Layering: Staying Comfortable in the Mountains

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Being unexperienced as I am, I'm wondering if a baselayer absolutely has to be next to skin? I have a slight belly and nothing is less sexy then a baselayer that accentuates this. Therefore I hate clothing that is next to skin (I dont mind the long john's). I've been a VERY large person in the past (143kg) but have shed most of that weight and now weigh 85kg but unfortunately I have retained some unsexy loose skin because of the huge weight loss. And even though proud of my weight loss I'm often uncomfortable without a loose layer over my belly.

I bought a wool baselayer from Icebreaker in size L, and it fits me well. But I would fit M aswell except it will be tighter. Is this crucial for transporting sweat from the skin?

John, I think the main thing to consider is how each of the layers (wicking, warmth, water/wind) work with each other. If you choose to go with that large baselayer you'd want to choose the successive outer layers as appropriate so that the base doesn't bunch up.

A slightly loose baselayer should perform just about as well as a very constricting compression layer – the main thing being that it wicks moisture away from the body and dries quickly as opposed to fabrics that retain moisture or do not dry quickly; it is more about the fabric than the size.

In colder climate/months I incline towards a more typical base layer, but not always. If warmer or if I just want the pockets, I go with a light long sleeved button-up shirt right next to my skin. It's my "base layer", and I've done that often enough in winter too. Just, of course, make sure to get an all-synthetic and pretty lightweight (quick-drying) shirt.

This can fit looser and will do less to accentuate any body areas that you don't want to accentuate.

John,

You significantly reduce the effectiveness of a "cold weather" base layer by not having it firmly touch your skin at all times!

In the Polartec product line family, they only have two product lines designed to be used as base layers; they are the Power Dry and Power Stretch product lines. The engineers created a form fitting cut and added Lycra to insure that the cut stayed against the skin.

Touching your skin doesn't mean becoming a human sausage :) You don't need to be an Under Armour poster child! Put on a base layer just after getting out of the shower: you can feel the wicking properties immediately (if it is working right).

A good base layer fabric can make you feel cooler than bare skin. I have worn the best of the button down shirts and they are great for warm weather travel, but not so good for active walking with a load. They are nothing like a base layer for transporting moisture away from your skin.

Leave your fashion sense in the city. If you want to have an integrated layering system, you need to use the laws of physics. Fashion means a lot less when you are soaked in sweat or freezing your butt off, or stuck in a downpour.

Our city fashion sense is tied to heirarchy and status. No need for that while sweating your way up the side of a mountain. Worry more about how it works rather than how it looks.

So many new hikers want lots of spare clean clothing and a separate set of sleep clothing— all city habits, IMHO. Throw those concepts out and embrace the dirt :)

John, congratulations on your incredible weight loss! Don't worry about that tummy too much; you're a hot and sexy man!

I've had much better luck with moisture transport when my base layers are snug. A loose sleeve or armpit area just makes me cold and clammy.

Don't forget that you can get things tailored. Few shirts fit me off the rack because I'm broad-shouldered with monkey arms, but skinny. My tailor has my measurements on file!

"I'm broad-shouldered with monkey arms, but skinny."

…we might be related.

Depending on the brand and cut I'm somewhere betweeen a Large and a XXL… needless to say, I'm thankful for good return policies.

Hendrik recently put up a very good post about layering:

http://hikinginfinland.com/2014/02/layering-guide-how-to-dress-for-winter.html

This is so visual that it could be very useful info for someone trying to understand layering.

"…we might be related.

Depending on the brand and cut I'm somewhere betweeen a Large and a XXL… needless to say, I'm thankful for good return policies."

5'10", 135 lbs, 6'3" arm-span, 34" inseam. What size am I? Uh… small-xtra-medium? And I have tiny feet, too. Thanks Mom!