Current Kit for Winter 2015
- Thread starter ADz
- Start date
el manana
Thru Hiker
Have to agree with Mole about the Montane Minimus....nice and light and does a decent job but I'd only take it if its not forecast to rain, any dodgy weather and its got to be a decent hardshell or the like especially in winter.
AGG UL Flex Air Pillow.... "Light, compact and comfy".... kindly remove the 'and comfy' or I will have you under the Trade Descriptions Act...
AGG UL Flex Air Pillow.... "Light, compact and comfy".... kindly remove the 'and comfy' or I will have you under the Trade Descriptions Act...
ADz
Thru Hiker
BUT have you actually used the Montane Minimus? I have in the ****ing down rain and it worked perfectly, absolutely no complaints here. For me it has done exactly what it says on the tin
With regards to pillow, Sorry that description was originally for the exped air pillow. I was just laxy and never changed it. I've not actually tried my Flex pillow yet. ..Bad experience with it?
Gazelle
Ultralighter
You're carrying a "bombproof" shelter set up but your jacket isn't what most people would describe as "bombproof" for UK Winter - I think that is the point people are trying to make.
Why carry such a big, weather resistant shelter if the weather you'll be expecting can be handled by a 2.5 layer 15D waterproof?
Have you had the Minimus out in a hoolie? Low cloud, poor visibility, wind and rain from every direction gusting at high speeds etc?
I had mine out in those conditions in the Lakes in July and I wasn't comfortable.
Not having a go - just concerned. If you're comfortable and sure, go with it.
Why carry such a big, weather resistant shelter if the weather you'll be expecting can be handled by a 2.5 layer 15D waterproof?
Have you had the Minimus out in a hoolie? Low cloud, poor visibility, wind and rain from every direction gusting at high speeds etc?
I had mine out in those conditions in the Lakes in July and I wasn't comfortable.
Not having a go - just concerned. If you're comfortable and sure, go with it.
I've not used the Minimus jacket but I have a Halo which I'd say was a bit beefier but use it for 3 season max. It copes with ****ing rain (get that all year) but I wouldn't use it at higher levels in UK winter where blizzards & sub-zero temps were a possibility. Minimus looks alright for MM's, fell running etc or as an outer layer in dry cold but your kit list doesn't suggest those scenarios.
Evan Davies
Trail Blazer
I think it would make more sense to use the synthetic bag over the down bag from a moisture management point of view. The link on the HiTec Altitude send me to Inov8??
If you're looking for ways to lighten up....
Ditch the liner - you have dedicated clean sleep clothes and you won't need any extra warmth with two sleeping bags.
Fork and spoon? - pick one.
Never felt a need for an insulated food puch myself.
Three pairs of trousers??
Lose the silk balaclava and down hat - you have the buff, meco beanie and down hood on your rab jacket.
FAK is a tad heavy - mine wighs 33g
If you're looking for ways to lighten up....
Ditch the liner - you have dedicated clean sleep clothes and you won't need any extra warmth with two sleeping bags.
Fork and spoon? - pick one.
Never felt a need for an insulated food puch myself.
Three pairs of trousers??
Lose the silk balaclava and down hat - you have the buff, meco beanie and down hood on your rab jacket.
FAK is a tad heavy - mine wighs 33g
Quixoticgeek
Section Hiker
The links seem to go all over the place, I think the label has changed, but the link hasn't.
Onto some devils advocating
A liner also keeps your bag clean so it lasts longer. It's not just about temperature.
Light my fire spork, take both
Yeah, 3 seems excessive.
What is in your 33g first aid kit. I would guess it isn't upto treating anything beyond the odd cut and graze. A 33g first aid kit seems irresponsible to me.
Julia
If you're suited & booted in your scratcher a liner is a bit superflous. Save it for the summer when you're butt naked & sweaty. Proper care & cleaning of a bag shouldn't affect it's life in any meaningful way.
Sporks - if it can't be spooned it doesn't get taken!
