I thought it would be useful to let everyone know what clothes I’m planning to bring to Kilimanjaro. I’ll try to provide recommendations for others, with flexibility and use after Kilimanjaro as priorities.
I’m planning to approach my clothing as a modified three-layer system, with a base layer, a light insulating/protective layer, a heavier insulating layer, worn during rests, and an outer, purely protective layer (a “shell” or “hardshell”), which is worn in heavy rain or snow. In extremely cold conditions, people also use a “super insulating” layer - a massive amount of insulation on the very outside, but I don’t think we’ll need that here.
This is slightly different than the classic three-layer system, and tries to incorporate some of Mark Twight’s “layer-over-the-top” approach (famously explained in Extreme Alpinism).
The goal of the base layer is to wick moisture away from your skin and distribute it to the rest of your clothing (or air). This doesn’t necessarily make you warm, but keeps you “regulated,” so you’re at whatever the right temperature is (warm if it’s cool out, and cool if it’s warm out).
Patagonia Capilene 2 T-shirt. 4.5oz. $35
This is my basic hiking t-shirt. I have a bunch of these. Although they tend to get smelly, they wick better and dry faster than anything else. I’ll probably bring two (one for the way up, one for the way down) and I’ll be wearing them while we’re hiking during the day. Unfortunately, these aren’t offered in women’s specific sizes, but any light synthetic shirt will be fine.
Ex-Officio Boxer Briefs $25
Expensive as it is, this underwear is awesome. It’s fake, it’s super easy to clean and it’s comfy. I’ll be wearing these everyday. They sell women’s versions as well.
Icebreaker Skin/Bodyfit 200 Oasis Crewe $60
This merino wool top is very nice. The nice thing about wool is that it doesn’t smell. When it gets wet, it smells like wet wool. But at least it doesn’t smell like my B.O., which the fake stuff does. Also, it’s warm and wicks well. I plan to wear this in the evenings and while I sleep.
Patagonia Men’s Capilene 3 Zip-Neck/Women’s 8/6.5oz., $50
I actually recommend this mid-weight top over the Icebreaker top. It’s fairly technical and I’m a lot less likely to wear it off the mountain (I won’t), but it has a half-zipper for ventilation, it’ll dry a lot faster than wool and the one I have is in white, which is nice if it’s hot out (I don’t like the white Icebreakers).
Icebreaker Skin/Bodyfit 200 Leggings $55
Your legs usually don’t need as much insulation as your torso: the generate less heat, so they stay warmer. These are super warm. I can only wear them if it’s really cold out and I’m just sitting around. I’ll probably wear ‘em in my sleeping bag and maybe on the summit day.
I’ll wear this when I’m on the move in cold weather; it needs be highly breathable and protect me from the wind (and light rain or snow). While you’re moving, it’s best to be a little cool - cool muscles perform better than warm muscles, and exertion should keep me warm, especially up top.
Arc’teryx Men’s RHO AR Top Long Sleeve /Women’s 11.2oz. $125
An expedition-weight top can be worn while moving on very cold days, either as a heavy baselayer or a lightweight insulation layer. I do not plan to bring one: I have an Icebreaker pullover like these and I overheat almost immediately if I wear it. And because it doesn’t have a full zip, it’s sort of a pain to get on and off. A light full-zip fleece vest may also work here.
I also considered:
Patagonia Men’s R1 Flash Pullover /Women’s 11oz. $115
Backcountry Shift Softshell Jacket 19oz., $180
Arc’teryx Men’s Gamma MX /Women’s 18/16oz., $300
Arc’teryx Men’s Gamma SV 23 oz., $260
A softshell can be worn alone, or can be layered over the first layer for extra super-duper warmth. There are about a bazillion softshells out there. I don’t have one yet, but I think I may finally break down. You both already have awesome Arc’teryx softshells (listed here). I need to catch up, though I may go the value approach. Incidentally, you both got yours when they were still made in Canada; this last year they shifted manufacturing to China. We’ll see how quality goes.
Patagonia Houdini 3.7oz., $125
As an alternative to a heavier softshell, I may just bring a light windshirt, which offers great protection against the wind and light rain while being super breathable so I don’t get hot. Obviously it’s not as warm as the softshell, however.
