Bushwalk Australia

But I'm posting because winter is just around the corner


http://www.ukhillwalking.com/articles/page.php?id=8164
Courtesy Andrews HCH group

Good read moondog. Thanks

my snow backpacking experience is limited but i'm wondering why the author uses a soft-shell and overpants combo - surely waterproof pants makes the soft-shell redundant.
i've always found soft-shell trousers perfect for Aust alps snow. if i take overtrousers i wouldn't dream of anything but a base layer under them. i couldn't think of anything more hot, sweaty, binding and uncomfortable than a soft-shell/waterproof pant combo.

you only want waterproof pants when you have to wear them when they are going to get saturated or the windchill is severe.
british weather is worse than aus weather.
softshell pants breathe a lot better and provide the amount of warmth they need on the move and are what they are more likely to be wearing most of the time,
the waterproof overpants are for the more extreme conditions and you're going to be wearing the softshell pants already when you throw the waterproof pants on

There have been more than a few times I have needed the full works in winter here, LJ's + polyester trackies + LW fleece shorts and full rain gear and still cold when working hard or the alternative of thermals + insulated ski pants plus Goretex overpants and ditto
Not what I would normally wear but if you need it you really really need it

hi moonman
in my experience water proof rain pants make me as wet inside as out!

Gullivers3 wrote:hi moonman
in my experience water proof rain pants make me as wet inside as out!

Sometimes this is true, but better warm and wet than cold and wet but I find the current generations of WPBs much better in this regard

the real function of wet weather gear is to keep out wind and cooler water from outside to keep hypothermia at bay. they won't let all the sweat out, in a lot of cases very little sweat gets out.