This is what I think I need
for all season.
Any help in brands or what to look for on a particular item or stay away from would be greatly appreciated. Looking for durable but light weight.
P.S. I'm a dude…

1. 1x Water proof shell
2. 1x some sort of fleece or liner
3. 2x T-shirts short sleeve
4. 1x light weight water proof pants shell
5. 1x pants preferably semi fire retardant maybe a blend of cotton.
6. 2x unmentionables :c)
7. 2x sox
8. 1x water proof sox
9. 1x pants liner double as sleeping wear

I put my pants on one leg at a time just like you... The only difference is when I am done I produce multi-platinum records. You need more cow bell.


Sorry I couldn't help myself, you should post activites, locations, what you like about garments in those catagories... You should really start with a little research into each garment. If you are looking for brands to look at go to a brand distributer like REI, EMS, MEC (canada version), moosejaw... The options are endless.

After you get a list of one or two that you like post back here about what you like aobut them and people will be able to help narrow it down or propose a different option based on features you like. More specific questions tend to get great answers.

What temperatures are you going to be seeing and what's your budget?

Edited by TRAUMAhead on 08/10/2011 13:28:07 MDT.

Temp 20-100's
Backpacking for months on end from the Sierras to Death valley to the tropics.

Maybe it would be better if i just ask one item at a time Like What is a good light weight water proof shell/ jacket?

My budget is $6k but i don't want to spend it all on clothes...

Edited by davisdesigns on 08/10/2011 16:40:34 MDT.

1. 1x Water proof shell
Eddie Bauer First Ascent BC-200 or Westcomb Specter.
2. 1x some sort of fleece or liner
Ultra light down inner (I have a Montbell and love it). And Patagonia R1 Fleece.
3. 2x T-shirts short sleeve
Icebreaker Bodyfit 150.
4. 1x light weight water proof pants shell
Marmot Precip.
5. 1x pants preferably semi fire retardant maybe a blend of cotton.
Ex Officio Amphi-pants. Or Kuhl Renegade.
6. 2x unmentionables :c)
Minus 33 Boxer briefs (merino).
7. 2x sox
Darn Tough (a model suited to the situation).
8. 1x water proof sox
Rocky Gore-Tex
9. 1x pants liner double as sleeping wear
Icebreaker leggings (fabric weight suited to situation)

I like merino wool for baselayers (even in the heat). It's not uncomfortable when wet, keeps me warm while drying, and once dry feels as good as when I put it on. Natural anti-odor in fibers. The good stuff is the lighter weights. I like Icebreaker (150 gr Tech T) but IO/BIO, Smartwool amongst others are popular.

Not cheap, not the "most" durable, but worth it for me.

High power (800+) down sweaters. Montbell (ex-light, UL Inner Down) Western Mountaineering (Flash) are the most popular on here, as well as the Eddie Bauer Downlight (when bought on sale... excellent jacket regardless).

Highly compressible, very warm. Nice piece of kit to have.

Patagonia R1 seems to be the go to fleece when something warmer but breathable is desired.

I like eVent fabric for waterproof jackets (breathes really well), I have the Westcomb Spectre mentioned above and Golite Reed rain paints (they work great) but I usually bring my $15 Driducks Ultralite 2 jacket (ditched the pants) because it's lighter, still waterproof, breathes equally well, I also use as windshirt as it's really comfortable against the skin. Any durability problems can be solved with duct tape. Also I save my eVent for snowboarding and don't have to stress about flying embers.

Edited by elf773 on 08/10/2011 17:38:13 MDT.

Any experience with bamboo clothing?

http://outdoorherbivore.com/camp-tips/clothing/

Sorry cant find the link button...

Edited by davisdesigns on 08/11/2011 02:25:41 MDT.

Icebreaker Beast 150 Brief

KEEN Boulder Canyon Crew Mid Sock

Outdoor Research Sequence Duo T-Shirt

Please post any negative remarks on items if you have any.

Looking for a mid layer now, in Possum/Merino i found a few but $400 i was thinking more on the lines of under $200

Edited by davisdesigns on 08/11/2011 16:53:44 MDT.

For a mid layer, merino is silly.

For moderate temps, fleece is fine. There's a lot of fancy fleece out there (see: $$$), but want you want is a grid fleece. Patagonia (R1) is a favorite, Eddie Bauer makes a similar hoody (their Bat Hang, IIRC), or Melanzana makes a climber's favorite (made in USA).

For cold temps, lighter weight, and packability, down is king. If you want a synthetic puffy, the Patagonia Nano Puff is a classic favorite. For down, it really comes down to how warm a piece you're looking for. MontBell's EXL or UL Down are fantastic choices for a light sweater, but aren't nearly as warm as, say, Rab's Microlight Hoody (on sale now @ Campsaver for a fantastic price).

