L1 Recommendation Over Mesh for High-Output Ski Touring (Maritime Climate)

In those same conditions snowshoeing hard, best I’ve found is a lifa polyprop over the mesh. Have it fit a bit snug so that it traps warmth in the mesh.  The combo provides a good balance between warmth, dry time, stretchability and isn’t as wind porous as octa/alpha.  At stops, throw on a breathable fleece (octa or heavier as needed) and wind shirt if needed.

Other combos I tried over the mesh but that weren’t as good:

• 200 weight smartwool intraknit held too much moisture and was too warm
• OR echo was too billowy and not warm enough;
• Octa held too much sweat and was too wind porous but is good to throw on over the Lifa @ < -15C
• lightweight Decathlon cheapo fleece was too warm and held too much moisture
• various lightweight soft shells: Avia poly/lycra, old navy active poly, some other higher end ski touring stuff all held too much sweat for my liking but are great for lower output activities and I wear them on my long neighbourhood walks

The general answer to almost all UL questions about base and mid layers is Alpha Direct. It’s light, warm, breathes well, doesn’t absorb much moisture, and supremely flexible with or without a shirt or windshirt over it. The porous grid works great with Brynje.

Teijin Octa is in the same category, but possibly less ideal for your use case (because the fuzzy interior could potentially reduce the effectiveness of Brynje — not sure about that). It absorbs slightly more moisture, but it can be wrung out and worn to dry in minutes (in other words, it absorbs much less than wool).

There are other fabrics, of course. I’m not saying that AD is always best for everyone. However, I am suggesting that it is a good first thought.

The general answer to almost all UL questions about base and mid layers is Alpha Direct

You’ve tried Lifa over Brynje and found AD over Brynje superior?  If so, in which ways?

I think I will replace the Icebreaker Merino 200 by Drought Thermo Long Sleeve from Finetrack. This look interesting and I can always loose the AD60 if I’m running too hot. Anyone has tried it?

Patagonia Airshed Pro pullover and pull on a Outdoor Vitals Ventus active hoody at transitions/descent. That’s been working well for me in those temps. Sub a warmer puffy for the Ventus if closer to -15C.

Timely post for me since I was considering a new base layer, and was looking closely at Brynje. To clarify seems like the OP is considering a new 2nd layer over the mesh. Is that what L1 means?

I was trying to decide on a SS or LS Brynje and wasn’t sure how much of a difference that would make.

I can’t speak with experience in cold/wet but I’m getting on board with keeping dry and limiting layer swaps after a recent podcast/post from Ryan. He essentially said he’s got a base and first layer that stays on the entire trip. It must excel at drying without losing trapped heat unwittingly.   The Finetrack and HH Lifa are now really interesting.   I do have an Alpha D and Octa pullover that need to be tested more this cool weather hiking season

I wear both short- and long-sleeve Brynje. When the temperature drops below ~ –5°C, the long sleeves perform better because they hold a layer of warm air around my arms, keeping them almost as warm as my torso. With short sleeves in that kind of cold, my arms cool down faster than my core, which causes my hands to get cold more quickly.

I have BRYNJE polypropylene fishnet tops and bottom. Light weight Polyester base layer over the fishnet is really warm under a nylon windbreaker jacket and pants for most active situations. A light fleece vest is all you need for backup. These days I ALWAYS wear HOLLOW alpaca socks.  It’s a safety item.