Clothing
Taking too many clothes is a common mistake causing unnecessary pack weight. Most trekkers say they didn't use half of what they took when asked post trek. You will need to wear in all your clothing to ensure it fits correctly and is fully tested before your trek.
Trekking Clothing
You will need a day set of clothes for trekking. You should expect to use the same set of (what will become) filthy, stinking, cold and wet day clothes for hiking. You can rinse (no soap to be used) these each night in a creek as you bathe, but they never dry in time for the pre‐dawn kick‐off the next day. So you’ll be climbing into cold wet clothes each morning – a good wake‐up call!
There is no need to wear long pants for protection against the undergrowth along the track. Most trekkers wear shorts otherwise they get too hot.
Campsite / Night Clothing
At camp you should try to remain dry so a night set of dry clothing is required. The clean, dry set used to climb into after a creek rinse off, dinner and into bed to enter an exhaustion‐induced coma until the next days trekking. Remember, if you do err in judgement and put on your clean‐dry clothes, they too we be dripping wet within 15 minutes of the day’s trekking, so don’t. Keep your fresh and dry clothes for relaxing and sleeping in each night.
Long pants and a long sleeved shirt is recommended to assist with protection against mosquito's at dusk, and dawn during breakfast. Some people take light‐weight track‐pants to sleep in.
Chafing is a potentially serious problem in the moist jungle environment of Papua New Guinea, leading to bleeding, skin infections and extreme discomfort. It can be prevented by the wearing of bike-pants-style elastic undergarments such as Skins. They reduce chaffing and support the thigh muscles – reducing muscle fatigue. The length should only be as long as your shorts and you will only need one pair.
Trekking Clothing List
A complete gear checklist can be found here to assist with selecting and packing all your trekking gear.
Trekking Clothing
You will need a day set of clothes for trekking. You should expect to use the same set of (what will become) filthy, stinking, cold and wet day clothes for hiking. You can rinse (no soap to be used) these each night in a creek as you bathe, but they never dry in time for the pre‐dawn kick‐off the next day. So you’ll be climbing into cold wet clothes each morning – a good wake‐up call!
There is no need to wear long pants for protection against the undergrowth along the track. Most trekkers wear shorts otherwise they get too hot.
Campsite / Night Clothing
At camp you should try to remain dry so a night set of dry clothing is required. The clean, dry set used to climb into after a creek rinse off, dinner and into bed to enter an exhaustion‐induced coma until the next days trekking. Remember, if you do err in judgement and put on your clean‐dry clothes, they too we be dripping wet within 15 minutes of the day’s trekking, so don’t. Keep your fresh and dry clothes for relaxing and sleeping in each night.
Long pants and a long sleeved shirt is recommended to assist with protection against mosquito's at dusk, and dawn during breakfast. Some people take light‐weight track‐pants to sleep in.
Chafing is a potentially serious problem in the moist jungle environment of Papua New Guinea, leading to bleeding, skin infections and extreme discomfort. It can be prevented by the wearing of bike-pants-style elastic undergarments such as Skins. They reduce chaffing and support the thigh muscles – reducing muscle fatigue. The length should only be as long as your shorts and you will only need one pair.
Trekking Clothing List
- 1 pair of light weight quick-dry long pants
- 2 pair light weight quick-dry shorts (long pants and shorts can be substituted with 2 pairs of zip‐off pants.)
- 2 quick-dry light-weight shirts (or quick-dry t‐shirts). Long sleeves are better as they can be rolled up or down.
- 1 long sleeve cotton t‐shirt (for sleeping in and around camp at night)
- 4 pair underwear (Consider using bike-pants-style elastic undergarments under your shorts instead of jocks etc. Bring underwear for use at night and around camp.)
- 1 light weight thermal jacket (not too bulky)
- Hat with wide brim to keep sun and rain off your face. In the more shaded sections you might walk without your hat on to allow your head to cool better as you walk.
- See Footwear for socks
A complete gear checklist can be found here to assist with selecting and packing all your trekking gear.
Some Examples of trekker Clothing
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 The Holiday Inn, Port Moresby, PNG |
Clothing for Port Moresby and FlightsIn addition to your clothing for the trek you will need some clothing for your time spent on flights in and out of Port Moresby and during your stay in Port Moresby. This clothing should by minimal and fit into a small carry-on bag or into your backpack.
Your time at the hotel should be used to relax so you will not need many changes of clothes. Most trekkers wear shorts/bathers and t-shirts around the hotel and sandals. The temperature is usually quite warm and humid in Port Moresby and cooler at night. The warmer climate clothes may not be suitable for your destination upon leaving PNG at the end of your trek so consider packing warmer clothes if you think they are required. |
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