I finally going to start winter backpacking, and I live near Reno where the Patagonia outlet is located. That said, the quarterly sale starts tomorrow (everything sells for about 1/4 of the MSRP).

So, I already have a Micropuff pullover. What other Patagonia clothing should I be on the lookout for that will be great for winter camping?

R1 HOODY! Capilene 1 bottoms and top (ss/ls). I can't speak for it yet, but I did buy a micropuff vest a week or so ago. Also check our their DAS parka - it's their warmest synthetic parka. I also just got an Ascentionist softshell parka from the online sale (50 percent off!). It is the evolution of the Ready Mix jacket, which RJ uses (and many others).

Seriously, if I had to take only one line of clothing out into the woods, it might be Patagonia.

Strange. When i first looked at the Ascensionist on Patagonia's site, it listed it as $250. When I did a search, it listed two, one for $250 and one half off. Different colors, but same style. I guess most folks don't like orange or pirate blue! I assume it's the same jacket, or is the half off an older model?

Edited by idester on 09/02/2009 20:28:21 MDT.

If you are in the market for a softshell, I absolutely love my Patagonia Ready Mix...it's been 3 years and counting.

Simple Guide or Alpine Guide pants, depending on your preference.

My Traverse Pullover is one of my favorite bits of outdoor clothing ever. Whenever I don't bring it, I wish I had. It's made my Houdini gather dust.

Good warm gloves, too.

The new Primaloft One DAS looks pretty awesome.

I snagged a down pullover hoody on sale this summer. Glad I did, I like the anorak style and they dropped it from the line.

Patagonia's thick wool socks are also really good, very durable. The thin ones wear out very fast.

I second the R1, and the Patagonia in Reno had them in stock two weeks ago when I was there last.

Good suggestions.
I forgot that I already have 2 softshells by them (one hooded, one not) but both are used for snowshoeing and XC skiing--no room to really layer puffies under. I also have some hardshell ski pants that are wonderful.

I'm most likely going to pick up some soft shell pants, maybe a larger softshell jacket to layer under (Ascenionist looks good), R1 hoody and if they have it, the newer Nano puff jacket.

The only downside is that most of the colors are horrendous at the outlet store if you don't get there at the start of the sale (I'll be there for the opening this time). Bright orange, screaming red, barf green, poo brown.

It almost feels wrong to be buying 'patagucci' for around 75% off MSRP. I'll manage, though.

***I was stopped from posting this as this entry came up for "possible profanity detected: 'p00p'" (changed to get around original message). Is that really that bad a word?

I love Patagonia clothes, and religiously attend the holiday sales at the Dillon, MT outlet. For winter clothes I usually shop for things to wear skiing (you put in on and leave it on) as opposed to backpacking (you're carrying a pack, so mix and match as needed), but these items are what I like:

Any and all wool underwear. Patagonia's merino stuff is top-notch, bested only perhaps by Icebreaker. Wool 4 is exceptionally warm and soft.

The heavyweight wool socks are rarely found, but they're the best that exist (I think they call them expedition weight, with a retail price of $35 or more).

The Dimension Jacket for all day winter wear. Heavy, but the best recreation of the classic Sierra Designs 60/40 parka around. They might have some in the "ranger green" color that Patagonia made for a military contract. Dimension pants are very rare, but I love them.

Of the synthetics, I like the R1 and R2 fleece. R1 pants are great for "real cold" underwear, and the R2 fleece jacket is probably, with the Mountain Hardwear Monkey Phur, the best fleece ever made. Of course, fleece doesn't match up to down for winter "warm up quick" use, but if you have to wear something warm all day long, fleece is greatly preferable to down or synthetic puff insulation for breathability. R1 pullovoers are a staple of my winter wear, and the new R1 full zip has quickly become a favorite.

The DAS parka is heavy and not all that warm, but tough and certainly weather-resistant. I like mine for mucking about when it's 30 degrees and the snow is falling like dinner plates.

Capilene 1 is silky smooth, and might do for all day wear in the Sierra, but it snags easily and has a quick flash point for cooling.

The Ascensionist jacket lies in the middle ground: not that light, not that tough, but it has become one of my favorites for winter wear (again, I'm talking about a jacket you wear all day).

Almost all of the Patagonia guide pants are great, although the Alpine Guides with their built-in gaiters and suspenders might be overkill for what you want. I'd stay away from the Simple Guide Pants and others that either don't have belt loops or a fly zip--the drawstring waist adjustment doesn't work all that well.

The Stretch Element Jacket is frightfully expensive at full retail, but it is a beautifully-made hard shell parka that is surprisingly breathable considering it doesn't carry the eVent or Gore Pro-Shell label.

The Houdini wind shirts/jackets are justifiably acclaimed.

I like the softshell/fleece combos (such as the Winter Guide series), but they're probably too warm/heavy for winter backpacking in the Sierra.

Although they have incredibly fragile shell fabric, you'll find it hard to beat the warmth/weight ratio of the Patagonia Down Parka.

Edited by kidcobalt on 09/03/2009 00:14:58 MDT.