Layering, using a puffy layer instead of a standard fleece midlayer

Since you state using it as a midlayer, what do you plan to wear over the puffy layer in this situation?

The issue you will have is compressing the loft of the puffy if you do wear something over it. Not an issue if you plan to wear a wind/rain layer over it that is big enough to not compress the loft.

The reason people go with fleece as a midlayer is it doesn't concern itself with loft in nearly close to the way a puffy does.

Besides compressing the puffy layer I would be concerned with it becoming damp from sweat.

You might enjoy reading these

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=18950

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=9378

or watching these

http://ultralightbackpackintips.blogspot.com/2011/07/video-tutorials.html

Thanks for the links!

I will be wearing my light waterproof over the top to protect from rain, but I guess I may get too warm if I do this,

I guess it will just depend where I am going and the conditions. Though, I would probably go for the puffy layer round camp, and stick with a good base layer/ shell combo for walking as I usually go pretty fast and get warm while moving.

Thanks for the insights!

Two years ago I replaced my fleece layer with the MB Thermawrap jacket. It is half the weight or more! of any of my mid or heavy fleeces, appears to be equally warm, doesn't get wet, and is windproof. In cold weather, I wear it under a down puffy and it doesn't seem to compress very much, but rather fills in the gaps. When I'm actually hiking, I find any mid layer too warm, unless I'm headed above tree-line with cold and high winds.

My standard backpacking clothing arrangement, from the waist up is this:

1) Synthetic T-Shirt
2) Puffy Hooded Jacket (specifically the BPL Cocoon Hoody)
3) Propore (e. g. O2, Drop Stoppers) Rain Jacket
4) Fleece Hat
5) Fleece Gloves
6) Rain Mitts

That's it. The Rain Jacket doubles as a bug shirt. Most of the time, during the day, I wear only the T-Shirt. When it gets cold (say, on top of a mountain while eating lunch) I put on the puffy. Overall, this extends my range quite a bit. I don't have to carry as big a sleeping bag because I can sleep with my puffy jacket. A fleece sweater (which I typically use for day hiking) breathes better, but is not as warm for the weight.

The "cost" of this setup is that I'm not as granular as I would be with fleece. In other words, sometimes it is too cold for just the T-Shirt, but too warm for the puffy jacket. This is a small price to pay, and doesn't happen that often. The fleece hat helps in that regard. Like any fleece, it can comfortably handle a wide range of temperatures. So I will sometimes hike with a T-Shirt, fleece gloves and fleece hat.

The one thing that I might add to this is a nice, fairly breathable wind shirt. Using a wind shirt can help cover that middle ground well, and would provide for a more breathable bug layer. Pro Mountain Sports (in Seattle) recommends these layers, on their website: http://promountainsports.com/index.php//clothing_systems
(notice, no fleece)

its more useful at colder temps where one can put on a synth puffy OVER one's windshirt when active if need be

A puffy is a type of mid layer, but I think I know what you mean. I only use a puffy. No long base layers or fleece. I currently only have down jackets, but I'm going to add a synthetic puffy vest for actually hiking in near freezing rain when I'll sweat and get wet, but still need some warmth.

no fleece for me. my mid-layers are all insulated with one weight or another of primaloft. much lighter and more compressible than a comparable fleece and none of the moisture issues or comparable compression issues that are related to down. if i'm wearing an insulated mid-layer it's because it's very cold or very, very cold so i'm not worried about any breath-ability issue that might favor fleece. i do have down outer layers, but they prety-much go over everything.

I see a mid layer as something your wearing while on the move, typically cool or cold weather. Even in the cold (especially on snowshoes or skis), when on the move that usually means perspiring- perspiring is not overly friendly to puffy layers, even syn layers. Fleece or wool do a much better job of keeping one dry and that is my number one priority when it's cold.

I have both syn and down puffy layers and one or more make into the pack depending on conditions, but I leave the mid layer (and base layer) "work" to fleece or wool.

In the bitter cold (below 0) I probably would considering adding a syn vest on the move, but this would be over my normal mid layer

I use a synthetic insulating "mid layer" when I know I'll be sweating a lot. (Thermolite Micro insulation) It's very warm with a GTX mountain parka and GTX pants and suitable synthetics (polyester or acrylic) in knit sweaters and long john base layers. Or you can use a light fleece layer over long johns in lieu of knits for even more warmth.

Around camp or for adding warmth to my sleeping bag I use my Eddie Bauer Down Sweater but only if I'm not taking a synthetic insulationg layer.

In any case synthetic fiber insulating layers are warmer than pile or fleece and lighter as well.

As always, Mix 'n Match to the conditions.

I've considered doing the same thing but it doesn't calculate out to saving me much weight except in my wallet.

I use:

Layer 1: Light Syn Undies top/bottom
Layer 2: Light weight fleece top (no bottoms 12oz)
Layer 3: Rain Shell

I add a 16oz. down jacket that is thicker than any of the lightweight options (with nice pockets) when the weather gets cold and/or if I know I'm going to spend any time in camp. I'd rather carry the extra weight and be warm.

I hike only rarely in anything other than shorts and t-shirt. If the weather gets windy I'll use the rain jacket and with my heat from movement I stay warm in anything but blowing cold snow/rain. Gloves and hat added as necessary and sometimes on/off throughout the day.

I don't do much if any deep winter hiking so I consider this my 3-season set-up. If weather regularly dipped <20 deg. F I'd add another layer, bottoms and probably spend more money to dial-in a light/warm setup. I've been out to -10 deg. F by adding to this setup and layering another smaller sleeping bag in my larger one (heavy but did the trick).