Published on: 23/06/25 11:26 PM by Oliver (Climb Torridon)
Ever shivered on a summit despite being “dressed for the mountains”? Or felt clammy and soaked from sweat, even on a clear day? What we wear in the mountains isn’t just about fashion; it’s about survival, comfort, and unlocking the joy of the challenge ahead. It can, however, be a complex and expensive minefield to navigate. This post will help you make sense of the basics.
Why Mountain Clothing Matters: Your Core Goals
The goal is simple: to keep you dry, warm, and protected so you can focus on the adventure, not the discomfort. Specifically, your mountain clothing system should:
Keep you dry from both sweat and external moisture like rain or snow.
Keep you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot.
Protect you from wind, hail, blown particles, as well as sun and UV radiation.
The Science of Staying Comfortable: How Your Clothes Work
There are two main elements to staying dry and regulating your temperature:
Staying Dry from Within: Wicking.
Your body sweats to cool down. Wicking garments are designed to move that moisture away from your skin, to the fabric’s outer surface where it can evaporate. This keeps you feeling dry and comfortable.
Staying Dry from Without: Breathable Waterproofs.
To protect you from rain and snow while still allowing sweat to escape, we use materials like Gore-Tex or Cutan. These breathable, waterproof membranes keep water out but let warm, moist air (sweat vapor) pass through. Without this breathability, you’d quickly become wet from your own perspiration.
To stay warm, clothing traps a layer of air that your body then heats. Both natural and man-made fibres do this. The more air an item can trap, the warmer it will be. Down, a natural, feather-like material, offers the highest insulation for its weight, but it’s very fragile when wet, losing almost all its warmth. Synthetic fibres, like fleeces, don’t provide quite the same warmth but retain significant insulation even when damp. Remember, insulation works best when uncompressed, so avoid stuffing insulated layers too tightly under other gear.
Protection from the elements also comes from good design. Look for jackets with well-designed hoods that stay put in wind, adjustable cuffs that cover wrists well, and hem drawcords to seal out drafts. A proper fit ensures no cold gaps, especially at your lower back. In summer, a high collar and long sleeves can prevent sunburn.
The Power of Layers: Building Your Mountain System
Since no single material can do everything, we combine different layers to get the properties we want. Think of your clothing as an onion – each layer serving a unique purpose, allowing you to peel them off or add them on as conditions change. These layers are generally grouped into a few key types:
Baselayers: Worn next to the skin, their job is to wick moisture away from your skin, keeping you dry and comfortable.
Mid / Insulation Layers: These add warmth while you’re on the go in cool or cold conditions. Sometimes called “active insulation.”
Shell Layers: Your outer defense. These protect you from wind, rain, and snow, stopping wind, rain, and snow from reaching your insulation, baselayers, and ultimately your skin.
“Belay” or “Stationary” Layers: Less known but absolutely critical for safety and comfort if you have to stop moving for any reasonable time (e.g., belaying, navigating, a long break). Without it, your core temperature can plummet surprisingly fast.
When you pack, think about where each item fits into this layering system and what its job will be. A single jacket might have different roles at different times of year or in different environments. For example, a thin synthetic jacket might be fine as your belay layer in summer (where the lowest temperature might be around 10°C), but could serve as a mid-layer in winter (when you might be moving at -5°C).
Some garments combine layers (e.g., a waterproof down jacket). While convenient, you often lose versatility, meaning they’re less adaptable to varied conditions. You’re likely to overheat and get sweaty if moving unless temperatures are very cold, making these garments typically suited for high altitudes or polar regions.
Putting This into Practice: Examples for the North West Highlands
Here are some practical examples of how to apply the layering system for different conditions:
Sunny Spring Day
Spring temperatures can swing from cold in the shade to warm in the sun, often with cool breezes.
Baselayer: Long-sleeve (for sun protection and wicking).
Mid-layer: Micro fleece for active warmth.
Outer Protection: Windproof ‘softshell’ for extra comfort on breezy days (sometimes combined with a fleece).
Backup: Lightweight waterproofs (jacket & trousers) in your bag for spring showers.
Stationary Layer: Thin synthetic jacket.
Legs: Quick-drying trekking trousers.
Warm and Wet Summer’s Day
Scottish summers can be great, but also very wet! These days are typically less wild than autumn storms, so lightweight clothing works well.
Baselayer: Long-sleeve, which works hard to wick moisture and prevent cool fabric from resting directly on your skin.
Outer Protection: Lightweight waterproof jacket.
Backup: Fleece and lightweight synthetic jacket stored in your bag to add warmth as you gain elevation.
Stationary Layer: The lightweight synthetic doubles for times when the rain stops.
Legs: Quick-drying lightweight trousers with lightweight waterproofs over the top.
Cool and Stormy Autumn Day
Autumn brings fantastic views but also the first storms. Strong winds and low temperatures with possible snow require a robust system.
