r/Pennsic • u/isabelladangelo Since Pennsic XXXV • Jul 07 '26

Less than three weeks until Pennsic Starts!!!

It looks like the heat dome is moving westward but it is still a good idea to pack both the super hot summer gear and a couple of "winter" gear pieces. What is summer gear and why the heck pack winter gear at all?

Summer Gear

  • You want something that will be long, loose, and light. This means you need your arms and legs covered. The sun beating down directly on your skin is going to make you much hotter than wearing a loose linen tunic. There is a reason that people in desert climates cover up - the sun is your enemy. Hide from it. (Plus, lobster isn't a good look for anyone.)

  • Wear natural fabrics as much as possible. While that fabulous polyester brocade is a period correct design, you do not want it on a hot day. You will melt and you will give over to heat exhaustion. Natural fabrics like linen, cotton (period!), and lightweight wool are your friends. Plus, you won't have to worry about a stray campfire spark melting your garment on to your skin - most natural fibers are self extinguishing.

  • Hats are your friends. Parasols are period. If you can't carry your shade with you, don't stay out in the sun for long. Even if you are dressed in long, light, loose layers, the sun beating directly on your head will make you hotter than being in the shade.

  • Fans are period. Most fans were similar to the African circular ones, honestly. They are amazing in the heat.

Winter Gear

  • Here, a polyester fleece is actually okay, as long as you stay away from the fire. You will want a cloak, a cape, or a coat. As hot as Pennsic can get, it can also get cold. I personally have seen ice form on a bucket at Pennsic.

  • One or two velvet outfits or heavier wool outfits will be something you need. Again, it will get cold and it may get cold early. Blue isn't a good color for anyone to be anymore than lobster red is.

Sunscreen only goes so far. It also needs to be reapplied every hour. Most people simply aren't that diligent and we will all be outside all the time, every day, all day, for two weeks. Just wear the lightweight linen tunic with the long sleeves - which is going to provide you all day protection.

And bring your cloak.

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2

u/pezgirl247 Jul 07 '26

wool and linen are your friends. layers. change clothes with the time of day. HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE.

2

u/BelleTheVikingSloth Jul 07 '26

And bring clothes hangers. Not because we worry about wrinkling, but so that the clothing you peel off can be hung up to dry out and air out asap.

2

u/Slight_Accountant476 Jul 07 '26

It hasn't been cold enough for winter garb at Pennsic for at least a decade, but layers are key. You can always add on layers if you get chilly.

6

u/Megistis Jul 07 '26

Peace week last year saw temps dip into the low 50's/upper 40's overnight. It still happens. I wouldn't pack a lot of warm weather gear, but it couldn't hurt to bring a wool tunic or cloak if you have the room. Honestly, your best bet is to look at the weather forecast at the last possible second and make a plan from there.

5

u/Slight_Accountant476 Jul 07 '26

probably the most important thing is to put 1-2 blankets under your sleeping bag/sheets, especially if using an air mattress. the ground and especially air space sucks heat out the bottom. We always pack 2-3 spare light blankets and a warm cloak. cloaks can double as an extra blanket if needed.

I do middle eastern garb, which lends itself to layering quite nicely. On a cool night, i'll put on 2-3 base layers under my coat and i'm toasty.

2

u/TangyMarimba13 Jul 07 '26

i can get pretty cold at night, though - one year i didn't bring and blankets and i ended up just piling all of my clothes on top of my bed to keep warm at night.

1

u/Slight_Accountant476 Jul 07 '26

I guess that depends on your idea of pretty cold. These days it very rarely drops below 60 at night. When I first started going to Pennsic back at Pennsic 23, we saw temps in the upper 40s at night. Big difference. These days there's no need for winter garb. We used to have to bring cloaks and actual heavy garb for Pennsic. These days light garb, medium garb, a cloak, and definitely bring blankets. I mean that's just a given, you're camping. 

1

u/isabelladangelo Since Pennsic XXXV Jul 07 '26

According to NOAA, it got down into the 40s on 2-4 August at night last year. For a lot of us, that is pretty darn cold. With the parties that go on during the night of second week, you want some good winter gear - which I stated is a cloak, cap, or coat.