Layering Up For Your Autumn Walks by 60

Softshells

Our Top Five Softshells:

Fleeces

Our Top Five Fleeces:

Baselayers/Tech tees

Our Top Five Baselayer & Tech Tees

With the mornings and evenings becoming colder have you started to feel the autumn nip in the air? Our shop based in Faversham is becoming inundated with customers asking what is the best way to layer yourself up during the autumn months without interfering with your winter kit... and from that this blog was born. In this blog we are going to talk about the different products you can buy to help combat that autumn chill but also incorporate into your winter hiking gear...The first thing we want to talk about is, as the subheading tells you, softshell jackets. They are designed to keep you warm on the cold mornings and evenings, most have water repellency properties which will keep you dry in light rain (but not in heavy rain) and most importantly most softshell jackets feature a windstopping membrane like Gore, Texapore or Thermal.Q.Jack Wolfskin - Winterhawk - This 3 in 1 jacket is a great softshell that seems to tick a lot of our customers boxes. The Winterhawk uses Texapore technology which keeps this softshell jacket windproof, breathable and even waterproof! This jacket also has a fleece liner to keep you warm on those cold days. But thats not all, the Winterhawk has a flex shield to give you a better, closer fit, and to top it off it even has a uv rating of 30+! Montane - Sabretooth - This softshell is perfect for the autumn scrambler and climber. The Sabretooth has a tailored fit which makes it ideal for climbers and scramblers that need something designed for high movement, even the pockets have been positioned so you can access them when you're wearing a harness, and the hood has three points of adjustment so you can still wear your helmet. The North Face - Apex Bionic - This is a classic softshell jacket and it's a hot favourite between hikers and walkers alike. This softshell is made from windproof fabric, has a fleece lining on the inside, and secure zip pockets. It will keep you warm out on the hills, or along the coast and even in the town doing some shopping. It's no wonder that the Bionic is an all-round favourite. Berghaus - Choktoi - This jacket has a classic fleece look and feel to it but will keep you toasty on the coldest of autumn days. The Choktoi uses Gore WINDSTOPPER technology so you can rest assured that it will keep you warm enough. The WINDSTOPPER tech provides you with more warmth and comfort than other non-windproof fleeces with less bulk, but maximum breathability. Mammut - Ultimate - The Ultimate is another softshell that uses Gore WINDSTOPPER so you know its going to keep you warm and the front zip uses a two way system which is ideal for scrambling and climbing. The great thing about this Mammut softshell jacket is that it packs down to a small size which is great if you have a limted pack size.If the thought of wearing a softshell doesn't float your boat then the next option will be a fleece. Over the past couple of years fleeces have become a lot lighter but keep you warm for longer. Some fleeces have water resistance to them, Polartec to keep you warm and tailored fits to move with you no matter what activity you're doing. Due to technical advances and shape design, fleeces can often now be worn by themselves rather than only in a three in one system.Montane - Fury 2 - This is a great looking fleece with a brilliant fit. It's lightweight, breathable and fast drying. This fleece uses Polartec fabric which traps the air around your body quicker, keeping you warmer for longer, but this tech means the fleece is still thin, making it great for all types of activities. The hood is close fitting making it perfect to be worn under a helmet. Berghaus - Activity - Why change a classic? Well luckily Berghaus hasn't with the Activity. It's a classic 200 weight fleece with a twist.. Polartec fabric has been added to the Activity so it keeps you warmer for longer, is quick drying and keeps the 200 weight fleece lightweight. If you're a hiker or walker that really does feel the cold then this Berghaus fleece will sort you out. Mountain Hardwear - Microchill - After a super lightweight fleece? Then look no further than the Microchill. This fleece uses Wick.Q EVAP technology which helps wick away moisture and maintain body temperature but also keeps you cool. This fleece is designed to work perfectly in a 3 in 1 system and is suitable for everyday wear, dog walking or easy hikes. The North Face - 100 Glacier - This is another classic fleece and a popular choice for walkers. The 100 glacier is a 100 weight fleece. It uses Polartec fabric which you probably know by now will ensure you stay warm on those cold autumn mornings. This North Face fleece also features a UPF rating of 30+. Mammut - Innominata - This fleece from Mammut uses Polartec Thermal Pro fabric which gives you a superb warmth to weigh ratio. The Innominata has a regular fit, making it ideal to wear from day to day, or scrambling and climbing. This fleece has also been designed to feel comfortable when backpacking and even classic alpinism. Lastly, the Innominata has been Blue Sign approved.If you want a warm layer closer to your skin then of course look no further than a baselayer or a tech tees. Tech tees are normally designed for Spring and Summer but they also work well in the Autumn. Another great thing to happen to baselayers over the years is the leaps and bounds that the synthetic market has taken. New fabrics keep you warm at all times but with brilliant breathability.Icebreaker - Tech - This baselayer is made from pure Merino wool, giving you great heat retaining qualities. The Tech has a regular fit which makes it ideal for all types of Winter activities but is also great as a general baselayer as well. A key feature is the offset seams to give you a more comfortable fit and to reduces chaffing. The finish on the inside of the Tech baselayer is soft against the skin so you will feel comfortable no matter what you're wearing it for. Montane - Primino 220 - The Primino 220 is a brilliant lightweight and small baselayer. This Montane baselayer has a mixture of merino wool and primaloft which offers amazing breathability and great warmth. The zip on the front of the Primino 220 offers for ventilation and also lock shut. This Montane baselayer has been designed for the winter climbers and scramblers but also feels right at home in general use as well. Helly Hansen - Warm - After a classic baselayer? Then the Warm is for you. This baselayer has been around pretty much since the dawn of time, Helly Hansen haven't tried to to play around with the design either and whys that I hear you say? Well thats because the Warm just works! It keeps you warm when you need it and cools you down if it gets too hot which this is mainly due to its 60% merino mix composition. Icebreaker - Oasis - This fleece is a brilliant everyday fleece. The Oasis fits right at home when wearing for general use but due to its slim fit it also works perfectly when hill walking and scrambling. The lightweight design of the Oasis is perfect for those cool conditions as well as the cold ones. And this Icebreaker baselayer is made up from 100% merino so you know it's going to regulate your body temperature. Icebreaker - Anatomica - After a short sleeved baselayer? Then the Anatomica is the one for you. This baselayer from Icebreaker is made up of 96% merino wool and 4% lycra giving you great warmth and a close fit. The Anatomica is great for day to day wearing as well as on the hills walking and on the slopes skiing. What's also great about this baselayer is that it looks more like a t-shirt than a baselayer meaning you can wear it casually as well.What do you wear to keep yourself warm in the autumn? We would love to know so comment below...