Baselayer/Mid-layer: Micro fleece or a thicker baselayer.
Insulation: Two synthetic jackets – one lightweight and one a bit thicker – acting as your active mid-layer and stationary layer.
Outer Protection: Heavyweight waterproof jacket. This provides robust protection from wind, rain, and snow, keeping hoods from blowing off and offering more general protection.
Legs: Lightweight waterproofs over heavier trekking trousers.
Wild Winter’s Day
Winters can be magical yet wild, even colder than autumn and demanding truly reliable kit.
Layering System: The same system as in autumn functions well.
Legs: More robust waterproof salopettes and thermal leggings are often advisable, unless the forecast is excellent.
Stationary Layer: Ensure your “belay” layer is seriously warm and trustworthy.
Top Tips for Really Wet Days
Sometimes you can’t avoid a truly soaking day. Here are a couple of strategies:
Double up your waterproof shell layer. I often wear my summer-weight shell under my winter-weight shell. While this can make you overheat with two membrane layers if moving fast, it keeps you much drier, especially if moving slowly.
Plan a shorter, easier day. There’s less to go wrong and more comfort. There can be something genuinely enjoyable about battling the elements for a day before getting back to the warmth and relaxing in front of a fire!
Don’t forget your feet! In very wet conditions, ensure you have waterproof footwear and consider gaiters to prevent water from entering from the top.
Building Your Mountain Clothing Collection
“Need” is a strong word, but for year-round mountaineering, an ideal collection might look something like this:
A long-sleeve baselayer
A thin fleece (e.g. Active Fleece)
A thin synthetic jacket (e.g. 40-60g of Primaloft)
A softshell jacket
Lightweight waterproof jacket and trousers
Heavier waterproof jacket and salopettes
A thick synthetic jacket
Lightweight trekking trousers
Heavier trekking trousers
Of course, you can get away with a lot less as you gain experience and understand your personal needs. A great starting point would be a thin fleece, a heavyweight waterproof jacket, and a synthetic jacket. This combination will handle most situations, though you might sometimes feel a bit too warm while moving or a little cold when stationary.
(Curious about hats, gloves, and other accessories? We’re saving those essential items for another article!)
Choosing the Right Brands: Fit, Function, and Ethics
I’ve tried many different outdoor clothing brands over the years, and here are a few observations to help you choose:
Fit: Brands often have a general fit based on their region. Northern European brands tend to have longer arm and leg lengths, while alpine countries feature a more athletic fit. North American brands often have larger chest sizes, and Asian brands work well for smaller frames. Once you find a brand that fits you well, it’s often worth sticking with them – it’s an investment, and you only truly gauge the fit after a few uses.
Function: A company’s clothing is often tested close to where they’re based, leading to specializations. For instance, Scandinavian kit tends to be robust and deals well with cold and damp conditions. Italian and French brands might produce very lightweight but less robust kit for fast alpine ascents. If you’re choosing between brands, try one that closely matches where you intend to use the item most. For me, in the North West Highlands, Klattermusen (a Swedish brand) produces very waterproof and robust kit for our cooler climate, withstanding daily use.
Price: You can find both budget-friendly options (e.g., Decathlon’s own brands, Go Outdoors) and more expensive premium brands (e.g., Arcteryx, Fjallraven, Klattermusen). Budget brands might sacrifice a little on fit and function but offer significant savings. British brands like Rab and Mountain Equipment often sit in the middle, offering great value, especially for weekend users. Look for sales at the end of the “season,” as outdoor kit is often reduced just before new colour versions are released. (We’ll have an article on clothing for the budget shopper coming soon!) I personally value items that work exceptionally well and have practical features, so I’m happy to invest in gear I know I’ll get the most out of.
Durability: As a professional in the hills 200 days a year, I need clothing to last. Many items today are designed to be as light as possible, sometimes with durability as a secondary thought. Don’t be fooled by marketing hype – heavier almost always means more robust. Generally, I think of weight saving as taking fewer items, rather than lighter, less durable items.
Environmental Ethos: A lot of outdoor clothing is made from polyester or nylon (plastics). As outdoor users, it’s vital to use as much recycled material as possible to preserve the environment we love. This is a growing priority for many brands, so look for their specific details on sustainability. Also, seek out brands that use ethical, traceable down and offer repair services.
Alternative Systems: Paramo and Buffalo
Paramo and Buffalo are well-known alternative systems that combine the insulation/mid-layer with the waterproof shell layer. They work differently from membrane-based systems, using a unique fabric structure to encourage water to run off and actively “pump” moisture away from you. Many people trust and advocate for them, especially in winter. Their downside is that they can be a bit warm and bulky to carry, making them best suited for people who move at a steady rate all day. I would still always pack a chunky synthetic jacket to use with them when stationary.
Thank you for reading, Ollie
Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (WMCI) and Lead Guide @ Climb Torridon
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