Can I lightweight my layers any more?

You don't need more than 3 layers. A light weight down jacket can replace 2 and 3.

I'm with Sid…but I would ditch layers 1 and 3. The cap2 1/4 zip will allow more flexability and breath MUCH better on it's own IMHO.

The cap 2, a light weight down jacket and shell would be all I would want.

Get a GoLite silk, they're stupid light.

And, another one for down.

If you wanna stay synthetic mont bell thermawrap parka. Ditch #3 and the hat. I say just one base layer should do. I get hot fast when i walk and I like thin wool shirts.
At camp i wear and sleep in my bpl wool, montbell, and driducks parka. I bought the parka 2 sizes too big and I can fit my pack in it.

I have a down jacket for camp but have been afraid to hike in warm weather in a Capilene 2.

Do any of you have experience hiking in the Sierras during August heat in a Cap. 2? I like that layer if i don't get too hot during the day.

Scott

"Do any of you have experience hiking in the Sierras during August heat in a Cap. 2? I like that layer if i don't get too hot during the day."

I think Cap 2 is too heavy, and hot, for August in the Sierra. I use a LS Cap 1 as a hiking(base) layer, July thru September, and add an Ibex Ribbed Wooly LS shirt over it at night. Either a Montbell UL Down Parka or their Thermawrap would make an excellent insulating layer, and you could use your O2 Rainshield as a windshirt. I would consider swapping the MH Microlite Dome for a MH Transition Light Beanie. It weighs 1 oz, and has a Windstopper membrane-lots of protection for the weight. The Powerstretch gloves are fine.

I won't want to hike in cap2 during the summer… I would overheat. Then again, I know people who were their R1 hoody in the middle of the summer. The lightest combo I have settled on for sierra summers is a long sleeve featherweight base like the sekri level 1 ls zip neck, a light weight high loft vest (wm flash, montbell thermawrap/down inner), and driducks.

–Mark

I would go with some sort of long sleeve adventure shirt or as some do a Cap 1. Something that breathes and keeps the bugs and sun off of you when you need it to and that you can roll up the sleeves otherwise. When it cooler you have something lonsleeve that will help to keep you warm. I use a Patagonia SunTech shirt in white XXL at 5.9oz.

From there pick some sort of insulating layer. It depends on how cold you want to go. Most of the time I will use a Patagonia Wool 3 zip down to about freezing and just layer the Suntech and the next items on if it gets colder. Wool 3 zip in XL is 10.9oz. Of course there are many high loft insulating layers for when it gets cold that would weigh less.

And for a rain/wind shell, DriDucks in XXL for 6.6oz.

I wouldn't use WindStopper as it doesn't breath at all. I use WindPro instead because they are much more breathable with still some wind resistance.

I'm not always in the "3 layer camp" myself.

Often I do base layer, rain shell and insulated jacket but sometimes more complex trips or weather require more. This is where I keep the base layer really light, t-shirt or long sleeve white Cap1, and add a midlayer of a smartwool lightweight zip, R1 hoody or even a windshirt. Just depends on the trip!

Don't fall into 3 layer all the time every time, be comfortable.

The 3 layer system gives you the most flexibility.

I go for the 5 layer approach, as i feel it suits the weather (Scotland) i hike in better. I'll have a merino base-layer, weight depending on time of year. Next is a 100 weight fleece. A very light windshirt and a waterproof/breathable shell is next. I'll carry an insulating layer for camp/rest stops.

I'll use a 2 or 3 layer approach on daywalks if i'm using Paramo or Buffalo gear.

Hmmmm – – – This is tricky to answer. I have QUESTIONS:

Where are you hiking?

What seasons?

Overnight?

Sleeping in your clothes?

Are you a cold sleeper?

Please, answer these questions and I'll have some insights…

peace,
Mike C!

