Clothing Question

[Mowgli08]

I'm planning to thru-hike starting the 1st of March in 2009, and I'm trying to figure out what I need for cold weather clothing. I am set with long underwear which I already have from skiing and camping, and fairly recently I got a North Face TKA 100 Glacier, which isn't that thick and I haven't tested it in cold weather. I also don't need anything rainproof because I have a rain shell. I will be hiking plenty this winter before I start my thru hike but I was wondering if anyone had advice on what would be sufficiently warm. Would two layers of long underwear and the Glacier be enough? If not, what's a great lightweight outer shell then for cold weather hiking, and preferably not too expensive?

[Wags]

95% of your recommendations are going to say: your thin fleece will be warm enough while you're hiking, but you'll need something warm when on breaks and at camp. something along the lines of this:

http://www.e-omc.com/catalog/products/2203/MontBell-UL-Thermawrap-Jacket-Mens.html

or like this:

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/patagonia/puffball-vest/

due to packability (space), weight to warmth ratio

[Blissful]

I took a down jacket for my camp wear until early May - but I tend to get cold. Suggest a windshirt though to hike in - gets very windy with the changes of season. And bring a balaclava. I ended up hking in my pecip in windy days which was okay, but I prefer a windshirt and weighs nothing.

Another thought - I also recommend chapstick - I don't see that on a lot of gearlists for first aid, but it's really needed to avoid burning, bleeding lips from wind and cold.

[ChinMusic]

Balaclava for sure + a Buff. Light gloves (Icebreaker merino wool - retains warmth if wet). My legs don't get cold so I don't carry anything other than regular hiking pants. I bring a synthetic parka (Montbell) and a light down vest (Montbell). Together they weigh very little. Get the parka a little big so it fits over EVERYTHING else. I would NEVER hike in the parka and rarely hike in the vest. Those items are more to keep me warm when I stop. I chose the parka as I find my head an neck need more coverage on cold days once I stop. If, after wearing those two items and I'm still cold, it's time to get into the bag and call it a day.

[bigcranky]

I'm just going to link to what I wrote on this topic in January:

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

The whole thread has lots of good info:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=31242&highlight=winter+clothing