nickamante
10-01-2012, 12:32
Hey guys, I'm working on my March 2013 Thru-hike gear list and I'm trying to figure out what I want to do for outer and insulating layers. I'd love to hear your thoughts on:
Shells for Rain/Wind/Snow
I'm finding it tricky to cover all my bases with a minimum of gear. Starting in March I'm worried about snow protection in addition to rain/wind. I think the Packa is a great idea and I like that it keeps the back of the pack/straps dry, but I'm not sure how it'll handle colder temps or high winds (anyone who can speak to that?). Also taking off the pack during rain presents a problem so I'd probably want either a back-up tarp or jacket for that situation.
I've been thinking I could get a Packa and a light weight rain/wind jacket for the colder months, then send the jacket home in the summer and potentially swap out the pants for a rain kilt, but that's starting to sound like gear overkill to me. I'm curious what combinations you guys have found work well.
Here are my top picks so far:
Top: GoLite Malpais Trinity (http://www.golite.com/Ms-Malpais-Trinity-3-Layer-Liteshell-Jacket-P905.aspx) ($80, 7oz), Sierra Designs Hurricane (http://www.rei.com/product/837383/sierra-designs-hurricane-rain-jacket-mens) ($74, 12.5oz), and/or Packa (http://www.thepacka.com/) ($115, 12.5oz)
Bottom: REI Ultra Lite (http://www.rei.com/product/794209/rei-ultra-light-pants-mens-30-inseam) ($50, 11oz), GoLite Currant Mountain Paclite (http://www.golite.com/Ms-Currant-Mountain-Paclite-2-Layer-Pant-P46645.aspx) ($80, 7oz)
Insulating Mid-Layer
I'm eyeing up several jackets; on the warmer side the Patagonia Down Sweater (http://www.rei.com/product/770806/patagonia-down-sweater-mens) ($200, 11oz) or MontBell Alpine Lite Down Parka (http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=70&p_id=2301361) ($209, 14.7oz). On the lighter side, the MontBell EX Light Down (http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=2301344) ($200, 5.6oz), the Patagonia Nano Puff (http://www.rei.com/product/809225/patagonia-nano-puff-jacket-mens) ($200, 12oz) or the MontBell UL Thermawrap (http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=73&p_id=2301161) ($155, 9.3oz).
For a March start, would I be ok with one of the lighter choices? What about down vs synthetic? I opted for a down bag, but it'll be in a waterproof stuff sack... I imagine keeping the jacket dry is gonna be trickier.
Shells for Rain/Wind/Snow
I'm finding it tricky to cover all my bases with a minimum of gear. Starting in March I'm worried about snow protection in addition to rain/wind. I think the Packa is a great idea and I like that it keeps the back of the pack/straps dry, but I'm not sure how it'll handle colder temps or high winds (anyone who can speak to that?). Also taking off the pack during rain presents a problem so I'd probably want either a back-up tarp or jacket for that situation.
I've been thinking I could get a Packa and a light weight rain/wind jacket for the colder months, then send the jacket home in the summer and potentially swap out the pants for a rain kilt, but that's starting to sound like gear overkill to me. I'm curious what combinations you guys have found work well.
Here are my top picks so far:
Top: GoLite Malpais Trinity (http://www.golite.com/Ms-Malpais-Trinity-3-Layer-Liteshell-Jacket-P905.aspx) ($80, 7oz), Sierra Designs Hurricane (http://www.rei.com/product/837383/sierra-designs-hurricane-rain-jacket-mens) ($74, 12.5oz), and/or Packa (http://www.thepacka.com/) ($115, 12.5oz)
Bottom: REI Ultra Lite (http://www.rei.com/product/794209/rei-ultra-light-pants-mens-30-inseam) ($50, 11oz), GoLite Currant Mountain Paclite (http://www.golite.com/Ms-Currant-Mountain-Paclite-2-Layer-Pant-P46645.aspx) ($80, 7oz)
Insulating Mid-Layer
I'm eyeing up several jackets; on the warmer side the Patagonia Down Sweater (http://www.rei.com/product/770806/patagonia-down-sweater-mens) ($200, 11oz) or MontBell Alpine Lite Down Parka (http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=70&p_id=2301361) ($209, 14.7oz). On the lighter side, the MontBell EX Light Down (http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=2301344) ($200, 5.6oz), the Patagonia Nano Puff (http://www.rei.com/product/809225/patagonia-nano-puff-jacket-mens) ($200, 12oz) or the MontBell UL Thermawrap (http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=73&p_id=2301161) ($155, 9.3oz).
For a March start, would I be ok with one of the lighter choices? What about down vs synthetic? I opted for a down bag, but it'll be in a waterproof stuff sack... I imagine keeping the jacket dry is gonna be trickier.