Well the OP is talking about bringing 2 long sleeves and a windshirt. one to wear for a bit while it is cool in the morning and another to sleep in. presumably there would be a short sleeve in there too for the main part of the day.

for 3 season i bring 4 "tops" SS, LS, wool sweater(or down puffy), windshirt/light rain jacket. I use the sweater or puffy as my non moving insulation. The only shirt that should get sweaty is the short sleeve.

Yeah, I was mostly agreeing with his idea of sleeping in a dry shirt. Not necessarily his implementation(see the wind shirt advice). On another note, wow, you take a lot of tops for 3 season. Probably some room for weight savings there. :)

Ryan

how many do you take? That is what i took for the Long Trail in VT and over 16 hiking days i used each one pretty much daily. long sleeve in the morning and night, short sleeve during the day, add sweater to LS for sleep at night with my apex 2.5 quilt.

My usual area, the White mtns NH weather is pretty fickle.. on my Presi traverse in a day last summer it was 80 in the valley and 50F + 50mph wind on Washington

Ha...I don't even know! I was just giving you crap. I hike in the East also, so probably that many or more.

Ryan

I gotta agree with dale W., don't worry about "clean" and dirty clothes. Just wear what the weather calls for.

In the situation you described I'd throw on my eVent parka.

My 3 season warm clothes are:
1.Polartec ECWCS poly zip neck T long john top (W/ gridded fleece inside) from Cabela's
2. Eddie Bauer Down Sweater (in my avatar)
3. REI Kimtah eVent parka
4. PacLite GTX rain pants

I can sleep in the long john top AND the down sweater if temps drop below 25 F.
Generally daytime travel doesn't require the use of the down sweater.
You can add a light synthetic fiber filled vest for "shoulder season" use while travelling.

Edited by Danepacker on 03/20/2013 12:28:02 MDT.

I am a dirty person in the backcountry and dont care who knows. And as for "post hike" I am STILL dirty and dont care who knows. I just went backpacking of course I smell. I would just wear the long sleeve currently in the pack or my down sweater till warmed up then take it off. but hiking in the 50's is T-shirt and shorts weather as far as im concerned. I even hike through the showers that the sierras get with out rain gear just cause I would sweat to bad wearing rain gear in 50 degree temps while hikeing anyway.

As far as meeting women in the back country just meet women and ease them into it by buying them things. Start with patagonia clothes they love those. Then bam hit um with a backpack.


Note: Be prepared to have to join a new forum (backpacking heavy)cause you might end up carrying some(most) of her gear.

The situation you describe is exactly when i practically live in my windshirt! That's what a windshirt is for, to keep out the wind and act as a lightweight wrap when it's a bit too cool for shirt sleeves. I'm allergic to sunscreen, so long sleeves are my only sun protection for my arms. If you really want to hike in the short sleeved shirt, those added sleeves would be a good idea; they'll keep bugs and sun off when needed. I agree with those who say that if your windshirt doesn't work for you in those situations, that's where you should look first--probably for a more breathable one.

"I was hiking the other morning, temps about 50 degrees. The breeze was blowing just enough to bring a chill, but not nearly cold enough for my Montbell down jacket."

IMO, the less pieces I bring, the better. This means making each existing piece do more work. Sure, maybe it isn't THAT cold to wear a MontBell down jacket by necessity -- but will you melt away uncomfortably if you did?? Put it on. And later, as the sun shines brighter, exchange for a rain or wind jacket instead...

Edited by ben2world on 03/20/2013 17:04:13 MDT.

Lots of opinions, and much great advice given.

I have a Stoic Wraith windshirt. It weighs 2 ounces. Windshirts protect from the wind to shed off cold. If I'm in the wind, and NOT reaching for my windshirt, I think you all are spot-on, and I should be looking for a windshirt I like better! Mostly, the windshirt was put on over the Montbell jacket as an extra layer. I didn't care how it felt, because it wan't against my skin. However, if it could be doing double duty, and it isn't, well then I guess it's time to consider a replacement.

Which leads me to this....what's a good, breathable, comfortable windshirt you might suggest? For those that really find it invaluable.

I also like the idea of smartwool sleeves. I'll be checking those out as well, but will have to make the decision of which to go with.

Get a Houdini.

Get a Houdini. +1

The Houdini is accepted by most to be the best(me included). Check the Gear Deals section, there are a couple posts about Houdini's for ~$60.

Ryan

Toss the short-sleeve and get a lightweight long sleeve baselayer instead, with sleeves you can roll up. Preferably zip-neck for more comfort (both cooler AND warmer than a short sleeve). Less layer changing, also.

A Cap 2 1/4 zip is a good option for this - loose enough sleeves and a great big zip. I also like the Outdoor Reserach Echo 1/4 zip shirt, or a Patagonia Merino 2 1/4 zip for cooler temperatures.

With a long sleeve, you don't have to deal with a windshirt against skin. Based on experience, if you're uncomfortable with the Stoic Wrath in short sleeves, you'll also be uncomfortable with the Houdini in short sleeves. IMO, on skin, they don't really feel that different from each other.

In warmer temperatures, when I know I won't need a windshirt, I'll switch to a loose long sleeve button up shirt - again, cooler AND warmer than a short sleeve shirt.

You use less sunscreen this way, also.

Edited by lindahlb on 03/21/2013 17:09:52 MDT.

I don't do well in cold. But I am not going to carry a 2nd set of anything. Normally a base layer I hike in, shorts, bottom baselayer when needed, a windshirt and a puffy (which I rarely hike in).

On one trip we had unexpected high winds and temps down near freezing when we started off in the morning. I wore my windshirt under the puffy so it the puffy would not get damp. Cap 1's under my shorts. I was wearing every piece of clothing I had brought... and it worked... no extra unneeded weight. After an hour or so I removed most of the clothes. Yes, I was warm at the start and I had to stop to change... not a big deal to me to stop for 60 seconds and remove layers. If I am moderately cold in the morning I suck it up for about 15 minutes and then everything equalizes.


Fashion Statement

Top:
Short sleeve mesh baselayer
Houdini
Montbell Ex UL vest

Bottom
Cap 1
Patagonia Baggies

Other
eVent baseball cap
wool glove liners

Here I go again. Arm warmers make a short-sleeved shirt a long-sleeved one; stunningly, it does the reverse, too. They are especially useful for reconfiguring your attire while moving, lessening or increasing warmth is simple and easy. I prefer wool to lycra, and Smartwool warmers are quite acceptable.

"Which leads me to this....what's a good, breathable, comfortable windshirt you might suggest? For those that really find it invaluable."

My favorite is the Haglofs Shield.

perhaps the marmot driclime would be a better suited windshirt for your situation. it has a membrane on the inside of the windshirt that is almost like a wicking fleece, but not so thick and heavy. pretty breathable and comfortable enough on the arms...

+1 on the Driclime suggestion.