Hey everyone
So I have been reading alot of threads about clothing systems. base-layer, mid-layer, wind-shirts, rain top, rain bottom, insulating layer ect. How do you all set up your clothing system? and what do all these different layers refer to?

Here is what I do, Im curious what you think/ your opinion. This it typically for a week long trek:

-2 pair under-armor spandex underwear for hiking. (swim in them too)
-1 pair boxers for sleeping in. (I sleep warm, and typically just sleep in just my underwear even in temps below 30)
-1 pair pants with zippers to convert into shorts.
-2 pair liner socks.
-2 pair hiking socks.
-1 northface short sleeve hiking shirt.
-1 Columbia long sleeve hiking shirt.
-1 thermal top by marmot
-1 thermal bottom by marmot
-1 pair DaKine liner gloves
-1 under-armor fleece beanie
-1 thin northface fleece
-No rain pants
-1 sierra designs lightweight rain jacket.

How would all that be classified into layers?
What would you do to improve it?

This is for a week-long trek, where, exactly?

Panama or Patagonia?

--B.G.--

What sort of liner and hiking socks do you use, I still havent really havent got off the fence on the whole one thicker pair of socks versus a liner and a hiking sock as you call it. Do you have the two sock thing goin all year?
Also since you dont have rain pants, do you wear gaiters to keep feet dry or do you not really get wet feet when it rains?

Typically in the sierras in the summer, spring or fall. I would pretty much bring the same clothes for a 5 day trip or for a longer trip like my 18 day one I did this summer. I wouldnt bring any extra pairs of things if I was doing a trip less than 5 days.

I like to use the 2 sock system because I have big problems with blisters and it helps minimize the friction. I havent found a pair of socks that I am very content with yet...still trying to figure that out.

As for the rain pants...I dont get a ton of rain in the sierras so I normally just go out in my regular hiking pants because they dry quickly. if I am expecting alot of rain or possible snow I will bring my gaiters.

Couldn't the thermal top and long sleeved shirt be the same? 2 pair of undies, one to hike in one to sleep in should do it.
I use shorts and Golite rain pants instead of converta pants.
I like the long sleeve railriders shirt which is light and a good sun bloc.
http://www.railriders.com/men-eco-mesh-shirt-p-963.html?cPath=104_137&osCsid=fpk20b8vkh6p85ibk99ksbqeg4

Over a drimove t-shirt I use a lightweight merino shirt with a hood bought from BPL for evening. It is nice to sleep with a head cover that stays on.

Like this one, but with a hood
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/merino_ul_ls_shirt.html

Edited by rambler on 11/07/2010 18:32:29 MST.

The long sleeve shirt is for hiking when I am above tree line and exposed to alot of sun, or the mosquitoes are really bad. The thermal top is more of a warmth layer at night or in the mornings when I wake up and its cold.

I only bring 2 pairs of hiking underwear because after 4 or 5 days in 1 pair....things start to get stanky.

Edited by highsierraguy on 11/07/2010 18:22:52 MST.

Since you want to take two long sleeve shirts (hiking and thermal), what about taking a vest of some sort instead of your thin fleece.

Ten or twenty years ago, I would have sworn up and down that a two pairs of socks combination was the only way to go, plus one pair for spare (like if I stepped into a river). The skin on my feet has changed now, so a single pair of thick socks is good, plus a pair for spare.

For summer, I would never take so many under layers. But that is just me.

I always carry some rain pants. For one thing, if I need to rinse out my hiking pants, I can wear the rain pants while they dry. Or, they can provide extra warmth or even rain protection should it really pour down rain.

--B.G.--

Bob-
When you say underlayers...which items are you talking about?

Try some merino boxer briefs. It's scary how long you can go with no odor. One is all you need for hiking and sleeping. I like the smartwool fabric and waistband.

I think you could lose the short sleeve and the marmot thermal top. One light, long sleeved hiking shirt will work. Push or roll the sleeves up when it's hot. Then use the NF fleece as a mid layer or even as a base to take the place of your marmot thermal. Rain jacket for warmth. Then get a light down or synthetic puffy if you need more warmth. Maybe add a windshirt too?

-2 pair under-armor spandex underwear for hiking. (swim in them too)
-1 pair boxers for sleeping in. (I sleep warm, and typically just sleep in just my underwear even in temps below 30)

For me, black stretchy briefs and I am good for a few weeks.

--B.G.--

We probably hike in a lot of the same conditions so I'll give you a rundown on my summer sierra list.

Worn:
Outdoor Research Oasis Sombrero - Sun Hat
Mountain Hardwear Wicket T-Shirt (long sleeve)
REI MTS Boxerbriefs - black color is more modest as swim trunks
Mountain Hardwear Canyon Pant
WrightSock Coolmesh Quarter Socks (1pr) - Two layer socks eliminate need for liner socks

Packed:
The North Face Diad Jacket - Rain/Wind Jacket
Patagonia Cap4 - Insulating Layer
Patagonia Cap2 Bottoms - Insulating Layer/Sleep Pants
WrightSock Coolmesh Quarter Sock (1pr) - wash one/wear one
ExOfficio Bug-Off Bandana - Neck Gaiter/Pot Grabber/etc.
Manzella Silkweight Windstopper Gloves
Outdoor Research Option Balaclava

Looks like you've got multiple coverage on shirts and socks.
Try a different type of socks and see if you can go without the liner socks. What situations do you wear your tops? Youve got the Northface Shirt, Columbia Shirt, Marmot Thermal and I'm guessing you're thin Northface fleece is also a top? Could you go with only one longsleeve base, push up the sleeves, and one thermal top? As for some multi-day stink, I usually wash my stuff and wear it dry.

