recommended equipment for the
BODY
1st layer | Inner shirts
Light and breathable t-shirt for warm conditions made of merino-light wool (more durable) or synthetic fabric. White or lighter models are preferred to absorb less sunlight. Cotton is not recommended because it costs a lot to dry when wet.
Two long-sleeve shirts and two short sleeve shirts are recommended for replacement.
Short or long sleeved cotton shirt, for resting days only, not suitable on activity days. It provides greater comfort and well-being to the skin in permanent contact with synthetic clothing.
2nd layer | 2 jackets
We recommend bringing 2 of the following jackets to be prepared for all weather conditions.
- Polar jacket or similar
- Diver or synthetic shirt
- Soft-shell jacket
- Wind shell
Polar jacket or similar
Hooded topcoat (optional but recommended) that adapts to your shape so you can use the rest of the base layers. Hoods are optional but recommended.
The breathable mid-layer upper, made of a lightweight, breathable fleece-like fabric, is used to keep warm in cold conditions or over the lightweight base jersey in icy conditions. Polar Tec Power Stretch, Polar Tec PowerGrid, or Patagonia’s R1 can work very well. A snug contoured fit is always recommended.
Diver or synthetic shirt
A diver in fleece or thick synthetic shirt is not necessary if you have a fleece jacket, but you can bring it, so you don’t always wear the same jacket.
Soft-shell jacket
A soft-shell breathable jacket that is wind-and-weather resistant is a key to the mountaineering layering system. We recommend a hooded model. It should fit well over your mid-layer top and base layer tops. A breathable soft-shell jacket that is wind-resistant and constructed of woven or knit polyester & nylon.
Softshell allows you to avoid donning a hard-shell waterproof jacket until necessary- ensuring greater freedom of movement and keeping your body drier and more comfortable than inside a moisture-trapping hard shell. Softshell is preferred over fleece since they are less bulky, shed moisture and repel snow better, and have a more dynamic temperature comfort range.
Wind shell
A wind shell without insulation adds extra protection and weighs less than 8oz/230g. It is also useful as a 3rd layer use on approaches.
On the summit day or cold days, it may not be enough as a 3rd layer. Optional.
3rd layer | 2 jackets
The Parka is the most important garment of the third layer, it can be combined with any of the other two options, and must fulfill the 3 functions:
- Coat (feather)
- Waterproof
- Windbreaker (Gore-tex)
Coat (Feather Jacket)
A lightweight insulated jacket filled with down or synthetic insulation. An insulated down or synthetic jacket. A synthetic model mimics down’s insulative, air-trapping properties but is not susceptible to losing loft in damp conditions like goose down. Insulated synthetic jackets are crucial for summer mountaineering- especially in wet locations, as the synthetic insulation handles body moisture without any problem and dries quickly. Synthetic insulations are usually measured in grams of weight per square meter- this number helps indicate how warm a jacket will be.
For example, a 180g insulated synthetic jacket would be warm enough for climbing as high as 5000m/16405feet. Down jackets are lighter than expedition parkas but still offer significant insulation for cold conditions or moderate altitudes. They are usually worn during breaks, around camp, and when climbing in cold conditions. Knowing exactly how warm a down jacket can be challenging since factors like down quality, construction method, and fabric choices significantly impact a jacket’s warmth. We recommend contacting an expert resource when choosing a down jacket.
Estimated rental price: USD 105
Waterproof Jacket
A non-insulated, waterproof hard-shell jacket with a helmet-compatible hood. We recommend Gore-Tex Pro Shell or a similar eVent fabric since they offer more durability and weather protection. It must fit comfortably over your base layer, mid-layer, soft-shell, and lightweight insulated Layer. A hard-shell jacket made of Gore-Tex or similar material protects against rain, snow, and wind.
The hard-shell fabric must also be helmet-compatible, waterproof, and breathable. 3-layer jackets tend to be more waterproof in extended use in wetter or more adverse conditions. For mountain travel, hard-shell jackets must have a hood and be uninsulated because dual-purpose, insulated hard-shell jackets do not allow for modular layering. A hard-shell jacket should never be worn unless extreme wind or precipitation requires it- it is better to use more breathable layers (like a mid-layer or soft-shell jacket) when possible to avoid trapping sweat.
Estimated rental price: USD 74
Parka
An 8000m expedition parka is the warmest insulated jacket available, and it is suitable for use anywhere in icy conditions. Expedition parkas are down insulated since synthetic insulation would be too heavy and too bulky.
A more extended cut, an insulated hood, baffle box construction, and 800+ fill-power down are characteristics of the expedition-worthy parka. A down parka should fit over a shell or soft-shell jacket.