• Light weight backpacks, weekenders, and even large handled grocery totes from Aldi’s work awesome.
• Organizing in packing cubes makes it super easy. Two-gallon Ziplocs are another great and affordable find.
• Use the “capsule” wardrobe system. Pack a few key pieces that can function in multiple ways. This is how we pack.
• Grab a trash bag to throw wet, dirty, or seriously sweaty clothes in. Makes laundry super easy once you’re back home.
• If back packing, pack the heavier items toward your back for optimal weight distribution.

ARE YOU PACKED AND READY TO ADVENTURE THIS FALL!?

And there you have it—our ULTIMATE CLOTHES GUIDE FOR YOUR FALL CAMPING TRIP is your ticket to staying warm, stylish, and ready for anything autumn throws your way. So, pack up, bundle up, and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort. Happy camping, and may your fall adventures be as cozy as your new wardrobe!

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