Now that it is June and nice and hot here in Phoenix I thought it was time to think about when it is cold. Actually it still gets cold at night, in northern Arizona. My boys are going to Boy Scout Summer Camp, up north.

What do you folks that live in the cold recommend to carry in your day-pack to keep warm? A wool stocking cap is a given.

If you only carry one other item to stay warm what would it be? It seem that a long john undershirt might be good. Maybe a wool vest or hooded sweater.

Thanks!

Assuming I had some sort of wind cheater or rain shell (always a given for my daypack) the thing I really like best for the cool evenings is an Ullfrotto wool top. These are all function with nothing else. Either the 400 or 600g would be a good choice.



http://www.woolpower.se/en/asp/produkter_2_7236.asp

I usually carry a EMS fleece vest, but it doesn't pack small. It's Polartec 200, I believe. Or, I have an REI shirt... not sure the name of it. It's 60% poly 30% nylon, 10% lycra... it fits and looks almost like a wetsuit when on (it's pretty snug). I've found that over a wicking shirt, I can stay warm down into the 40s if actively moving. It looks like almost identical to this:
http://www.rei.com/product/747571

A common error is dressing for cold is to pile into a hat, coat and upper torso garment. Then our legs get to freeze. My minimum unexpected cold weather kit is a balaclava, full set of upper and lower wool longjohns, wool socks and dachstein mittens.

Does the "given" also include wool socks?

Those, a watch cap, and as odd as it sounds, a long wool tunic. Think a Colonial-era hunting shirt, but rather than linen, a light wool, about mid thigh length. It's like a poncho liner that won't melt.

It's odd, I'm slowly adapting my ren faire wear to outdoors wear. Oh, wait! If you aren't dressing like a fop, then that's what it is. It didn't change all that radically much from when the Greeks were around to the 1600s. Hard to beat that type of gear.

craig i also live in Phx.Az. and go up on the rim to camp around august and september..when the sun starts to go down and it really cools off i put on my wooly hat,light poly-pro shirt with a warm fleece zip top..also i always wear wool socks on my feet along with good boots..i wear shorts all the time but i do'nt worry about cold legs as i can warm them around the campfire or if no campfire i get in my warm sleep sack..vince g. 11b inf...

Fleece top w/ hood. No it doesn't pack small, but its nice and toasty.

If a wool cap is a given, then I would bring my GI wooley pulley or Baja jacket, since I always carry leather gloves with me.

Personally speaking, I don't have much of a problem keeping my legs warm if I can keep my body trunk warm.

Long Johns give me winter skin and I need what's left of my mind, undistracted by itching.

Keep in mind, my cold weather experience comes from icebreaking, which is a different world from camping out in the mountains!

One item.... a long sleeve light-weight fleece shirt at the very least. It doesn't take up very much room, adds very little weight and can sufficiently cut a chill from lower night-time temps and breezes.

Add wind/waterproof trousers and a neck gaiter. Fleece trouser's (as C.K. pointed out) if its going below freezing. Make sure that they are baggy enough to slip on over your normal leg wear. That way you can thermostate without giving the local wildlife a fright.