i have a problem with sweating and i usualy wear very light gear where i feel the chill the whole time hiking. i sweat in freezing temperatures. if im moving im sweating its how my body works ;( might b cuz i walk rly fast.. does anyone have any suggestions as what the best wicking material is for a base layer i dont care how warm it is i just dnt want to feel the wind on my wet clothes

Layering 201.
First consider bringing two base layers. Let's say lightweight and midweight. You could use them individually or together (when it gets really cold).
Secondly, down puffy is great to have. But a synthetic fleece is something that I find even more useful. There is a lot of wind resistent fleeces now and they will keep you warm and DRY on the move. Alternatively, regular fleece and lightweight soft shell hoodie is a good way to go in the mountains.

Lastly, hard shell is a must in the mountains.

P.S. You can adapt the same philosophy for bottom half of your body. Namely, two base layers, soft shell (or fleece) pants and rain pants should do the trick in most conditions.
P.P.S. Side zips on the rain pants are a must!

Nice video. My only difference is that I quit carrying the mid layer. I use a Base layer, lightweight Mont-Bel down insulation layer, Marmot light weight wind jacket, WP/breathable shell. I can always find some combination of these that works. On winter climbs I take a heavier down parka I put over me when I sleep and take to the summit on summit day. Everything is sized large enough to not squeeze down my insulation layer.

Nice but this needs some more detailed discussion about fabric options for each layer.

Good video!!
it was very helpful,
because i will be climbing Mt. Fuji in Japan the summer of 2011, but i need to go up in some other mountains begfore that because i haven't climbed anything over 10,000ft. before

As for the request for budget gear, following are some of my practices.
Terramar makes several weights for base layers that are affordable (Campmor).

I have the silk weight and the body sensor styles that can be worn together as well as the silk weight boxers. The silk weight is unbelievably warm for something that you could read through but also is comfortable inside buildings that are not overly warm. I also use a lightweight long sleeve sun shirt that just about everyone makes these days.

Montbell down jackets are great. I have one of the lightweight ones at less than 10 oz (packs to 12 oz beer can size). The exterior fabric is very lightweight and fragile so I put my lightweight synthetic sun shirt over it to provide protection. With the base layers and this jacket and shirt I have been comfortable in camp at below freezing temperatures. One of my hiking partners purchased an even lighter model (about 5 oz) and is really happy with it.

My Mountain Gear hard shell has pit zips for the trail (and southeast US camps) and is mostly used in wet or windy weather but adds at least another 20 degrees to the cold that is comfortable to handle.

For the legs, the Red Ledge rain pants are still the best and lightest (and least expensive) rain/wind pants.

Below is my packing list. Items to the left always go, the rest are as-needed which is very seldom. The numbers are the pack weight in oz.

Clothes
1.5 Brown jersey gloves
2 2 bandanas
4 underwear/pr
4.2 socks, light
6 SS life is good creamy T-shirt 10 Flip flops
5 Gloves, waterproof
4.3 Terramar top
4.2 Terramar bottom 2 2 bandanas
6.7 Terramar body sensor top 4 underwear/pr
5.2 Terramar body sensor bottom
1 base layer gloves (knit) 4.2 socks, light
10 blue LS sun shirt
15.8 rain jacket, red 9.5 SS t shirt
9.5 rain pants, Red Ledge 10.5 LS t shirt
4 Seattle Sombrero
2 Cabella's Gore-Tex hat
3 Columbia Boonie
4.5 Fleece hood
1.5 Ear band and Polypro balaclava
9.9 down jacket, Montbell w/ zip bag

"Polyester is polyester."
Maybe, until you treat the threads and weave them into a specialty fabric such as Capilene, then it becomes an entirely different beast! And wool is an even more complicated fiber.
Do a side by side test with a $6.00 WalMart polyester shirt and a $100.00 Patagonia wool baselayer shirt.....you will feel the $94.00 difference immediately!

