Best light layers for warmth

Headed to the Winds in two weeks and realizing my entire wardrobe is Carhartts and t shirts. Typically for warmth I take a light pull over, a fleece, and a down jacket, along with a North Face Summit jacket that's wind proof.

Thinking I need some help in the light but warm layers category.

Help me out with some recommendations. Warm base layer. Warm but breathable pants, and a good intermediate layer

Patagonia R4. With a wind barrier I think it has the best warthm to weight ratio. Without the wind layer it makes a nice light layer.

Just got back from the Cirque. I would just bring some light to medium weight thermal underwear, a windbreaker, synthetic puffy, softshell pants, rain pants and jacket. if you have one. Two pair of socks.

I frequent Sierra Trading Post. If you are driving from east to west you can stop in Cheyenne go to their discount shop and look around. Worst case you go to their warehouse and order at a counter with the item numbers you want.

It is a long hike in if you are headed to the Cirque. A 60 lb pack will hurt. A sub 40 lb pack should be a goal. The only way to get under 40 is an small rack and light on the clothes.

No need to get anything fancy when what you have will get the job done. The lows up high are around 29-34 this time of year, and I usually am bringing a light shell on top of a thin pair of hiking pants and a tech tee with a 32 degree bag and a thin puffy for the night time. If you sleep cold then bring a thicker insulating layer, or hell, sleep in all your layers and save some weight with a lighter bag. You should easily be able to get away with a sub 30 pound pack, including climbing gear split between partners. This is the Winds in summer, not Alaska :)

You're gonna be fine. Don't go overboard with the packing and have a great trip.

Bill M wrote:Just got back from the Cirque. I would just bring some light to medium weight thermal underwear, a windbreaker, synthetic puffy, softshell pants, rain pants and jacket. if you have one. Two pair of socks. I frequent Sierra Trading Post. If you are driving from east to west you can stop in Cheyenne go to their discount shop and look around. Worst case you go to their warehouse and order at a counter with the item numbers you want. It is a long hike in if you are headed to the Cirque. A 60 lb pack will hurt. A sub 40 lb pack should be a goal. The only way to get under 40 is an small rack and light on the clothes.

I think the bugs are a function of the temps the last few days. We were there during and right after the July 11th storm that laid down 6-10" on snow on the Grand. It did not precipitate in the Cirque, but if it had it would have been snow. There were zero bugs for 3 days afterwards, but then each day they kept getting worse and worse. No sign of bears, or elk, or anything at all larger than a marmot and few of these. A could ground squirrels was it.

The cold spell killed off a lot of the bugs but they've definitely made a comeback. Expect them to be bad down around big Sandy lake and low down in the Cirque. Bear situation in the cirque is pretty much nonexistent but I bring bear spray with me wherever I go in the range. There have been more sightings than usual this year and a couple of close calls farther north. Bear spray is one of those things that is nice to have and never need, but if you ever need it and don't have it, you're pretty SOL.

Arcteryx atom LT. Most durable synthetic I've used

A 60g/m synthetic jacket (atom lt) is roughly as warm as a 200 wt fleece, but a bit lighter

The issue with synthetics is that they lose ~30-40% of their insulation value in a few weeks to months of constant use especially if u pack em

Down is much superior warmth to weight wise when dry ... However dampness will affect it, and a tear means youll end up in a feather cloud

The main questions to ask is

- how wet will it be
- are you climbing/hiking in the poofay
- how much are you willing to spend
- how durable do you want it (will u wear it everyday around town)

What u already have listed will likely work to just about freezing (with a sleeping bag) .... Add in some long johns and thermal top (champion at target is cheap and works) and its groovy ...

;)

Old Navy has some good, light, non-cotton layers, and they are cheap. They may not be GoreTex, but they get the job done.

I climb in their active line t-shirts and 1/4 zip pull overs. They have light weight jogging jackets as well.

I prefer merino wool for my base, and some times a mid layer. I suppose it could be a little heavier than the synthetics. It just feels soooo good on the stuff! The pinnacle of alpine evolution!