The insulation layer is for when you are at camp / sleeping and you are not being active moving around and generating more heat. When you are walking around you have the baselayer and midlayer and sometimes the shell if its raining. But when you get to camp and are setup and relaxing you might get colder because your not moving around. That is when the insulation layer is used to keep you warmer.
People over complicate things. Start off comfortably cold so you’re not taking off layers 10 minutes in. A simple base layer and shorts/pants when you start. If your cold put on a lightweight fleece. If it’s windy throw on a windbreaker. If it’s raining throw on a hard shell. If your stationary and cold Chuck on a puffy jacket. That’s all there is to it.
You are the big Daddy of hiking gear do's and dont's. I Love your Videos. I might get the Patagonia torrent Shell pants soon. Cant wait for autumn and Winter Here in Germany to come (to Put on all my hiking clothes)
Keep up the good work. Loving these videos, your either backing up my thoughts or proving new tips and tricks. What of the gear you ran through do you wear at Camp? I typically sweat a bit and need to completely change clothes at camp.
Good vid, I tend to operate on the mainland more than Tassie and require cold/snow weather gear suitable for above the treeline as well as the sub alpine (above the snowline, below the treeline) and this also depends on the season. Within the cold weather paradigm, I tend to characterise it as either mid winter or cold shoulder seasons. The others being warm shoulders and summer. Probably more accurate for mountain terrains above 1500m on the mainland and above 1000m in Tassie. Mid winter typically July to August and the cold shoulders May to June and September to October but this can extend by another month if youre going high above 1500m or 1000m in Tassie and expecting bad weather (snow). On the mainland Blizzards and heavy snow can occur in April and November, and I guess anytime of year in Tassie. I remember spending New Years Day getting snowed on in the Walls of Jerusalem lol. Typically cold shoulder will have lighterweight gear in terms of insulation and shells and mid winter heavier weight (warmer) gear. It also depends on the activity and abrasion expected as well as trip length and conditions exoected. On the mainland you tend to get huge variability in temps and conditions even in mid winter from tshirt weather to heavy duty insulation required. 5 degrees to -15 can be expected in mid winter from 1500m to 2200m. But really any trip into the mountains above 1000m in NSW, Vic and Tassie should give you an expectation of snow/wind/rain and adequate preparation is required. Sometimrs i take 5 layers just to augment for that variability. Base, Mid layer, Soft shell, Hard Shell and Insulation for the tops. Soft shell and Hard shell for the bottoms. Maybe a base layer bottom for sleeping and changing out the soft shell and hard shell combo. More comfortable in temps above zero and rain. It's always a toss up on whether to take the soft shell or leave it behind, and just use the hard shell. Then the other question is to take or leave the mid layer behind when the insulation layer will usually do the job, especially in the mornings or evenings when its usually only required then. The difference can be up to 1kg or more in pack weight When moving you dont need much as you generate enough heat so a base and soft/hard shell is enough. Well, I don't but I'm a tall big bloke, others people usually females or those skinny types without much body fat tend to feel the cold a lot more I've noticed. but hard shells dont breathe that well which is why soft shells come in handy in most conditions and things need to get bad to put on the hard shell. I used to have synthetic insulation layers but i wont go back to them, they're simply not warm enough for mid winter/alpine trips but ok for shoulder season trips i guess. Not my thing anymore, a good mid layer fleece is just as good. But i prefer a lightweight down for that usually in the cold shoulders and mid weight down for mid winter. The down must be treated though. Better quality down jackets can be fully waterproofed.
@@mowsertas Hope it's somewhere cold! I was thinking about my clothing choices for Tassie in the colder seasons. Yeah, I'd probably skip the soft shell top layer, it's just too moist for it and arguably the soft shell bottoms for the cold shoulders, and stick with a 3 layer goretex shell or lightweight single lauer mountain pants for the dry days, but I'd take soft shell pants for mid winter Tassie though, paired up with hard shells. So for Tassie, I reckon you're right, 4 layers but pretty dubious about the synthetic insulation lol. But I do understand where you're coming from with that choice I've always found a mid layer too warm (on the mainland) unless day temps are below -5 or -7 or wind chill necessitates it's use, but most good days are well above that so it usually doesn't get much wear, but I tend to bring it anyway and prefer base+soft shell on most days when moving and adding insulation when stopped. In summer/warm shoulders it's either the soft shell or mid layer fleece but not both (depending on conditions expected), with a t-shirt and spare long sleeve base layer spare.
what if the base layer+ pants combo is too warm. but only pants is too cold? I usually find when walking outside for a few hours that the skin on my thighs get all red from the cold. sorta hurts too. but no way i am wearing a base layer under i would melt away lol
I am similar and tent to just wear waterproof overpants in those conditions. Sometimes I only have my underwear on under the overpants to avoid getting to warm. The overpants offer a good level of wind chill protection and I find I get just the right level of warmth with them on.