Edited by cobberman on 11/07/2010 19:04:52 MST.

looks like a lot of clothing

socks- I wore two pairs (syn liner w/ a wool outer) of socks for close to 20 years- three years ago I gave a single good wool sock a go (Darn Tough cushion)- I'll never go back to a two pair system for three season use

shirts- my base layer (either Cap 1 or Merino 1 long sleeves) are my shirt(s), shirts can be washed- on a long trip I might consider bringing two

three pairs of underwear could easily be cut to to two, for shorter trips- one is plenty (they can be washed as well)

what's your insulating layer? I would think that in the Sierra's a light down jacket around camp and to help push your sleeping system a bit as well, would be most welcome

I use baselayers, insulating layers and shell layers. I don't use both 'midlayers' and 'insulating layers' as some people do. Thinking about the purpose of layers, you need a wicking layer, insulation and a shell to protect you from the elements. Usually when people wear a 'midlayer' they are just adding a second heavy baselayer which is a very heavy way to add insulation. Even in winter I use an extremely light synthetic short sleeve baselayer and then I layer on insulation as needed.

I start with the quickest drying synthetic baselayer shirt I can find. On top of that I add insulation as needed with an eye for the lightest solution (usually a down vest or jkt). Finally I add either a wp/b shell or a wind shell or none according to the weather.

For my legs I usually use quick drying synthetic boxers (baselayer) and hiking pants (essentially a durable wind shell) since leg insulation is usually not needed. I'll add rain pants if needed, sometimes instead of the hiking pants but usually on top cause it's easier.

For my feet I use the fastest drying synthetic socks I can find (ie. DeFeet Ventilator Lite Low) since my shoes are my foot insulation and shell.

On short trips I carry one of everything. On trips 2 nights or longer I carry 2 baselayer shirts, 2 synthetic underwear and 2 pair of socks. These duplicate layers allow me to wash and dry one, while I wear the other.

So my clothes gearlist looks something like this:

Baselayers:
- GoLite Drimove Tee Baselayer - 2 @ 1.9oz = 3.8oz
- Helly Hansen Synthetic Boxers - 2 @ 2.1oz = 4.2oz
- DeFeet Ventilator Lite Socks - 2 @ 1.1oz = 2.2oz
Subtotal: 10.2oz

Insulating Layers:
- Montbell UL Down Inner Parka - 9.0oz
- First Ascent Downlight Vest - 7.7oz (cold trips only)
- GooseFeet Down Pants - 7.3oz (cold trips only)
- Helly Hansen Merino Wool Beanie - 1.0oz
- Icebreaker 320g/m2 Wool Gloves - 1.8oz
Subtotal: 11.8-26.8oz

Shell Layers:
- Marmot Essence Rain Jkt - 6.2oz
- GoLite Reed Rain Pants - 3.9oz
- Montbell UL Windshirt - 2.6oz
- Patagonia Sol Patrol Hiking Pants - 7.5oz
Subtotal: 20.2oz

Edited by dandydan on 11/07/2010 19:36:57 MST.

"what's your insulating layer? I would think that in the Sierra's a light down jacket around camp and to help push your sleeping system a bit as well, would be most welcome"

+1 spot on.

here is what I used for my most recent hike, four days(but was planning on eight) in Vermont this August. temps down to the 40s and lots of rain, but luckily no snow there.

Worn:
generic synthetic shirt - baselayer
generic synthetic boxer-briefs
running shorts - shorts
sock liners - socks
sneakers

carried:
smartwool long underwear- insulating layer
100wt fleece - insulating layer
hat - insulating
wind jacket - shell/insulating

Edited by wjsawyer on 11/07/2010 20:02:47 MST.

SO let me see if I get this haha

Base layer- is worn closest to the skin, and main purpose is for wicking moisture.
For me that would be marmot thermals? Im not sure what material they are exactly, ill have to check on that. But I wear those in the early am, and cold nights.

Midlayer- would be clothes that I wear during the day or night for general protection from sun sun and what not.
For me that would be my hiking pants and north face t-shirt or the long sleeve hiking shirt. (which I guess I should get rid of the t-shirt) Wear these all day and evening.

Thermal Layer- Would be an outer layer for warm on top of my midlayer.
for me that would be my north face fleece, gloves and beanie

WInd/rain layer- Layer to protect from the elements
That would be my hiking pants and rain jacket?


I am gonna drop the t shirt for sure.
Ive heard alot about down jackets...but I seem to keep very warm with just my thin fleece and thermal base layer. Whats the pros of a down jacket?

Next trip I am gonna try to not use the liner socks. I got new boots that work great, so maybe I dont need the liners anymore.

Sorry for the rant...just tryin to figure it all out

Thanks for all the help!

Im not sure about your fleece, but i just got a ul montbell thermawrap jacket and it is lighter and more compressible then my fleece.

"Whats the pros of a down jacket?"

They are warm. Oh, wait, maybe that was a trick question.

For my summer trips in the Sierra, I always take at least one down layer to augment the rain shell parka and warm shirt. That would be my Mont Bell down inner. Then, if the trip is up high or otherwise colder, I add a second down layer, which is a Western Mountaineering down vest.

--B.G.--