I'm confused with the proper order of a layering system

[jd65]

I have a soft shell, hard shell(rain gear), & puffy layers.
Do you wear the puffy under a soft shell or no soft shell with a puffy?
Rain gear over a soft shell of take the soft shell off and hard shell on if it starts raining?

I am trying to prepare for temps in the single digits/teens in the morning and in to the 50's in the afternoon with some snow, sleet and/or rain. This is in some brush country that I tore up soft fleece like clothing last year in. I will leave the truck in the morning and come back at night. This is what I have, in what order would you wear the outer layers? What would you add to it? Thanks

190 marino base layer
240 Peloton mid layer
Down puffy
Soft shell
Sitka cloudburst

 

[brettdunn7]

Depends on how cold it is really and what keeps you warm.

That could be soft shell with puffy and hard shell. Could be soft shell with puffy. Could be soft shell with hard shell. Could be puffy with hard shell. Could be just puffy. Could be just soft shell. Hell could be just hard shell.

Basically just put on what keeps you comfortable and dry is what I do.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wrench]

Moisture management would be my focus. Single digits can kill you if you are not dry. You are going to have to mix it up a bunch to keep the temp where you need it.

 

[fngTony]

I’m a 240 fanboy but in your case with brush I say leave it for a less expensive fleece. Rock the soft shell until you need the hard shell. Insulation under your soft shell. Either hard or soft but not both together.

I’ll agree with the response above about moisture management, I like a synthetic base for your scenario.

Don’t overlook gloves, headwear, socks, boots.

 

[Dennyd]

Switch soft shell and down

 

[Formidilosus]

190 marino base layer
240 Peloton mid layer
Down puffy
Soft shell
Sitka cloudburst

As stated above, this is the generally correct way to wear them in order-


190 marino base layer
240 Peloton mid layer
Soft shell
Down puffy
Sitka cloudburst


If you are wet from sweat and using a non treated down garment, and there is no wind, you can wear the rain gear under the puffy if trying to cook the clothing dry.

 

[oenanthe]

I was pretty sure you were going to say that five layers aren't enough; that you need at least ten layers for a clothing system to be meaningful; anything less and you just can't be sure how it will perform.

 

[Matt W.]

My layering process works for me but I have found that layering processes vary as some people REALLY sweat and need better moisture management than others, and of course we all adjust for activity. I also prefer looser fit baselayers vs. the form fitting options...

My approach is below

Next to skin - a super light weigh, comfortable T shirt (My favorite is a Patagonia Polygiene version no longer made) (I need to find a replacement for this layer) -- It was comfortable, moved moisture out, and the Polygiene worked for me. Super thin / light and moved moisture to keep my drier.

I then added a long sleeve Sitka Mid-weight or Lightweight base layer on top of that as needed.
Then my puffy or Timberline Jacket if it was cool, with the last outer layer being the rain jacket as wind or rain dictated.

I go back and forth with soft shell over puffy or puffy over soft shell. Soft shell over puffy (at least to me) seems to hold the warmth in better. But, puffy over soft shell allows me to quickly stash the puffy and still be relatively mobile if I needed to quickly move glassing spots.

Regardless of weather if I am climbing much I am pretty much down to just the T. If it is sub 50 I substitute the light weight Patagonia T for the long sleeve Sitka Lightweight base layer, and then roll the sleeves up and down as needed. I then keep the next layer easy to grab if we end up stopping for a bit.

Over the years I have moved from synthetics to merino to back to synthetics.. I have found merino is a good mid weight layer for me, but I don't like it as my next to skin layer. Merino when wet is stinky and takes way to long to dry out for a backpack hunt. Plenty of folks who would disagree with me on this, but this is just what my experience has been. Gotta admit a heavy merino hoody is warm, but for me the conditions need to be dry and I can't wear merino if I am active at all.

Other pieces of mid weight layers I used as needed were the Sitka Heavyweight layers, the Sitka Traverse 3/4 zip, and a puffy vest.