Gear: Base Layer
The Base Layer, or First Layer, is in direct contact with your skin. As such, it is often a receptacle for sweat, which is generated when you exercise: it's your body's way of trying to cool itself down. Of course, in most activities you'll repeatedly be exercising, then stopping to cool down while you rest.
This means your Base Layer is likely to accumulate sweat, stay moist and continue to cool you down: unless you have wicking fabrics chances are the damp fabric will cool you down too much, and your body will be required to generate heat to stay warm! Cotton is a fabric that stays wet and therefore it is wise to avoid it wherever possible.
Wicking fabrics are frequently synthetic in origin, such as polypropylene (colloquially known as polypro). They are designed to help take moisture from your skin, and shunt it away from you. You will find that they dry quickly as they do not retain as much moisture compared to other fabrics.
Typical Items
The items listed below are standard for most trips. You can print this page and use it as a checklist for your next trip, to make sure you have all the necessary items.
Thermal Top
The mainstay of keeping warm, the polypropylene thermals accompany you everywhere you go. They keep you warm by their unique ability to not absorb vast quantities of water and by trapping a layer of warm air close to the skin. Invariably they cost around $30 from most stores, but you can buy gold-class types—such as Icebreaker—for a much higher price. Long sleeves that you can roll up are useful for adjusting temperature, as are zips (but the latter is not so common). (image c/o www.paddypallin.com.au)
Thermal Bottom
They're like tights and made of the same material as the thermal top. The bottoms are especially good for skiing, in addition to keeping warm around camp. (image c/o www.paddypallin.com.au)
Optional Variations
Below are suggested items that you might want to take instead of, or in addition to, the Typical Items listed above. The Optional items are not mandatory and are often considered luxuries for most, if not all, activities. The Optional items are like upgraded Typical items.
Adventure socks
Woollen socks (such as the Explorer variety) are a good first choice. Some like to wear a thin pair inside a thick pair of socks, but that is only a personal preference. Other varieties of sock include synthetic ingredients to help moisture management. (image c/o www.backcountry.com)
Icebreaker
Made of 100% New Zealand Merino wool, the Icebreakers help regulate body temperature. Available in both tops and bottoms, they're lovely products but distressingly expensive. (image c/o us-parks.altrec.com)
Typical Items
- Thermal Top
- Thermal Bottom
Optional Variations
- Adventure Socks
- Icebreaker
Gear Stores
Typical Gear
- Base Layer
The layers you wear next to your body.
- Warm Wear
Really warm stuff to keep you...well, warm. This usually goes on top of the Base Layer, but beneath the Shell.
- Shellwear
The outer layers will protect you from the duo of death: wind and rain.
- Campground Arsenal
The stuff you'll need for overnight camping. On occasion you might draw from this list for a shorter trip, but your leader will specify.
- Miscellaneous
Extra items that you might want to take, that don't fit into the above categories.
Specific Gear
- Winter Kit
For when you go skiing or snow-camping.
- Rockclimbing
All the cool shiny stuff that you take climbing. Some of this is also used in Mountaineering.
Related Links
Bogong EquipmentA reliable and reputable vendor of outdoors equipment. They supply a variety of brands and stock equipment for bushwalkers, skiiers, climbers and mountaineers.
Mountain DesignsMountain Designs stocks their own label of equipment. A specialised outdoors vendor, they have a range of equipment suitable for bushwalkers, skiiers, climbers and mountaineers.
Snowgum Kathmandu Anaconda
