Not that I'm aware of. FWIW, Durable Water Repellent (DWR) causes water to bead on the fabric's surface. It doesn't significantly change the fabric's air or vapor-permeability (unlike a PU coating or other form of "membrane"). The fabric's tight weave is what does all the work.
"Not very wet at all" In other words, not really dry either, huh?
DriClime is vapor-permeable. Your body's moisture is passing through it and into other layers. If that layer can lose the moisture through evaporation then it'll feel dry. Otherwise it won't. That's why Twight is saying to wear outer layers that allow the moisture to evaporate. You're still moving sweat through all the layers you're wearing. In my opinion, slowing the rate of vapor transmission is, frankly, of dubious merit (stopping it entirely, like with a VBL, has greater benefits as does accelerating it).Did he explain what else he tried and why DriClime worked best? For example, did he try a VBL? Or just a cheap nylon windshirt? Or did he just try this and nothing else?
If by "breathes" you mean vapor-permeability then no it has limited influence on heat retention. If by "breathes" you mean air-permeability then yes it influences heat retention. High air-permeability allows for convective cooling and accelerated heat-loss. Fleece has high air-permeability and that's why it feels chilly when windy. In comparison, an eVent or Gore-text jacket has near-zero air-permeability but comparatively high vapor-permeability.
If it works for you great but the theory behind it isn't due to any magical properties of DriClime. Use any cheap synthetic garment with decreased air/vapor permeability. A garbage bag full of holes would work the same way.
Not that I'm aware of. FWIW, Durable Water Repellent (DWR) causes water to bead on the fabric's surface. It doesn't significantly change the fabric's air or vapor-permeability (unlike a PU coating or other form of "membrane"). The fabric's tight weave is what does all the work.
The tricot lining is to absorb sweat and spread it out over a larger surface. It's very permeable to air and moisture and provides some insulation. The moisture is ultimately absorbed by the outer polyester layer where, in contact with air-currents, it evaporates. That's the operating theory of two-layer DriClime and VR garments. The outer layer is wind-resistant but not wind-proof. In other words it's both air and vapor permeable but far less than say the tricot. Twight is leveraging the outer layer's lower air/vapor permeability to act like a substandard VBL. Any tightly woven synthetic garment will do the same thing.
"Not very wet at all" In other words, not really dry either, huh?
Did he explain what else he tried and why DriClime worked best? For example, did he try a VBL? Or just a cheap nylon windshirt? Or did he just try this and nothing else?
If by "breathes" you mean vapor-permeability then no it has limited influence on heat retention. If by "breathes" you mean air-permeability then yes it influences heat retention. High air-permeability allows for convective cooling and accelerated heat-loss. Fleece has high air-permeability and that's why it feels chilly when windy. In comparison, an eVent or Gore-text jacket has near-zero air-permeability but comparatively high vapor-permeability.
Anyhow, I suggest you look for a cheap nylon windbreaker ... or just pick up a spare DriClime jacket the next time one comes up for sale.
Ha! Simple! I'll give that a try next time. Thanks!
That's where a windshell comes into play. It blocks wind but permits vapor to pass through (albeit not nearly as well as without it). If cold enough, I replace the windshell with a VR hoody (just like your DriClime jacket) or just add the VR over the windshell. When the wind is severe and or there's precip, then the eVent shell goes on top. However, I know a few experienced winter hikers who skip the windshell and go directly to an eVent shell (or some other membrane-based shell).
Ha! Simple! I'll give that a try next time. Thanks!
Regarding the clothing system that works for you, I don't wear that much and don't hike with any fleece garments so I can't be of any help on thick baselayers.
FWIW, this is what works for me and I appreciate the fact it may not work for you (or others). However, I offer it up as a comparative model for your own experimentation.
- Multiple lightweight layers offer the advantage of fine-tuning. When active, one or two lightweight baselayers can be adequate to keep me comfortably cool, minimize sweating, and provide ventilation for evaporation of sweat. I have several baselayers that I pick and choose to bring with me based on the expected temperature. Typically it's a lightweight synthetic crewneck or, for even colder weather, a zip T-neck made of "high void" synthetic (looks like cornrows of microfleece). I also bring a spare one to add as a second layer. Usually it's a lightweight wool/synthetic blend or pure-wool (mostly because I got them cheap). When I say "lightweight" I mean something you can see through and weighs between 5-7 ounces (in Medium).
- The bugaboo is wind. It only takes a mild breeze to cause rapid convective-cooling ... and remind you of how few layers you're wearing.
Here's the VR hoody under the eVent shell. I'm wearing one zip T-neck baselayer under all that. The shell is on only because of the high winds. If it were colder, I'd don my spare baselayer under the VR jacket. If I stop for longer than a few minutes, then an insulated jacket goes on. There's very little fiddling with layers involved.
Here's the windshell (red) under the VR hoody.
Atop Gothics.
As for my hands, they're cold-sensitive so I can be wearing anywhere from one to four layers (including a VBL). Pants are winter-weight softshells and it has to be in the single-digits or lower before I wear long-johns. If I'm overheating I'll roll up the pant-legs, open the pockets, even unzip the fly to get some ventilation going.
That's the kicker: the system usually works but on occasion doesn't. I'm a notorious tinkerer so when that day happens I start the futzing process all over again trying to figure out why on the 5th time out of 5 tries it didn't work light the previous 4. The perfectionist in me can't help but try to get 5 for 5 when I likely never will. As long as I still have cash in my checking account and retailers keep sending me coupons I suspect the research will go on.
One of the contributing factors that has most of us flummoxed with our systems, is the moisture content variables we have to contend with in the Northeast. When I started climbing out West, I immediately noticed how easier the dry air was to deal with. I could wear my base layer all day, where as here, I might switch it upon arriving at a summit to reduce chills as the climbing is less strenuous traversing or descending. If you keep track of the weather and humidity on your climbing days, it might help you tweak your system ahead of time, verses on route. Just a random thought.
Good luck with that.
