Several years ago, I complained of hiking in cooler temps and being too cold and damp in my wool base layers. Several folks recommended I switch to synthetic base layers, and doing so really improved my hiking comfort in 40 degrees with the damp conditions one finds in the PNW. Now, I have a slightly different problem. When I sleep, I find that I often wake up in the early morning slightly damp and cold with a light layer of sweat. I sleep with an Enlightened Equipment quilt, either 20 degree or 30 degree, a Thermarest NeoAir or a StS Comfort Light Insulated Pad, and Capilene 2 baselayers because I hate the feel of the sleeping pad against my skin. I may use fleece socks or down booties for my feet, depending on how warm it is. Conditions at night vary, but are rarely cooler than the 30’s, and often are damp and in the 40’s. After searching threads on clamminess at night (none very recent), I’m thinking I may need to take my wool layers, and use those for sleeping in at night, instead of synthetics?
Several people in the threads favored silk baselayers, as an alternative to a silk liner. Maybe my wool layers that I have might be too warm–midweight? I always wipe down after a day of hiking, another tool favored by those avoiding stickiness in the bag at night. I carry Capilene 2, figuring that I can hike in them if conditions require. I used to use silk baselayers years ago when riding horses, and they just don’t strike me as warm enough. But maybe that’s my problem, I’m too warm at night.
