Lightweight clothing options?

[Bidwell]

Hey all,

I am preparing for a thru next year starting in May and I am an ultra-lighter looking for lightweight clothing options. Right now, the only really warm clothes that I have are Smartwool baselayers that I use for skiing:

http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/SWL0040/SmartWool-Microweight-Bottom-Mens.html

http://www.rei.com/product/785029

Depending on temperatures, I'll bring a pair of ski socks too. After that, I hike in running clothes (ie running shorts, vapor-wicking running shirts) and if it's cold, I'll wear my baselayers and rain jacket/pants over top:

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Sierra-Designs-Microlight-Jacket-Mens/SDS0335M.html

I guess I wanted to ask what y'all ultra-lighters use for cold weather/wind/rain protection and get opinions on what clothes work best for the amount of weight. I am pretty happy with my set-up now, but I've since gotten a packcover/rain jacket/tarp, so I'll probably putting my Sierra Designs rain jacket as a 2nd string option. Thanks,

- Greg

[Mocs123]

For hiking I generally just stay in a Smartwool lightweight baselayer and REI Sierra Convertible Pants adding a Montane Aero Windshirt (2.9oz) when needed. I also throw on my Mountain Hardwear Micro Dome (1.2oz) and my Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Gloves (1.3oz) when appropriate. That set up is good for active hiking down into the teens for me.

At camp I have Mont-Bells UL Down Inner Jacket(6.9oz) and Pants(6.7oz) as well as a Backpacking Light Cocoon 90 Balaclava(1.9oz) and OR's PL400 Mitts(2.6oz). If it is too cold for that set up, I hit the sleeping bag or quilt.

[bigcranky]

I use a four layer system: light base layer, ultralight wind shirt, puffy jacket, and rain shell. Pretty much the same layers on the bottom, except the puffy layer. I usually carry short sleeve and long sleeve wool tops, and wool boxer briefs and long john bottoms. I swap out depending on the weather conditions. This mix and match approach works for almost any weather conditions (just realize that you should almost never wear your insulating layer while actually hiking.)

The Microdome is a great hat for hiking, and in cold weather I'll bring a warmer hat for camp and sleeping. Same with gloves and socks.

[garlic08]

You're starting in May and you're on the UL forum, so I assume you're planning a 100 to 120 day pace. If so, you'll be done in August or September. If that's the case, there's very little need for any warm clothing at all. A shirt, a thin warm layer, a shell, two pairs of light hiker socks should be all you need. If you slow down and may hit snow in the Whites, pick up something warmer in Hanover.

[Don H]

How about some suggestions for those starting in March?

[Mags]

How about some suggestions for those starting in March?

What Big Cranky said. Seriously. He pretty much nailed the overall plan. You can go into finer details (Thermawrap vs. a light down layer or a beanie vs a light balaclava for example) or what kind of gloves to bring, but follow BC's overall plan and you will probably be fine.

[bigcranky]

Sorry, didn't know the OP was starting in May. Not much need for heavy clothing layers. I would still take the long sleeve wool top and bottom, and short sleeve top and running shorts for hiking, the UL wind shirt, a very light down vest (Montbell snap top 4.5 oz), and a rain shell or poncho. That's around 2 pounds of clothing, which should be sufficient for an early May start in Georgia.

Thanks for the comment, Mags. For those starting in March or earlier, here is way more than you need to know:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showpost.php?p=487795&postcount=16

[paintplongo]

Sorry, didn't know the OP was starting in May. Not much need for heavy clothing layers. I would still take the long sleeve wool top and bottom, and short sleeve top and running shorts for hiking, the UL wind shirt, a very light down vest (Montbell snap top 4.5 oz), and a rain shell or poncho. That's around 2 pounds of clothing, which should be sufficient for an early May start in Georgia.

Thanks for the comment, Mags. For those starting in March or earlier, here is way more than you need to know:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showpost.php?p=487795&postcount=16

I think that's overkill for clothing starting in May. I started in April and didn't have half of those things and was content and never cold. I'd recommend one short sleeve, one long sleeve, a pair of tights and running shorts. Raingear is useless when it's warm out, you'll have to get used to that on the AT.

[Mags]

I think that's overkill for clothing starting in May. \

That's why he said March. :)

For those starting in March or earlier, here is way more than you need to know:

[Bidwell]

Looks like I am off to a good start... thanks for the advice, all! Always taken to heart,

- Greg

[Slo-go'en]

For most of your trip you will just need a couple of T shirts and shorts, but it does get chilly in NC and New England, especially early in the morning. So, you should have a reasonably warm top to put on before you start really moving around. Long pants of some kind to keep the bugs off your legs in the evenings will be a good thing to have too. PJ bottoms will work for that.

[Dirty Harry]

short sleeve, running short, nylon rain jacket, full lenght tight, and 2 pairs of socks. Optional Montbell UL down inner jacket for added warmth.

[Tinker]

One thing I hadn't thought of until a few years ago is that you can wear a windshirt alone when you want more warmth than the open weave of a base layer but less than a combination of the above. Some folks think it looks silly. It works, so I do it.
As stated above, raingear is useless when it's warm out - how warm depends entirely on your metabolism at that particular time. A windshirt over a very thin base layer usually replaces any raingear (except my poncho, which I use as a tarp) in the dead of summer.

[take-a-knee]

You're starting in May and you're on the UL forum, so I assume you're planning a 100 to 120 day pace. If so, you'll be done in August or September. If that's the case, there's very little need for any warm clothing at all. A shirt, a thin warm layer, a shell, two pairs of light hiker socks should be all you need. If you slow down and may hit snow in the Whites, pick up something warmer in Hanover.

There are down vests that weigh 8-9 ounces (Golite Cirrus). I know that is REALLY REALLY heavyhttp://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif but it should be part of the kit in May. That or use a quilt with a head hole like a JRB No Sniveler or Stealth.

[bigcranky]

You can get a lighter down vest from Montbell. My pullover vest (no zipper) weighs <5 ounces, and goes with me on many trips when it might get chilly at night. Very useful little piece of gear.