Critique my layering setup

Will be climbing expedition style and trekking 5000-6000m peaks in indian himalayas in the summer, am new to mountaineering, going for a course this summer

Base layer - Trail running dry fit t-shirt

Mid layer - Decathlon fleece jacket( decathlon.in/p/8492827/mens…)

Outer shell - Decathlon shell jacket 5000mm schmerbers ( decathlon.in/p/8731538/mens…;type=p)

Down jacket -

Trying to decide between

1. Simond makalu down jacket ( decathlon.in/p/8495234/mens…) 700cuin fill power with 3d partitioning 224gm of fill, rated by decathlon for -20c

2. Simond mountaineering down jacket ( decathlon.in/p/8883230/mens…) 800cuin fill with 190gm of fill, rated for -10c to -12c by decathlon, sewn baffles

Apart from this a poncho for rain, softshell pants and a hard shell over pant. I will also carry thermals for the campsites. What do you guys think about this setup?

Please critique

The base layer is the kiprun grey long sleeves fit tshirt ? I use this one too.  The fleece is pretty basic, maybe go for something a bit more technical with a grid internal : better breathability, lighter weight, and equal or better insulation because it traps air. For the base layer, you can consider  an extra merino wool tshirt instead of polyester if you need to wear it for several days in a row.

For the hardshell, 5000 schmerber is very limited, you should aim for 20.000+ schmerber to be safe. With the pockets accessible with a harness. In the long term, it will be a better buy.

About the down jacket, i have the smaller one to use in lower altitude, and I tried the makalu too. The Makalu is definitely much warmer due to the 3D partitioning and more down, this is the one you should get imho. You should note that the -10/-12°C indicated for the smaller one is when actively moving, not standing still, you will get cold at camp with that jacket. The makalu is rated for -27°C in the same conditions.

The down quality seems to have decreased for the 2024/2025 jackets to reduce the costs, that's sad. The small jacket used to be 800cuin 90/10 down/feathers, it is now 80/20 = heavier and less packable. The makalu used to be 800 cuin 90/10, it is now 700 cuin with the same down weight = less warm ???

Loic Prst wrote:

The base layer is the kiprun grey long sleeves fit tshirt ? I use this one too.  The fleece is pretty basic, maybe go for something a bit more technical with a grid internal : better breathability, lighter weight, and equal or better insulation because it traps air. For the base layer, you can consider  an extra merino wool tshirt instead of polyester if you need to wear it for several days in a row.

For the hardshell, 5000 schmerber is very limited, you should aim for 20.000+ schmerber to be safe. With the pockets accessible with a harness. In the long term, it will be a better buy.

About the down jacket, i have the smaller one to use in lower altitude, and I tried the makalu too. The Makalu is definitely much warmer due to the 3D partitioning and more down, this is the one you should get imho. You should note that the -10/-12°C indicated for the smaller one is when actively moving, not standing still, you will get cold at camp with that jacket. The makalu is rated for -27°C in the same conditions.

The down quality seems to have decreased for the 2024/2025 jackets to reduce the costs, that's sad. The small jacket used to be 800cuin 90/10 down/feathers, it is now 80/20 = heavier and less packable. The makalu used to be 800 cuin 90/10, it is now 700 cuin with the same down weight = less warm ???

Yes the down jackets seem to have reduced in quality, but i am confused which one i should go for, if i should go for makalu or if i should go for the lighter one and get another lighter synthetic down to use as a layer under my outer shell. Agreed on the shell, but the best option has 15k shmerbers, i am hoping to do with a basic shell and upgrade to a gortex one from a reputed brand later on.

My main confusion is whether it would be better to go for 2 lighter down jackets or the makalu. In your experience how was the smaller one and would it match up to the nakalu if used with a lighter down jacket?

The light hardshell 15k schmerbers is not very durable from the experience of a friend who has it, don't buy this. But there is another model "alpinism evo" rated at 30k schmerbers, is that available in your country ? This one is OK, but the price is not much lower than a heavily discounted GTX model from another brand.