The way I sweat turns the base layer (a simple T-Shirt most of the time) into a drenched, dripping wet piece of fabric. "Working up a big sweat" is just part of being outdoors for me... In cool weather I carry an additional base layer that I slip into as soon as I get to camp to avoid getting chilled. Usually rinse (if enough water is available) and hang to dry the day's base layer, which is practically dry by the time I am ready to go to bed.

thanks for the video... easy and informative.. great for a beginner like me!

Hey there, to answer the various questions posed below, from bottom to top:

Gerry: 1) yup, agreed. Often it's just a shell on top of a base layer; 2) our upcoming Apparel Guide will have a bargain theme, so stay tuned for loads of reviews on well-priced clothing. By the way, if you have any favorites cheap garments, post them here and I'll check them out.

Bruce: thanks!

JeffH: Kleinde Sheddig, Switzerland

Chris: thanks, we'll take that under advisement!

Charlie: it depends. I wore the same wool base layer for a week straight on that Switzerland hike. It was superlight and comfy, didn't get stinlky and worked perfectly.It all depends on your preference, but I like to pack light and just wear the same shirt for about a week.

Chris: the video is mislabeled. It's about general layering, not winter layering. Thanks for pointing this out; we're changing the label.

Sparky: exactly! Another commen mistake--starting off the hike in the morning wearing too many clothes. Right before you start hiking, strip down--you'll only be cold for a few minutes!

Someone requested info on gear that wasn't high end. My favorite layering item for winter is a 550 down vest which I bought from Cabelas for $16.00--yeah, you are reading it right." I've also got a North Face Nuptse Vest--guess which one I prefer? The windbreak I use mostly is a windbreaker that I purchased--again from Cabelas for $20.00. As far as a light baselayer, you can use any form of poly, and most of mine is from Walmart which I use for cross country skiing. Polyester is polyester. I usually pay about $6.00 for the short sleeves. And $11 for the long sleeves. It's not Capilene or Merino, but you know once I have it on, I can't tell any difference. Add a fleece pull over or jacket, and that is really all you need when you are on the move. My most favorite all time hard shell is a German military Goretex Flectarn that I paid $18.00 for. It's bomb proof and totally waterproof. I also bought the pants and they are better than what I have seen for 10 times the price. For hiking boots, buy yourself a pair of military combat boots--usually for $69.00 They will do as much as those costing three to four times as much. The best fleece I've purchased is my Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man, but beware, even the XXL are tight and I'm not fat. But in truth your standard $20 jacket is about 80%--maybe even 90% as good for 1/6 the list price. I bought my Monkey Man on sale for $90. I like nice gear, and I certainly don't feel undergeared. I have a very nice set of Meindl hiking boots, but I usually use my combat boots more. And they cost 1/4th as much and are three times as old.

chrstrgn@charter.net if you wanted to reply on my earlier message thanks

If you're sweating too much in the cold weather, you might just be wearing too many layers. I have a habit of getting lazy and not removing layers when it gets too warm. That's when I get too sweaty. :)

The title reads, "Winter Camping & Hiking." However, I see no snow! What temperature range is Kristen referring to?

great instruction, how ofton do you change out first base layer

Where is the trail chef video we need more I love these clips I make every meal she makes . just bought a MSR Dragonfly stove so I could make these meals in the snow, and I love this stove my isobutane stove wont work in the snow as well could be a good video maybe gear chick and trail chef could make one togather showing this example how white gas is better in the cold and the snow than butane at least this is my take on it thanks Chris Turgeon suscriber and Backpacker.

Well it's possible to sweat faster than your stuff can wick! You don't want to sweat when it's cold.
Where was this filmed?

A nicely done basic explanation of layering.

I have 2 comments-1) Wind significantly affects core body warmth, so it's nice to think about hiking in just a base layer, but if any wind arises you'll be putting on a the hard shell a lot sooner. 2) Pricing out the layers used, they'll cost more than a business suit does! How about recommending something other than the most expensive gear for outdoors people in this economy!

"Never let yourself work up a big sweat" Well if all the advertisement that baselayers wick moisture and keep you dry then working up a big sweat should not be a problem. Blessings ~tondo