Fleece or Thermal?

carmen · 06-13-2012, 09:44 AM

I am doing what a woman does best, shopping! I am wishing there was a nice in-between. I might be looking towards a nice mid-jacket that works for both, anyone know of a good layering brand to check out? I keep seeing deals for Patagonia but they are all for down jackets only.

Pathfinder1 · 06-13-2012, 02:06 PM

Hi...

I don't shop the big box/big price stores. I have a great (looking AND warm) Scandia Woods light fleece jacket from The Sportsman's Guide. It's one of my best pieces of clothing, and can be machine washed. (made in Mongolia, of all places!).

Barney · 06-13-2012, 02:24 PM

Marmot is nice but their gear is ridiculously expensive! I recently discovered a site - XGO, but that is more for men. Also Craighoppers are good. It all depends on the design you like. I'm more about functionality.

Gondor · 06-13-2012, 02:42 PM

I layer all the way. I'm striving to create a system where layers can be worn all at once, if needed. Some say that this would be a perfect system. But you need to spend a lot of time to match up a lot of differently designed apparel from a lot of manufacturers. I guess it can be done and I hope I will achieve it in the near future.

Newanderthal · 06-13-2012, 04:50 PM

Girlfriend has one of these. It's so lightweight you can't feel it, so compressible it will fit in my knee pocket, and so warm she ditched her insulated jacket

REI Revelcloud Jacket - Women's - Free Shipping at REI.com

Also, check Campsaver.com
awesome prices, great clearance sales, and lots of filters to get rid of the junk you don't want to browse through.

Pathfinder1 · 06-13-2012, 06:45 PM

Hi...

Forgot to mention that I also have a fleece-type (so closely knit that it's windproof) vest which I got from Duluth Trading Company, which is also machine washable. This is a great over or under garment, but is a bit heavier than "standard" fleece.

Lamebeaver · 06-13-2012, 11:11 PM

The answer is "yes"

I have a base layer of wicking synthetic underware, synthetic pants with zippered (convert into shorts) a lighter weight fleece shirt, fleece jacket, and windproof/waterproof shell.

Some of these can be found at Walmart, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Gander Mountain, etc. Campmor.com and Sierra Trading Post are also good sources. You don't need to pay a ton of money for this stuff.

Grandpa · 06-14-2012, 12:01 AM

I go with the moisture wicking base layer shirt with synthetic zip-off trousers. A light fleece for the second upper body layer and a light weight down shirt/jacket for the third upper body layer with my raincoat as the forth and final barrier layer. Zipping the pant legs back on is usually sufficient on my legs but if really cold I add my rain pants. This layering keeps me warm down to about 10 degrees, even in wet conditions. I also keep a knit watch cap for sleeping and will use it for extra cold/dry times as well. A pair of thinsulate gloves and lots of dry wool socks and I'm good for about anything that comes during the 3 seasons. I always carry a pair of socks for each day I plan to be out plus one extra pair. If I really think it might get cold, I sometimes add a full set of light weight moisture wicking full body underwear.

Johnny · 06-14-2012, 07:05 AM

Base layer for me is either wool or polyester underwear and t-shirt. Over that I wear long polyester paths and a range of jackets. Wool socks and fleece gloves are also a necessity.

Michael · 06-14-2012, 12:46 PM

I like removable layers. That way, if I get too warm, I can remove one at a time until I'm where I want to be. Then, if I'm too cold, I can start to add them. These options are a lot more useful than relying on one big jacket or such.

In practice, I don't tend to use long underwear. I just get too hot. Then I end up drenched in sweat. Which is awful. But I'm aware that I'm weirdly warm all the time, so they might be good for everyone else.