Greetings all, hello from a newbie (who has been lurking for a while) and to ask what I hope is a sensible question:

I'm not an extreme sports person, just a low-level walker although I do go out in all kinds of weather all year round.

I've been using Gore-Tex jackets for years with t-shirt & fleece but I have recently started using "proper" base layers and now find that I get a bit warm in a fleece (cheapo 200 weight-ish items) and the old Gore-Tex. Trouble is, I get wind-chill without the jacket.

What are my options for a wind-proof insulating layer to use directly over a Paramo base when it isn't raining but still fit under a Gore-Tex when it pees down?

cheapest option would be a pertex windshell. can thorouhly recommend the montane litespeed (do not pay full price as these always appear in sales). packs down to the size of a.....large apple. very light.
just wear it over your usual base layers. this also makes a reasonable rain fender off in the summer too. take it off though if you wear your goretex on top (stuff it in a pocket)

If you want insulation as well as windproofing, your best bet is something like a Marmot Driclime, a Mountain Equipment Microtherm or Montane's Duality or HyperLite. They're all windproof tops with a thin microfleece liner and pretty water resistant too.

I would suggest a wind-stopper fleece instead of the cheap one. I have a Mountain Equipment Guide which is very nice and quite wearable on its own even in cold windy conditions if it's dry. You still might get too warm if it's not cold but you can always stuff it in your rucksack - it's pretty lightweight (600g).

Have look at Mountain Equipment Guide info

If you run warm, you may find windproof fleece a bit sweaty. My experience in the UK is that it always feels clammy. The closer the membrane is to the skin, the better it is, but still not quite sorted for me.

I think the Driclime-style stuff is usually more breathable and more versatile as a result.

Personally I use a different tactic. I wear a baselayer then just the shell jacket (eVent in my case, but Goretex in yours). Fine in wind and rain. Then if it gets cold, put the fleece on underneath :)

I'd suggest one of two options:

- 100 weight fleece and Pertex (or similar) windproof, which will give you a versatile layering system when added to your existing base layer and Gore-tex (giving base, base/windproof, base/100, base/100/windproof, base/goretex, base/100/goretex, base/100/windproof/goretex options (phew!))

- DriClime/Microtherm style item, which will give you a one-piece, lightweight, compact windproof with some insulation, and good water resistance.

no wonder you have long kit lists capt!!

Thanks all, esp Capt P for all the options. :)

Think I'll have to hit the shops and try a few of these ideas out for size.

I will also go with Marmot Dri-clime - light and compressible as a tissue and amazing performance for its weight - just packed mine for a snowy w/e in the Lakes :o)

and have decided to pack mine as well!

marmot do a windrpoof 100ish weight fleece using polartecs windpro... thats pretty good. or a sprayway litespeed if you want a more softshelly angle.

Just retired my 12 year old parrot pertex windshell and replaced it with a montane litespeed that I picked up for £29 tho it was the last in the shop. Have also got a windstopper ME guide but use them for entirely different things.

I've been having similar discussion with my evil, money spending alter ego about this though I've got to throw a trip to Scotland into the equation, not just the low level walking.

Last year I got far too clammy in the goretex on the way up to the snowline and had the same problem in the windstopper so tried the pertex, but it was a faff changing layers all the time.

Unfortunately I don't think there is single a solution. As a helpful shop chap pointed out: " Scotland is damp and uncomfortable. You just have too find your own best way of dealing with it.

Windstopper will be fine for low level, low effort rambling unless you don't sweat much, I use it for dog walking, valley walking and work (outdoor conservation type stuff) but I've come full circle over the last 15 years to favour pertex again for more active walking and climbing unless it's chucking it down and then it's goretex time.

<to money-spending alter ego>

Montane Krypton, £37.50, Cotswold

Go on, you know it makes sense...

<evil laugh>

mwa-ha-ha!!!!!

I bought a Montane Krypton a few weeks back, after reading the good things that the Captain and others had to say about it... and it is a truly excellent thing. Especially at less than 40 quid.

I've been out on some pretty cold days (-20 with windchill, apparently) wearing just the Krypton and a merino base layer and it's been great. That and an ME Drilite jacket that only comes out of the pack for stops and/or proper rain and I'm sorted.

As the Captain says... you know it makes sense... ;)

Thanks, Tommy, it's good to hear feedback from people who've acted on our suggestions. Glad you're happy with it.