Conversations
Cool/Cold weather layering
Quote from Rob6 on September 19, 2022, 3:11 pmWith the change of seasons upon us, I've been thinking about what to where. Shorts and flip-flops won't be an option much longer.
I've been at this for quite a long time. Years spent pursuing various outdoor activities. Everything from hiking, cycling, disc-golf, flag football...you name it. And I live in the Mid-Atlantic where we have all 4 distinct seasons. Summers that regularly reach into the 90's and occasional 100's with rainforest like humidity, and winters that can range from highs in the 40's and lows in the 20's to days and weeks of near sub-arctic cold with feet of snow. It's a very mixed bag of conditions, so over the years I've amassed quite a variety of layering pieces. Synthetic and wool base-layers; a variety of fleeces (pullover; quarter-zip; full-zip; hooded) Down and synthetic puffy jackets; soft-shell and hard-shell jackets.
And through all this, I've still yet to find the perfect combination. Maybe there isn't any one perfect combo. I hate being cold, but tend to generate a lot of heat during activities so I tend towards the mantra of "Be bold, start cold". On a 20 degree day, I will usually hike with no more than a base layer and a fleece, and even then will start to sweat enough to overcome the "breathable" aspects of most layering pieces.
I definitely understand the premise of proper layering and shedding/adding layers as the circumstances demand. This fall/winter I think I am going to try lighter weight individual layers and more of them. Instead of a wool midweight baselayer, and a fleece, a summer weight t-shirt like the Outdoor Research Echo, followed by a lightweight wool baselayer and then a light fleece. This may be a bit more of a pain in the rear to carry and swap out, but should afford a wider comfort range.
I am looking for any and all suggestions as to specific products and/or techniques others use to remain comfortable on the trail in a variety of weather conditions.
With the change of seasons upon us, I've been thinking about what to where. Shorts and flip-flops won't be an option much longer.
I've been at this for quite a long time. Years spent pursuing various outdoor activities. Everything from hiking, cycling, disc-golf, flag football...you name it. And I live in the Mid-Atlantic where we have all 4 distinct seasons. Summers that regularly reach into the 90's and occasional 100's with rainforest like humidity, and winters that can range from highs in the 40's and lows in the 20's to days and weeks of near sub-arctic cold with feet of snow. It's a very mixed bag of conditions, so over the years I've amassed quite a variety of layering pieces. Synthetic and wool base-layers; a variety of fleeces (pullover; quarter-zip; full-zip; hooded) Down and synthetic puffy jackets; soft-shell and hard-shell jackets.
And through all this, I've still yet to find the perfect combination. Maybe there isn't any one perfect combo. I hate being cold, but tend to generate a lot of heat during activities so I tend towards the mantra of "Be bold, start cold". On a 20 degree day, I will usually hike with no more than a base layer and a fleece, and even then will start to sweat enough to overcome the "breathable" aspects of most layering pieces.
I definitely understand the premise of proper layering and shedding/adding layers as the circumstances demand. This fall/winter I think I am going to try lighter weight individual layers and more of them. Instead of a wool midweight baselayer, and a fleece, a summer weight t-shirt like the Outdoor Research Echo, followed by a lightweight wool baselayer and then a light fleece. This may be a bit more of a pain in the rear to carry and swap out, but should afford a wider comfort range.
I am looking for any and all suggestions as to specific products and/or techniques others use to remain comfortable on the trail in a variety of weather conditions.
Quote from nathanu on September 19, 2022, 10:57 pmI'm very interested to see the responses here as I'm in a similar spot. I tend to stick with what works (read, the thing that I bought that I now have to use or admit toy wife and myself was a bad idea). I typically use Merino wool (everything) as a base and then lightweight mid and then outer with a poncho for rain.
I'm very interested to see the responses here as I'm in a similar spot. I tend to stick with what works (read, the thing that I bought that I now have to use or admit toy wife and myself was a bad idea). I typically use Merino wool (everything) as a base and then lightweight mid and then outer with a poncho for rain.
Quote from dadDale on September 20, 2022, 12:51 pmI do not have any answers and will watch this topic myself. No matter the activity or the temperature I will generate plenty of sweat. Switching to synthetic underwear which is quick drying has helped me somewhat but is not the total answer. Being from the south, I do not know how I would survive in more northern climes.
I do not have any answers and will watch this topic myself. No matter the activity or the temperature I will generate plenty of sweat. Switching to synthetic underwear which is quick drying has helped me somewhat but is not the total answer. Being from the south, I do not know how I would survive in more northern climes.
by nathanu