Help a newbie out

[Harry Harr]

I’m new to the world of serious backpacking, and this summer I’ll be doing some hikes in South America. Conditions won’t be too extreme: dry, 10-30F degrees at night and 40-55F during the day. I’m on a budget so I’m really looking at getting good bang for my buck, and these are the items I have settled on after doing a bit of research:

Base layer 1 ($8) – Duofold Varitherm Light Weight Crew
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?memberId=12500226&productId=28619386

Base layer 2 ($38) – Patagonia Capilene Midweight
http://www.altrec.com/shop/detail/17707/9

Base layer pants ($38) – Capilene Midweight
http://www.altrec.com/shop/detail/2080/9

Outer shell pants ($50) – Montane Featherlite Pants
http://basegear.com/featherpants.html

Outer shell jacket ($80 w/ 20% off coupon code) – GoLite Phantom
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.asp?base_id_basket=44287

Windshell ($50) – Montane Featherlite
http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm/MON100

From what I gather these are good choices, but would anyone have anything to recommend at a better price point? And do you think that’s enough cold weather protection for the legs (calipene base + windshell pant shell) Thanks :)

[paul johnson]

I’m not very experienced in the L/UL culture (1+ yrs), but I’ve use most of the gear you listed and have backpacked for 35+ yrs (yeah…it’s downhill to 100 for me, so… I’m sort of a “grizzled” Adams).

The LW Veritherm/MW Capilene combo (and similar combinations) I’ve just recently started using almost daily for 2-3 hours of high output cardio (acc. to my Polar HRM) in hills with 20lb pack – good choices.

Also find that it works well on overnights and multi-day treks.

I’ve also recently tried using a MW Duofold LS Crew in place of the MW Capilene. This combo is much cheaper (all my Duofold comes from Campmor – on sale) & works almost as well as the Capilene – there is a noticeable slight difference in drying time however (but is it significant? I don’t think so, but it’s still somewhat noticeable).

Search Campmor for “Men Duofold” (without the dbl-quotes) for a full list – many on sale a month or so ago – may still be?

The Patagonia Corp. Website had a number of Capilene layers, of varying weights, on sale a few weeks ago – they still may be. A co-worker (who only uses “all-things” Capilene) & I were “snatching” them up fast.

The SW Capilene/MW Capilene drys a bit faster than the DuoFold/DuoFold combo, but costs significantly more. It also has a nicer feel to it than the DuoF.

I’ve used the Duofold long bottoms in various wts. They work well, i.e xfer perspiration, but my bottom really doesn’t sweat near as much as my top even when maintaining a high heart rate with the legs really moving (really movin’ for an ol’ geezer, that is).

Capilene boxers (on sale at the Patag. Corp. Website) are absolutely fantastic IMHO – the only boxers I use.

Montane Featherlite Pants – I like these, but be careful not to “bushwack” or slide down rocks/gravel/stones/dirt/sand/grass/etc. in these. The fabric is very delicate.

Outer shell jacket: I use either NONE (SpinPonchoT) or ID eVENT Jacket. Just started using the spinPonchoT (have, off and on, used an ID silPoncho for over a year) – works well for “ventilated'” rain use – haven’t used it as a tarp yet.

If a poncho is not used, the ID eVENT jacket is used & is excellent, both for keepin’ rain out & lettin’ water vapor out, but it’s $$.

Montane Aero windshirt is very good, but extremely delicate fabric. Has exellent DWR+ finish. Have had it out in mod-hvy rain (large drops, but NOT torrents) – water just beads up on it & rolls off when you move. I’m afraid of damaging it! I mostly use the Wild Things Epic hoodless windshirt (6oz). This is now my primary windshirt & when coupled with the spinPonchoT & Epic 7 pocket cargo pants with zip-off legs (LLBean $69, but I get mine for free since I nearly exclusively use the MBNA LLBean Visa card which earns coupons), & 25yr old EMS WP bottom of knee height gaiters form my rain gear.

I couldn’t believe the absolutely beautiful craftsmanship of the Wild Things Epic windshirt. It’s almost breathtaking when you first behold it – almost a work of art (ok…I’m being a little dramatic here, but it is one of the most well made garments I’ve seen).

I guess I can’t make more recommendations. Perhaps I’m merely validating your choices.

Hope this info helps.

I’ll prob., as is my habit, delete this post later on after others with more insightful, helpful info reply to you.

Enjoy your trek.

[Author]

Posts