Too Many Layering Choices

100 different people will give you that many different answers.
Just go out and wear things… experiment. don’t be afraid to stop on the trail and change. Won’t be long before you find what you prefer… better that way than dressing someone else’s grove.
Experience is the best teacher.

billy

I have 3 pages of hiking notes where I keep track of weather conditions and clothing choices on most of my hikes from the last few years.  Still trying to find the sweet spot for some of my layers.

It does seems overwhelming at times, and with so many choices people seem to buy a lot of layers then can’t quite figure out what to use and when. Somehow over the years I figured out what works without buying to much. But what works for me, isn’t necessarily what works for others. There are 3 BPL members who have written about the subject on their blogs extensively, and who share a lot of valuable information, and all three have extensive experience in all kinds of weather. If you look up their profiles, I think all three have links to their blogs, which you may find helpful.

Dave Chenault

Paul Mags

Andrew Skurka

Christopher.. you are way too much in your head. Just wear things and see how it goes. No need to write it all down. No combination will ever be perfect… or if it is, it will only be fore a few minutes. Good Grief… just have fun. We used to go out backpacking before layers of plastic clothing just taking old spare cloths from the closet…. cotton, wool, whatever. And I can’t remember any problems with clothing.

billy

Ha! Yes, I remember when my go to clothing was a pair of Levi’s and a cotton JC Penny Towncraft T-Shirt. I agree that we tend to overthink everything backpacking related.

My personality type is “strategic planner”.  So I can’t help it:)

This works for me while on the move:

Shoulder season (when temperatures are between 5°C/41°F and 0°C/32°F):

Baselayer: 150 LS Merino
Midlayer: 100-weight fleece + windshirt

Summer:

Baselayer: 135 LS Merino
Midlayer: windshirt

To me, it’s a fairly simple system.
It works. For me. YMMV, off course! :)

Nick is right there are so many article threads and blogs here are a few including the ones he was referring to

LAYERING FOR BEGINNERS

THE BEST CLOTHING COMBINATIONS FOR BACKPACKING OR HIKING?

Andrew Skurka’s Core 13 Backpacking Clothing

Dave Chenault’s response to Skurka’s Core 13

On hiking in winter

Dave’s All about insulation

Dave’s 30s and raining: some suggestions

Winter clothing systems

My current thoughts on shells

Mike Clelland’s Ultralight Backpackin’ Tips: Clothing

I will let you do a search if you are up to it on PMAGS many articles

Ezee peazee. I agree about not overthinking it. But do get in the habit of thinking about layers from base outward.

I did a dayhike yesterday with a friend. Start temp 28°F, finish temp 56°F. Only thing I would add to the items below for an overnighter/multi-day in similar temps would be some wind pants or possibly rain pants.

OR Echo T. Very old EMS techwick zip LS, montbell chameece (100wt fleece), montbell versalite (good for wind and rain) and in the pack a very light montbell ul down jacket (which I ended up wearing for only about 5 minutes during a break). light fleece beanie and light fleece gloves. Rei nylon baseball-type cap. REI Mistral pants, Rei polyester boxers. Wrightsocks with Merrell all out peak TRs.

Christopher – a simple, light, effective and timeless 3-season top layering strategy that works well for me is 1) a thin long sleeve base layer 2) a light or mid-weight fleece jacket/pullover for insulation, and 3) a light rain shell (with pit zips preferably). For shoulder season or higher altitudes, add in 4) a light down jacket/puffy. For consistent heavy bug pressure, replace the base layer with a bug shirt.

The rain shell doubles well enough as a wind shirt. The long sleeve base layer is cool enough for hiking and blocks sun well enough. And the bug shirt (if really needed) is OK as a hiking/sleeping base layer that’s not too hot. After trying different soft shells, jackets and wind shirts, the above layering strategy works well time and time again for most trips.

I find the simplest solution is to be a broke dad and only have a few items.

Sounds like much of what you have does over lap.  Time to clean out the closet, pick your favorite things and get rid of the rest.