Gear: Warm Wear
This is the Insulation Layer, or Second Layer. They go on top of your Base Layer items: by keeping a "shell" of still, or dead, air around your body, they help keep the warmth in (this is similar to how a sleeping bag works). Air is a poor conductor of heat: by keeping the shell of dead air around your body, you reduce heat loss to the environment.
A common material for this layer is fleece, a synthetic polyester fibre which doesn't absorb boatlaods of moisture and therefore dries relatively quickly. The weave is characteristically kind of fluffy, which helps retain pockets of insulating air.
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.
Beanie
A lot of heat is lost through the head and this keeps the heat in. Some beanies are acrylic-based, but again the polar fleece or polyester ones are the warmest.
Fleece Top
These come with and without sleeves. Polar fleece tops are similar to thermals in that they will keep you warm in pretty bad weather and they dry quickly—but are quite expensive. They are, however, worth the monetary expenditure and will serve you for years: they've become quite trendy-looking so you can wear them everywhere. (image c/o www.mont.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.
Soft Shell
Something of a hybrid rainjacket/fleece. The Soft Shell is a recent innovation, combining the warmth of a fleece top with additional water- and wind-resistance. Though the soft shell's water resistance is adequate for the light drizzle, it won't withstand a downpour—which is where the outer shell rainjackets come into play. (image c/o www.mont.com.au)
Fleece Pants
These are excellent for the colder trips and especially for winter, and for wearing around camp (they're generally too warm to walk in). Some come with reflective parts to improve your chances of being noticed. (image c/o www.mont.com.au)
Balaclava
Also known as a ski mask, these (usually fleece) items cover most of your face to keep warmth in, and to protect against the environment. Though you can roll them up into a beanie, they're usually not necessary for most Australian pursuits unless you get a really (really) cold head. (image c/o www.velotique.com)
Typical Items
- Beanie
- Fleece Top
Optional Variations
- Soft Shell
- Fleece Pants
- Balaclava
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
