Originally Posted by chipcom
First, your base layer needs to wick moisture away from your body. Polypro is good, merino or bellana wool is better, at least in colder weather. In fact wool for your mid layers is good too,
I coolmax as my base layer and it wasn't very good. Then I tried marino wool, and I found that wool is all right in warmer temps (like right around the freezing mark). And then I tried the polypro (very, very skeptically) and it worked for the colder temps. I will agree though that wool makes an excellent mid-layer.
Originally Posted by chipcom
A good wind resistant/water resistant shell that not only has breathable fabric, but also plenty of vents, is the key. The moisture wicked from your body needs an exhaust. The trouble with way too many of the wind/waterproof 'breathable' shells is that even if they have vents, way too much moisture condenses on the inside of the fabric or soaks into the fabric.
I found it interesting on my last century ... it was extremely foggy and frost was forming anywhere there was any moisture at all ... so it formed all over my gloves, on my balaclava and neck gaiter around my face, and all down the front of my jacket, where I was sweating. That jacket is definitely breathable!! I got my father to take a picture of me, so I hope it turns out!!
