The sky my roof till Christmas... .

. . what would it be?

Say you were going to be outdoors all the time, through rainy English spring and on into winter, footing it around Britain, travelling light, camping wild, and in only the clothes you stand up in what would they be? (No mountaineering is in prospect.)

Budget's not the issue: getting it right is. In advance, I thank you for your suggestions.

AF. 

I think you can do it without too much duplication. As long as you have two baselayers, one of everything else should be fine. Your biggest decision will be waterproof (paramo vs other). At the moment seems to me that the best "other" would be neoshell (for that length of time event would need many reproofs and gore active shell would rip). People will give you advice either way but personally I prefer paramo velez trousers and a non-paramo jacket (when it might rain it's never been too warm for paramo trousers with venting open) but lots of time when it may rain a paramo jacket is too warm in summer. 

You'll need another pair of trousers, personally I'd go for a softshell e.g. powershield (not  windstopper whatever you do) for warmer weather with light rain possible and a pair of shorts.

Baselayer is up to you, can't say I notice any difference from any of mine (icebreaker, polypro, polyester) but then I haven't tried the latest meco or arcteryx (and don't intend to as can't afford another top for only incremental improvement.

Mid-layers personally I use 2: powerdry and powerstretch layered as necessary. Don't get a full weight fleece as for real warmth you'll get better use out of synthetic (don't get down for that length of time). If sitting around in evenings you'll probably want at least 133g/m2 thickness (but likely more). I'd get the more by layering a synthetic gillet with a synthetic belay jacket for more flexibility. 

Finally a thin pertex windjacket (many available, no real difference but you'll want microlight not quantum for that length of time).

Only other thing to note is don't wear normal cotton underwear, saying above that I don't notice the difference between different baselayers, I really do notice the downside to cotton underwear (gets damp, stays damp, then rubs) many options available.

Sorry but all of that's around 1000pounds. Notice that I haven't listed specific products as I don't think any one brand is really much better than another, fit is far more important. I've also not made it ultralight but have cut down to allow you to wash one set whilst wearing another.

Be interesting to see other opinions though.

check the extremes - in hot weather you need shorts and a t shirt

in cold weather you want something bombproof that'll keep you alive in poor conditions, I might want buffalo or similar.

you need robust and repairable gear, check what the professional outdoor workers wear.

boots need careful selection they need to be exactly right. 

AllFumbs wrote (see)

only the clothes you stand up in

Budget's not the issue

 A contradiction surely!

Bedouin wrote (see)

AllFumbs wrote (see)

only the clothes you stand up in

AllFumbs wrote (see)

Budget's not the issue

A contradiction surely!

I guess AllFumbs really means "as light/low bulk as possible, to cover this range of situations".

For extended durations in remote areas, bombproofness will be important, as will hygiene. There is a reason why armies have procedures about this.

Thanks, Didster,

I was going to have a look at the Haglofs Rugged Mountain Pants. (A fan of 'Father Ted', I wonder if a rival firm does 'Craggy Mountain' ones.) 

I think Montgomery Wick had lauded them in a separate thread; but what I could do with asking is are they properly waterproof? I really don't want to faff-about with overtrousers so whatever I end-up getting must keep an all-day downpour out.

Thanks again,

AF. 

I'd also be worried about the need for washing/reproofing Paramo would work if worn for this sort of length of time with all the need for washing/reproofing. Ditto any water repellency gained via a DWR of course.

So overtrousers going to be needed really.  Although double ventile might do it.

Anyway some good information about long term durability on this backpacking light thread. I'd actually go and ask some of the people on there who've been doing this sort of thing for their advice. They'll know!

Thank you, All,

Esp. those who've given our nomadic-tribesman correspondent a bit of a ragging. Can't beat a bit o' banter. 

Good point, 'Martin Carpenter', about re-proofing Paramo (and the like). I'd thought of double-Ventile but read somewhere that even its adherents don't reckon to it much for legwear. Jackets and smocks, yes : trews, no.

And I'll have a look at that website to which you helpfully gave the link. Thanks.

AF.