Touring clothing/gear for a super sweaty guy

We like to get a workout out of our tours, we try and keep a pretty good pace, so I definitely sweat a lot too.

My personal setup is a polyester/spandex type base layer that provides insulation + moisture-wicking.
I put a softshell on top for wind protection + additional warmth. I go with one that's also very breathable (Salomon rs softshell jacket is nice).
And I might go with a very light buff on my head, mostly to keep my hair out of the way, but also for warmth if it's cold. Maybe a beany at the beginning of the tour if it's really really cold, but will definitely get rid of it by the end as I start warming up.

For my hands, I might start with my ski mittens on if it's a frigid day, but by half a mile I'll lose them and either switch for my light wool gloves or honestly nothing. I often tour without any gloves.

One the way up, that's pretty much it. I don't really sweat or get cold from the bottom, so I don't really put anything special underneath. Now that I am thinking about it, I could probably try some more breathable boxers, but that area has never really been a problem for me.

Then at the top, we break for a snack and water, take the skins off, etc. It takes about 5-10 minutes, by then I'm usually dry and so I take off the softshell and put on the hardshell, right on top of my base layer. I don't get cold easy, so on most days, that's enough for me. I always have a down jacket and a crewneck in my pack, so if it's a frigid day, I might add a crewneck underneath for the way down, or a down jacket on the way up. But tbh 97% of the tours, I don't need them.

That's pretty much my personal situation, but I'd say you need to experiment before finding your ideal gear. From what you've said, it sounds like you need a more breathable baselayer, warmer gloves and maybe a light buff you could have cover your nose. You need to tweak by adding/changing/removing layers until you find your perfect setup.

I often use a wool sweater and start with a shell over that. Typically, I'll end up touring mostly with the sleeves rolled up an no gloves, and when I get to the top, I'll throw on my down jacket over my shell, often taking it off before dropping. The pants I tour with don't have vents, but they flex a lot and I can usually get away with just rolling the cuff above the boot.

alright thanks good info so far. anyone recommendations for a good moisture wicking baselayer? I havent been able to find a polyester baselayer thin enough to not hold water. what im using now is a super thin merino baselayer, which is honestly as good as ive found because its so damn thin there's not much material to hold water. But i cant help but think theres gotta be some merino/something else mix meant more specifically for moisture wicking.

What im thinking is a super light as moisture wicking as possible baselayer, whatever that is. a very breathable mid layer, was looking at this? https://us.monsroyale.com/Approach-Tech-Mid-Hoody_4 itd be nice if my mid layer had at least some decent waterproofing, (or if its snowing just go for my base layer and shell over top?)
And a pretty burly shell, more aimed at warmth and/or fitting layers underneath. since getting soaked might be inevitable, I think just getting super well insulated and warm is gonna be important.

and for the colder days, some kind of really warm but still packable puffy. not sure what kind or insulating material..


As for gloves, its a similar deal, once i get sweaty, and start to head down and my body temp drops, my hands get ridiculously cold. they dont sweat much actually, but might still be nice to go up with a thick windproof liner to avoid getting my gloves wet, throw on some good warm mits for the way down. i've been just swapping between no gloves and thinner mits as my hands get warm/cold, but a liner more dedicated to the up seems good?

XtRemE11alright thanks good info so far. anyone recommendations for a good moisture wicking baselayer? I havent been able to find a polyester baselayer thin enough to not hold water. what im using now is a super thin merino baselayer, which is honestly as good as ive found because its so damn thin there's not much material to hold water. But i cant help but think theres gotta be some merino/something else mix meant more specifically for moisture wicking.

What im thinking is a super light as moisture wicking as possible baselayer, whatever that is. a very breathable mid layer, was looking at this? https://us.monsroyale.com/Approach-Tech-Mid-Hoody_4 itd be nice if my mid layer had at least some decent waterproofing, (or if its snowing just go for my base layer and shell over top?)
And a pretty burly shell, more aimed at warmth and/or fitting layers underneath. since getting soaked might be inevitable, I think just getting super well insulated and warm is gonna be important.

and for the colder days, some kind of really warm but still packable puffy. not sure what kind or insulating material..


