Layering system

[Boarboy]

Depends how technical you want to get and how much you want to spend...

There are those who will champion mil surplus... nothing wrong with that, good kit and available at a good price but you are never going to get lightweight, highly breathable gear using that route.. Military issue uses relatively heavy, relatively noisy and quite dated technology compared with that available in the sporting goods sector.,.

The starting point to any layering system has to be keeping your skin dry... This is achieved with the use of hydrophobic (wicking) materials... man made fibre is the best at doing this but also stinks very quickly and it can be difficult to get rid of said stink by washing... Merino wool or a blend containing merino, is a very good alternative... not quite so good in the wicking department and heavier than it's man made counterparts but it will not stink and has a very good warmth:weight ratio... as has been said, also good for keeping you cool in hot weather. So, that's your base layer..

Mid layer is next and again, slightly heavier weight merino or thin ultrafleece is good here... downside I find with fleece is that it doesn't compress very well and so is quite bulky if you are packing it rather than wearing it..

Insulation layer.. traditionally this has been your polartec 100 or 200 fleece depending on temp (or thick down outer jacket in winter) but advancements in down technology mean that waterproof down insulation layers can now be had... very light for the amount of warmth they provide and compress to almost nothing so very easy to pack away while not needed..

Outer layer... most people think of Goretex but there are far better options out there nowadays... Torex fabrics are up to 4 x as breathable as their nearest competitors and just as watertight... a lot lighter and quieter too.. My jacket is made of Torex Dermizax NX fabric.. very light, very quiet, durable and incredibly breathable... very rare to get a condensation build up even under load unlike every other breathable shell I've had in the past. There is a trade off with durability... Harkila Pro Hunter Cordura it is not but after a 15 mile hike on the hill in Jan in my Pro Hunter X, I wouldn't thank you for giving me one now! a most miserable experience!

The best way to use a layering system is to only use it when you need it.. i.e. if you are warm and dry enough with just your base layer on whilst moving or under load then just stick with that.. start at the bottom and add layers as needed, removing them when you don't... If you start out with all your layers on with the idea of removing if you get too hot etc... it won't work.. you will start to sweat and your skin will get wet.. that is the fastest way to get cold... or worse!... once you have started to overheat it is difficult to keep moving and reverse the process!

Thanks Vipa.

what coat do you have then?

 

[Vipa]

Thanks Vipa.

what coat do you have then?

Kuiu Yukon

 

[2506Shooter]

Put it on before you get cold and take it off before you get hot!

 

[Pothunter]

Kuiu Yukon

Have you also got the trousers?

 

[Vipa]

Have you also got the trousers?

No.. wouldn't spend that much on pants, they take far too much hammering.. I have 2 pairs of seeland Beater trousers that still do the job 4 years in.. picked them up for 50 quid a pop at the shooting show way back when...

 

[Dorsettaff]

+3 on the merino...socks, underwear, t-shirts and sweaters: get the lot!! It'll keep you cool when it's hot and warm when it's cold AND it doesn't get stinky if worn for several days on the trot, unlike man made fibres [although it does take longer to dry]

Check out Sportpursuit who have flash sales on any amount of kit, including Icebreaker merino at the moment [most flash sales last for seven days and have up to 50% reductions]

+1

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Even at nearly full price Icebreaker kit is still good value.

After 5 years and 6 days a week wear 5 months of te year my Oasis long sleeve crewe refuses to die and works a treat.

My last icebreaker came hassle free from these guys in Germany, far cheaper than I could get it anywhere in the UK.

Icebreaker deals in the Icebreaker Bergzeit shop and outlet

regards

BP

 

[Pothunter]

No.. wouldn't spend that much on pants, they take far too much hammering.. I have 2 pairs of seeland Beater trousers that still do the job 4 years in.. picked them up for 50 quid a pop at the shooting show way back when...

Interesting. Thanks. I think I'm a bit the same in how I buy, though never thought about it in those terms.

 

[Vipa]

Interesting. Thanks. I think I'm a bit the same in how I buy, though never thought about it in those terms.

I've never noticed my legs making me uncomfortable... even if they get wet and clammy it doesn't make much difference under ordinary circumstances... upper body though... that's a different kettle of fish entirely!