layering under a soft shell

[cyn]

Well, Divas, I finally did it!!!
The combination of a gift card for Christmas, and a sale at REI conspired to get me to buy the soft shell I've had my eye on - the Arcteryx Sidewinder.
I've been using a shell a lot this season and layering under it depending on the temps. I was wondering if the divas had any advice for me regarding what to layer under my new jacket - especially when it's very very cold.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

So---define very very cold in your opinion. Then I'll have a better idea. However, for starters, go double layer under the soft shell: polypro thin layer, microfleece t-neck. Really, insanely cold: add light vest? You do mean wearing the hard shell over the soft, correct? My experience - and I ski a COLD mountain - is that the soft just isn't enough windbreak to cut it with wind chills or ambient temps of 0-5. 25+ Ditch the hard shell. Again, wind is a big factor. They generally don't repel wind as well as a hard shell. In the spring, or generally March and beyond, that's soft shell season, anything goes

 

[Gloria]

The new softshells are more wind repellent. I've worn mine in plenty of wind now, didn't feel a thing. Should be fine.

 

[cyn]

Thanks for the advice!

I was not planning to put anything over the Arcteryx, but I wanted to know how much to put under it. The coldest days we ski are a few degrees below zero, but we only have a handful of those per season.

If it's pretty warm (20s - 30s) I wear a wicking layer, a silk top, and a turtleneck. When it gets colder, I wear the wicking and the silk, then a heavy duty technical insulating turtleneck that's almost like neoprene, then a vest. Do you think the "cold" combination would be enough under the new jacket on colder days?

 

[pinto]

Thanks for the advice!

I was not planning to put anything over the Arcteryx, but I wanted to know how much to put under it. The coldest days we ski are a few degrees below zero, but we only have a handful of those per season.

If it's pretty warm (20s - 30s) I wear a wicking layer, a silk top, and a turtleneck. When it gets colder, I wear the wicking and the silk, then a heavy duty technical insulating turtleneck that's almost like neoprene, then a vest. Do you think the "cold" combination would be enough under the new jacket on colder days?

Possibly ... a lot depends on your activity and your own "constitution." I have a Sidewinder (it's kind of a hybrid soft shell, right?), and it is a GREAT coat. It's this one (the yellow)?

I tend to run cold, though, and last year I added an insulated coat for when it's below 10 or 15 degrees. That wasn't because the Sidewinder was not warm enough with layers, but mainly because I was more comfortable with fewer layers. And because I kind of have a jacket fetish. But that's another story.

With my Sidewinder on a cold day, I'd be likely to wear some thin baselayers (maybe a silk cami and a zip neck polypro), a heavier fleece or a close-cut softshell, and a lightweight vest. That would keep me warm in almost anything. Wind is not a problem with that coat.

 

[cyn]

That yellow one looks really hot! Mine is a dark plum color - I think they call it "raisin", although it's more purple than brown.

When you say you wear a jacket under yours on very cold days, what kind of jacket are you talking about?

The vest really helps a lot. It keeps my core toasty, and it fits close to the body so it's not bulky.