I also considered:
Arc’teryx Squamish Windshell 5.2oz., $140
REI Mojave Zip-off Pants $60
The North Face Paramount Convertible Pants/Women’s $65
Both of these convert to shorts, which is nice. The REI Mojave pants are super heavy, have cotton in them and look like Boy Scout shorts. Given all this, I don’t know why I like them, but hey, I do. And I’m bringing them for the hike and the safari. The North Face pants are probably the smarter way to go, however. They weigh less, will dry faster and have a DWR coating. Kurt recommended Ex-Officio pants, which REI also carries. Any of these will be fine.
Arc’teryx Gamma SV Pants 18oz., $298
Cloudveil Men’s Switchback Pants 15oz., $170
Patagonia Men’s Guide Pants/Women’s 17.5/17oz. $145
Patagonia Men’s Super Guide Pants/Women’s 24/26oz., $165
Softshell pants are theoretically as versatile as softshell jackets. Kurt recommended the Switchback pants, and they do seem awesome (three ounces lighter than the Guides), but don’t come in women’s sizes. The Patagonia Guide Pants are pretty nice and they come in khaki (”Brown Llama”), which is classy. If they are too cool, you can upgrade to the Super Guide Pants, which should be really warm. Also, REI Mistral pants are supposed to be awesome, but I can’t find them anywhere. I’ll may not bring anything, since my lower half is usually plenty warm.
I don’t recommend fleece or pile pants, as they are relatively bulky and offer no rain or wind protection.
Ah, warmth! While the first layer of insulation can be worn while you’re moving, the second layer is usually just worn while you’re resting (just taking a break, on belay, in camp or even sleeping). It should be ultra-breathable and warm.
Measured by warmth-to-weight, down is the best insulating material out there. But it has a major drawback: if it gets wet, it takes a long time to dry, and if it gets soaked, it’s useless. Because of this, most down layers have a water-resistant coating.
Synthetic insulation is not quite as warm per fill weight, but is much more “stupid-ass-tired climber proof” — you don’t need to be careful with it. It doesn’t trap moisture and you can get away with a lightweight pertex/nylon shell on the synthetic parka, which will help dry your action layers out. Down will absorb this moisture over time, negating its advantages.
On lower angle climbs/general mountaineering, down on top is the better choice. On high-exertion/bad-weather climbs, synthetic insulation is better. For, bottoms synthetic insulation is always better just because it’ll inevitably get dragged in the snow, etc.
I expect to sleep in this layer. I’ve finally come around to sleeping in my clothes - not only does it allow you to take a lighter sleeping bag, but there’s nothing worse than having to get up in the cold and (i) not having anything on and (ii) putting on a cold jacket when you finally find it.
Finally, Kurt specified that they should be worn over the shell layer. This isn’t how the system I’m using works. Instead, the shell is only worn if it’s very rainy or snowy out. And if you have a down jacket, you aren’t going to want to put it on as your top layer when it’s raining, or over your wet shell layer. This is how the layer-over-the-top system works, but it requires a synthetic jacket that can take the moisture.
Marmot Men’s Ama Dablam Down Jacket /Women’s 21oz., $180
This layer will come on when it’s cold out and we aren’t moving - both when we stop for breaks up high, when we’re in camp, and when I’m sleeping. I would be surprised if I wore it more than the few nights we were near the summit (and obviously I’ll wear it on hiking and skiing trips afterward). A ski parka would probably be fine here, though there are a couple reasons I’m not planning to use one. First, resort ski clothing has a shell built in, so it isn’t very breathable as an insulation layer. Second, it’s a lot bulkier and heavier than a pure insulation layer (because of the shell, etc.), and I still have to carry a separate rain shell (I’m not going to put on my parka when it’s raining and 70F out).
The reasonably priced hooded Ama Dablam down jacket has a hood, is pretty light and can stuff into one of its pockets. It has a DWR (durable water resistant) coating, which should be fine for this trip.
I also considered: Patagonia Down Parka 25oz., $325
Patagonia makes awesome stuff, and their Down Parka is no exception. Nunatak Skaha Plus Down Jacket ~11.5oz, ~$425
Nunatak is a tiny company based in Seattle that custom-makes every piece of gear. The one I priced out has a full zip, pockets and a Quantum shell. They are supposed to be the best and at that price, I expect that it would also carry me when I get tired. Patagonia Das Parka 29oz., $265
The Das Parka has a synthetic insulation and is quite warm, but it’s heavier.
