OUTDOOR RESEARCH UBERLAYER MT RAINIER SKIN
OUTDOOR RESEARCH UBERLAYER MT RAINIER PRO

My best solution so far for skinning in cool/damp conditions like 28 degree snowfall with intermittent wind is to wear a thin merino top with a Patagonia Houdini over that. Obviously, when it's warm and/or sunny with minimal wind, I switch to a short sleeve merino tee. VBs are especially convenient for skinning when it's very windy or precipitating. The Mountain Hardware jackets I listed are very comfortable next to skin, hold enough moisture to stop evaporative cooling losses, and breathe just enough to wear at 30F, though the user will still need to vent via the front zipper and hood to avoid overheating, especially at higher intensity activity. The semi-VB is something I hadn't heard of before Big/DIY/Old Steve posted about it here, and it really works well. For those interested, one of the better explanations I've read is here: įor me (and probably most people), a true VB is just too hot while skinning or climbing in temps higher than 0-10F, especially when worn with with a thin baselayer tee for comfort (true plastic just doesn't feel very nice against the skin). **I sometimes carry a lwt merino tee in the pack if it looks like the sun might come out and warm things up substantially.Ī VB or semi-VB isn't at all like a typical baselayer. *eBay has the Effusion Hoody in L & XL: hippingMethodStandard!21218!US!-1 ISBD's baselayer + windbreaker system seems like a very similar approach but in two layers rather than one. Don't knock it till you've tried both ways. I can't reiterate how much better and simpler this system is than baselayer + R1 + synthetic midlayer.

OUTDOOR RESEARCH UBERLAYER MT RAINIER SKIN

The semi-VB is worn next to skin (i.e., no merino layer**) and temp regulation is done via venting the front zipper and adding/removing the hood. I'm not sure what to recommend since I haven't personally tried the new stuff, but my guess is the Mountain Hardware Quasar Lite II would do pretty well but it may breathe too well to really act as a semi-VB. I bought both and he hit the nail on the head (IMO), but both are now discontinued*.

Old Steve (the VB guru - you can search for his many detailed posts on this topic) recommended the Mountain Hardware Effusion Hoody for 10F-40F and the Transition Hoody for lower temps. Here's some stuff I wrote in a recent thread. He turned me onto them 4-5 seasons ago, and I really like them for everything under about 30-35F, when I get too hot and have to put on a short-sleeve merino tee. The Norrona jacket I linked above is pretty awesome for anyone not using a VB under it.īig/DIY/Old Steve has written a bunch and more eloquently than me about semi-VBs but I'm too lazy to search for it. And durability of the face fabric is still a question. That only one I can find so far is the Dynafit Cho Oyo jacket, which is by accounts is a pretty Euro fit. durable, wind-resistant face fabric, preferably soft shell down with box-baffle construction (not sewn through) So I'd prefer something similar with more warmth for the weight at the expense of breathability. Since I'll be run a semi-VB under it, breathability doesn't matter much to me. But after getting it and trying it on, I'm realizing there's a large emphasis placed on breathability over warmth.

OUTDOOR RESEARCH UBERLAYER MT RAINIER PRO

I recently bought a Norrona powershield alpha pro () jacket because it has a freeride fit and durable face fabric with insulation. Basically, I'd like my layering system to be: semi-VB next to skin, an insulated, durable jacket (in pack, worn skiing down), and Montbell Mirage down puffy (in pack, for extended transitions/lunch/sitting around waiting for the snow to warm up in spring). I'd prefer to have an insulated jacket for the ski down instead of the midlayer + shell combo to save weight, volume, and time at transitions. I often get cold skiing down with just a shell over my semi-VB, so in the past I've brought a midlayer (Rab Xenon X) to wear over my semi-VB and under my shell. It works so much better than the other layering systems I've tried, but I'm finding less and less use for my shell in the backcountry (outside of the PNW). I've been running a semi-VB for touring (thanks Steve) for a few seasons now.

Outdoor research uberlayer mt rainier