Clothing Considerations

Long Sleeves & Pants are recommended! 

• They’ll protect you from getting scratched by branches and other plants and protect you from insect bites. We encounter ticks, mosquitoes, wasps, and other insects in all our fieldwork. We recommend treating your clothing with permethrin (must be done 2 days ahead of time to be effective) to keep bugs from biting through your clothes.  
• Thicker clothes (like canvas pants) are more durable but can be too hot in the summer weather and can be heavy and cold if they get wet.  
• Thin, lightweight clothes (like nylon hiking pants) will keep you cooler if it’s hot outside but can rip more easily when snagged by a branch.  
• We do NOT recommend stretchy material such as yoga pants as they don’t protect from insects, scrapes or thorns, and tear easily.

Cold & Wet Weather

Bring a warm hat, gloves (waterproof if it’s raining/snowing), and lots of layers of warm clothes. Hand and toe warmers can help a lot! Cotton clothing isn’t effective at keeping you warm when it gets wet, so choose wool, fleece, and down clothing items that will keep you warmer in wet conditions.  

• Rain gear: Bring a rain jacket and pants. Many of our sites are at higher elevations where precipitation can be unpredictable! Plan to bring a raincoat no matter the forecast.

Hot Weather

Bring lightweight, “breathable” clothing that will keep you cool and protect you from too much sun. Wearing long sleeved shirts, pants, and a wide brimmed hat will help you stay cool.  

Sunny Weather

Wear a baseball cap or wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. It is important to bring sun protective items in the summer and winter (sun reflecting off snow is very bright). UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) hoodies can be a lifesaver on super sunny days!

High Visibility Clothing

Blaze orange vests and/or hats help us be visible to any hunters we may encounter. Bark will have hi-vis vests available during hunting season. 

Footwear 

For surveys in wetlands: 

• When walking through wetlands, you will likely be in standing water, so rubber waterproof boots are best for keeping your feet dry and warm.  
• If it is particularly cold (under 40F) and rubber boots won’t be warm enough, bring spare dry socks to change into and wear 1-2 layers of thick wool socks and toe warmers.  
• In warm weather (above 80F), you can wear non-waterproof trail running shoes or sneakers if you don’t mind having wet feet. If it is hot and sunny weather, stepping in cold water can be a great way to stay cool.  
• Bring an extra pair of socks and shoes, or sandals, for the drive home.

For surveys in forests: 

• In cold, wet weather, choose shoes that will keep your feet warm and dry. Waterproof hiking boots are a great option.  
• In warm weather, non-waterproof hiking boots or trail running shoes are good options. Because these are breathable, they will keep your feet drier and cooler than waterproof boots.  
• Bring an extra pair of socks for the ride home!