Hi friends. I’ve been away from the northeast for a while and I’ve lost track of how to dress properly for winter activities, and wow, has the gear improved! But it’s a bit confusing for a newbie.
I hike and train my working line dog. I’m not skiing or doing anything extreme like cross-country skiing. But, I’ll need to be outside with him for over 3 hours each day, no matter what the weather is like. I need layers that allow full mobility and agility while keeping me warm and sometimes dry.
I’ve got my base layers figured out. Where I’m stuck is finding a good lightweight mid-layer and outer shell that provides warmth, water resistance, and wind protection while still being able to move freely. I’m considering an 80% down jacket with 650 fill as a mid-layer and a waterproof outer shell.
What’s driving me crazy is that I don’t have enough money to account for every type of weather. Should I buy the down jacket because it’s lightweight and just remove the waterproof shell when it’s dry? Will the REI 650 fill down jacket really keep me warm at 35°F without the waterproof shell? Will the waterproof outer shell make me too hot or will it still be too cold on 40°F rainy days?
In short - It seems we can’t trust buyer reviews online anymore. I’m looking for suggestions from people who are doing similar activities and have found good solutions. I’m 5’2, 120lbs. I’d appreciate any real-world suggestions. And, don’t even get me started on gloves and handling poop bags