I'd agree.

I was in the same boat looking for clothes, and since I liked the baselayer weight stuff so much I bought a heavier merino sweater (260g or even 200g). Rarely use it. Just not warm enough for the weight and bulk. You might as well buy a regular wool sweater for a lot less money. Wool is pretty wicked stuff.

I need to get myself some grid-type fleece as suggested. I see it being useful for keeping warm/while breathable during activities with sporadic exertions. I believe rock climbers like stuff like the Patagonia R1 for that reason. For me, starting to think about the shoulder season and winter, hiking and snowboarding are what I'd use fleece for.

With merino baselayer (comfort, no stink), grid fleece for midlayer, and down puffy for long stops/camp wear/extending your sleeping bag along with quality waterproof breathables I think you would have an excellent practical system that takes into account moisture management, weight, and compressibility.

BTW: if the Patagonia stuff is too expensive or fits weird, I believe Mountain Equipment Co-Op's or MEC (in Canada) T3 expedition weight is the same thing for less money.

One thing I'd suggest, and this is my personal opinion, is to hold off on buying the waterproof breathable stuff (super expensive) and just get a Driducks Ultralite 2 Suit for $15 (buy one size smaller) and see how that works for you.

A flying ember burning a hole on your $300 eVent jacket or $200 down jacket makes you feel really stupid, so I throw my driducks overtop when near a fire.

- your IB 150g briefs are good
- your socks are good (not cotton)
- synthetic t-shirts make my skin crawl but might be good for you.

edit: Ok re-read your post, you're talking about months on end travel. Nix the driducks, I'd go with an eVent jacket. The Montane Specter or Westcomb Spectre look like your best bets for lightest weight WP/B.

Your big decision is synthetic or wool vs down.

Edited by elf773 on 08/12/2011 01:10:34 MDT.

Thank you guys again for the input.

If I understand you correctly you guys are saying merino is not warm enough? I was looking at Icebraker and Ibex all in the 400g as a mid layer.

I dislike being cold so my trip will take me south but I'm sure I'll see 20-30* on the way.

The Outdoor Research Sequence Duo T-Shirt is a blend of synthetic and merino, should I go 100% merino?

I really don’t like ordering clothes online but I don’t have much choices here.

The 400g merino is too expensive and heavy for it's warmth. Merino shines in the baselayer weight, because of it's comfort (subjective) and anti-odor qualities.

Some people do fine with synthetic baselayers. They are cheaper, lighter and dry faster. I just can't stand having it against my skin for more than a day, or when I sweat in the shirt and it dries. Unwearable after that for me. You may be different. Your blend t-shirt may work great for you and be best of both worlds. There have been claims of people wearing the same merino shirt for 3 weeks and being very comfortable. From personal experience (though not 3 weeks), I can believe it's true.

Everyone has different opinions, but if you read enough of these threads a common theme emerges: the lightest, warmest, most compressible piece of clothing is a down sweater/jacket.

The only problem with down is if moisture accumulates (multi-days in a humid environment) and loft is lost. It will lose it's warmth. It's never happened to me, but I haven't been out in a weeks rain etc, your call. For every down insulated sweater/jacket, there is a comparable insulated synthetic equivalent (it's just a little less warm and bit bulkier).

The list that "S. Long" gave earlier in the thread sounds very good.

If you want to play it safe, get grid fleece (Patagonia R1 or MEC T3) and a Montbell Ex-light or Montbell UL Down Inner, one hooded one sweater and think layers as suggested. Remember, you'll have WPB rain gear too.

Check out the Montbell line (various warmths) for insulated gear, whether down or synthetic. Pretty popular. They fit a bit short, so keep that in mind when ordering.

or the Eddie Bauer First Ascent line. Usually fits long and bigger. Sometimes they have crazy sales. Unparalleled return policy.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Edited by elf773 on 08/12/2011 03:40:07 MDT.

wool/poly blend works well IMO. Best of both worlds. I personally prefer a long sleeveas even in hot weather. more versatile-sun protection-warmth at passes and you can roll sleeves up if needed.
Consider nixing your mid layer and getting a wind shirt. Lighter and more versatile. If you're doing a lot of winter stuff get a microgrid hoody and pair it with a windshirt when your moving. Throw on a puffy for when you stop. In summer a windshirt is likely all you'll needat stops and on passes. I'd look at getting a heavier puffy layer like a montbell alpinelight or wm flight jacket if you are going to be spending a lot of time in the teens or 20's. A light down like an ex-light or wm flash are fine for about half the year but you'll want more in the low 20s if your out of your sleeping bag.

If you are stuck on a wool midlayer, checkout wool power. Don't own one but in store they were light and warm.