Clothing advice for a newbie?

[BrightEyes16]

Hello! I'm looking for some help on buying some new clothes. I'm hopefully going to go to a few shops too to try stuff on.

I have a bunch of clothes I've gathered from/during a long trip, but I hadn't got into hiking or camping back then. I've been on a several short camping and hiking trips since but I often feel cold, so I put on more layers, then end up feeling sweaty/over hot. I figured maybe if I upgrade my clothing a bit it might be easier to get away with less layers and therefore easier for sweat to escape, and be warmer/more suitable than what I have.

For the foreseeable future I'll be sticking to May to October ish excursions. I tend to hike around some, but for now I mostly enjoy hiking to a nice place to camp and staying put for a few nights. I value flexibility and options to regulate temperature.

I'm looking to ideally spend no more than £300. Some of that will need to be budget, some of that I'm happy to spend more on, especially the priority items. Here are my thoughts on current stuff:

Socks: Two pairs smartwool merino blend socks
Boxers: One pair exofficio boxers, two pair
underarmour; all some kind of anti odour tech polyester I think.
-I'm mostly happy with the underwear.

Pants: One pair Craghopper Cargo pants. Think more suited for summer, as quite thin and airey with UV protection etc. They were decent in 30C temps.
-I think quite high priority to get another pair, as my only others are jeans and cotton. Something for autumn and spring.

Baselayers:
°One top and bottom set of Uniqlo heattech thermals. Think they're a polyester blend. They're super thin and lightweight but add a fair bit of warmth. They work well in moderately cold weather.
°Couple of cheap polyester long sleeve tops. Got them in a sale recently and haven't used them yet.
°Airism T shirt from uniqlo. Not even sure if this works as a baselayer, but it's so light and breezy for when it's scorching.
-Lower priority but I think I could perhaps do with some warmer baselayers for the colder times in spring and autumn, maybe a merino set or just bottoms, especially for when I've set up camp. I'd use the heattech stuff I have for mild weather and for sleeping at night when needed.

Midlayers: Uniqlo UL down jacket
-I really like the down jacket and like to always have it in my pack, but it can get stuffy to walk in so I mostly use it at camp or in the night if needed. I don't think I have anything else that works well as a midlayer so I'm definitely thinking of getting something here. So far I've been using multiple jumpers and baselayers. One of the jumpers is merino but it's quite thin, just a standard jumper.

Outerlayer: Expensive Ski jacket handed down. It's the only thing I have that I consider windproof really. I even take it with me in summer as I don't really have anything else warm enough. But it's a bit heavy for that. It's also not as warm as I first thought. In 5C when walking the other day I was had it over the merino jumper, polyester baselayer and also a random hoody and I was shivering.

Perhaps something that doubles as a warm windproof outerlayer and midlayer would suit me? If that exists.. Could combine it with other stuff I have.

Waterproofs: Some fairly cheap (£20 each, top and bottom) waterproofs.
-They've done me okay so far but they really aren't ideal. Never tested in long lasting heavy rain. Bit stuffy.

Hat, gloves, buff, etc I'm fine for.

I'm male, 5 foot 7ish and quite skinny if those things are relevant. Recommendations on good specific options and general advice on clothing appreciated. But any advice at all appreciated tbh, you can disagree with my priorities as I'm pretty new to this. Even a link to a solid webpage explaining how to choose your layers would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[TheRealLurlock]

If you're going for a few nights, then consider replacing the ski jacket. I'm not a skier myself, but all the ski jackets I've encountered tend to be thick and heavy. You'll have more flexibility if you take a water-resistent/waterproof outer layer with no insulation, inside which you can wear your down jacket as an insulating layer if it's cold. If it's wet but you're going to start sweating profusely, you can just wear the base and outer layers. Even synthetic/merino clothing can only do so much if your back turns into a jungle waterfall like mine does, and if the ski jacket gets wet with sweat, sooner or later the sweat is going to cool and you'll end up colder than you would have been if you'd worn fewer layers whilst on the move. The combination of the two will probably weigh a lot less as well.