Must be a launny thing wearing 4 layers lol I'm down south and I only wear 3, I use icebreaker tshirt and icebreaker hoody and my Patagonia torrent shell for the rain, if it's a normal hot and cold day like we get with 4 seasons in one day I'll put my thermal on and tshirt over it and hike, if it's windy and rainy I'll just have merino tshirt with hoody and my rain jacket on, Now you didn't show any shorts but you talked about them? What shorts do you recommend for hiking ? I have Mont trousers with zip off shorts and I did have some cheap cape waterproof pants but ripped them on Frenchmans cap walk, might have to get Patagonia waterproof.pants they look alright
Yep, I find most people I know prefer 3 layers but I must be cold! I wore Patagonia Baggies shorts for years, absolutely love them but more recently I have been using Silverlight shorts. Not really sold on those now and have been going between the baggies and the Patagonia Multi trail shorts (which I normally use for trail running) which are a bit lighter. I think I prefer the multi trails the most.
You say never to wear cotton, which makes sense but does that apply to boxershorts aswell? Or can boxershorts be from cotton as long as the layers aren't?
I generally wouldn't wear any cotton as if you are on a wet trip and it gets wet it will generally stay wet. I use synthetic/wool underwear on the trail. But if you're just taking boxer shorts to sleep in thats probably ok!
@@mowsertas Thanks for the reply! I got another question, I'm looking for a pair of hiking pants currently. I'd like to buy it for below $100 that's proper wind resistant and warm enough. So far I've found Columbia silver ridge convertible pants, but I'm not sure wether it's warm enough since it's so thin. What are your opinions about this and do you have any recommendations otherwise?
How does the Arc’teryx nuclei synthetic compare with a down jacket like the ghost whisperer heat wise? I would like to get a synthetic but not sure how it compares it my down jacket
It’s been nearly 10 years since I had a ghost whisperer but I think those two would be fairly comparable. I do now love my Arc’Teryx Atom AR hoody for warmth maybe a little more than the nuclei and took it on a recent 9 day trip and it was awesome!
just found you channel - great stuff. Love your comments on the Patagonia R Hoody. I have an early version 2009/2010 - which is still my main go to as a mid layer - it just works so well. I have no idea how newer versions compare - fair dues if they have managed to improve it. My usage also similar to yours - pull it on over early moring at the start of the hike and off again when warmed up, slim fit works great under waterproofs in crap weather, and balaclava style hood just provides a bit of extra protection when its really miserable. Hard to beat
I tend to either wear just a woollen t-shirt or a thermal. Although on an upcoming trip I am wearing a mesh singlet baselayer and a wool shirt on top. Stay tuned for a review!
How does this channel have only 700 something subscribers and so few views?? This is so baffling. I’ve watched 4 of your videos and they are all great and super informative. Subbed!
Yeah, I'd agree, similar channels have tens of thousands. This one is well produced too. Probably needs to put on a bra and show off some cleavage to get more eyeballs lol
I'd agree, similar channels have 10s of thousands of subs, and the channel is well produced. I reckon he needs to put on a sports bra and show some cleavage to hit the big time lol
Base ,mid and a proper shell is all you'll need for most bad weather in Australia and South Africa most days😊
The insulation layer is for when you are at camp / sleeping and you are not being active moving around and generating more heat. When you are walking around you have the baselayer and midlayer and sometimes the shell if its raining. But when you get to camp and are setup and relaxing you might get colder because your not moving around. That is when the insulation layer is used to keep you warmer.
Thank you for explaining the purpose of the insulation layer in such detail!
People over complicate things. Start off comfortably cold so you’re not taking off layers 10 minutes in.
A simple base layer and shorts/pants when you start. If your cold put on a lightweight fleece. If it’s windy throw on a windbreaker. If it’s raining throw on a hard shell. If your stationary and cold Chuck on a puffy jacket. That’s all there is to it.
If I've got the soft shell on 8 might add a wind vest over top for wind protection or go to a anarak windbreaker.
I've come here to get to grips on layering, It did not disappoint. Thanks a lot/
Glad enjoyed! Come back any time 😁
I use US military level 2 waffle polartec which you can get for $20 - $50.
