I’ve been long in the process of transitioning to more (ultra)lightweight hiking. Backpack, sleeping bag, tent etc done. But I’m struggling with the clothes. Some context: been hiking for 20 years, sometimes longer cleancut trails, but often backcountry, less accessible areas. More often than not above the treeline in the mountains. For that reason I’ve always entrusted on heavier clothing. A staple was my fjallraven g1000 pants, wool underwear, a thick fleece and again a heavy hardshell. In addition always heavyweight wool underwear for around camp. Worked great, but as I get older I need to shed weight.

Now, been following this sub for a long time and already got some great info out of it. But I feel I’m in the transition. For instance: last trip my clothes were: - cheap merino shortsleeve tshirt from decathlon. Works well, dries fast. - montane protium lite hooded fleece as midlayer. -montane featherlight windjacket - decathlon raincut as rainjacket -montane terra pants. - devold heavyweight wool underwear for around camp decathlon lightweight down jacket - no rainpants to save weight

(I know, a lot of montane, but it’s cheap-ish ,easily available (Europe), and every item fits me perfect.)

Most of the hike this setup was good, albeit cold. Weather was between 0 and 8 degrees celcius, with strong winds on the ridges.

One day there was a snowstorm, I was just on the snowline so very heavy rain/sleet and strong cold winds non stop. Wore everything but the wool underwear and got incredibly cold despite a solid pace. Didn’t dare to put on the wool underwear because I always want something dry for when I put up the tent. Same with the down jacket. And with good reason because the protium fleece underneath the raincut was soaked (from sweat I assume)

I like the lightweight approach and will continue to use this setup for lower heights/summer hikes but I also need to take those extreme days in calculations. Lessons learned: - take some kind of rainpants? - replace the protium lite with a warmer midlayer. Would love to try out a MH airmesh or a alpha direct hoodie. - maybe replace the featherlite windjacket with something a bit more windresistant, perhaps the Patagonia Houdini? - replace the heavy camp underwear with something? -switch back to a heavier hardshell?

I could use advices or your setups for this kind of weather. I’m aware of the ultralightweight negatives. I just think I can change some clothing and ancient ideas in my head, and still stay warm in most of the conditions that I like. Thanks!