Gear Recommendation

While hiking in the Tetons three summers ago, I couldn't be happier with my Marmot Dri-Clime Windshirt and the layering protection that it afforded me in combination with fleece and wicking shirts from REI, or alone. It is such a good piece.

I have been reading a bit about the Under Armour cold gear line and wondering if anyone has experience with that line?

I'm wondering about wicking, warmth, and general care of the garment when out hiking. I am a co-leader for a trip to the Himalayan Mountains this summer. A friend and I are taking college students to Gangotri and will be hiking up the glacial moraine of the Ganga River to Gaumuck and beyond, to Tapovan Meadow to camp at the base of Mt. Shivling. We will be in tents for that portion of the trip (and not the rest houses in the lower elevations).

I'm anticipating 100 degree temperatures in Rishikesh and Hardwar and in Rajasthan. But those few nights up among the himalayan giants, I want to be warm, and have been considering the Under Armour Cold Gear Mock during that hiking.

Thanks for your input!

Scott S

I have been using the under armur "all season" as a base layer in cooler backpacking trips. I don't really have a technical recommendation for you; all I can say is that it works for me. It does what it is supposed to by wicking sweet to the surface of the under armur. It keeps me plenty warm when hiking, but I usually take it off when at camp. Hope this answers some questions. If you have anymore specific questions let me know.

Thanks, Braden. Do you mean you have worn the "Cold gear" all season long, or do you mean a specific line called "All Season"? I've heard mostly good things about the product online, but not really heard from someone who has used it backpacking.

It seems like it would be a very good product. Does it maintain well when washed?

Thanks! I appreciate your input as it seems very few people are familiar with this line in the backpacking world.

Scott S

Scott S

"all season" was the type like cold gear; supposedly it is suited for all types of conditions. I only use in cold weather though. I have had it for about 5 years now and it has held up well. Only problem is that I seem to have outgrown it a little; its to short so when I lift my arms it rides up.

Thanks for the input, Braden. I'll have to look into Under Armour as a viable option. If you have had it for 5 years, clearly it has held up:-)!

I appreciate your input!

All my best!

Scott S

You know, I've been experimenting with layering recently. I ski in temps about -15F and my Hind shirt is dry. The second layer is an OR Specter shirt and the shell is the Loki Lore. All is well while I'm moving but when I stop, I freeze because the Specter shirt is soaked. The Lore stays pretty dry.

This has happened a few times before where I layer too much and the heat is trapped and doesn't push that moisture out through the shell. It seems like, after my base layer, if I put on some thick Patagonia fleece and then my shell, I am great; dry and warm.

My recommendation, then, would be to settle on your base layer, primarily for moving moisutre. Secondly, use as few layers as you can for middle layering. I would check out the Patagonia R series or the Flash. I think that over-layering is just as bad as under-layering or wearing poor-performing materials.

Any thoughts?

Dan,

Nice post. Thanks! I have done a little research on the Patagonia R.5 and read rave reviews. I might have to pick me up one of those!

Though I am not a skiier, I think your words ring true: overkill on layering can backfire the whole breathability and wicking thing. And perhaps that mid-layer is the key. I also have found that when I keep it simple: Marmot Dri-Clime as a base layer or just over a very light wicking shirt, followed by fleece generally does it for me. Much more, and all that wicking gets stuck between too many layers.

I haven't done too much exertion while hiking in cold weather situations. It's almost always summer, so just the tee or one additional layer seems to do the trick. But in the meadows in higher elevation as we are hiking this summer, I'll want some more flexibility as I'm sure we will be in cool temps and yet sweating.

Does the R5 that you have run about $50?

Thanks!

Scott S

I wish the R5 cost $50... No, I use Caplene 2 but normally wear an older, hooded Patagonia fleece (it's pretty thick.) Although the seems are coming apart on one of them, I've got some Mountain Hardwear fleece shirts.

I'll be in Texas and Arizona later this year but I'm thinking about getting the R2 just for the remaining winter here... Patagonia is great!