Re: Insulation Strategy
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:03 pm
Hi Milz:
Layer and clothing are mostly a personal preference but most people agree in quite a few aspects.
These are my suggestions for higher altitude multi-day winter hikes / climbs based on what I have personally tried and also talked about with others and seen on the trail.
First off. You need good base layers. There are many options but I always take 2 of both tops and bottoms. Great to change into fresh base layers before going to sleep. I prefer long sleeve tops with 1/4 zips. My choice are the Patagonia Capilene 3's But there are many good options out there.
Then, you need good breathable stretchy softshell pants. You will live in these. I even sleep in mine quite a bit. Again, there are many good options. I use Mountain Hardwear Navigation pants (no longer made), they are awesome pants, stretchy but substantial and tough but breathe great. I have used them in a wide range of weather.
Then, you need a good shell or soft-shell jacket for wind and precip. Must have a hood. I do not use hard-shells in winter. There is no point. I just use a very wind resistant soft-shell with a good bit of stretch. (Arcteryx Venta MX). Much more comfortable than any hard shell I have used.
Then, Mid-Layers. This is where you take depending on expected temps. Most of the time I take a light fleece, powerstretch or R1 type. If its gonna be really cold (in the teens or less) then I take a jacket with light synthetic insulation.
Belay/Camp/Stops Insulated Jacket:
Also, what I take depends on expected low temps. If its going to be in the 20's then I just take my Arcteryx Atom SV synthetic. If I expect temps to go down to the teens or less then I take a OR Superplume Down Parka. There are MANY options here but I advise on erring on the side of warmth but get something that packs down easily and has a hood. When you are tired and have been out in the cold for a long time you need something warmer than you think.
Again, if super cold then its good to take an additional pant layer. That can be some pile pants or synthetic insulated pants like Arcteryx's Atom. I would not go too heavy on these.
So as you can see, its not that complicated.
If you want to gear up but want to save quite a bit of money the check out http://www.geartrade.com I have gotten some great pieces of clothing there at unreal prices. I checked right now and there are some great jackets available at bargain prices. Saw a FA Frontpoint and RAB stretch neo for cheap. Those two are perfect winter shells plus there are many other name brand products available.
Layer and clothing are mostly a personal preference but most people agree in quite a few aspects.
These are my suggestions for higher altitude multi-day winter hikes / climbs based on what I have personally tried and also talked about with others and seen on the trail.
First off. You need good base layers. There are many options but I always take 2 of both tops and bottoms. Great to change into fresh base layers before going to sleep. I prefer long sleeve tops with 1/4 zips. My choice are the Patagonia Capilene 3's But there are many good options out there.
Then, you need good breathable stretchy softshell pants. You will live in these. I even sleep in mine quite a bit. Again, there are many good options. I use Mountain Hardwear Navigation pants (no longer made), they are awesome pants, stretchy but substantial and tough but breathe great. I have used them in a wide range of weather.
Then, you need a good shell or soft-shell jacket for wind and precip. Must have a hood. I do not use hard-shells in winter. There is no point. I just use a very wind resistant soft-shell with a good bit of stretch. (Arcteryx Venta MX). Much more comfortable than any hard shell I have used.
Then, Mid-Layers. This is where you take depending on expected temps. Most of the time I take a light fleece, powerstretch or R1 type. If its gonna be really cold (in the teens or less) then I take a jacket with light synthetic insulation.
Belay/Camp/Stops Insulated Jacket:
Also, what I take depends on expected low temps. If its going to be in the 20's then I just take my Arcteryx Atom SV synthetic. If I expect temps to go down to the teens or less then I take a OR Superplume Down Parka. There are MANY options here but I advise on erring on the side of warmth but get something that packs down easily and has a hood. When you are tired and have been out in the cold for a long time you need something warmer than you think.
Again, if super cold then its good to take an additional pant layer. That can be some pile pants or synthetic insulated pants like Arcteryx's Atom. I would not go too heavy on these.
So as you can see, its not that complicated.
If you want to gear up but want to save quite a bit of money the check out http://www.geartrade.com I have gotten some great pieces of clothing there at unreal prices. I checked right now and there are some great jackets available at bargain prices. Saw a FA Frontpoint and RAB stretch neo for cheap. Those two are perfect winter shells plus there are many other name brand products available.