Layering for heavy exertion down to zero degrees

[Coach529]

I am doing a bunch of snow showing this winter, and am looking for affordable layering options.

Stuff that I can later use for hunting as well.

Base layer will either be UA Cold Gear or First Lite Chama 230G. Kuiu Attack Pants with gators on the bottom.

I have been wearing a cotton hoody and a fleece vest and of course come home soaking wet.

 

[Tsnider]

underarmour coldgear doesnt seem to do much for me personally. not even in like 20 degrees

 

[Coach529]

underarmour coldgear doesnt seem to do much for me personally. not even in like 20 degrees

The day of the picture was 4 degrees. UA cold gear, cotton hoody and fleece vest. Did not get cold until I stopped for 30 minutes and took a bunch of pictures.

 

[5MilesBack]

For me I need base layers that wick the sweat away from my skin. Even down to single digits, if I'm doing some heavy exertion I don't need much for clothes. So I prefer just a lightweight fleece over my base top, and I prefer merino for my base top. Then if I stop, I can throw on a heavy jacket or something to keep warm until I'm moving again.

 

[Akicita]

This time of year I am ski touring so I exert a lot of energy and produce a lot of heat. Last week it was in the single digits in the Colorado High Country and this is what I used:

On my skin up the mountain I wore a base of Smartwool light boxers, Smartwool 150 Light 3/4 long underwear, Darn Tough padded mid weight ski socks, Under Armour Heat Gear T-Shirt under a Smartwool 250 1/2 zip mock Turtle. For mid outer layer on the way up I wore my Marmot Scree Pants, Arcteryx Delta AR Zip FLeece, Arcteryx LEAF Cold WX Contact Glove, Ball cap and Oakley Sunglasses. Once at the top I took off the Arcteryx Fleece to dry and vented moisture off of my top base layer and torso until I got a chill at which time I put on my Marmot Calene puffy and my Marmot Full Zip Mantra pant shell over my Scree pants. I donned my Arcteryx Rush Jacket and began my descent. About half way down I began to generate heat again so I doffed my Puffy and put on my now dry Arcteryx Delta AR Fleece.

In temps above 20 degrees I will forgo the Scree pants and only wear my Arcteryx Beta AR pants over my Smartwool base. I typically also carry an extra Smartwool 1/2 zip top, Arcteryx Toque, Hestra Falt Gloves for adaptability.

This system allows me to vent and control core body temp through a variety of options and layers during high and low activity.

 

[Yellowknife]

I wear a light (100 wt) fleece shirt over my base layer and then either a softshell or puffy over that, depending on how cold I'm going. Usually I just take an appropriate puffy and take it on and off depending on how hard I'm working, but the more breathable softshells do have their uses in the snow. If it's windy, a wind shell anorak is handy and won't make you sweat like a gore-tex hard shell.

 

[elkyinzer]

I would tend to go with merino baselayers and one of several different weight fleeces for high exertion then throw on a puffy when I stop. The key is that first ten minutes or so before you get a heat should be a bit painful, but it's better than starting out warm then getting all sweated up which it sounds like is your issue.

 

[Coach529]

Any suggestions on affordable fleece?

 

[Akicita]

Any suggestions on affordable fleece?

Not sure if $135.00 is affordable but the Arcteryx Delta AR Zip is the warmest and most breathable fleece I own or have ever worn. It dries faster than any other synthetic layer I have and it is one piece that is in my kit no matter what activity. I truly can't endorse another fleece for high or low activity or a combination of both in cold weather. I do like my Marmot Alpinist fleece that is under $100.00 but it doesn't breath near as well as the Arcteryx.

 

[5MilesBack]

Any suggestions on affordable fleece?

IMO fleece is fleece. But there are varying weights of it, and its loft does wear down with use and washings. I love my Columbia Microfleece mock-T's but they don't make them anymore. I easily have over three dozen fleece jackets or mock-t's and I don't think I've ever paid more than $20 for a single piece.

 

[daddie63]

I just used some Eastern Mountain Sports $20 fleece in Utah with temps down to -8. I put my First Lite puffy on and off as needed and was comfortable enough.

 

[BroodBuster]

The day of the picture was 4 degrees. UA cold gear, cotton hoody and fleece vest. Did not get cold until I stopped for 30 minutes and took a bunch of pictures.

The key isn't keeping warm while moving. The key is not being hypothermic 30 minutes after busting a leg. I'd definitely lose the UA and cotton.

I'm a big fan of the Columbia wool pants for freezing conditions. And I agree fleece shouldn't be expensive. My favorite fleece shirt was like $10 from Fred Meyer.

 

[Michiganhunter]

Thrift stores have a lot of fleece in varying weights colors and makes. I have found Columbia north face and ua regularly. Of course finding the right size is the challenge. But it is another option that gets overlooked a lot in my experience.

 

[justinspicher]

It's a science, there no doubt about it. I've tried multiple different layering methods and have found that sweat management is the key.

 

[KMT]

Wool base layer is key. Other than the athletic fit, it's hard to tell a $100 arcteryx fleece from a $10 Old Navy fleece. Somebody mentioned above, the key is having enough clothes to stay alive if you have to spend the night in the woods unexpectedly.

 

[JWP58]

Any suggestions on affordable fleece?

Sierratradingpost. I bought my favorite fleece pullover 1/4 zip for 10 bucks from there.

 

[Coach529]

Wool base layer is key. Other than the athletic fit, it's hard to tell a $100 arcteryx fleece from a $10 Old Navy fleece. Somebody mentioned above, the key is having enough clothes to stay alive if you have to spend the night in the woods unexpectedly.

That is a good point. Typically I always bring along a heavy coat just in case.

 

[Coach529]

Ordered a First Lite 230g Chama today.................and it will show up at the perfect time. Headed to Northern Idaho on the 23rd and hope to use it doing some Snowshoeing!!