Hello,
I'm planning a trip to New Zealand for a few months, and it gives me a good excuse to get some new gear to replace my current worn out wardrobe. I’m not factoring in mountain gear, I’ll hire that if necessary, this is just for a temperate climate, colder evenings and winter muddy walks in the wood’s etc.
I haven't kept up with fabrics and technology. So I'm hoping you can advise me on a few things.

Underwear:
- Liner Socks
- Wool Socks
- Cold Weather Wool Socks

Thermal Base Layer:
- Top
- Leggings

Mid Layer / Evening wear:
- Hoodie

Windproof / Water Resistant:
- Fleece
- Hat
- Scarf

Warm and Waterproof:
This bit I’m a bit confused about. I want a Big Tough Warm Parka, and Trousers.
I’m confused as whether to get a windproof set, then a gore-tex cover. Or, should I get a combined Garment? I was told to look for Pertex / Pile? But I really don’t know.
I was looking at the;
ECWCS Parka / Trousers + ECWCS Reinforced Stashable Goretex Parka / Trousers.
But I heard there are better options out there.

I don't know exactly were in NZ you will be, but just bare in mind that in the Southren Hemisphere, it is now spring, but still fairly cold at times.

These are the basics that I learnt:

underwear:
nothing to add

Base layer:
unless you are going into the higher altitudes, I don't think thermals are neccesarry. A vest is an idea, as it can get quite hot in the aftrenoon

Mid Layer / Evening wear:
i'd add a simple tracksuit for just lazing about in.

Windproof / Water Resistant:
I'd add gloves and a beanie
Polar fleece is my choice of material for this layer - Windproof, waterresistant, and good insulation

Warm and Waterproof:
I prefer to call this the "shell layer"
This is my chioce:
A haevy breathable (goretex??) jacket and trousers. your warmth is covered in the mid layer section. if you expect colder conditions, a downfilled parka goes under your jacket, and your trousers should be lined with fleece.

It is difficult to give a detailed opinion, as I don't know the exact conditions you expect to encounter. being at a similar lattitude to New Zealand, I expect the weather conditions to have some resembelance to the current conditions in Cape Town. Do a bit more research on the expected weather conditions, and try buy clothing that you will still use after the trip.

www.everwarm.co.nz makes a superb merino wool line of thermals. Forum member PeterR is from NZ. We haven't heard from him since May <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I travelled NZ a few years backmainly in the Winter and Spring. While I would hesitate to recommend clothing, heres my 2 cent comment on the weather.
I was mainly in the south island where even in winter I found the days relatively warm and dry, but the temperature falls to below freezing at night. Having said that if you go to the fjoirds onthe Southwest of the island, the rainfall is around 7 metres a year!
The trouble is NZ is such an amazing country in terms of scenary, climate and culture its hard to know where to begin. I would be prepared for every scenario.
I'll be waiting enviously to hear about your exploits - enjoy!
joblot

When I climb or hike in extreme or quick changing weather conditions here is what I wear:

Outer shell: Arteryx GoreTex jacket.
Inner Layer (warmth): Arteryx heavy flece
Inner Layer (wind chill): Mountain Hardwear windstoper
Moisture Whicking Layer (t- shirt): North Face Moisture Guard shirt

In my pack I also have a rolled Down filled vest.

Pants are usually cargo canvas pants and I have goretex pants in my backpack as well just in case.

I love smartwolls socks and on my recent trip to Peru I stocked up on sweaters and long shirts made out of alpaca wool. Wool is warm even if wet but dries forever.

I combine layers and functionality. Just because it's raining it doesn't mean that it has to be cold. When it's cold it doesn;t mean that it has to be wet. Or it can really be cold and wet. Well i can go on with that forever since we all know how unpredicatble weather is. My point is that by having items that serve multiple purpose you are set and never be too hot or too cold. Gortex shell will seal you tight from water and depending on the temperature it can be used alone or with additional fleece it can be made warmer. By layering you can peel off and get comfortable instead of experiencing a rapid shock.

I have a big brim water proof hat. Brim is big enough that water tricks down on my jacket instead of down my neck. But usually if I'm tight on space I use hood from my jacket.

Matt

Thanks everyone!

I'm going to wittle my list down a little to specific garments, then I'll seek your opinion again.

check this site out has link's for equip. and hikeing in New Z. http:// www.traidatabase.org

http://www.traildatabase.org/

Not sure how the climate of New Zealand compares to the North Georgia Mountains (Southern Terminus of the Appalachian range), but here's my 3-season gear list:

http://www.roblester.com/rob/backpacking_gear_checklist.htm

You can scroll down about halfway to see the clothing selections.

Thankyou!
Thats really helpfull. I'm gradually getting it all together, I'll post my whole list soon! Don't you just love lists! <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />