UKC

My mate is about 5'8" and 12 stone, not fat but very chunky legs etc. He tends to quickly get hot and sweaty ascending steep slopes on UK mountains between spring and autumn. We are currently moving on from classic scrambles to easy mountaineering routes. I can cope with baselayer/microfleece/paclite jacket in most conditions we go out in, with a thicker fleece on colder days. He is not big on fleeces due to getting too hot but sometimes you need to keep the wind off. Should he get a soft shell & wear over a baselayer? Neither of us have experience with this kind of gear.

In reply to Duncan Beard: Its all very personal and I may upset some but I walk hot during Spring thru Autumn and would advise he steers well clear of Paramo

Maybe he could consider a base layer (any good brands) a light polatec 100 series or similar mid layer (for the odd cooler moment) and a light shell such as a RAB Drillium pull-on if it gets windy or rains.

But your choice of manufacturer is really quite a suck it a see think as to what you will like or for more extreme summer weather in Scotland or higher ranges in the England/Wales.

In reply to Duncan Beard: I've got a lightweight softshell for sale that is great at keeping wind and rain away. It is the sort of thing that could be worn over a baselayer exactly as you describe.

Here's a link to my post, I can email phots if you want.

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=454066&v=1#x6343337

Nick

In reply to nickinscottishmountains:

The wind is going to be the only thing cooling him off! Maybe he should get more accustomed to less wind protection in exchange for being less sweaty and more familiar with layering systems? There's not going to be one system which will leave you entirely windproof, and sweat free at all levels of exertion.

In reply to zhwang:

At the risk of being repetitive I'd personally go for a base layer, very light hooded windproof, and then a synthetic gilet for rest stops/cold days and a light waterproof for rain. I get really hot when I'm moving too and that does me all year (with a heavier base layer and extra synthetic jacket in the winter).

In reply to Duncan Beard:

For summer i use a light baselayer, 100 weight microfleece and a very light pertex windproof top. Usually carry a waterproof too, just in case. This gives me plenty of flexibility with my layers for any conditions.

As others have said though it a personal thing. thats just what works for me.

In reply to Duncan Beard: I get very hot and sweaty easily as well. I walk in with only a lightweight base layer and then change into a nice dry base layer when starting the route. This works well for me. I keep a lightweight fleece for lunch stops or if its blowing a gail in my pack.

In reply to bigdelboy: oh and softshell will be hopeless if he gets hot and sweaty easily.

In reply to Duncan Beard:

get a marmot driclime:

http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=1130

team it with a decent base-layer (i prefer patagonia) and it can handles most british weather unless its really chucking it down. seemed really good for things like scrambles in wales where you need to keep moving but also keep the wind of.

In reply to Duncan Beard: I run very hot too, I'm the same height as your friend but much chunkier. For me I use a base layer, usually long sleeved and when the wind chill picks up I've got a really light helly softshell complete with pit venting holes and the usual waterproofs.

It took me a while to find a combo that works for me, I'd imagine he'd find the same.

In reply to Duncan Beard:


Get a simple Pertex or similar windshirt. Light (<100g), packs smaller than an apple, cheap.

Makes for very efficient layering, and much less sweaty than a waterproof.

If you can cope with fluorescent yellow, youy can get one for £10 in Aldi on Thursday...

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_18841.htm

At least it will allow you to try the idea without paying too much. Check that it's only a windproof, though, and that it's not PU coated. My recollection is that it is a pure windproof.

In reply to Duncan Beard: It has been stated but not clearly,

A softshell is not as breathable as a good fleece.

If you need to manage the perspiration as effectively as possible then good quality light synthetic base layer will work best for moving moisture,

a thin fleece for boosting insulation if required, this can be called microfleece or 100 weight, again better quality ones move moisture better

and as others have suggested a pertex windtop or similar, this can be used just over base layer or over more insulation if required, again more breathable than alot of other types of softshell and more versatile as it has no lining to add to the heat,

If you get too hot you are wearing too many clothes, if he gets too hot in fleece wear a thinner fleece or dont wear it, try using windshell if chilly instead of fleece to stop overheating

HTH

In reply to Duncan Beard:

I use a suitable base layer for the conditions, thin or medium and a Montane Featherlight smock to keep the wind off, works brilliantly for me.

