IMG Supervisor Porter McMichael putting on his Kailas mid-layer (Tomah Whitney)
When embarking on a mountaineering adventure, whether it’s Mt. Baker or one of the 7 summits, it is crucial to equip yourself with a well-designed layered clothing system to ensure comfort and warmth across various weather conditions. The diverse challenges faced while climbing mountains range from gusty winds and rain to heavy snowfall and scorching sun. This article aims to assist you in building your own layering system, whether you’re planning to conquer Mt. Rainier, Denali, or any other mountain. Remember, each layer should be compatible and adaptable for optimal warmth and versatility. Prioritize trying on different layers together during the planning phase and practice with your layering system before your climb.
Top Base layer:
For the base layer closest to your skin, a thin and lightweight sun hoody provides excellent protection against sun exposure and heat. It serves as an essential layer for most trips, except extremely cold ones. Consider the following options for your top base layer:
OR Echo Sun Hoody
Arc’teryx Cormac
Mid layers:
Mid layers play a vital role in your layering system, offering insulation and adaptability. We recommend incorporating 2 to 3 mid layers that can be worn together to accommodate various situations. An effective combination consists of a lighter mid layer, like a grid fleece that fits over the sun hoody, followed by a synthetic insulated jacket. This combination should be suitable for the majority of climbers on most trips. If you tend to feel colder or anticipate extremely cold conditions, adding a lightly insulated vest as a third mid layer can help keep your core warm. Below are some excellent options for both lighter and heavier mid layers:
Lighter Midlayers:
Patagonia R1
Rab Ascendor
Heavier Midlayers:
Kailas Mont Insulated Jacket:
Mountain Hardwear Kor Strata
Arc’Teryx Atom LT
Insulated Vests (optional):
Patagonia Nano Puff
Softshell Jacket:
A softshell jacket serves as a versatile layer, providing protection against wind and snow. It offers breathability, durability, and stretchiness. Depending on the temperature, you can wear the softshell jacket over your sun hoody or any of your mid layers. Consider the following options for a reliable softshell jacket:
Kailas Mont Softshell Jacket:
OR Ferrosi Jacket
Rab Borealis Jacket
Hard Shell Jacket:
Reserve your hard shell jacket for rainy or snowy conditions to keep yourself dry. Ideally, the hard shell jacket should be lightweight and packable since it is not frequently needed. Wearing a hard shell jacket unnecessarily can result in excessive sweating and discomfort. Note that your hard shell jacket does not need to accommodate your parka but should fit over all mid layers. Consider the following options for a suitable hard shell jacket:
Kailas Mont Hardshell:
Arc’teryx Beta Jacket
Rab Latok Jacket
Parka:
Your parka is a personal and mountain-specific gear choice. The required warmth level for your parka varies depending on the mountain. For Mt. Rainier, we recommend a down parka with at least 700 fill power and a total weight of 18 to 24 ounces. Alternatively, a synthetic insulation parka can be used, although it will be heavier. Consider the following parka options:
Kailas C1 Down Jacket:
OR Super Alpine Down
Rab Positron Pro
Patagonia Fitz Roy
Bottom Base Layer:
For your lower body base layer, opt for lightweight and packable options. In cold weather trips like Denali, Mt. Vinson, or Mt. Everest, we recommend 250 weight wool base layers. For most other trips, including Mt. Rainier, 150 weight wool base layers or similarly light synthetic base layers are sufficient. Consider the following options:
Smartwool 150 weight
Smartwool 250 Weight Intraknit
Softshell Pants:
Softshell pants are the true companions that will accompany you throughout your entire trip. They offer protection against the sun, heat, cold, snow, and wind. Look for softshell pants with zippered pockets for your phone and chapstick, as well as cuffs that accommodate mountaineering boots. If you’re heading to colder regions, aim for softshell pants weighing between 18 to 25 ounces. For milder conditions like Mt. Rainier from June to August, seek softshell pants in the 12 to 18 ounce range. Consider the following options:
Cold Weather Softshells (Denali, Everest, etc):
Mountain Hardwear Chockstone
OR Cirque
Warm Weather Softshells (Rainier June- August, Baker, Shuksan):
Kailas Mont Windstopper:
OR Cirque Lite
Rab Torque
Hard Shell Pants:
Hard shell pants shield you not only from rain but also from wind and cold. When temperatures drop during your climb, you can wear hard shell pants for added warmth to your legs. Full side zips are essential to easily put on and remove these pants while wearing crampons. Opt for lightweight hard shell pants made from materials like Gore-Tex or other waterproof fabrics. Consider the following options:
Kailas Mont Hardshell Pants:
OR Apollo Pants
REI Rainier Full-Zip Rain Pants
Socks:
Your feet can make or break a climb. Feet that are too warm may sweat and blister, while cold feet can be uncomfortable. Avoid excessively thick socks that may cause blisters. A mid-weight over-the-calf wool sock provides a good balance of warmth and thickness. Wool socks offer insulation while effectively wicking away sweat. Bringing three pairs of the same sock allows for rotation and ensures you always have a dry pair to wear. Consider the following option:
Darn Tough Mid-Weight Over-the-Calf Sock
Layering is paramount for successful mountain climbs. To ensure a functional and cohesive clothing system, try wearing all the layers together once you have selected them. All the layers, except for the hard shell jacket, should seamlessly fit together without much effort. The ability to wear all layers together is essential for optimal performance during your climb.