You are the big Daddy of hiking gear do's and dont's. I Love your Videos. I might get the Patagonia torrent Shell pants soon. Cant wait for autumn and Winter Here in Germany to come (to Put on all my hiking clothes)
Nice one! Thanks!
Keep up the good work. Loving these videos, your either backing up my thoughts or proving new tips and tricks. What of the gear you ran through do you wear at Camp? I typically sweat a bit and need to completely change clothes at camp.
Thanks Goughy! Great idea. Will add that to the video to do list!
Been loving your videos. Thanks for another great one 😃👍
Awesome! Glad you are enjoying and thanks for the comment!
отличная подборка, дуже добре! thanks!)
Good vid, I tend to operate on the mainland more than Tassie and require cold/snow weather gear suitable for above the treeline as well as the sub alpine (above the snowline, below the treeline) and this also depends on the season.
Within the cold weather paradigm, I tend to characterise it as either mid winter or cold shoulder seasons. The others being warm shoulders and summer. Probably more accurate for mountain terrains above 1500m on the mainland and above 1000m in Tassie.
Mid winter typically July to August and the cold shoulders May to June and September to October but this can extend by another month if youre going high above 1500m or 1000m in Tassie and expecting bad weather (snow). On the mainland Blizzards and heavy snow can occur in April and November, and I guess anytime of year in Tassie. I remember spending New Years Day getting snowed on in the Walls of Jerusalem lol.
Typically cold shoulder will have lighterweight gear in terms of insulation and shells and mid winter heavier weight (warmer) gear. It also depends on the activity and abrasion expected as well as trip length and conditions exoected.
On the mainland you tend to get huge variability in temps and conditions even in mid winter from tshirt weather to heavy duty insulation required.
5 degrees to -15 can be expected in mid winter from 1500m to 2200m.
But really any trip into the mountains above 1000m in NSW, Vic and Tassie should give you an expectation of snow/wind/rain and adequate preparation is required.
Sometimrs i take 5 layers just to augment for that variability.
Base, Mid layer, Soft shell, Hard Shell and Insulation for the tops.
Soft shell and Hard shell for the bottoms. Maybe a base layer bottom for sleeping and changing out the soft shell and hard shell combo. More comfortable in temps above zero and rain.
It's always a toss up on whether to take the soft shell or leave it behind, and just use the hard shell. Then the other question is to take or leave the mid layer behind when the insulation layer will usually do the job, especially in the mornings or evenings when its usually only required then. The difference can be up to 1kg or more in pack weight
When moving you dont need much as you generate enough heat so a base and soft/hard shell is enough. Well, I don't but I'm a tall big bloke, others people usually females or those skinny types without much body fat tend to feel the cold a lot more I've noticed. but hard shells dont breathe that well which is why soft shells come in handy in most conditions and things need to get bad to put on the hard shell.
I used to have synthetic insulation layers but i wont go back to them, they're simply not warm enough for mid winter/alpine trips but ok for shoulder season trips i guess. Not my thing anymore, a good mid layer fleece is just as good.
But i prefer a lightweight down for that usually in the cold shoulders and mid weight down for mid winter. The down must be treated though. Better quality down jackets can be fully waterproofed.
Thanks for the detailed info - some really insightful stuff! I'm heading out on a 9 day trip soon and reckon I'll take 5 layers.
@@mowsertas Hope it's somewhere cold!
I was thinking about my clothing choices for Tassie in the colder seasons.
Yeah, I'd probably skip the soft shell top layer, it's just too moist for it and arguably the soft shell bottoms for the cold shoulders, and stick with a 3 layer goretex shell or lightweight single lauer mountain pants for the dry days, but I'd take soft shell pants for mid winter Tassie though, paired up with hard shells. So for Tassie, I reckon you're right, 4 layers but pretty dubious about the synthetic insulation lol. But I do understand where you're coming from with that choice
I've always found a mid layer too warm (on the mainland) unless day temps are below -5 or -7 or wind chill necessitates it's use, but most good days are well above that so it usually doesn't get much wear, but I tend to bring it anyway and prefer base+soft shell on most days when moving and adding insulation when stopped.
In summer/warm shoulders it's either the soft shell or mid layer fleece but not both (depending on conditions expected), with a t-shirt and spare long sleeve base layer spare.
Great video! Small comment though - you calculated the weight in Oz of the torrentshell pants incorrectly. 335g is 11.8 oz, not 1.8oz.
Thanks for watching! Thanks for picking that up - can't believe no one else has but you are correct!
what if the base layer+ pants combo is too warm. but only pants is too cold? I usually find when walking outside for a few hours that the skin on my thighs get all red from the cold. sorta hurts too. but no way i am wearing a base layer under i would melt away lol
I am similar and tent to just wear waterproof overpants in those conditions. Sometimes I only have my underwear on under the overpants to avoid getting to warm. The overpants offer a good level of wind chill protection and I find I get just the right level of warmth with them on.
