And the Light Shall Inherit the Earth

With the Big Three taken care of, much of the remaining pack weight will come from clothing. First and foremost, your hiking apparel should be devoid of cotton; it may be comfortable, but if you get wet, you're soaked until it dries. Aim for breathable, quick-drying apparel that wicks moisture away from your skin.

While on the trail, I wear Mountain Hardwear's Super Wicked Polo ($35; www.mountainhardwear.com) with CoolMax to move the sweat off my body quickly. It dries in a flash, and the front zipper provides additional ventilation when needed. I grade hiking shirts by how little I notice them; if one rubs or pulls, it's clearly not the right choice. This polo shirt has never been a bother.

And I adore my Sierra Designs Voodoo Shorts ($34.95; www.sierradesigns.com). The liner does the dirty work without discomfort, and the poly-nylon microfiber outer with elastic waist dries in the blink of an eye while handling abrasions with ease. Cargo pockets on the hips would make these the perfect hiking shorts, but the front-slash pockets are deep, making them good for snacks and various knick knacks.

For an additional layer in the cooler months, or at night in higher elevations, the Transition Featherweight Vest by Mountain Hardwear ($80; www.mountainhardwear.com) is likely all you need. The Gore-Tex Windstopper fabric supplies that extra bit of resistance on windy days, and keeps the core warm without the bulk and weight of sleeves. Unfortunately, the ample pockets are all on the back. But at only eight ounces, it's a solid performer and makes little impact on your pack weight. To supplement the vest, carry a warm hat and thin gloves.

If the rains comes—and always plan that it will—I don't use rain gear as it's typically too hot to wear during the summer. Instead I go for the GoLite Dome Umbrella ($20; www.golitestore.com). Though some may laugh at the site of a hiker with a "backcountry parasol," you'll have the last laugh when you reach your campsite wearing a dry pack and a smile while the rest are soaked from either rain or sweat. The umbrella is also perfect for scorching sun. Pop it open and you've got instant shade. At about ten ounces, you really can't find a more effective way to stay dry and cool.

In camp, I wear a pair of comfy fleece socks to keep the feet happy, and Crocs shoes ($29.99 to $39.99; www.crocs.com) for their versatility and comfort. Crocs have caught on in the past few years, and for good reason. These plastic shoes are lightweight and durable, and are as good on the concrete as on the dirt. At night I also don a pair of synthetic leggings, as it prevents uncomfortable sweating.

Obviously, the absolute most important hiking equipment are shoes, so carefully research your needs before making a choice. Fit is the great denominator, but with a lighter pack, you can get away with wearing a pair of well-made cross-trainers, especially if you have strong ankles. Just ensure that they provide the proper support and fit appropriately (buy one size larger than usual, your toes will thank you). Barring that, trail-runners make a good mid-way point between trainers and full-on hiking boots. I wear Garmont Eclipse II XCR ($130; www.garmont.com) hiking shoes because my feet are a bit temperamental. They provide great support on rocky terrain and I can do more miles in comfort. The Gore-Tex XCR inserts keep the feet dry when hopping river rocks, and the reinforced toe box has saved me from broken toes on many occasions. For socks, I've become a big fan of Teko's new ultra-thin socks. I like less fabric on my ankles, and Teko's ecopoly light hiking socks ($15.95; www.tekosocks.com) are a great warm-weather option. They wick and are padded at the pressure points, but you don't feel like you're wearing galoshes on your feet.