Most important layer

What is the most important layer in layering? Outside, middle or base?

I think the importance depends on activity and environment. I believe that after you do the math, though, base layer is the most important.

The argument can be made that an uninsulated, waterproof layer can be worn alone in cold rain and would probably be better than Caplene 2. Besides windproofness, I'm not sure that outer layers can claim to be more superior than base layers. I think that thermal conductivity and breathability are worth more than waterproofness.

That isn't true in all circumstances, though. In the end, I think it's even more important to layer correctly than to worry about one layer over the other. Each has its importance.

I can see where certain elemental factors along with geographical region could influence one layer to be more favored over the other, or is it just the opposite? All layers are equal!

For instance, hiking in the Rockys vs. the Appalachia. If someone was hiking in the Rockys, with such harsher conditions such as higher altitude, more snow, more ice, etc, would it be better to invest more in an outter layer? If someone was to hike in the Appalachia, with it being lower altitude, lesser snow and lesser ice, would it be better to invest more in a mid-layer?

I ask this question because I've heard from various mouths and read from various periodicals that it would be best to invest in one layer more than the other. For instance, it would be better to invest in a good mid-layer for hiking in the Smoky Mtns. because you hardly need an outer layer unless you hike in the winter months. In some cases, I've read that some people don't even use their outer layer in the winter while hiking in the Smoky Mtns. If this were the case, it would be a waste of money to go down to the local outfitter and buy a $300 outer layer that you will not use when a $10 rain jacket would serve just as good for an outer layer.

Does this make sense?

The most important layer to me has more to do with location. If I was going north or west I'd think more about base and midlayers. Hiking Blue Ridge, the Smokies, and all through the Appalachians keeps me carrying my outer layer. I can keep myself warm enough hiking the trails and setting up camp this far South. If I forgot my baselayer I wouldn't turn my jeep around, but if I left my rainshell then I would pull a U without thinking about it. Once you're wet on these trails, you stay wet.

Bindigo asks "Does this make sense?"

My answer is "Not really."

The concept of base, middle and outer layers is, or shouild be, a flexible one, a guide rather than a dogma that rules one's decisions. For example, if you don't need an "outer" layer, then your "middle" layer becomse your outer layer and you're actually doing without a "middle" layer.

And what do you do when there are more than three layers? Here in Michigan, I will start out with 5 layers when I go ice walking in the morning: polyester t-shirt, merino wool long johns, wool shirt and pants, a wool vest or sweater vest, and a wool jacket on top. I can guarantee that before I have walked one mile, the top two layers will be gone from my upper body. However, I will still have three layers on, and when I stop, it will probably go back up to five.

My point is, do what it takes to stay warm, or cool, and don't worry what you call it.

Good point! However, if you carry that many layers with you on a hike, I'm sure your pack will wear you down from being so heavy.

I'm not sure if you call that "dogma" but with that many layers, it sure sounds more like Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics--way too much information for the common person.

You're layering does make a point. If you use that many layers, then it might be best to invest more in a thicker fleece jacket or wool sweater or a base layer so you want have to carry so much. I'm sure after walking several times and doing it on a regular basis would make the cogs to think smarter not layer harder.

No offense, take it easy dude. It is a forum. Hopefully, everyone with experience can help those that are inexperienced.

bindigo -

The point of the other posters was, as I read them, layering is flexible, to be adjusted to conditions. There is no rigid rule or dogma dictating how much goes into each of the 3 layers, just what is needed to keep you sufficiently warm without overheating or soaking the layers with sweat. Each layer can be a single piece, omitted, or multiple pieces. The basic concept is that the layer next to the skin is to wick excess moisture away, the second layer is to provide insulation, and the outer layer is to provide wind and water protection. Your first layer can just be bare skin, if that lets the sweat evaporate fast enough. Layers can combine functions, so the wicking layer can be long johns that also provide some of the insulation. In some environments, you don't want water protection (hot tropical climates, where you want the sweat to evaporate off as fast as possible, or dry polar regions, where you don't have wet precipitation falling on you and breathability while climbing hard becomes more important).

While there is something to be said for a thick (not heavy in weight) parka in really cold conditions, having any one layer too thick makes it difficult to make fine adjustments. For example, down in Antarctica where I was last month, I would put on my thick down parka (abt 1 pound weight, so not "heavy") when stopped to keep from cooling, but stuff it back in the pack as soon as I was ready to start climbing again. In my insulating layers, I have vent zips to prevent overheating, but at the same time this layer is made up of several layers of poly that can be combined or omitted according to whether the particular day is around 0F or around -40F (or C) and windy enough to have a significant chill factor. The multiple thinner layers allow a lot of flexibility that a single thick garment would not allow. There is also a lot of flexibility available if I start from camp on a fairly level glacier, transition to a steep headwall, then transition to a relatively flat traverse to a final steep summit block, followed by standing around taking photos on a cold summit and descent which requires less physical exertion and hence less heating from the effort.

This flexibility with multiple layers does not have to be bulky or heavy in weight, contrary to your response to rexim. My summit pack is about 40 liters and easily contains the thick parka and several components of the insulating layer plus water and food.