I am returning to walking after many years out and am fascinated by the kit available now.

After reading a lot of material on the internet over the last few weeks (especially on here and also Andy Kirkpatrick's articles) I recently bought a Marmot Driclime Windshirt and a lightweight (Haglofs) hardshell on sale. After spending the last week in cold and wet conditions (2°C) in Switzerland, I am very happy with how the Marmot DW worked (with a warm hat, mine doesn't have a hood - the waterproof didn't need to come out).

But I was struck by a comment on one of these forums that a baselayer + 2X 100w fleeces + windstopper + paclite is the ultimate flexible system (and each element is individually cheap). I am also very impressed by the reviews of the Rab VR Trail Jacket as potentially the one item that does it (nearly) all. I was initially very interested in Paramo and Buffalo gear but there seems to be a strong (minority?) feeling that they are too hot? Montane?

So having seen lots of threads on individual bits of kit I thought I would try and cut to the chase and ask what's your best system? I know there won't be a definitve "right" answer but given the level of expertise on this site the answers should be instructive (and people like to talk about their kit ).

Oh , you,ve done it now , there ,ll be so much blox to sift through .

FWIW , my fave is a simple (any make,ll do) breathable base layer and a paramo fuera  top . Only windproof but fairly light and has the knack of keeping me warm in winter and not feeling too hot in summer , proof it regularily and showers will be held at bay(and its cheap) . If it rains hard i have a gortex ME Ogre but it wets me through with condensation . Paramo in summer will be to hot for waterproof so my next buy at waterproof level will be ,probaly , an event fabric.

as Jonno has said the use of a breathable base layer and a windproof works well 

i have a fuera top also and a montane light speed - if its colder then i top up with a fleece under the wind proof. I find this is the best option for me in the summer months.

being a gear tart also i have various other jackets aswell -

i love my buffalo to bits but its only for cold weather use. i also have a Gore windstopper fleece but at times i also find this to warm.

im a big Montane fan during the summer use.

I've got the RAB VR Trail, and find it is really versatile - with a midweight Icebreaker top underneath it, I think it will keep you warm enough down to freezing even with short stops. It's very windproof, sheds water well (though I find it soaks through a bit on the elbows), the hood is good, and it fits me well. It's nowhere as waterproof as another softshell I have, but it makes up for this by being much more breathable.

To be honest though, outside of the hood, it is nothing that a 100 weight fleece and windproof can't do. If you are wearing a baselayer, and you get too hot, you can always ditch the fleece and just keep the windproof as well.

You'd need something more over the top if you were planning on sitting about, one of the many Primaloft insulated jackets would be good for this.

And of course, you need a shell. I'm not a Paramo convert yet, so I'd say get an eVent jacket, and go as light as possible.

I've also got a Montane Extreme Smock which I think is very, very warm. It's barely had any active use this winter, though I do find it is pretty good for those times when you know you are going to be sat about all day. I'd say stick with the more conventional layering system...

This sunday in the Lakes I wore the windproof and started off with a fleece under it but became too hot ,ended up with just the base layer and windproof even though the weather was cold with snow/hail . I did though use a bothy shelter for breaks . and was border line warm /cold.

I run hot so I've gone for reasonably light and breathable so, after my recent purchases, my system is:

• Base layer/boxers - Lowe DryFlo/TNF Helix
• Trouser - TNF Apex pants
• Soft Shell - TNF Apex Elixir
• Insulation - Rab Generator smock
• Hard Shell - Rab Super Dru + Rab Bergen pants
• Socks - Bridgedale Trail (might try some Smartwool)
• Trail Shoes - TNF Amp Boa
• Boots - TBD (I'm looking for something light, breathable and waterproof....)
• Gaiters - Rab Hispar
• Hat - Oakley beanie/TNF stretchy skull cap type thing
• Gloves - TNF Windstopper

This monday in the lakes I used a 100 weight fleece and a Pertex windproof, I was more than happy, only minor adjustments made all day were the hat came off once or twice and the sleeves of the windproof rolled up for uphills.

Probably been done to death on here but what is the warmth of a Paramo Velez like compared to the warmth of a fleece and hardshell?

Usually outside of summer I wear a base layer with a Rab VR over the top and in colder conditions a Rab generator smock under it.

A month or so ago it I wore all the above plus a windproof...mind you this was in the N York Moors which is fairly flat so wasn't working really hard.

 The VR is much tougher than a windproof so handy if you are out climbing/scarmbling or if you have a heavy pack on.

Lots of sound, honest advice as usual.

Hadn't really considered the durability angle too much, but as I want to carry my littlest (11kg) fella about in a baby carrier I probably should. I remember reading on one discussion that wearing a full pack tore somebody's Marmot DW (it is very thin). Maybe that's the excuse I need to get the Rab VR...

I already bought a Mountain Equipment Fitzroy insulated jacket (100g primaloft) so sounds like this could do service for a Rab VR + Rab Generator combination. I spent one day last week walking in it and didn't find it too hot, but I was walking flat and slow with the kids and it was cold, so maybe a bad test.

If you were happy with the Dri-Clime Windshirt at 2 degrees I'd say you're either very fit or run hot!

I've got quite a lot of kit and I'm still experimenting with combinations at different temperatures. I have to do this because I run hot. I've worn a base layer and a Patagonia Zephyr (near equivalent to the Dri-Clime but without the armpit vents) down to zero degees in the Lake District, on a cold wintry day. Probably wouldn't be my first choice if it was wet though. 

The main problem with the layering system is in wet and/or cold weather, taking layers off and putting them back on again. You have to take off your outer layer to add/remove an inner layer. That's where things like the Paramo Torres Gilet come in handy. These get thrown on over the top when it turns cold or for rest stops and the Paramo one is waterproof. Can't say the same for other makes.

I do recommend merino Wool baselayers.

As for insulated jackets I have worn one whilst walking.... mind you the jacket had become wet with perspiration on the ascent (shouldn't have worn it for that). BUT it still kept me warm once we emerged into the wind and then it really came into it's own at -21 degrees with the windchill.    

Chairman Bill, I think you were on the thread where I asked about whether something like a Marmot DW would work well under a cheapish waterproof. I came away from that thinking it would.

After last week's test run the Marmot DW (£50) worked pretty well. And I'm hoping it will keep the sweat away from me under my £30 waterproof (which does claim to be breathable) in bad rain (not really tested as the Marmot kept the sleet and snow off), without having to shell out for a Paramo. But time will tell of course.

Always , always have head gear of some discription with me , you can always take it off when on a sweaty uphill bit , and when at the top whip it back on  and  prevent too much loss of heat.

I take your point Jonno but I do work up a sweat on the flat never mind the uphill bit! I tend to avoid headwear as after about the first half an hour at my normal pace my hair is starting to get damp with sweat anyway. And once I've been walking for about 2 hours my hair is often pretty wet with sweat, particularly at the back of the neck.