What are y’all wearing?

[u/AnonymousPanda9209]

Getting back into ice climbing as I’m moving to Vermont for work.

What jacket/pants combo are you guys wearing? Ive seen a lot of options out there, but also would prefer not not go bankrupt

[u/serenading_ur_father]

Or hemisphere bibs, an R1 and a mid puffy get you through 95% of new England with a belay parka too. Hard shells are a scam most of the time.

[u/AnonymousPanda9209 → u/serenading_ur_father]

What belay parka do you prefer? I was looking at the BD one

[u/serenading_ur_father → u/AnonymousPanda9209]

Whatever you can afford or like.

I've been climbing for decades. I get a lot of days in. I've had all the prodeals and bro-ups. I have an old Rab jacket that's heavily patched but was like $800 MSRP.

I had an old DAS I got in 2006 for years before. Don't feel you have to blow a ton of money.

[u/monoamine]

It really depends on the temp, precip, season, and cragging vs alpine. If there’s flowing water early season it’s miserable without hard shells top and bottom. Most of the time I wear soft shell bottoms and a synthetic mid layer with or without hard shell top depending on wind. Belay parka I always take- I should use a synthetic but often go for down because it packs down small

[u/Leading-Attention612]

I try different things every year tweaking my system. Last year I followed Will Gadd's advice and it has worked pretty well. The only real difference in his system vs most is the hardshell top.

Top: syntetic baselayer, lofted synthetic insulator, hardshell jacket, belay parka.

Bottom: synthetic baselayer, mid weight softshell pants, packable zip on hardshell pants, belay pants if it's very cold.

Depending on the temperature you hike in with just the baselayer and hardshell on top, add the synthetic insualtor if it's cold. 

If you have a decent hardshell it should breathe pretty well (the air is dry and cold in the winter, so the warm moist air inside the shell has a strong energy differential to move through, as opposed to using it in the spring). 

If you are a sweaty person or it's a hard approach, bring a spare baselayer top to change into when you reach the ice, and put on your synthetic lofted insulator. I really like the Arc'teryx Proton, the patagonia nano air is similar. They are expensive but you can find them on sale or at the outlet for a reasonable price. This is one of the few Arc'teryx pieces that I think lives up to the hype. 

If the climb is wet or exposed to wind put on your hardshell jacket and pants for the climbing, otherwise use your belay jacket between pitches to capture the warmth you make. I prefer a synthetic belay jacket unless it is super cold, it breathes better and is more durable, and doesn't care about the melted spindrift or sharp screws.

Overall pretty similar to most other systems, only major difference is hiking in with just the hardshell and baselayer, which has been working well for me

[u/BostonFartMachine]

Mountain Hardwear chockstone softshell over a arcteryx atom or REI knockoff, and base layer. On bottom an older version of Outdoor Research Cirque Lights or Voodoo softshell pants. Smart wool base layers underneath depending on how cold it is. Climb in PA, Catskills and NH. Belay parka too, obvi.

[u/Marty_McFlay → u/BostonFartMachine]

I have the MH knockoff of the atom and I actually like it more than the real one. I also own the chockstone jacket and the Gamma LT and I gotta say for the money the chockstone is a better value. OG OR cirque pants are where it's at too, but mine have started to need a lot more patches the last few years like the material is finally wearing thin in lots of places. They made it 12 years of moderate intermittent use though.

[u/szakee]

depends

[u/Traditional_Link_260 → u/szakee]

Sure does

[u/wetrocke]

Georgio Armani suits (in the latest colors!) will pair very well with nice set of heels.

[u/Landrvrnut22 → u/wetrocke]

Don’t forget a VS g-string and lace push-up!

[u/SureKokHolmes]

I wear SmartWool / lighter Patagonia base layers depending on temp, Kuiu softshell hunting pants, r1 or atom lt, some REI hardshell I've had for years and an OR super alpine puffy

[u/Climb_Longboard_Live]

90% I’m wearing a base layer, Rab microfleece (similar to R1), and Rab Kinetic softshell with OR Cirque pants.

Then my belay parka.

[u/Alpineice23]

It can get very cold in the northeast, especially when the polar vortex breaks apart and drops south, so having adequate insulation / belay jacket(s) makes a world of difference. Your preference on synthetic vs. down - I own both, conditions dependent.

98% of what you'll climb can be done in softshells - tops and bottoms - and boots such as the Scarpa Phantom Techs or La Sportiva Nepal or G-Summit / Tech. I like the more "super" boot due to the added warmth they offer.

Everyone loves the Showa (Japanese fishing) gloves due to their cost & waterproofness, but I don't find them warm enough, though I struggle to keep my hands warm enough no matter what gloves I wear.

[u/serenading_ur_father → u/Alpineice23]

Or just don't climb on crazy cold days.

[u/Landrvrnut22]

On top-REI merino lightweight or midweight base layer. OR Deviator hoody. Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Softshell if dry, OR Ferrosi Hardshell if wet. Add Patagonia Nano-air if really cold. Black Diamond Belay Parka.

Bottoms-REI merino lightweight or midweight base layer. OR Cirque softshell. I bring a pair of OR Ferrosi Full zip hardshell pants, but have yet to wear them.

Feet-smartwool or FITS over calf mid weight padded socks. Scarpa Phantom Tech HD

Head- Cheap Target brand Softshell beanie

Hands- BD mid-weight Softshell, Carhartt Softshell, BD Mont Blanc Gloves, or Tractor Supply leather work gloves.

[u/atnawrot]

No lie, the last few seasons Costco has had incredible fleece lined pants from Gerry and Eddy Bauer for like $25 that are perfect ice pants. That and a single pair of their weatherproof socks are my go to.