Layering for 30-70 degrees

There is a huge range of options. I would def. swap nout the TNF shell. Not only will you save weight and bulk, but most likely get something more breathable. If you are mostly hiking on trails I would recommend the DriDucks Rainsuit. At $20 (pants and jacket), something like 6oz for the jacket, and better breathability than most WP/B jackets it’s hard to beat. If your TNF jackets in good shape, the profits from ebay would put money in your pocket after you buy a couple DriDucks.

Over the last few years I would often use a separate windshirt and generally would recommend it… provided it’s a windshirt which maximizes breathability like the Patagonia Houdini, and windshirts made from Pertex Quantuum.

As to insulation… that all depends on how warm you run and how much time you will spend when you inactive, but not in your sleeping bag. If you have the money, I always recommend some high loft insulation layer because they are significantly lighter and more compact (by at least a factor of 2x) than an comparable fleece.

More details on my clothing recommendations.

Hey Neil,
I was looking at the Xirtam aswell, but I ended up going with the Patagonia Ready Mix (L @ 14.1 oz). I can't say enough good things about it. I've used it from 10F to 30F with a capilene base and a thin poly – never overheat (while active).
It breaths better then anything I have worn before.

Hey guys, thanks for the input, I've decided upon the following…I was hoping to keep things under $200 and I should be able to unless I go for the Houdini.

Shell – GoLite Virga, 9 oz
Insulation – Gneiss(synthetic), about 16 oz
Windshirt – Either Houdini or Ether, 4 oz
baselayer – Capilene long sleeve or Nike Drifit tee,

The windshirt, insulation and shell should add up to be lighter than my current TNF shell.