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

I'm not a backpacker any more (used to long ago - prefer a roof over my head now) but I agree with the advice about using something else rather than the ski jacket as an outer layer. Ski clothing is (in my limited experience) designed for cold, dry conditions, and tends to be too heavy and bulky for walking.

Ideally I suggest looking for something windproof, waterproof and breathable, that would also replace your waterproof top.

I would look at online sales - eg a twenty-second look on Google found this https://www.e-outdoor.co.uk/p/mountain_equipment_mens_garwhal_gore-tex_jacket/?currency=GBP&country=GBR&SelectedBundle=193764&SelectedItem=820262&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0PWRBhDKARIsAPKHFGjCqsUiBEgX9MSFQkfgDDzFsHdM-TmyJ-QQvSgk_mj7jBwUB4UO54oaAgC0EALw_wcB

If you get something big enough to wear the down jacket underneath it, then you can use that combination in colder conditions or when sitting around camp.

The other thing I would suggest is trying to keep pack weight down. Don't take two pieces of clothing if they do more or less the same thing.

Good luck!

Tim

[jmarkb]

Some good advice above. I think I would prioritise a warmer mid-layer (so you can ditch the ski jacket and keep the down jacket for stops) and a decent waterproof jacket that can double as a windproof without being too sweaty. Then maybe also the heavier weight trousers.

[Giant Stoneater]

In the warmer months such as you are stating i normally have merino wool baselayer, Montane mid layer, Montane pertex jacket which is lightweight and shower proof, plus it cuts out the wind, i have a thin merino wool mid layer if i need another layer to keep the chill out and i have my waterproof jacket, this normally does me for high camps.
Most of the time the waterproof jacket stays in my rucksac unless its raining.

[cruachan06]

I've got a 3 in 1 jacket (cheapie one from Regatta but there are lots of options) which is a fleece inner layer and a relatively light but weather proof outer layer, which can be worn individually or together (the fleece zips in to the outer if required). Not overly bulky, has the 3 different ways it can be worn and doesn't take up huge amounts of space in the pack either. Haven't worn it in proper winter conditions but been fine on walks and hills with either a wicking t-shirt or a merino base layer.

[AyrshireAlps]

Uniqlo is a fashion brand, and I find merino expensive and sweaty.

Go to Decathlon.

[Mal Grey]

Agree, ditch the ski jacket. Too heavy, and you already have a good warm down jacket.

The bit you are missing is the mid-layer; this could be a simple cheap fleece, or possibly a softshell. Fleece is cheap (Decathlon a good shout), and will be warmer than your thin Merino jumper. I like the "grid pattern" fleeces, as they trap warm air well, for less weight. However they are NOT windproof, so the next layer is important.
A softshell is basically a windproof mid-layer, but nothing like as thick and heavy as ski wear. Personally, the more breathable the better for this layer.

I would definitely look at investing more than £20 in the waterproof layer. Ultimately, this is what protects you. Again, Decathlon is a good value place for these. Get something with decent breathability, for £20 you'll be buying things that just turn you into a steaming greenhouse.

You already have decent enough sounding base layers on your list.

I'd basically invest in good breathable waterproofs and that mid-layer. You can easily do this within budget.

[davekeiller]

I think I'd be investing in a couple of fleeces - a thin 100gsm micro fleece and a thicker 200gsm fleece as midlayers.
Also replace the waterproofs. Needs to be breathable otherwise you'll get as wet from sweat as you would from rain.
Ditch the ski jacket. Down jacket probably not required May-October, eventually replace it with a belay jacket or gilet.

[Fairweather Softie]

Most of it has already been said above. I wear craghopper pro something or other trousers and love them. When I sweat they dry quickly. I walk very hot and sweat like a monster. So my go to when I stop is a fleece and I've got a hardshell in my bag to stop the wind if sitting for any length of time. In my opinion if you walk hot nothing really stops you sweating, expensive or cheap.

When your moving wear light clothing, when you stop take off wet baselayer and put something dry on.

Sometimes nothing works! A couple of years ago I camped and ended up with all my clothes on from my bag in my sleeping bag as I was freezing.

