Decoding the Western Spirit Packing List: What to Bring, Why You Need It, and How to Wear It

Decoding the Western Spirit Packing List: What to Bring, Why You Need It, and How to Wear It

If you’ve recently booked a trip with Western Spirit and found yourself staring at our packing list wondering, “What on earth is a chamois?” or “Do I really need specialized cycling shoes?”—you are far from alone!

Our inbox gets flooded every season with thoughtful questions from guests trying to dial in their gear. We know that preparing for a multi-day backcountry bike trip can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to multi-day tours or desert riding.

To help you pack with confidence, here is a complete breakdown of the essential technical apparel on our packing list, why each item matters, and how to use them for maximum comfort on the trail.

1. What is a Chamois? (And the Golden Rule of Wearing One)

What it is:

Pronounced “shammy”, a chamois is a padded liner short worn underneath your outer riding shorts. Originally made of natural leather, modern chamois feature high-tech, multi-density foam padding encased in breathable, moisture-wicking synthetic fabric.

Why you need it:

When you’re spending 4 to 6 hours a day in the saddle across rocky singletrack or bumpy doubletrack, your sit bones take a beating. A good chamois absorbs trail vibration, reduces pressure points, and prevents skin friction.

How and when to use it:

• The #1 Rule: Do NOT wear underwear under your chamois. Wearing cotton or synthetic underwear creates seams that rub against your skin, causing painful chafing and saddle sores. Your chamois goes directly against clean skin.

• Care Tip: Bring 2–3 pairs for a multi-day trip so you can wash one in camp and wear a clean dry pair each morning.

Our Recommendation: Check out the breathable, highly comfortable liners from Club Ride. Their chamois liners feature dual-density foam designed for long trail days without feeling like a bulky diaper.

2. Outer Cycling Shorts (Baggy Mountain Bike Shorts)

What it is:

Unlike skin-tight road bike kits, mountain bike shorts are durable outer shorts designed to fit comfortably over your chamois liner.

Why you need it:

Outer shorts protect your chamois (and your legs) from brush, trail debris, and dirt. They are built with abrasion-resistant, stretchy fabric that won’t snag on your bicycle saddle when you move around while technical descending.

How and when to use it:

Wear these layered directly over your chamois liner. Look for shorts with adjustable waistbands, zipper pockets to secure trail snacks, and lightweight stretch-woven fabric.

Our Recommendation: Club Ride Cycling Shorts are guest and guide favorites. They blend technical trail performance with casual western style—meaning you can ride all day and head straight to camp or the local brewery feeling comfortable and stylish.

3. Sun Shirts & Sun Hoodies

What it is:

A lightweight, long-sleeve technical shirt rated for UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) sun protection—often featuring a lightweight hood designed to pull over your head underneath your helmet.

Why you need it:

Whether you’re riding through the high desert of Utah, the sun-drenched canyonlands, or alpine ridges, intense sun exposure drains your energy quickly. Applying sunscreen every two hours while covered in trail dust gets messy fast. A high-UPF shirt acts as a wearable shade canopy.

How and when to use it:

Wear your sun shirt as your primary base layer on warm, sunny days. The synthetic fabric pulls sweat away from your body, causing evaporative cooling while blocking harmful UV rays.

Our Recommendation: We highly recommend Outdoor Research Sun Shirts (such as the OR Echo or Astroman series). They offer top-tier UPF protection, ultra-fast dry times, and light-as-air breathability that keeps you cooler than riding in a short-sleeve t-shirt.

4. Cycling Shoes vs. Regular Sneakers

What it is:

Footwear specifically engineered for pedaling. These range from flat-pedal mountain bike shoes (which look like skate shoes but feature ultra-sticky rubber soles) to clipless cycling shoes (which mechanically clip into specialized pedals).

Why you need it:

Regular running shoes or soft tennis shoes bend around the pedal, leading to severe foot fatigue and arch pain after a few miles. Proper mountain bike shoes feature a stiff shank in the sole that distributes force evenly across your foot and increases pedaling efficiency.

How and when to use it:

• Flat Pedal Riders: Choose a flat shoe (like Five Ten or Ride Concepts). The sticky rubber tread grips the pedal pins so your feet won’t slip off on rough terrain, yet allows easy walking during “hike-a-bike” sections.

• Clipless Riders: Make sure your shoes feature recessed cleats (SPD style) so you can still walk easily on rocks and dirt around camp or on steep trail sections.

Quick Reference: Backcountry Clothing System

Item	What It Does	Pro Tip	Recommended Brand
Chamois Liner	Cushions sit bones & prevents friction	Wear with ZERO underwear beneath	Club Ride
Outer Shorts	Protects legs, holds gear, handles abrasion	Look for 2-way or 4-way stretch fabrics	Club Ride
Sun Shirt / Hoodie	Blocks UV rays & keeps core cool	Pull hood over head under helmet on hot ascents	Outdoor Research
Cycling Shoes	Provides stiff pedaling platform	Avoid soft squishy running shoes	Five Ten / Shimano

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Packing List

Q: Why can’t I just wear my regular cotton t-shirts and gym shorts on the trail?

A: Cotton holds onto moisture like a sponge. When you sweat during a long climb, a cotton shirt stays damp, leading to uncomfortable chafing under your backpack and rapid chilling once you stop moving or the desert wind picks up. Synthetic materials—like the polyester and nylon blends found in Outdoor Research sun shirts and Club Ride shorts—pull moisture away from your skin and dry in minutes, keeping your core temperature regulated all day.

Q: Do I need to buy expensive clip-in (clipless) bike shoes, or can I ride in flat pedals?

A: You do not need clipless shoes! Many of our guests and guides ride on flat pedals. However, you should still wear a proper mountain bike shoe (like Five Ten or Ride Concepts) rather than soft running sneakers. Cycling-specific flat shoes feature stiff soles that prevent foot cramping over rough terrain and sticky rubber treads that keep your feet securely planted on the pedals when the trail gets bumpy.

Q: How do I care for and wash my chamois liner shorts while in camp?

A: The best strategy is to bring 2 to 3 pairs of chamois liners. At the end of the riding day, change into your camp clothes and hand-wash your used chamois in camp with a splash of camp soap (like CampSuds). Rinse it thoroughly and hang it on a laundry line to dry in the sun or desert evening breeze so it’s fresh and ready for your next turn in the rotation.

Q: Can I wear chamois body butter or anti-chafing cream with my liner shorts?

A: Absolutely! Anti-chafing creams (such as Chamois Butt’r or Squirrel’s Nut Butter) are fantastic tools for multi-day trips. Apply a small amount directly to your skin or to the padded chamois insert before putting on your shorts. This adds a protective layer that drastically reduces friction during back-to-back long days in the saddle.

Ultimately it’s up to you. If you’re comfortable in full lycra go ahead and rock that. Jorts and a long sleeve Western Shirt? Absolutely. There was a decade where many women wore “Skorts” and just like everyday fashion, cycling fashions come and go and then come back! This guide is meant as merely that – a guide. If you have more questions please reach out to our guides in the office. They love talking Chamois Butter and everything else fun about bikes! 🙂

Still Have Questions Before Your Trip?

Packing for the backcountry is all about layering smarter, not harder. If you’re ever in doubt about a specific piece of gear on your Western Spirit packing list, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office team (435-259-8732) or ask your trip leaders—we’re always happy to help you get geared up for the ride of a lifetime!

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