[pct-l] Base layers

[Steel-Eye]

Good afternoon, Shepherd,

My base layer is...well, really basic.  I wear a poly tee shirt and a pair
of nylon athletic shorts as seen at:
http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=229100

In the morning when I pack up I wear a 200-weight fleece pullover, which
usually is removed after 10-20 minutes on the trail.  Sometimes I put it
back on in the evening when I lay out my camp, but not always.  This photo:
http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=288743 was taken early when I was
still wearing the sweater.  Fleece sweaters and jackets are kind of a
commodity and I don't see much difference in the fleece between the $100+
models and the cheap-o's.  The one I'm wearing in the photo was purchased
new off a sporting goods store sale rack for $5.  It doesn't have lots of
pockets or even a zipper, which is what I wanted to save weight.  It weighs
10 ounces. Most of all it doesn't have an expensive name brand.  A good
place to find great deals on fleece jackets is at the local thrift store.

If it is also windy in the morning I put a 3-5 ounce windshirt over the
sweater.  It comes off first on the trail, but I sometimes put it on alone
if I stop for a while in the wind as can be seen on Mather Pass at:
http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=281727  Also in that photo is a
stocking hat which I sleep in, but sometimes put back on during the day if
it is windy.  The same can be said of a pair of fleece gloves.

I rarely carry any leg covering, except I do use a pair of 2-ounce SilNylon
chaps if more than occasional rain is expected.

Steel-Eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Amanda L Silvestri" <aslive at sbcglobal.net>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 7:37 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Base layers


Okay, here's a new thread. I am looking for a new base layer. I have some
light weight long underwear, but am thinking that for the JMT I might want
to move up to a mid-weight, especially for sleeping.

Looking at the Campmore "sale-mail" this morning, I see many verities, but
there is little information as to weight-to-warmth ratios. They all look
good as I read their description, but I have no idea as to if one pair
weighs more than the next.

Also is there any system for evaluation the warmth or body heat retention
ability like there is for down sleeping bags? Even in a store, I can't go
around ripping open the packages. A double layer with a synthetic for
wicking and perhaps a wool for heat, sounds good, but then I am back to
weight again. Oh, and I don't want to but the most expensive brand out there
either.

Any thoughts?

Amanda (Shepherd)
_______________________________________________
Pct-l mailing list
Pct-l at backcountry.net
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l