[Booga]

Echoing what others have said, I'd lose the ski jacket and £20 waterproofs and look for some half decent hardshell waterproof trousers and jacket that are made from a material that is both waterproof and breathable. You'll always have some sweat build up in your clothing system but we had cheap waterproofs given to us when I worked doing grounds maintenance and we called them "boil in the bag"! I don't know what kind of waterproof £20 gets you these days but if they are as basic and unbreathable as the ones I worked in then I'd consider replacing them.

Goretex and E-vent are 2 of the higher end well known brands of waterproof membrane and anything made out of these will perform well but there are other "own brand" materials that brands use too which are worth looking at too. Sales are a good time to check for bargains, you're about the same size as me and you sometimes find mens small sizes in sales when the medium and large have sold out. It doesn't matter if your gear is from last season, the rain will be the same.

Get a fleece to use as a mid layer or on it's own. Plenty of brands to choose from and no need to go top of the range. As you probably know clothes keep you warm by trapping warm air around your body so the thicker and "fluffier" the fleece the warmer it will be.

An uninsulated waterproof jacket and a fleece/other mid layer will be more versatile than a ski jacket. If trying them on in a shop, make sure you can get your outer layer on over your mid layer and can still move freely. 3-in-1 jackets as mentioned above can sometimes be a good way of getting an outer shell and mid layer in one purchase.

[Caberfeidh]

Never mind those pansy trousers! Stride manfully through the highlands in a kilt!

[Ewen1966]

Ticks and kilts - gulp

Decathlon have some surprisingly good gear if you go up their number classification. MH 500 stuff is very good. I alternate between Decathlon trousers and Rab torques nd haven't decide which is better. In winter the simond alpine jobs from decathlon are great.
Basically, either of those trousers, bawbags to stop the tackle banging, liner sock and thick sick if with boots, wicking t shirt from decathlon, regatta quarter zip fleece top, berghaus jacket and over trousers and a down jacket for when it gets chilly or evenings camping. A buff beanie or a buff neck tube on the heid and merino liner gloves or a pair of dachsteins (old skool).
I did experiment with a shirt as well but couldn't be bothered after a while. That system works best for me. In winter I can add layers. Main thing is keeping the wind off and the berghaus does that and it has pit zips. If I took the soft shell, I'd ditch the down jacket.
Oh and gaiters. I haven't had a tick bite in over 40 years so gaiters etc help.

[Katrixpo]

It's all about finding what works best for you and adapting as needed, right? I totally agree with prioritizing keeping the wind off and layering up for warmth when necessary. Gaiters are a smart addition too, especially for keeping ticks at bay.

[Alex W]

A big consideration if you're on a budget is where you buy from. There is a massive difference in prices which isn't reflected in quality. There's bargains to be had on the remaindered/ sales rack in outdoor gear shops like Tiso and Cotswold. You could try Sports Pursuit if you know your size - it's mail order and incredible value (Berghaus Deluge waterproof overtrousers for £29.99 for example). You need an introduction to SP, so PM me if you want to go down that path and need an intro.

You haven't mentioned boots. These would eat up a large chunk of your £300 so if you already have good boots which fit that will help.

Otherwise, I would agree with what's been said. Drop the ski jacket in favour of a decent hardshell outer and a fleece or soft shell mid layer. You already have the down jacket for the relaxed evening period when it can get cold. I wear Craghopper Cargo trousers and while I always promise myself that I'll get a pair of specialist mountain trousers, I never do and the Craghoppers serve me well in most conditions (although I do have a lined pair for winter).

I dropped wearing a shirt years ago and wear a baselayer plus something like a Rab Nexus midlayer and then a softshell jacket with a hard shell goretex outer shell for when it's wet. If it's winter I just swap the lighter baselayer for a Merino wool baselayer.

An important consideration if you're outdoors overnight is to have something dry to change into. It doesn't really matter what, but it should be light if you're carrying it. That gives your walking kit a chance to dry out and is the most important factor in keeping you warm at night. Damp stale sweat on your clothes will make you cold and miserable!

Walking doesn't have to be expensive, but boots and the outer shell should be the priority.