The trousers will be subject to great wear and should be chosen for service rather than for looks or warmth, which latter will be taken care of by the wool undersuit. Khaki is light and cool but it notoriously displays dirt. Moleskin or whipcord withstands the hardest usage and is windproof and warm. It is the choice of the Hudson’s Bay men whose discrimination in matters regarding outfit is to be respected. The fit of the trousers is a most important thing if one is to walk in comfort. They must not draw at the knees which would mean speedy fatigue on the march and they should be of abundant length with plenty of width from the knee to the hip. The knickerbocker style formerly evolved a smile of ridicule from some lookers-on but after trying all sorts and kinds one must concede the “stagged” style the best for woods walking. If you have long trousers cut them off half way up to the knee, slit them the rest of the way up and fold over to a snug fit about the calf and secure with lacing or buttons. The heavy wool socks should be brought up over the pant legs and with this arrangement one is able to travel with more comfort than with the long trousers. Suspend the pants from the hips by a good leather belt.
The selection of the undersuit requires more care than the outer garments. Preferably it should be a loosely fitting union suit of pure soft wool regardless of season. Wool absorbs perspiration and prevents chill. Cotton on the other hand retains perspiration and is a clammy chill producer when the body begins to cool off. Never use thick underwear even in winter: better have an extra undersuit, a size larger than the one ordinarily worn, for doubling up in cold weather. Two thin suits worn together are warmer than a thick one weighing as much as both: this is due to the dead air interspace between the two.
In a pocket carry a good jack-knife with two blades of first class steel: never take one of the many-tool kinds. Except on an extended trip you will not need a sheath knife. One with a five-inch blade and housed in a leather sheath with belt loop is best. A good butcher knife makes an admirable implement for the purpose. The waterproof match box of metal or rubber should always be carried on the person and see to it that it is kept well filled. The supply for this pocket safe is to be drawn from the moisture tight match can carried in the pack sack. The usual blue bandanna handkerchief will occupy its place in the hip pocket and the compass should be worn in a shirtpocket and secured to a button hole by a rawhide thong. Or one may use a compass which pins on the shirt front thus being always in view and giving the hands freedom for use in other ways.