Advice on hot/cold clothing - Under Armour, base layers etc
Discussion
Off backpacking across latin America shortly so will mainly be in very hot climates, but also very cold ones when hiking. We are travelling as light as possible with a small rucksack so trying to think of the best clothing to buy including the Base Layer/fleece/waterproof combination.
Focus is on the best price to weight and size ratio so can fit as much as possible into the backpack.
I was also thinking about underwear as assuming the normal Cotton Boxers won't be the ideal thing to have as won't 'wick' too well? Been Googling and have come across a company called Under Armour who do various wicking underwear for hot/cold/mixed and was wondering if anyone have any experience, also any other suggestions?
Focus is on the best price to weight and size ratio so can fit as much as possible into the backpack.
I was also thinking about underwear as assuming the normal Cotton Boxers won't be the ideal thing to have as won't 'wick' too well? Been Googling and have come across a company called Under Armour who do various wicking underwear for hot/cold/mixed and was wondering if anyone have any experience, also any other suggestions?
Edited by amir_j on Thursday 8th December 12:32
Starting off in Peru doing the Inca Trail so rather buy something here than spend half a day shopping there, especially with my lack of Spanish!!I use the Helly Hansen stuff, they do both warm (aka Dry)and cold weather baselayers in short and longsleeve. Very good. If it's good enough for the Marines it's good enough for me. If you scout around you can get the tops for about £12 each, normally £25+
If you want to travel light look at the North Face microfleeces, again very good quality (zips, light, good stitching..etc). Something to remember about fleeces is the fleece material is all made in one big factory so whether the fleece is karrimor or north face it's all the same stuff (or so I've been told).
As for your hardshell the natural recommendation would be goretex but I can't see the fuss, I have a Mountain equipment jacket (goretex proshell) and after a few hours in the rain it starts to leak, so much so I only use this for skiing. On the otherhand I have a Berghaus aquafoil jacket, had it for 6 years, never treated it and it's 100% dependable. I use this for all wetweather stuff.
If you want to travel light look at the North Face microfleeces, again very good quality (zips, light, good stitching..etc). Something to remember about fleeces is the fleece material is all made in one big factory so whether the fleece is karrimor or north face it's all the same stuff (or so I've been told).
As for your hardshell the natural recommendation would be goretex but I can't see the fuss, I have a Mountain equipment jacket (goretex proshell) and after a few hours in the rain it starts to leak, so much so I only use this for skiing. On the otherhand I have a Berghaus aquafoil jacket, had it for 6 years, never treated it and it's 100% dependable. I use this for all wetweather stuff.
I'd recommend Brubeck
Their base layers use seamless sock technology in their construciton so are really comfortable to wear.
ETA - I agree on the micro fleece point above - mine is a Karrimor and is extremely light but seems to work in most temps. I wear mine when mountain biking whether that is in the winter or summer. I also wore it on the 3 peaks (with other items) and it was great.
Their base layers use seamless sock technology in their construciton so are really comfortable to wear.
ETA - I agree on the micro fleece point above - mine is a Karrimor and is extremely light but seems to work in most temps. I wear mine when mountain biking whether that is in the winter or summer. I also wore it on the 3 peaks (with other items) and it was great.
Edited by Gravy on Friday 9th December 11:07
I got a couple of these base layers from canterbury:
http://www.mandmdirect.com/productlist.aspx?filter...
they also do hot and cold versions and I use the cold version when playing hockey during the winter
excellent and dry out very very quick, just shop around:
http://www.rugbystore.co.uk/canterburycollection/r...
think I paid between 10 and 15 pounds each.
Get a size bigger than you need as its quite tight.
http://www.mandmdirect.com/productlist.aspx?filter...
they also do hot and cold versions and I use the cold version when playing hockey during the winter
excellent and dry out very very quick, just shop around:
http://www.rugbystore.co.uk/canterburycollection/r...
think I paid between 10 and 15 pounds each.
Get a size bigger than you need as its quite tight.
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