High activity Cold weather mountaneering gear, need help

[WoodlandShooter]

I am looking for some reccomendations for a jacket to use in an opcomming rifle match.

I am expecting it to be cold, it's in the Colville area this comming March. Will be packing a 20 pound pack with water, food, nav gear, rifle fixing gear, ammo, tripod, rangefinder...and also will be carying a 14 pound rifle. I am expecting to have to travel a lot (up to 4 miles) between stages with all of this gear

I am thinking of starting with some Merino or other equivelant base layer that can get the sweat off of my skin.

I have found many outer layers, but it's making my head numb. Arch'tryx, Beyond, UF-PRO...everyone has their stuff....

I need help from someone who has actually used this "mountaineering" type stuff.

[WoodlandShooter]

Boots are easy, I have a pair of Lowa Tibets.

For gloves, I have actually found that a pair of Fox Polar Paw motorcycle gloves to be really good.

Head, some beanie out of the drawer at home.

[swanny]

Are you in need of a shell or insulation? both?

I haven't used this one, but it's received all the rage and awards this season.
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-nano-air-hoody?p=84260-0

IF you want insulation that is warm and light that you can move in, I have been wearing the Arc'Teryx Atom LT hoody all last summer and through this winter for my activities. Very comfortable with stretch on the side panels for movement. The hood fits very well too and allows you to still see out.
http://www.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?language=EN&gender=Mens&category=Insulated_Jackets&model=Atom-LT-Hoody

If you want more water/wind protection, we just received these jackets for the youth outdoor group I work with. Super warm and windproof, they are a slight bit bulky, but still plenty of active fit for you to move around. If you will be hiking a lot, I'd say it's to warm though.
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens/down-and-synthetic/mens-havoc-jacket-37570.html

[300rum]

Down to about the twenties when I have a pack on and as long as I am moving somewhat, all I need are a merino t-shirt and a merino medium weight sweater.  If I get chilled or stop for a bit, I throw on a military surplus wool shirt.  It is called a "shirt" but it is more like a jacket in warmth.  When it is really cold/blowing/sleet/sideways rain, I throw on a wool coat on top of all that.  I haven't been in anything where I have been cold after putting that on, including some brutal days in Montana -10 and blowing snow, hard. 

If it is dry, you can do pretty much everything with the merino shirt/sweater and a good fleece jacket this side of 20 degrees, especially if you are moving some. 

[jackelope]

I'd go merino base layer, an insulating layer and then maybe a lightweight puffy type jacket. Rain shell if needed. The puffy will pack down tiny if you don't need it.
My selection from my personal gear would be merino base layer, sitka traverse shirt, sitka kelvin lite jacket and my sitka nimbus rain jacket if needed. I'd go with merino base bottoms and a pair of hiking pants or my sitka mountain pants.  I'd venture a guess that the kelvin lite puffy and rain jacket will stay in the pack if it were me unless it was super cold....like lower 20's or lower.

[WoodlandShooter]

weather could be anywhere from 20F to 40F.

[jackelope]

weather could be anywhere from 20F to 40F.

I'm good to go in those temps with my setup I listed out.

[7mag.]

Check out the Kryptek Borealis. It's what I use for backpacking in cold weather. It's a heavier Merino Wool back, shoulders, and arms, with a synthetic down insulated front. It's made for winter backpacking. I use mine for training hikes all winter. Down into the twenties, I wear a Merino base layer underneath, and that's it. I think there is one for sale in the classifieds.

I'd wear gaiters too.

[Fl0und3rz]

Under high exertion, just wear the base layer.  Unless there is heavy precipitation, that will work best to keep you dry and warm.  Then, at shooting stage and after most palpable moisture is evaporated, throw on the mid-layer and she'll for warmth while sedentary.  Almost any run of the mill breathable goretex shell will work.

If you expect precipitation at all, that is where the higher end, feature rich, breathable shells will provide some benefit.  But any exertion at all, even with the best breathable shell, and you will likely get sweat soaked.  Probably best to go with a lightweight packable rain gear, like Marmot precip, over just the base layer (I like Patagonia), knowing that it will be sweat soaked at your destination, and keep the heavier shell dry for switching out at the shooting stage.

[WoodlandShooter]

this showed up on my doorstep yesterday!!!

http://ufpro.si/uf_pro_products/jackets/59/uf_pro_delta_ace_plus_jacket/

alI can say id WOW, it's light...wore it to work today, and it's too warm...actually had to roll down the window (but it was only ~45F) Add a simple base layer, and well, I will be in good shape.

cool thing...it's MUCH cheaper than Beyond, ArcTryx, Sitka...

take a look at the rest of their gear.

This particlular coat runs SMALL...I normally wear a Large, and ended up getting a XXL.

the Euro is dropping...so a good time to buy!!!

[JackOfAllTrades]

The recurring theme here is layering.  You're looking to March.. Where mid day temps could be as high as 50 degrees, but your morning is likely to be quite chilly in the 30's. I wouldn't want to shiver on the shooting line, but I would want to reduce sweat while on the move during a clear day or in the rain/snow. I'm guessing this is a timed course so mobility is a premium.  If there's no chance of getting wet, in those temperatures, I'd have no problem dropping to my base layer of my favorite athletic breathable composition. Both top and bottom. Key is that I'd have food available en-route to replace the calories I'm burning to move and keep warm. But once on the shooting line, I'd like to be warm as soon as possible. Light weight and puffy, A 700 fill down vest is almost always in my pack. Top that with a wool pull over that fits loose but is body shaped. Fit is important. As stated in other posts, Gortex or other ePTFE lightweight rain gear will block wind as well as keep you dry. Something packable will be a benefit. I don't consider any of this 'Cold weather mountaineering gear'.  If it's snowing or raining, the rain gear you select will make or break your day. But if it is raining, your rain gear over just your base layer will likely be adequate while on the move. Sox! Wool/spandex combo!  Liner socks and an extra pair to switch out at lunch time. You're going to sweat! I'd have my favorite wool beanie.. and a good gortex ball cap.  Gloves are pain in the arse... because of stitching and such, I have never found a pair that's truly waterproof. So... I use one pair of 'latex'/nitrile/ medical/automotive gloves inside a pair of local hardware store rubber beaded/dipped work gloves.  Slip the heavier gloves off at the shooting line, and the nitrile gloves add a layer of protection against the wind while still allowing felt trigger control. You might think about a lightweight polypro balaclava.

That 14 pound rifle will be best transported from a harness on your back pack!

-Steve

[WoodlandShooter]

got some merino wool long johns...good stuff!!

will pack my old navy issue wool sweater for the cold mornings.

got a beanie!!

I think I am getting close..just wish we had some cold weather here on the wet side to test this out better

[hirshey]

Mountaineering-wise I'm a huge fan of Outdoor Research. Can't beat an infinite guarantee. Wool, puffy jackets, rain jackets, beanies, snow gear.. I haven't worn any of it out yet. Backcountry skiing, November backcountry hunts, shed hunting, snowshoeing, high hunts.. Lots of uses and weather tests. Tried and true for me..
  from me.
Sounds like you're pretty set right now though. Have fun!