Advice on EBC clothing

[ChrisGreen]

Hi all,

Off to EBC in November and this site had been a godsend to me so far so thanks to all that have posted before!

I have read many threads on clothing and i think im probably on the right track with what im planning:

2 sets of merino tops and longjohns
1 set trekking pants, 1 set schoeller pants
down jacket
pertex jacket-I own this one at moment and was hoping it would dohttp://www.rab.uk.com/clothing/vapour-rise/vapour-rise_trail_jacket---91/
A microfleece

So my questions if someone could be so kind as to help me:

1 Does this seem right?

2 Is my Rab Pertex jacket okay-I have seen a few people rave about the Rab Photon, it seems quite similar.

3 I am a bit stumped as to which particular merino top and bottoms to get , and which weight.I really like the Icebreaker stuff but there are a few different options.I was thinking the bodyfit 260 was about right,but I find the choice a bit confusing!

Thanks,

Chris

[Lars]

Icebreaker stuff but there are a few different options.I was thinking the bodyfit 260 was about right,but I find the choice a bit confusing!

All I can say about this is that the 260 weight seems right to me. My first
Icebreaker was a 200 weight and that was not as warm as I had hoped it
would be.

Lars
Luang Prabang

[Escher]

I guess you've been looking at my list. When I said pertex top I meant one of these http://www.wildtrak.com/product.asp?id=206. They are extremely light and 100% windproof and can be stuffed in a pocket when you don't need it. Often it is quite warm when trekking so a t-shirt (I prefer long sleeved) is enough, with a windproof thrown over it when the temperature drops/sun goes in/wind gets up/you are stopped for lunch. The Rab has pertex vapour rise fabric which is different to what I am suggesting. I have a RAB VR jacket too and I wear it a lot (it's great for British hills) but the weather is generally better and warmer trekking in the Himalaya so it is too warm for a wear everyday garment (for me anyway). The photon jacket is warmer and lighter than the VR, it has the same ultralight pertex as above as its outer and lighter too. It's like a lightweight synthetic insulated jacket. It is different to what you have. However with your list I would:-

Buy a montane featherlight top as above (look around montane stuff is often sold at half price)
2 long sleeved tops (one heavy one light weight)
down jacket
2 trousers
2 long johns
Rab VR (as your warmer active top - does yours have a hood?)
Wouldn't bother with the microfleece. Does the same as the VR and if you are cold you can put on both long sleeved tops, RAB VR and down jacket and be fine

So:-

Hiking when warm: one tshirt, or tshirt and windproof
Hiking when cold: RAB VR on its own, or with one base layer when really cold
Lunch stops: tshirt & windproof, or tshirt and Rab VR and sometimes down jacket
Evenings not cold: whatever
cold evenings: two tops, two longs johns, rab VR and down jacket.

That will have you covered for every eventuality with the minimum amount of stuff.

[Petrus]

I would also take 2 short sleeve T-shirts, wicking sports type stuff.

Are normal undies taken for granted? Sometimes it is so warm shorts are almost needed, so long johns are most io the time a bad overkill, I would possibly manage with only one pair (in a pich you can wear 2 pairs of pants). Are your trekking pants really light, if not there is not much difference between shoellers and them?

[mtncanyon]

Hey. I liked the Icebreaker 260s. They were great during my trek from Mid Oct to Nov. One pair of icebreakers under a windproof outer pant worked fine for me up to Dzugla. Above will be colder.

[yakshaver]

Like Petrus, I only ever use longjohns as pyjama pants at night (icebreaker 150 or 200). Normal trekking pants have sufficed for me during the day, even for December/January treks. Same with the icepreaker long sleeve shirt, it is a glorified pyjama top for me. As nightwear they are fantastic.