Must be a launny thing wearing 4 layers lol I'm down south and I only wear 3, I use icebreaker tshirt and icebreaker hoody and my Patagonia torrent shell for the rain, if it's a normal hot and cold day like we get with 4 seasons in one day I'll put my thermal on and tshirt over it and hike, if it's windy and rainy I'll just have merino tshirt with hoody and my rain jacket on,
Now you didn't show any shorts but you talked about them? What shorts do you recommend for hiking ? I have Mont trousers with zip off shorts and I did have some cheap cape waterproof pants but ripped them on Frenchmans cap walk, might have to get Patagonia waterproof.pants they look alright
Yep, I find most people I know prefer 3 layers but I must be cold! I wore Patagonia Baggies shorts for years, absolutely love them but more recently I have been using Silverlight shorts. Not really sold on those now and have been going between the baggies and the Patagonia Multi trail shorts (which I normally use for trail running) which are a bit lighter. I think I prefer the multi trails the most.
Great explaination video.
Now if you were to wear extact layers you have talked about, is your outter shell jacket a size larger?
I am able to fit into my normal size shell (large) with all the layers on. A little bulkier but it works.
@@mowsertasI figure one would size up with the very outter layer.
You say never to wear cotton, which makes sense but does that apply to boxershorts aswell? Or can boxershorts be from cotton as long as the layers aren't?
I generally wouldn't wear any cotton as if you are on a wet trip and it gets wet it will generally stay wet. I use synthetic/wool underwear on the trail. But if you're just taking boxer shorts to sleep in thats probably ok!
@@mowsertas Thanks for the reply! I got another question, I'm looking for a pair of hiking pants currently. I'd like to buy it for below $100 that's proper wind resistant and warm enough. So far I've found Columbia silver ridge convertible pants, but I'm not sure wether it's warm enough since it's so thin. What are your opinions about this and do you have any recommendations otherwise?
I have put a link of your youtube to my facebook page. What a great tips and thank you for sharing your stories. Keep a good work 👍👍👍
Thanks! Appreciate the support!
How does the Arc’teryx nuclei synthetic compare with a down jacket like the ghost whisperer heat wise? I would like to get a synthetic but not sure how it compares it my down jacket
It’s been nearly 10 years since I had a ghost whisperer but I think those two would be fairly comparable. I do now love my Arc’Teryx Atom AR hoody for warmth maybe a little more than the nuclei and took it on a recent 9 day trip and it was awesome!
Sponsored by Patagonia and arcteryx
I certainly wish that were the case! I definitely do love Patagonia gear!
@@mowsertas sorry i didn't mean to be troll! keep up the good work!
@@MRKsound24 no, totally understand what you’re saying! All good. Thanks for watching!
@@mowsertas if you find a brand you like you might as well stick to it!
Enjoying the content and tips Mowser. Getting wet and cold in Tassie is not pleasant 🙋.
😂 it is not pleasant at all! Glad you’re enjoying 🙏
just found you channel - great stuff. Love your comments on the Patagonia R Hoody. I have an early version 2009/2010 - which is still my main go to as a mid layer - it just works so well. I have no idea how newer versions compare - fair dues if they have managed to improve it. My usage also similar to yours - pull it on over early moring at the start of the hike and off again when warmed up, slim fit works great under waterproofs in crap weather, and balaclava style hood just provides a bit of extra protection when its really miserable. Hard to beat
It really is a great hoody. Currently testing some others but I think it is still the best pick.
Do you ever wear a tshirt over the thermals or doesnt it make much of a diff? Or do you just take either a tshirt or thermals for base?
I tend to either wear just a woollen t-shirt or a thermal. Although on an upcoming trip I am wearing a mesh singlet baselayer and a wool shirt on top. Stay tuned for a review!
How does this channel have only 700 something subscribers and so few views?? This is so baffling. I’ve watched 4 of your videos and they are all great and super informative. Subbed!
Good question! And a work in progress! Only been working hard at this for this year.
Thanks for watching 👍
Yeah, I'd agree, similar channels have tens of thousands. This one is well produced too. Probably needs to put on a bra and show off some cleavage to get more eyeballs lol
I'd agree, similar channels have 10s of thousands of subs, and the channel is well produced. I reckon he needs to put on a sports bra and show some cleavage to hit the big time lol
Thanks for the run down Mowser…👍
No problem!