Layer next to Brynje

If that’s the low for the day and I’m walking, I’m probably not wearing it. If that’s the high temperature for the day, I’m venting as much as possible. In camp or at home, depending on the wind. Alpha Direct or a light hoody or both.

I wear Airmesh over Brynje above freezing. I add AD over the top (as a mid layer) below freezing. Wind layer over all of it.

But, sure, grid fleece or merino would be fine.

DOB? Please educate me.

I run rather cold, so putting the temperature range aside, if I belive I need a layer over my Brynje the first layer I add would very often be a thin merino shirt or a wind-/rain jacket or both. Depends on the weather. I often bring additional layers for breaks or changes in the weather throughout the day. Typically fuzzy fleece like Thermal pro or similar (AD if I had), or an active insulation shirt/jacket.

I choose thin merino as my first mid layer for a couple of reasons, that may or may not just exist in my head.
1. I don’t believe this is supported by any evidence, but I have this idea that the first layer that goes over a fish net shouldn’t be very fuzzy on the inside, as this would more easily “clog” the holes. Yeah, it’s a stretch, but I get hung up on weird ideas. Also I don’t own a proper alpha direct hoody yet, so I haven’t been able to test that combo specifically.

2. Polypropylene starts to stink very fast in my use, so I like to have a layer to put over it that doesn’t stink as easily – and that would to some degree conceal the odour from the layer below. This is ofc very dependent on what type of activity I’m doing, if I’m likely to encounter social situations etc.

At the end of the day, there are no hard rules. I just pick what I deem most suitable for the situation.
For activities that last approx. 15 hours or less, I can optimise for the current conditions and I’m not concerned about weight so I try use more generic and affordable layers that I’m less concerned about wearing out – saving my lighter and more versatile gear for longer trips/activities where weight and changing conditions are more of a concern.

I’ve tried air mesh, Smartwool merino and Lifa over Brynje on quite a few winter day hikes.

My preference is Lifa.  It was the best at managing sweat while still adding a nice layer of warmth if close fitting to the mesh.

Sorry, DOB, what the heck darn auto correct…was just supposed to say “what do people run”….

i guess I don’t totally understand the next best layer; should it be another wicking layer or an insulator?  Should it be something that fits lose against the mesh (to allow vapor to move and mesh do it’s thing) or should it fit more snugly against the mesh?

It doesn’t matter. Wear whatever you want.

Here is a different way to think about it: Brynje is an addon to whatever else you wear. It doesn’t do much on its own — It keeps whatever else you wear off of your skin. That makes your clothing a bit dryer and warmer.

This is true no matter what you wear over the mesh.

Have you found that Air Mesh/Power Grid over Brynje moves moisture effectively? Some here have  recommending adding OR Echo/HH Lifa/Finetrack Elemental type super thin layer between Brynje and Airmesh/Alpha Direct. I am trying to understand if such a thin “wicking” layer would  be necessary particularly for high exertion activities.

FineTrack is functionally similar to Brynje — it’s a different mesh.

Think about mesh this way: It retains heat when covered, and dumps heat quickly when the covering layer is opened. This gives mesh layers a wide comfort range.

A sun shirt over mesh, including AD or Octa (Airmesh), acts as a gentle wind block. It allows the mesh to retain heat while remaining breathable. It is a good combo for some connections, when a wind shirt is too much.

Putting a layer between mesh and mesh does not make sense. You’re blocking some of the function of the outer layer of mesh.

I’ve been wearing brynje under a silver ridge light this spring.  Nice combo.  I open the shirt above about 5c and the mesh keeps me feeling dry.   Below 5 c on the move warm enough buttoned up down to freezing and more.   Haven’t needed the dooy given the silver ridge lights ability to cut some wind.  Above about 12c the combo is too hot even with the front completely open

Indeed, a layer between mesh and mesh does seem counter-productive! I wonder if a light weight Power Grid (something like Mammut Aenergy Light Zip)  instead of Air Mesh or Alpha Direct would be a more versatile layer over Brynje in respect to durability and wind resistance without a significant sacrifice on breathability front?  My AD layer (Norrona Lyngen Alpha 90 Jacket) has been too fragile as an outer layer without a wind jacket (the addition of which reduces breathability significantly). Similarly, in using MH Air Mesh, I have found it retains more moisture than I would like for the kind of activities I am involved in.

The lifa over brynje creates warmth and wicking while being highly breathable.  Airmesh over those 2 for more warmth

Reason it works is because all 3 are extremely breathable

Airmesh directly over brynje doesn’t create a sealing warmth and holds moisture more than the lifa

Power Grid is not more versatile, no. The champions for versatility are AD and Airmesh with a sun shirt or windshirt over it.

However, if you don’t like AD/Airmesh for some reason, then certainly hike your own hike.

There’s nothing wrong with Power Grid. It is fine if you like it. AD is an evolution of the same concept.

However, Power Grid is more durable, yes.

For those conditions, adding a Lifa and Windshirt (to regulate if needed) is super comfortable

Been trying the brynje in a couple different ways this spring, this thing keeps amazing me:

– the short sleeve under a silver ridge light while hiking.  Extends the comfortable temperature of that shirt down another ~ 10C and does a much better job at managing sweat, the shirt never got clingy (it always got clingy)

– sleepshirt. This thing is surprisingly warm when cocooned in the EE quilt 10D fabric.

So, the long sleeve below freezing into the deepest winter cold, short sleeve corner season dual use as a sleep shirt and hiking warmth/base layer.   Happy camper with these