FAK - mines 70g. But if I take out the little Opinel, repair kit (patches, cable ties, needle, thread), MOD wind/waterproof matches & water purification tablets, half a pack of Lucozade tablets & the Aloksak it's held in it's only 20g!
Sporks - if it can't be spooned it doesn't get taken!
FAK - mines 70g. But if I take out the little Opinel, repair kit (patches, cable ties, needle, thread), MOD wind/waterproof matches & water purification tablets, half a pack of Lucozade tablets & the Aloksak it's held in it's only 20g!
Quixoticgeek
Section Hiker
Quixoticgeek
Section Hiker
My Last Will & Testament.
If I need a field dressing I can use my cravat.
Each unto your own, we each have to weigh up the acceptable level of risk. a 20g first aid kit is IMHO, useless for anything other than the odd cut needing a plaster...
J
Quixoticgeek
Section Hiker
My FAK lives in my pack, and is also used when doing bushcrafty things, so it's there for any cut. It's also vac sealed in a weatherproof wrapper, so it has it's own packaging. I carry 2 dressings, (one in hip pocket, one in lid pocket), a pouch of plasters, and some meds.
Julia
Julia
Mole
Thru Hiker
anyhow, this is a big derail - there are at least 2 FAK threads where this sort of thing is discussed
ADZ
I still think your Minimus and other insulation is a mismatch with the rest of your gear.
I see you have heavier trousers listed now (Scuffers are good winter troos). and lots of other clothing/sleep gear.
IF going for a fllimsy Minimus Shell in consistent wet and cold, I would have more wearable wet/cold insulation - like a synthetic jacket of some sort - you appear to have 3 down items.
Really, in freezing rain, travelling in the hills with a thin waterproof like that, I'd only feel happy if wearing pile n pertex too. I know it works and will dry me out.
ADZ
I still think your Minimus and other insulation is a mismatch with the rest of your gear.
I see you have heavier trousers listed now (Scuffers are good winter troos). and lots of other clothing/sleep gear.
IF going for a fllimsy Minimus Shell in consistent wet and cold, I would have more wearable wet/cold insulation - like a synthetic jacket of some sort - you appear to have 3 down items.
Really, in freezing rain, travelling in the hills with a thin waterproof like that, I'd only feel happy if wearing pile n pertex too. I know it works and will dry me out.
Last edited:
edh
Thru Hiker
I've used light tops in hard wet conditions and not enjoyed it much...when too warm to wear much underneath they stick to your arms and so on, yuk: then cold ensues.
Prefer the stiffer Proshell I have, less clingy.
This said I seldom go out on backpacks if it looks like it will be foul.
Prefer the stiffer Proshell I have, less clingy.
This said I seldom go out on backpacks if it looks like it will be foul.
gixer
Thru Hiker
Had the Minimus top and ended up giving it away, was ok as far as keeping the rain out, but i sweated more than a pregnant water buffalo in a sauna.
Kept and still have the Minimus trousers, these are as bad though, so as soon as i've found a decent replacement these will go the same way as the jacket.
Not read all the posts, so if i've gotten mixed up i'm sorry.
But any down top under a Minimus top is going to be useless as it's going to wet out within an hour.
have to say that i was really really disapointed with the Montane Minimus stuff, read a couple of good reviews regarding it's breath-ability, and both the trousers and the top are pretty light weight.
In practice though i'm actually drier in my lite-speed top after 2 hours in the rain, than i am in the Minimus top, which is saying something as the lite-speed leaks like a sieve in hard rain.
Kept and still have the Minimus trousers, these are as bad though, so as soon as i've found a decent replacement these will go the same way as the jacket.
Not read all the posts, so if i've gotten mixed up i'm sorry.
But any down top under a Minimus top is going to be useless as it's going to wet out within an hour.
have to say that i was really really disapointed with the Montane Minimus stuff, read a couple of good reviews regarding it's breath-ability, and both the trousers and the top are pretty light weight.