I'm not a big fan of down jackets, I use mine mostly when standing still belaying or taking a break eating, so I can't really help you more with that choice. I mostly use a fleece + synthetic jacket under the shell when climbing. Just know that the makalu is significantly warmer and also longer to cover more of the body. What kind of temperatures will you face ?

Down as a mid layer while moving is a big no-no, especially so underneath a hardshell. You’ll sweat, the down can’t properly dump that moisture into the shell, it’ll wet out, the down will lump and your down mid layer will be next to useless for the rest of the trip.

Down should be used either as an outer layer in  cold and dry conditions, or as a reinforcement layer when static (belaying, at camp, etc.)

Fleece and synthetics are better choices as mid layers. I’d really look into options where you can complement a lightweight synthetic insulation jacket with a mid- to heavy weight down jacket for camp duty.

Everything is conditions dependent obviously, the colder it gets the more useful down becomes. 

Victor Machtel wrote:

Down should be used either as an outer layer in  cold and dry conditions, or as a reinforcement layer when static (belaying, at camp, etc.)

Fleece and synthetics are better choices as mid layers. I’d really look into options where you can complement a lightweight synthetic insulation jacket with a mid- to heavy weight down jacket for camp duty.

Everything is conditions dependent obviously, the colder it gets the more useful down becomes. 

Would this be a good option to use as a synthetic mid layer?

https://www.decathlon.in/p/8641932/mens-waterproof-winter-hiking-jacket-comfortable-upto-10c-nh500-warm-black

• So my layering system would be -
• Base layer
• Fleece
• Sythentic insulating jacket (for active use if its cold)
• Shell (if moving around when wet)
• Down jacket (the one rated for -12)

Would this combination keep me warm even at camp at higher altitudes and colder temps?

Loic Prst wrote:

The light hardshell 15k schmerbers is not very durable from the experience of a friend who has it, don't buy this. But there is another model "alpinism evo" rated at 30k schmerbers, is that available in your country ? This one is OK, but the price is not much lower than a heavily discounted GTX model from another brand.

I'm not a big fan of down jackets, I use mine mostly when standing still belaying or taking a break eating, so I can't really help you more with that choice. I mostly use a fleece + synthetic jacket under the shell when climbing. Just know that the makalu is significantly warmer and also longer to cover more of the body. What kind of temperatures will you face ?

Might face minimum temps of -20c to -23c but only at higher camps, during the day it would be -5 - -10c. Would it be a good strategy to pair the insulated synthetic jacket with the cheaper decathlon down jacket? Or is it always better to go for the warmer down jacket if its intended to be used at rest?

I'd go for the heavier one, just to be sure. -20 is pretty cold, especially considering you'll be tired and lacking oxygen. 

Victor Machtel wrote:

I'd go for the heavier one, just to be sure. -20 is pretty cold, especially considering you'll be tired and lacking oxygen. 

And what else should i add to my layering system for active use at lower temps?

Urmit wrote:

And what else should i add to my layering system for active use at lower temps?

• Base layer (I’d make it merino or merino blend)
• Fleece
• Sythentic insulating jacket (for active use if its cold)
• Shell (if moving around when wet)
• Down jacket (the one rated for -20)

I’d say you should be fine like this.

Don’t forget about socks, hats and gloves. Much warmth is lost through your extremities.

Urmit wrote:

Might face minimum temps of -20c to -23c but only at higher camps, during the day it would be -5 - -10c. Would it be a good strategy to pair the insulated synthetic jacket with the cheaper decathlon down jacket? Or is it always better to go for the warmer down jacket if its intended to be used at rest?

Definitely go for the warmer makalu, you're going to be cold at rest with the smaller one !

Loic Prst wrote:

Definitely go for the warmer makalu, you're going to be cold at rest with the smaller one !

Right, that makes sense but i was also wondering that when i am at rest ill mostly be in my sleeping bag and tent so is the makalu really worth it?

So now my layering setup is -

- synthetic base layer

- fleece jacket  decath mh100(2x)

- decathlon mt900 soft shell

- decathlon quecha mh500 hard shell

- simond mountaineering jacket (one rated to -12)

In addition i also have thermals to only use at camp

When it comes to fleece jackets, I recommend hoodies for more warmth. Same with soft shells.