layers???

[liquidmonkey]

i've been struggling with getting a good set of gear together that will be layered, lightweight and yet still keep me warm down to -30C.

layers in order are:
underwear
socks
long underwear (top and bottom)
t-shirt
long sleeve shirt
fleece sweater
north face down jacket

the north face jacket i have is SUPER WARM (which is great when i'm making camp) so that is not a problem but it is HEAVY so when cross country skiing (with a backpack or towing a sled) i don't have it on but in or on top of my backpack as it does not pack down very good at all.

so basically i'm looking for a 2 layer replacement, mostly a shell jacket and down jacket.

what kind of shell / down jacket do you have? should i get a vest as well? am i going about the layers thing wrong?

 

[lleberg]

My setup durning winter hiking is..

Good weather (no wind no matter temperature it seems)
A set of long wool underwear (a 260 icebreaker shirt if really cold, instead of a thinner one),
Houdini liquid rock pants (thin, stretchy, protetcs agains a little wind)
Softshell jacket (with hood)
Not ultrathin hestra gloves
A hat with windstopper over the ears..
1 pair of thin socks, 1 pair of thicker socks (and probably some extra insulation in the shoe)

I have tried it in temperatures down to -30 (and sun) and it works really fine, the activity keeps you warm.

If bad weather i have a pair or packaway shellpants, but i avoid them when thery're not needed.

When i stop for lunch or camp i put on..
Primaloft gloves
primaloft Jacket with hood (if cold i put the softshell outside the primaloft one)
light no-name-insulated pants
Bivyboots!!! Mine goes all the way to the knee and doesn't have a sole, i have made sole to put in though (if not the insulation is compressed to the snow and get's you cold and the bivyboots wet)

And i have done some quite chilly trips with this gear.
Works well for me.

 

[liquidmonkey]

thanks for that!!

i think i'm going to get some sort of DOWN JACKET with HOOD, a good FLEECE JACKET and a outer shell. that should pretty much cover me for warmth and keep down the weight to a certain amount.

the problem is what brand and model to get. soooo much choice, its driving me insane

instead of bivvy boot, i use OVERBOOTS when i stop in the evening or start in the morning. they are a great compliment to my x-country ski boots as they simply slip on over them and they have kept my toes nice and warm down to -35.