Gearblog - Snowy Winter Kit

Snow changes all the winter clothing rules, well, not quite all of them, but the combination of cold and the lack of rain means that soft shell, for one, suddenly makes a lot of sense. Here's a quick update on what we've been using in the snow and how it's worked.


Feet...

So far the snow's been soft and unconsolidated in the Peak, so no need for crampons or stiffened soles so we've mostly been wearing a pair of Salomon Quest 4D GTX boots. They've offered a great combination of light weight - 1300 grammes - comfort, support and just enough sole stiffness to cope with being kicked into harder snow. The Gore-Tex liner has worked brilliantly for keeping feet dry helped by internal snow gaiters on the G2 Mountain Pant - see below.


For running, normal mesh running shoes tend to soak out, so we've resorted to a pair of  The North Face Rucky Chucky GTX XCR trail running shoes. They're a great all-round trail runner with a stable and grippy chassis and outer sole unit that cope well with mixed and snow covered trails and incorporate a lot of advanced features.. Bottoom line is that they simply get on with things and the Gore-Tex liner kept our feet dry.

Finally, in seriously icy conditions - think London pavement on Christmas Eve - Icebug  shoes  with carbide-studded soles have given improbable levels of grip even on hard, glassy surfaces. And the weather-resistant uppers coped with snow as well. An alternative with a more aggressive outsole is the Inov-8 Mudclaw 340 O + with similar 'metal dobs'.

Legwear...

The new 2010 Mountain Equipment G2 Ultimate Mountain Pant has really come into its own in winter conditions. Lighter and m ore comfortable than its predecessor, the new, legwear-specific Gore Windstopper fabric is completely windproof and nigh-on waterproof, shrugging off snow and wind, but never getting too warm in sub-zero temperatures.


Fit is good, mobility is excellent and there are two vented pockets that give some cooling options when heading uphill. We particularly appreciated the internal snow gaiter which hook over the laces and keep powder snow out of the top of your boots.

Just really good winter trousers that you can team with baselayer tights on really cold days, though we didn't feel the need.

Upper Body

We're big merino fans for winter use and various merino wool garments have been called into action, but our number one choice has been Marmot's Midweight Baselayer Zip Neck LS top it uses a gridded Polartec Power Dry fabric with added Cocona, gives instant warmth, rapid wicking and seems to dry in a matter of minutes. It's simply just a really good winter base layer.

Our second upper body choice for mid-layer use has been Rab's new Power Stretch PS Hoodie. Power Stretch is basically a stretchy, lightweight fleece that works really well with closer fitting shell layers and gives a snug, efficient fit. Wicks and dries well and the hood is ideal for warming up when you stop or for layering under a helmet. And it's not so warm that you boil in the bag when you start moving again.


For fast moving - running and biking - in sub-zero conditions, another Rab classic has been the first thing we reach for. The Vapour-rise Lite Jacket combines a Pertex Equilibrium outer with a soft Powerdry liner for fast-wicking protection. The outer is wind resistant and shrugs off snow, but is also high wicking and very breathable. The inner adds some handy insulation over a straight windproof top.

And when you're moving fast, the lack of a hood isn't an issue. We like the big venting  pockets as well both for stowing lightweight - Power Stretch - gloves and a beanie and for added cooling.


For walking and climbing use, Patagonia's latest Speed Ascent Jacket has blown us away. Essentially the combination of warm and wicking R2 Thermal Pro fleece and a wind-proof, snow-shrugging stretch shell is a posh version of pile / Pertex and it works brilliantly.

The liner is warm enough to deal with sub-zero conditions, the outer is well up to snow and wind protection, cut is 'slim', but in reality long and quite generous - or maybe we're just skinny and short - and the helmet hood gives decent, insulated protection.

The pockets are a tad long for use with a pack belt, anything in them tends to fall below belt level and we'd like a double-ended zip on the main opening, plus our zip-pull tag had gone missing, but easily fixed with some accessory cord.

Overall it's an ace fit and forget winter mountain top that comes into its own in cold, snowy conditions. For the sort of mixed rain, sleet, snow days that you get in Scotland an additional lightweight waterproof would make sense. In snowy winter conditions, it does everything a good waterproof shell and fleece combo does but with much improved breathability and wicking.

On the head...

Because we run warm, all we've used so far is a faithful, Icebreaker, merino wool beanie. Enough insulation to take the chill off, when things get wild, pull up the hood on the Speed Ascent and hunker down inside.

Merino still feels comfy even when wetted out from damp snow. Simple but effective though a fleece equivalent would work too.

On The Back...

We've been putting some miles on the latest Karrimor Alpiniste 35+10 and it's done a good job. Admittedly we haven't been carrying huge loads, but it seems like a capable mountain pack with decent functionality.


We like the shock-corded accessory attachments, the inward pull hip-belt and decently large lid pocket. And so far, we haven't had any problems with snow sticking to the mesh back. Wrong kind of snow? And it's a nice orange colour too. We need to load it up more and we'll report back when we have.

Honourable Mentions...

Other stuff that's been out and done the business includes the latest OMM Kamleika Race jacket, great for lightweight, close-fitting and breathable waterproofing. ViewRanger mapping on a Nokia touchscreen phone - brilliant - and some old MHW mountaineering gloves with a pile inner.

Also loved, Mountain Equipment's Astron Hoody Power Shield soft shell top, Schwalbe Ice Spiker ice tyres, a Vango two-person emergency shelter, various Buffs, Bridgedale Summit mountaineering socks - a default winter choice here - and a waterproof Aqua 3 paper map.