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

Men’s/Women’s

Arc’teryx Rho Hoody

Men’s/Women’s

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

Men’s/Women’s

Rab Ascender Light Hoody

Men’s/Women’s

Heavier Midlayers:

Mountain Hardwear Kor Airshell

Men’s/Women’s

Arc’teryx Atom LT

Men’s/Women’s

Insulated Vests (optional):

Patagonia Nano Puff

Men’s/Women’s

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:

OR Ferrosi DuraPrint Hoodie

Men’s/Women’s

Rab Borealis Jacket

Men’s/Women’s

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 X 75D  Gore-Tex Hard-shell

Unisex

Arc’teryx Beta Jacket

Men’s/Women’s

Rab Latok Mountain Gore-Tex Pro Jacket

Men’s/Women’s

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:

Feathered Friends Khumbu

Unisex

Rab Positron Pro

Men’s/Women’s

Patagonia Fitz Roy

Men’s/Women’s

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 Classic

Men’s/Women’s 

Smartwool Intraknit

Men’s/Women’s

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

Men’s/Women’s

OR Cirque III

Men’s/Women’s

Warm Weather Softshells (Rainier June- August, Baker, Shuksan):

Kailas T9-X Cordura

Men’s/Women’s

OR Cirque III

Men’s/Women’s

Rab Torque

Men’s/Women’s

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 SD500 Gore-Tex  Hardshell Pants:

Men’s/Women’s

OR Headwall Gore-Tex

Men’s/Women’s

REI Rainier Full-Zip Rain Pants

Men’s/Women’s

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

Men’s/Women’s

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.