Patagonia Uni Micropuff Pant 14oz., $175
These aren’t needed and I’m not bringing them, but figured I should identify them regardless. I’ve sat on ski lifts in sub-zero temperatures in less than this and have been fine. Anyway, these are pretty sweet. They have full-length zips (making them much easier to deal with if you’re wearing a harness or crampons, neither of which we’ll be wearing), are fairly water-resistant, are pretty lightweight and are extremely warm.
I also considered:
Integral Designs Denali Pant 19oz., $200
Finally, the outer layer! This is everyone’s favorite layer. Fine, I made that up. Really, though, this layer is pretty simple: it’s a waterproof layer that goes over everything else. You need a jacket with a hood and pants.
Hardshells can be extraordinarily expensive (second only to expedition down jackets and suits) for the technical stuff designed to withstand extreme conditions and extreme abuse. With everything else we’re taking, I don’t think we’ll need anything more than basic rain gear — and I frankly don’t expect to use it outside of the rain forest, and even then, maybe.
Arc’teryx Men’s Alpha LT/Women’s 12.9/14.9oz., $500/$314.97 (on sale)
Patagonia Men’s Stretch Latitude/Women’s 21/19oz., $275
The Alpha LT is the best on the market, in my opinion. It’s the bomb-diggity: super light, super strong, all around awesome. The Patagonia is a great value (relatively), though I haven’t personally checked it out. I don’t think we need something of this caliber for the trip but I wanted to mention it here just in case.
Outdoor Research Men’s Celestial Jacket/Women’s 10.2/8.9oz. $250
The North Face Men’s Venture Jacket/Women’s 12.5/12oz., $100
I think an ultra-lightweight shell should be fine for this trip — it’s not going to be super cold and wet (it’ll be cold, and it’ll be wet, but probably not cold and wet) and we aren’t going to be climbing on rocks (which can tear lighter weight fabrics). There are many options out there, and while I think the OR Celestial is the best, I’m sure the TNF Venture would be just fine. The Celestial uses GoreTex PacLite while the Venture uses TNF’s proprietary HyVent fabric, which is a little heavier, a lot less breathable and perfectly waterproof. I don’t expect to wear this that much, so hopefully breathability won’t be a problem. While I haven’t used the Venture, I have another HyVent shell that I’ve used in very bad conditions. I’m bringing the Celestial; unless you’re going to use it all the time, I recommend the Venture.
Arc’teryx Alpha LT Pants/Women’s 16.8/15.7oz., $400
The North Face Men’s Sidezip Venture Pants/Women’s 13.5/12.8oz., $90
Same deal here. Like the Alpha LT jacket, the Arc’teryx pants are awesome. The new model uses Goretex Pro — the old model uses XCR, and is on super duper sale right now. I like the idea of having a heavy bottom layer for glissades, etc. But again, I think the Venture pants will be perfect for this trip.
Wide-brim Ventilated Hat/Baseball cap
I don’t have one of these picked out, but I’d like to find one that was fake and had some ventilation around my head. I have a lot of hair and my head gets hot.
Wool Hat $20
There are about fourteen million wool hats out there. I have a few of these.
Outdoor Research WS Gorilla Balaclava $45
OR seems to make the best accessory-type stuff, and this is no exception. It has multiple pieces that are attached with Velcro. Also sold at REI.
REI Dry One Polypro Liner Socks $5
I run warm, and my feet are no exception. These quickly wick water away and keep my feet relatively dry. I’ll bring two pairs: I’ll wear one while the other dries.
Smartwool Hiking Socks $17
These (or the thicker Smartwool Trekking Socks) are nice. I’ll wear both pairs of socks while I sleep for extra warmth.
Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters $20
I don’t think we’ll need more than these — we aren’t hiking through big snow or anything. I’ll double check with Kurt, though. I also have Outdoor Research Verglas Gaiters if needed.
REI Performance Liner Gloves $12
I’ve always found that I can wear less on my torso if I cover my hands and more importantly, my wrists. Although they’re called liners, I’ll frequently wear them alone on cool days, sometimes with just a t-shirt.
The North Face Montana Gloves 8oz., $55
I have a pair of REI shells, but I couldn’t find them on the website. I’ll confirm the specific model later. These should work fine — they’re HyVent like the other TNF stuff I’ve identified. Most GoreTex stuff is quite expensive anyway.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 25th, 2007 at 11:39 pm and is filed under Blog, Training & Fitness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can trackback from your own site.
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