scrub clothing

[Scottyk]

So I might be looking at doing a little off track walking soon and I normally always walk in shorts and a long sleeve merino top. So I accept that I need to look at pants a hard wearing top for basing in scrub for hours on end....
Has anyone got a favourite pair of pants and shirt that have stood up to punishment in Tassie scrub that they would like to recommend?
I am thinking something synthetic, non water proof but heavier than the average hiking gear.
Any advice would be appreciated from experienced off track Tassie walkers.

[warnesy]

I'm a big fan of the Macpac rockovers for my hiking and fishing, often through plenty of scrub...


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[legend]

A few in my bushwalking club use super trousers, a very tough 12 oz canvas that negates the need for overpants.
They are almost indestructible when it comes to scrub (of all types).
They are almost waterproof yet are very comfortable. Give them a wash first to soften them up.
They are NOT cheap.
http://www.cactusoutdoor.co.nz/wk-super ... s-552.html
Cheers
chris

[Moondog55]

Why not make cowboy style chaps from something tough and LW?
Could wear shorts then for good ventilation, nylon packcloth or canvas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaps

[Scottyk]

cheers for the replies
Yeah they are all a bit pricey and heavy but I suppose that's tone expected.
Chaps would be an interesting thing to be wearing in the bush!
Earth Sea Sky make some nice one's as well but they are expensive too

[FootTrack]

Hey Scotty,

I'm yet to do any offtrack walking in Tassie but I thought I'd put my 2 cents in anyway...

Have you had a look through your local op-shop yet? They obviously have a wide range of stuff (both suitable and unsuitable) but if you had a closer look I'm sure there would be items in there that fit the bill. I have a pair of old nylon slazenger shorts that I've worn around home for MANY years and they still look brand new. They just don't wear. They feel tough and I reckon they would take a beating in the rough Tassie scrub you speak of. I've recently moved them into my bushwalking kit for this reason. Something nylon would be the way to go I reckon. The other good thing about the op-shop is it's cheap for both experimenting and replacing gear if it doesn't turn out as you'd hoped. My nylon shorts are only 200 grams too, so they're quite light for what you get.

Just some food for thought...

[Zone-5]

MacPac Rockover pants: sale $60

http://www.macpac.com.au/clearance/mens ... nts-m.html

[north-north-west]

Have you had a look through your local op-shop yet? They obviously have a wide range of stuff (both suitable and unsuitable) but if you had a closer look I'm sure there would be items in there that fit the bill. I have a pair of old nylon slazenger shorts that I've worn around home for MANY years and they still look brand new. They just don't wear. They feel tough and I reckon they would take a beating in the rough Tassie scrub you speak of. I've recently moved them into my bushwalking kit for this reason. Something nylon would be the way to go I reckon. The other good thing about the op-shop is it's cheap for both experimenting and replacing gear if it doesn't turn out as you'd hoped. My nylon shorts are only 200 grams too, so they're quite light for what you get.

Shorts and Tassie scrub don't mix. I know a number of local walkers who used to wear shorts only who have now gone to long pants because of the scrub.
Actually, I find rock does more damage, especially the big dolerite boulder-fields.

Mont make some decent hard-wearing pants.

[Moondog55]

"Back in the Olden Days" it was quite common for bushwalkers to cover the front of the old army battle dress with a layer of canvas.
A DIY solution using LW microfibre for the back and something heavier in the front made in the same way as rain chaps should do the job
Some-one in Melbourne used to make pull-on pants something like this for Rogainners back in the 90's using mesh for the back for maximum cooling

[FootTrack]

Shorts and Tassie scrub don't mix. I know a number of local walkers who used to wear shorts only who have now gone to long pants because of the scrub.
Actually, I find rock does more damage, especially the big dolerite boulder-fields.

Sorry, I should have been a lot clearer. I was referring to the type of fabric they are made of, more so than the "short" design. I would think if you could find something similar as a pair of pants you'd be on a winner.

If I end up doing a lot more off-track walking in the future I may also have to look for a set of pants...I just like the ventilation they provide at the moment, and with gaiters I've been reasonably well protected during the bush-bashing I've done.

I'd imagine that unless you pay a lot more money, and buy pants that are considerably burlier/heavier, you couldn't really beat the op-shop for value? I was wearing a pair of TNF "Paramount Peak" convertible pants when we walked out via the Cuvier on the OT a couple of years ago, and they got quite burred up after we had to push through a tight stand of tea tree. With the high price I paid for them in mind, I doubt they'd have performed better than my op-shop buy.

I am open to disagreement/criticism though, as some of you crew have a lot more experience than what I do in these conditions

[icefest]

I like my convertible pants for off track walking. Shorts result in to many holes in your legs and long pants get way too hot sometimes. If you combine them with gaiters you'll get more mileage out of them.

I usually buy them on special, but the current ones are Macpacs.

[stu]

Done looooots of Tassie off track trips & our group most all use the Mont Austral overpants, they are tough as nails (or up to a point at least, about as good as you're going to find).
Yes, they can be a little hot on baking days, but we've all survived high 30 degree days in Tassies worst scrub.
I just wear shorts underrneath as there are always (mostly) sections of open ground where you can expose the sticks.

For a top a long sleeve button up shirt like the Columbia Silver Ridge shirt is best, you can moderate the temperature fairly well by rolling sleeves up or down & unbuttoning the front.
Long sleeve merino underneath & when really cold a windstopper vest all under a shell seems to work for 3+ seasons.

Ninja style gloves perfect for hand protection, take some merino or polypro liner gloves & they are good for 3 season use.
Throw in a spare pair of Ninja's on long trips as they weigh little & take up minimal room.

Hope this helps, happy burrowing

[DanShell]

My only experience in off track walking has been in a relatively open environment or the odd mishap where I have accidentally found myself bashing through scrub for a few hours because I couldn't find the pad so Im not going to add any real value to your thread Scotty but.....

In the few times I have had to panic my way out of a thick situation the only issue I had was my legs and hands/wrists getting a bit scratched up (the exposed areas). My clothing handled it well. I find dragging my fat a%$e up and down rocks does more damage to my clothing.

But having said that, I do read quite regularly that the people who spend a lot of time scrub bashing tend to go through gaiters etc. So they are obviously bashing through ALOT more scrub than I have ever encountered.

Mind you three hours into this stuff and I don't think we covered half a kilometre and the funny part was people had been there before me!