Episode 18 | Clothing Systems for Inclement Weather
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Summary
Three key questions:
- What are clothing systems and why is it important to consider clothing in the context of a system?
- What does it mean when we talk about inclement conditions or summer vs. 3-season or 4-season backpacking?
- What pieces of clothing do we need to add or replace in our summer system in order to be better prepared for 3-season or inclement conditions?
Outline
Clothing System: TREKKING
| description | summer inclement | 3+/4 season inclement |
| underwear* | nylon compression shorts (anti-chafing) – 3 oz | merino boxers (warmth) – 3 oz |
| trekking shirt* | woven nylon l/s shirt (sun, insect protection, and evaporative cooling) – 5 oz | merino 150 l/s shirt (warmth and sweat dispersion) – 7 oz |
| trekking pants* | thin woven nylon (option 2) (sun, insect protection) – 8 oz | 4-way stretch-woven softshell pant (warmth and wind protection, shedding snow) – 13 oz |
| gloves* | sun gloves (sun protection) – 1 oz | softshell glove (warmth, bushwhacking, rock scrambling, shedding snow and rain) – 3 oz |
| cap* | crushable nylon cap w/brim – 2 oz | crushable nylon cap w/brim – 2 oz |
Clothing System: STORM
| description | summer inclement | 3+/4 season inclement |
| wind shirt* | thin, highly breathable hooded jacket – 4 oz | thin, highly breathable hooded jacket – 4 oz |
| rain jacket* | minimalist pullover, less breathable/durable (insurance layer) – 5 oz | full-zip hooded w/pockets, more breathable/durable (highly breathable, worn more often) – 8 oz |
| rain pants* | minimalist, pull-on – 4 oz | minimalist, pull-on – 4 oz |
| rain mitts | none | minimalist, short gauntlet, seam-taped, WPB (rain protection) – 2 oz |
| warm headgear* | merino 150 beanie – 1 oz | merino 150 beanie + merino 150 tube scarf (additional warmth, easy temperature control layer) – 3 oz |
| active insulation | active insulation vest – 6 oz | active insulation pullover hoody (light) or full zip jacket (warmer, light) or warmer full zip jacket (for colder conditions) – 10 oz to 14 oz |
Clothing System: CAMP
| description | summer inclement | 3+/4 season inclement |
| long underwear* | lightweight merino/polyester – 4 oz | lightweight merino/polyester – 4 oz |
| insulated pants | none | synthetic or down insulated pants (pull-on) as temps get cold (for longer nights, worn in camp, sleep system insurance when very cold) – 7 oz |
| insulated jacket* | down hooded pullover (light) – 8 oz | down hooded pullover (midweight) or heavier jacket as temps get cold (warmth, more moisture protection on the outer shell) – 13 oz to 19 oz |
| sleep socks* | light trekking socks – 2 oz | heavy trekking socks or down socks as temps drop (warmth) – 3 oz to 5 oz |
Clothing Weight Summary
| Summer Fair Weather (*) | Summer Inclement | 3-Season Inclement | 3+/4-Season Inclement |
| 47 oz (2.9 lb) | 53 oz (3.3 lb) | 79 oz (4.9 lb) | 98 oz (6.1 lb) |
| Add: | active insulation torso layer |
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Credits
- Backpacking Light – Executive Producer
- Ryan Jordan – Director and Host
- Andrew Marshall – Producer, Host, and Editor
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Discussion
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Companion forum thread to: Episode 18 | Clothing Systems for Inclement Weather
In this podcast, we discuss this: how does clothing system for 3/4 season, inclement conditions, differ from my summer backpacking clothing?
Ryan….You mentioned that your Yukon Down Pullover; K Series jacket had overfill.
Questions:
How much over fill did you have placed in the jacket.
Was it distributed throughout the jacket or ??
1 oz, distributed evenly. Not sure that it’s necessary, the Yukon K is a well-filled product…
“Activewear” products seem like the latest backpacking miracle – light, warm, very breathable – and expensive. Are they really that much better than fleece?
— Rex
No, they are just marginally better and often are worse. It’s easy to get the wrong face fabric that kills the breathability. But for the ones that do get it right, they are generally warmer for the weight and move moisture better. None are as durable as fleece.
As i am located in Europe, I can not access some of the affiliated links (backcountry.com, GDPR).
Can someone please let me know what trekking pants Ryan refers to as “4-way stretch-woven softshell pant” in 3+/4 season. Tkanks!
David, I’m not in the US but your link takes me to the Backcountry page for Arcteryx Sigma FL Pants.
Thank you, William!
Can’t open that link either but perhaps look at Mountain Equipment IBEX trousers @ £70/80 gbp https://pricespy.co.uk/clothing/outdoor-trousers/mountain-equipment-ibex-pants-mens–p3548469
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