Where are you hiking? – Glacier national

What seasons? – August

Overnight? – 9 nights

Sleeping in your clothes? – I will be setting up camp around 6,000 ft a couple nights so im not opposed to sleeping in my clothes although I would rather not.

Are you a cold sleeper? – I am a warm sleeper. I overheat quickly.

All I know is that last year in august on one of the hikes I am hiking, it was 90 degrees one day and in the same spot 2 days later there was a foot of snow. I am also planning on hitting 100+ mph winds on some portions of the hike. Thats why I am trying to layer myself for cold windy weather and warm weather. I get warm very easily too. I just don't know how much I can drop before I run into problems.

Also, should my shirts be baggy or tight? I saw a couple of you mention huge shirts. I always thought they should be form fitting so the shirts can wick properly. Does the increased circulation of baggy shirts offer something Im not aware of? Thanks!

My layers are as follows:

1) Nike fit dry T shirt

Good. I like a synthetic t-shirt as my next to skin layer.

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2) Patagonia capilene 2 top zipper

Good. THis layer is an easy one to add over the other.

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3) Marmot reactor full zip or REI lowlands fleece

Pile is heavy, but fool proof. I haven't used a pile jacket in a decade. THe puffy layers are preferred by me. THis seems fine, but the lighter option would be something like the BPL COCOON HOODY

This is the only item I would consider revising is the insulating parka. THe puffy layer is lighter, but more expensive.

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4) Rainshield O2

Oh YES! I like this fabric. It is VERY breathable, rain proof – BUT be careful walking thru the bushes! It tears easily. (size it to fit over everything).

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The is the one item I would add (and this is just me) is a simple wind-shirt. Non-waterproof and breathable. You can add this to the other layers and its pretty dang warm.

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Pants? I would take a bathing suit as my shorts, a thin pair of synthetic hiking pants, and synthetic long undies – and that is.

The list looks great.

(and polartec stretch gloves and a mountain hardware micro dome hat if it gets cold)

and – a balaclava is a great tool.

I pretty much agree with Mike (add puffy + windshirt for high mountains). The main advantages of a baggy shirt are 1) bugs, and 2) they can be much cooler. I have been to glacier but not in Aug, so I don't know if bugs are really a concern at all, and would hope they wouldn't be, but mosquitos will bite right through light, tight base layers. So if bugs are a concern, bringing a tight weave long sleeve "adventure" type shirt would be good, in place of the cap layer or windshirt maybe.

On a 9 day trip, having a clean layer and a dirty layer could be nice. I would not hike in the cap2, but change into that from the dryfit at camp.

I have tried to hike in cap 1/2 long sleeve items before and have found that a loose fitting adventure shirt is much cooler by far.

What is an adventure shirt? And what is a pile jacket?

* Michael WROTE:
"On a 9 day trip, having a clean layer and a dirty layer could be nice. I would not hike in the cap2, but change into that from the dryfit at camp."

* Mike C! replies:
THis is a lightweight skills web-site, and I feel strongly that you should NEVER carry extra anything into the mountains. It is totally fine (and I speak from experience) to hike & sleep in the same set of clothes.

You wanna lighten your load? DOn't take anything extra.

Also – the bugs in the northern rockies are minimal (to non-existant) in august.

Michael, you should be ashamed of wanting clean clothes to sleep in…lol

Right, and I was agreeing with Mike C, and as I read his suggestion, he is letting him carry the Cap2 shirt too. It seems to me that there is no point in carrying a dirty tshirt. That is like carrying long pants. If you are bringing the tshirt, plan on hiking in that all the time; if you do that the cap2 stays "clean". Sure cold weather could come up, but a tshirt + a windshirt should be adequate for most days hiking. It will be much colder at night and in the morning when you are not hiking, thus the long sleeve cap2 would be nice (but not, maybe, essential here).

An "adventure" shirt is something like a railriders shirt, long sleeve and baggy, or ex officio bug off, etc.

A "pile" jacket is the term for the old school thick fleece type jacket.