In reply to Duncan Beard:
Yeah, I'm pretty much with everyone else on this. I run hot, and my default spring / autumn kit is a thin, long sleeved baselayer with a Montane Featherlite windproof, plus a synthetic insulated jacket for stops and a waterproof in case it chucks it down. For colder weather, add microfleece under the windproof.

Long sleeved baselayers are good because you can wear a waterproof or windproof over the top without feeling claggy.

In reply to Duncan Beard: Thanks for the advice so far, this baselayer/pertex windproof thing sounds good. Missed the Aldi deal but, he'd prob'ly go for that as he is a cyclist too.

In reply to Duncan Beard:


Have you checked your local Aldi? These things sometimes stick around a bit, as they're not the sort of thing Joe Public generally understands... However, many specialist interest websites will have people like me spotting upcoming things of interest, thus encouraging sales...

You may still be lucky...

I'm Mr Sweaty.

Thanks for all the replies.

I have decided to get a decent long sleeved base layer, a Sprayway Morph 100 fleece and a Sprayway Nyx waterproof.

In reply to Smiffy:

You'll get hot and sweaty in a waterproof - certainly more than you would in a windproof.

If you get a long-sleeved base layer with a fairly deep neck zip you can adjust ventilation pretty well in a range of conditions.

In reply to Duncan Beard:

lol. PMSL. Brilliant post.

In reply to Steve John B:


Indeed; that's why so many people here have suggested the windproof approach.

In reply to captain paranoia:

That's all well and good until it rains (it often does in the mountains) whereupon the wind proof fails to prevent you from getting wet

The very light waterproof shell such as a Bergaus Paclite or a RAB Drillium will at least keep you dry and keep the worst of an Spring/Autumn chill out as would a wind proof.

In reply to captain paranoia: Indeed But he said he was getting a waterproof so I was repeating what had already been said.

In reply to bluebealach: Horses for courses. If you're expecting heavy rain, take a waterproof. Otherwise take a windproof. Works for me

In reply to Steve John B: Hey, not saying your wrong or I'm right, but if I'm expecting 'heavy' rain as you describe, I'll take a Pro Shell, even in summer - but as you say, whatever works for you

In reply to bluebealach:


The windproofs that are being suggested weigh sub 100g, and pack smaller than an apple. So it's not 'either/or', it's both. Wear the windproof if it's windy, but not raining. Wear the waterproof if it's raining.

The point being that, if you find waterproofs sweaty (and most do), a simple windproof is a lot better.

In reply to Steve John B:


and I was trying to back you up...

In reply to Duncan Beard:
I'd avoid the pertex non stretchy soft shells. My experience of them is they don't reduce sweat build up by that much compared with event. However the stretchy soft shells are excelent (avoid membrane stuff like wind stopper and get one with as little lining as possible as layers are more versatile) . They keep you warm in cold conditions, cool in warmer conditions, keeps most the wind out, and will stand up reasonably to light rain. If you suspect it will rain properly during the day you'll still need to pack a waterproof.

In reply to captain paranoia:

I know! Don't get paranoid...

In reply to bluebealach:

Most times I avoid the hills when the weather is at its worst and try and pick the locally dryer destinations. All too commonly the rain I see is light rain. In these conditions I'd rather wear stretchy soft shell and get slightly wetter during the shower but have the net gain of being much drier most the time over wearing gortex. Right enough pertex is a bit more shower resistent but much less breathable.

I see stretchy soft-shell not as a replacement for hardshell but more as an extension and addition to normal insulation layers worn. They are no less breathable than fleece but coupled with a base layer not much heavier, but will provide a far more comfortable experience over a wider range of Temperatures, exercise and wind conditions. They do make hard-shells less necessary but don't replace them.

In reply to captain paranoia:

I wouldn't disagree but as I run very warm, especially when climbing, I don't need a wind proof so I take a light shell which in my case is the RAB Drillium.

As has been said and to which I fully concur, it's all down to personal preference and never a one size fits all....