In practice though i'm actually drier in my lite-speed top after 2 hours in the rain, than i am in the Minimus top, which is saying something as the lite-speed leaks like a sieve in hard rain.
el manana
Thru Hiker
BUT have you actually used the Montane Minimus? I have in the ****ing down rain and it worked perfectly, absolutely no complaints here. For me it has done exactly what it says on the tin
With regards to pillow, Sorry that description was originally for the exped air pillow. I was just laxy and never changed it. I've not actually tried my Flex pillow yet. ..Bad experience with it?
Yeah unfortunately,... last August when it was forecast for heavy rain and my Event jacket was returned on warranty. The walk back, 2-3 hours of rain. Everyone got soaked to some extent but my mates TNF goretex jackets etc faired much better. I do think it does a decent job compared to similar weight waterproofs in its class but I just don't think its a winter waterproof, more what Ross has suggested. If your happy in the rain with it then fair enough
.The flex air pillow is like resting your head on a balloon, works okay wrapped in clothes or maybe one of those fleece lined stuff sacks(?).….adds a bit of volume to stop neck creak, but you don't put your head on it and think 'oooh that's comfy...'...
Evan Davies
Trail Blazer
I would also take either a heavier midlayer or heavier waterproof, or both.
ADz
Thru Hiker
Thanks for all the opinions/advice. I've never really ventured out in Winter properley as far as I can remember so may re-think the jacket/layers. Any recommendations?
To answer question regarding why 3 trousers, The scuffers will be my main trousers, The montane Terra my spare pair and the terra packs (very light and compact) are to change into for on the way home. May just leave the spare pair out.
To answer question regarding why 3 trousers, The scuffers will be my main trousers, The montane Terra my spare pair and the terra packs (very light and compact) are to change into for on the way home. May just leave the spare pair out.
7wave
Trail Blazer
About the different temperature rating for each gender, i've heard that women, by nature, need to keep their "privates" a few degrees warmer than men, thus the different "design" hehe. That may come into play.
Setting that aside, since the heat inside the insulation layer is provided by the body, and women tend to have smaller bodies, it's logical that when talking about the same item, women will find it a tad colder.
Regarding the waterproof layer, i'd say it depends a lot on the energy you are displaying at that moment. Sometimes it's better to vent heat for a while rather than trapping it in and suffocating yourself while you try to make an effort. It's important to change setup and get dry and insulated as soon as you stop. Perhaps wet by sweat is worse than wet by water.
For a waterproof layer, I currently use a soloclimb cirrus top and military heavy duty pants if needed, happy with it. In UL terms, i find the kilt + gaiters interesting, but i haven't tried it yet.
Setting that aside, since the heat inside the insulation layer is provided by the body, and women tend to have smaller bodies, it's logical that when talking about the same item, women will find it a tad colder.
Regarding the waterproof layer, i'd say it depends a lot on the energy you are displaying at that moment. Sometimes it's better to vent heat for a while rather than trapping it in and suffocating yourself while you try to make an effort. It's important to change setup and get dry and insulated as soon as you stop. Perhaps wet by sweat is worse than wet by water.
For a waterproof layer, I currently use a soloclimb cirrus top and military heavy duty pants if needed, happy with it. In UL terms, i find the kilt + gaiters interesting, but i haven't tried it yet.
el manana
Thru Hiker
Something like this is a decent winter hardshell - Rab Latok - cant comment personally but my mate rates the Latok stuff.
It depends what you mean by Winter. I go out in Winter, sometimes camp in snow or mixed ground when the weather is decent, but I avoid bad weather (like full on winter conditions), my hard shell is a Montane Air Jacket (Event but still fairly lightweight but not a Minimus).
Active: i use a 240 base layer under a Montane Krypton and Terra XT's (so i only take Berghaus Paclites as well).
Insulation: if really cold Montane Antifreeze jacket and Prism pants for camp, might get away with thinner down or PL jacket if not too cold.
Sleeping: PD 600 i.e. a -10C bag.
It works for what i do - hope this helps