Summer layering advice for newcomer, hiking in Alps in temps from 0C up to 25C

I'll be returning the Shadow Hoodie since I already have the Montura light fleece for midlayer. I payed 121euro for the Rab Shadow Hoodie and I found a discount where I can buy a Mountain Hardwear Nitrous down jacket for 80euro. This is alot cheaper and much more suitable for which I wanted it (keeping me warm during at camp and in the morning).

I also bought myself a icebreaker long sleeve merino wool baselayer in discount aswell and a smartwool nts micro long john. I hope those will do for the colder days and double as sleeping gear.

Good decision to change the fleece for the down jacket? I think it will provide more warmth for less weight and cost.

If that down is only for static use, then I would say go for it. Only downside that I can see directly is that it has no hood. So bring a seperate beanie or balaclava or so.
That Montura-fleece is then more then enough in active situations.

Certainly look also for a wind layer. Is the Houdini the prefered option ? For many it was in the past. But now ?

I would never carry a Tshirt, wool baselayer, and 2 midlayers for those temperatures. If I am hiking and its warmer than 0C, I might wear the wool and windshirt. A single fleece over that would probably be too much warmth for me while walking, even if its raining. I nice light warm poofy jacket would do me for the nights/mornings before walking.
If it were me, I would carry a light T, a long sleeve layer of Cap 4 (the wool might suffice), a light poofy for nights/mornings, and a windshirt and rain jacket. I would also want a beanie probably. Your list is way heavier than I would carry. And I would be way to hot wearing all that while walking. You will not want to walk much, if at all, in a poofy; its just for nights/mornings in camp and at rest stops.

In those temps – pretty much like summer in the sierras, I would wear a T-shirt and shorts all day. Carry a long sleeve light-to-mid weight base layer, wind pants, and a windshirt with a fleece or down vest for "static" insulation. Depending on your sleep system light-to-mid weight bottoms for night I guess. If you like hiking in the long sleeve shirt, you might ditch the T-shirt as well. I often do.

Well, since it is his first time backpacking, maybe it's better to be on the safe side ?
I know what works for me … now (after actually backpacking), but that can be different for everybody.

even snowboarding in april in the alps I only need a merino short sleeve top and waterproof trousers so your kit might be a little over kill.

even soft shell trousers are too warm for July.

a microfleece and UL wind shell (montane do some nice, light stuff) should more than suffice for the hiking hours and the down jacket should cover your camp chores/cooking warmth.

that montura fleece is a really thick pile thing and I'd only recommend sleeping in it at that time of the year.

Sure. I know that for myself a Cap. Silkw. (+ a windshirt if needed) is enough during the day. And for stops and in camp I carry a Thermawrap UL.
But everybody is different. E.g. for me is DP from Buffalo only good for below freezing , but for others it's ok till 25 °C (77 °F).

And that Montura-fleece is made from PowerDry although I don't know which weight.

it can rain a lot in the alps…i was in rain for 6 days out of 8 in the Vanoise area in August…then it turned to snow-that was a spectacular show and worth all the rainy days.

sorry I was thinking of a Rab piece boulder fleece I have but in fact it sounds more like a TNF snake eyes one I own.

With a name like that I'd presume it's has more pile than the most common power dry from the malden mills.

either way, I'd agree that everyone is different but I would be surprised if anyone would need much more than a fleece, windshirt, down jacket and waterproof for a europe summer trip. over here in the UK the waterproof would probably get the most use ;)

The gear I mentioned is for layering off course, I expect to be just wearing a tee and shorts with perhaps the Houdini as windshirt on top on warm days. I do want a wool baselayer for at night and maybe in the mornings with the tee (Montane Mojave) on top. For midlayer I will stick to the Montura fleece, I don't expect to need it alot but I want a fleece for when I need it. We will go to the top of the Triglav and I reckon it can be quite cold there :)

I did return the second midlayer to the store today, instead I ordered a nice Mountain Hardwear Nitrous down jacket for 80euros (normal price 200euro), I guess that this will be a much better choise then the expensive Rab Shadow Hoodie for camp shores. So basically I'll have a good baselayer from merinowool (pants and long sleeve shirt) for cold days and sleeping. 1 or 2 tee's for normal wear and 1 light midlayer (the fleece) and the down jacket. I think my gf will go the same route.

What are your opinions on a pants? I know my prana zion has a DWR, but is it sufficient or should I get rainpants aswell to stay comfortable in rainy weather?

Thanks for all the responses so far,
John

"What are your opinions on a pants? I know my prana zion has a DWR, but is it sufficient or should I get rainpants aswell to stay comfortable in rainy weather?
"

Mmm, difficilt question. I normally wear just ordinary zip-off pants, but I also carry a specific rain pant. As long as the weather is fine (and even in light rain) (and in my experience that's 97 % or more of the time) , those zip-offs are more then ok. You start to ask yourself why you brought those rain pants. And it's definitely possible that you don't need those at all. But if your unlucky, you get hard enough and/or constant rain such that you're glad you brought those rain pants with you.

another note RE rain pants: if you're wearing waterproof shoes you may have to consider some gaiters for when wearing the rain pants because the rain will glide straight off and into the top of your shoes!

How long will you be up there for? I haven't planned my summer trip yet!