As for gloves, its a similar deal, once i get sweaty, and start to head down and my body temp drops, my hands get ridiculously cold. they dont sweat much actually, but might still be nice to go up with a thick windproof liner to avoid getting my gloves wet, throw on some good warm mits for the way down. i've been just swapping between no gloves and thinner mits as my hands get warm/cold, but a liner more dedicated to the up seems good?

Have a look at this beauty - https://us.monsroyale.com/collections/mens-base-layer-long-sleeve-top/products/temple-tech-hood-9-iron. I tour in same base but from earlier release with slightly more weight (175 gsm vs 140 in current release) and slightly more wool in material (95% vs 83%). I like hood, I like to use front zipper to release excess heat, I like mesh back (you have a backpack and better breathability here is a plus), I like raglan sleeves (they usually fit me better). If you don't want to use hood - check hoodless version. If you don't want to use long sleeve - check t-shirt version. If you scared because of durability of 140 gsm fabric - don't worry. I use hoodless version for trail and enduro mtb, had number of falls and got only one hole when landed on rocks.

As for mid layer+outer layer , in your shoes I would look at Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie - softshell hoodie that doesn't insulate you much and could be found cheap or Patagonia R1 Tech Face same as ferrosi may be tad warmer (but I hasn't used both yet, looking into buying one for next season, just sharing my conclusion from reviews) and more expensive. They both could be used as a wind blocking layer + shedding light snow.

Add something like arcteryx proton or trew kooshin (discounted but could be found on sale) for lightweight breathable puffy, that could be used as an outerlayer on the way up for really cold days and under shell on regular days for way down. If you don't want to use breathable puffy for going down - check garments made from Polartec Alpha insulator. Very breathable material.


And finally a shell - I'm using Strafe Cham jacket with Polartec Neoshell for touring. Something with 50-75D fabric and Polartec Neoshell membrane is breathable and lightweight enough to use for touring, still durable when skiing in trees.



I usually start skinning just with Mons hoodie and after 10-15 minutes add Strafe jacket. Sometimes it's cold outside but not enough to justify using hardshell. That's why I'm thinking to add OR Ferrosi/Patagonia Tech face. During transition I close all my zippers and add my Trew Kooshin over or under the shell (depends on weather, how many runs are we going to have after that one, but I prefer over - less moves during next transition to skinning).

What do I want to add to my system - softshell and insulated pants (something like Norrona lyngen with Polartec alpha that could be thrown over my shell pants during transition or for really cold days).

And one more note I'm living in Europe, the climate here is wetter than in Colorado, but not as wet as in PNW.

**This post was edited on Jan 21st 2020 at 11:27:38am

I struggled with clothing choices in the backcountry for quite some time as well. I've recently figured it out for myself and just took Mark Smiley's ski mountaineering course where he has a quick section about back country layering.
First off, no matter how cold it is, know that you're about to get hot. Sweaty layers make you cold later. Ditch the base layers, you'll see most accomplished back country skiers in a pair of underwear on a stormy day.
Truthfully, a solid cotton tshirt or better yet a thin wool/synthetic t-shirt under a thin mid layer will do the trick most days. That mid layer should be breathable and reliable. Patagonia R1, Arc'teryx Aptin hoody comes to mind. Plus, a packable down jacket as your extra will keep you warm enough even on the coldest days going up. Regulate your heat between those layers.
Always bring two opposite pairs of gloves, never wear your helmet going up unless you're in an exposed area and don't be afraid to show some skin. Staying cool on the up then layering up quick and dry is the goal.
The way down won't be too cold without your base layers cuz you're stoked and ski fast as all hell.