layers, care to cast a critical eye?

paul baggett

14/05/2012 at 19:07

Can any one suggest something i am missing or in some areas they would imporve my current layering system, this is primarly for summer late auttm use, winter kit is different.

base layer - synthetic (forget the name)
mid - micro fleece

rain - marmot mica
insulation - rab generator primaloft

and i have just purchased a montain lightspeed wind shirt with it being slightly rain proof i can keep the rather delicate mica in the pack till i really need it.

im debating if i can leave the fleece out and just use the windshirt, if i get to cold use the rab generator or would that be best kept for camp use and just keep the fleece in the pack, trying to cut my weight down to the minimum but still keep quite comfartable.
How does every one elses summer system look like?

Also need to buy a new base layer what does every one rate?

paul baggett

14/05/2012 at 19:08

ps forgive the spelling mistake using a tablet and its a pain with corrections

Peebz

14/05/2012 at 19:54

This is similar to my system but I prefer 2 base layers rather than 1 plus fleece. The insulated jacket would only be used for camp use.

Spring and autumn can be a bit difficult to judge weather wise so think the only real solution is to carry abit more (esp in spring autumn) Mid summer I would might forgo insulated jacket or fleece.

bob blob

14/05/2012 at 20:49

i generally take a regular crappy t-shirt, fleece and a light water/wind proof jacket and rotate them according to the temperature / weather.
although lately i'm seriously considering a poncho for raining conditions as the water/wind proof jackets keep sweat in waaaay too much to be practical hiking in hours of rain.

sounds to me like your spending lots of money to get technical gear when its not really needed IMHO. plus, its summer, spend your money on winter layers when it really counts

paul baggett

14/05/2012 at 20:54

ow no not a lot of money at all really

everything was second hand off ebay/here or on sale

windproof £26
rab £35
baselayer £7 from aldi
mica £60 half price
fleece £8 ebay

ive been building it up over quite some months when a bargain strikes, just trying to balance it all out to give the best of combinations now.

i dont think its un-need really, i was glad of having the insulated jacket in april in the lakes when it dropped to around 3 in camp one night lol

Edited: 14/05/2012 at 20:55

Guy Hurst

14/05/2012 at 21:09

That looks pretty good for three season use to me. I might leave the fleece/windshirt/Primaloft jacket (delete as appropriate) at home on some hot days, but I reckon what you've got will cover most situations.

Some will doubtless say it's not a perfect system and you could improve things by buying/leaving out this or that, but that way lies gear obsession and full membership of the OM club.

Parky Again

14/05/2012 at 21:40

For summer you could consider a long sleeved shirt. Superb variable ventilation and wind protection. This also allows me to use a gilet rather then a full windproof jacket. I find a gilet of much more use. Enough to keep the early morning chill off and to keep wind at bay during the day without getting hot due to having my arms covered by microfibre.

Zuma

14/05/2012 at 23:25

Indeed here also a fan of a long sleeved buttoned shirt. Preferably with an UV filter. Leave the mid at home. When hot wear only the shirt half unbuttoned open and no base layer. indeed suberp ventilation

Peter Clinch

15/05/2012 at 12:19

Can any one suggest something i am missing?

The easy answer is "you", by finding shortcomings in your kit for the places you go. Lots of folk use lots of different combinations of stuff because preferences and jobs and physiologies all vary. What you've got will see you through so get out there and decide what might be done better, and address those particular issues.

For example, I wouldn't personally bother with the Generator for summer, or if not camping in Spring or Autumn either, but maybe you feel the cold more than I do...

Pete.

paul baggett

15/05/2012 at 14:39

cheers for the replies, yeah i think i would ditch the insulated jacket in the summer months, no need and just keep the fleece in my bag.

i Totally agree with getting out there and trying it all out my self, problem being with the job i currently have im lucky if i get out onto the hills 4 times a year, so the majority of the time talking and reading about gear and other peoples experiences of hiking is the closest i will get for months at a time, hence why im on this website so much =).

captain paranoia

15/05/2012 at 17:50

Looks like a perfectly sensible, versatile 3-season layering system. In other words, it's just what I'd take if I was unsure of the weather.

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