Winter Clothing Layering Tests
We had pretty good weather on Saturday for a 6.6 mile loop (total elevation gain – 1,900 ft) on the Imp Trail up to Imp Face (3,165 ft), a ledge with excellent views of Mt Washington, Mt Madison, and The Great Gulf. The temperature ranged from 15 to 20 degrees (F) with medium winds and snow depth was between 2 and 3 feet. The trail had only been lightly broken out, so we took turns leading to avoid getting too tired, bare booting our way up and snowshoeing on the way down.
Being my first real winter hike of the season with full gear, my goal was to test the heat management characteristics of my new winter layers and to make sure all of my old gear fitted properly and was in working order. Turns out there was a problem with my snowshoes, which I was able to fix this weekend.
Clothing-wise, I got a lot of grief about my color coordination from my hiking partners. It seems that all of my gear and clothing is either red or black. Trust me, it wasn't planned. I just like red.
The big change from last year's clothing system is that my top and bottom outer layers are NOT hard shells made from Gore-Tex laminate. Instead, I've got a Marmot DriClime Catalyst Jacket on top that I wear over two Patagonia Capilene 1 long sleeved jerseys. On the bottom, I wear a pair of Under Armour Heat Gear Boxer Jocks, Patagonia 1 long underwear pants, and a pair of REI Mistral Soft Shell Pants. I still carry another leg and torso insulation layer for really cold or windy conditions, but these are intended for setting up camp, cooking, and above treeline.
The goal of my new layering system is to vent more sweat during moderate to heavy exertion since my Gore-Tex rain shells and zip venting were not getting the job done for me last year.
When we were snowshoeing on this hike, which included some trail breaking, I was definitely perspiring. But the wicking action of my Capilene base layers and the DriClime jacket exceeded all expectations. While the outside of my DriClime was damp to the touch, my inside layers were dry, which is exactly what I wanted. The whole point of wicking base layers is that sweat evaporation occurs from a remote layer, not touching your skin. This eliminates core chilling and the extra calorie expenditure required to evaporate sweat in cold weather.
I have to admit that I was a little leery about the wicking layer sewn into the DriClime Catalyst jacket, which effectively makes it a two layer article of clothing. I perceived this as a negative because it limits the very fine control that you retain when you can add or shed individual layers one at a time. But the DriClime Catalyst's wicking properties blow Gore-Tex laminates completely away. I've never had a coat that is so effective at moisture transport.
Below the belt, my pants layering system also worked well with no moisture buildup. I've been wearing the Under Armour Boxer Jocks all year, replacing the heavier UA compression shorts I wore last year in winter, which prevented chafing, but did induce more sweating. I also wear these under the Patagonia long underwear for the extra support they provide.
I've been wearing the Mistral Pants all autumn and really like the way they are cut. Their DWR proved perfectly adequate for snowshoeing and they're mostly covered up anyway from the knee down by OR Crocodiles, which are high mountaineering gaiters.
So all in, this new clothing system worked like a charm. My only concern is that I was a little cold before we started climbing at the trail head. However, I think I can easily address this by wearing a slightly heavier second Patagonia base layer, say a Capilene 2 or Capilene 3 long sleeve jersey or pair of long underwear without fundamentally upsetting the effectiveness of this moisture transport system. I always pack two sets of Capilene, light and heavy, in winter for wearing during the day and sleeping in at night, so this won't increase my pack weight.
Hopefully, I can test this slight adjustment this weekend, before I need to count on it for a high peak. I'm cautious about clothing in winter.
Tags
- winter clothing for 16 year
- Capilene 2 vs 3 for hiking fall rockies
- winter clothing for a backpacker
- winter backpacking layering system
- winter backpacking clothes layering system
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Wow! I’d have a heat stroke in all of that clothing. Cool you’re nailing down what works well for you.
I guess you don’t see that much winter down in the southeast. Winter hiking in the mountains of new england is really a different sport than 3 season hiking. There’s a good transference of skills but not gear or clothing.
Well, we can get negative temps and plenty of snow in areas. I wear shorts until it’s into the mid 30s and I’ve been in to the low teens with just softshell pants. I also got caught in a blizzard in the Rockies last year. My clothing system wasn’t much different there than here. I run very hot though. Also, I know a couple of guys who spend a fair bit of time in the Whites including during Winter without resorting to traditional mountaineering gear. No big heavy boots, no bomber tents, no liguid fuel stoves, etc. I know that’s definitely not the norm, but their testing has shown it’s very doable.
Were you using your Northern Lites snowshoes? Since I’m thinking of buying some I wondered what the problem was that you mentioned. Two to three feet of snow sounds like serious snowshoe exercise!
Excellent post Phillip.
I was wondering what you do for protection if it rains? (rather than snows) It did not seem to me that the DriClime jacket is waterproof??
Cheers
I was using my northern lites. The problem was a minor issue with the straps. One of the ends came out of the harness and just required re-threading to make sure that it’s further into the buckle – it’s kind of hard to explain, but easy to fix.
Honestly, I’m kind of on the fence with my northern lites. At 30″, they’re a little too big for the northeast with its rocks and trees and probably better for the fluffy snow out west. I’ve bought a pair of 25″ MSR Lightning Ascents to replace them, but they weigh 64 oz instead of 43 oz for the NLs.
Time will tell – this is still an open issue for this years gear list.
Frank – great observation. The DriClime is not waterproof for rain, but I get pretty good forecasts for winter in New England and at the elevations I’ll be at, it’s unlikely to rain for another 3-4 months. However, if rain is predicted, I’ll swap out the DriClime for my old Gore-Tex shell.
A bigger issue are the softshell pants, as they are not really good for glissading down the higher summits. I am still carrying a pair of full zip Marmot precips for this, and as additional wind protection, but looking at using an eVent garment like the Rab Drillium Pants to replace both, Just can’t find anyone selling my size.
The pants thing bothered me so much that I went and sprung for a Montane eVent Spectra Pant for 30% off – on sale. http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Montane-eVent-Spectra-Pant-Mens/MNT0018M.html
Great post man. I’ve been wearing a lot of Under Armour stuff and sweat has been an issue. I’ll check out some of your recommendations. Thanks!
Capilene is great stuff for base layers. I’m still trying to decide on a new outer layer. My goretex is god awful heavy and hot.
The MSR snowshoes are worth a try IMO. I liked the Denali Ascents for rocky slopes. Definitely want the tails for powder though. The Lightning Ascents do look nice!
Thanks for the post!