Your base/thermal layer should Keep you warm, and just as importantly, wick moisture from perspiration away from the skin. Polyester based fabrics dry fast and have good wicking qualities. They also last longer, and do not attract body odour like polypropylene ("polypro") fabrics.

Modern ultra-fine Merino wool thermals are more popular. Merino will keep you warm even if damp. However, merino does not dry quickly and will absorb a lot of moisture (up to 5 times its own weight). We recommend polyester-based fabrics for highly aerobic activities.

Regular Underwear

Bring two changes of standard underwear. We recommend polyester, or even super-fine merino underwear to avoid cold clammy cotton undies!

Thermal Underwear

Bring along:

• 2 long-sleeved tops

• One pair of "long johns"

• For winter trips use heavier-grade thermals or 2 complete sets.

Glacier Shirt

A glacier shirt is a highly recommended "old school" approach to staying cool on hot afternoons. Choose a lightweight quick-drying fabric, in a light colour, to help reflect snow glare. Long sleeves and a collar helps protect from sunburn. An old polyester business shirt will do, but where possible a shirt with an ultraviolet protection factor is recommended.

Your mid-layer should provide warmth, and to some extent protection from wind and moisture. Most mountain huts in NZ are not heated. Even during summer warm clothing for cool night temperatures is important.

Tops

Wear a warm layer, as a jersey over your thermals. Choose 100-200 weight micro-polar fleece or heavier-grade Merino garments. Alternatives are wind shells, and lightweight micro polyester multi-sport jackets, with a microfleece lining. Wind shells have advantages over standard polar fleece by cutting wind chill.

Softshell Jackets offer excellent wind protection, breathability, resilience, and range of movement. These are worn over your fleece jersey or thermals. Different weights of softshells are available to suit the season of your trip.

Climbing Pants

Your “climbing trousers” should be comfortable and able to fit over your thermal layer if necessary. Choose a lightweight, quick-drying synthetic fabric. Make sure they allow for easy movement, whether loose or tighter fitting.

Trekking pants over thermal long johns are okay during winter. These should be a light colour to minimise UV absorption. The classic Kiwi summer tramping garb is a pair of shorts, worn over striped polypro long johns - ugly but utilitarian.

Soft-shell fabrics are the most versatile option. They allow a great range of movement, and wind resistance, and are quick drying. With soft-shell pants, you can do away with long johns when in milder temperatures, but most people will bring long johns regardless.

In winter, or during the early season you can use fleece trousers/waterproof over-trouser or a soft shell/long johns combination.

Polar fleece

Old-school fleece is durable, insulating, and quick drying. During summer a 200-300 weight polar fleece jacket is ideal for extra warmth.

Choose a jacket with full-length front zip and zip pockets. Wear under your hard-shell jacket in windy conditions

Cons: Fleece is relatively bulky and does not compress well. Offers little resistance to wind.

Down Insulated Jackets

A down jacket is a good choice for warmth. This will pack down into a compact bundle. For winter trips a mid-weight (600+ loft) down jacket is recommended. During summer a fill rating of 400 - 500 loft is sufficient. During January and February for hut-based trips a down jacket is optional (but recommended).

Cons: Down offers no thermal protection when wet. Choosing a jacket with a water-resistant outer shell is better for damp conditions.

Synthetic Insulated Jackets

“Synthetic down” insulated jackets use man-made fibres like Primaloft®. The advantage of synthetic jackets is insulation, without the "puff" feel. Synthetic fill is cheaper, and will also keep you warm even when in damp environments.

Cons: May be bulkier and slightly heavier than down alternatives.

Waterproof/breathable fabrics are ideal for mountaineering. They work on a vapour pressure gradient through the fabric, aided by warm body temperatures and cold air temperatures.

Gore-tex® is still the benchmark product, although there are many alternatives. You will usually wear your shell layer only in poor, or cold/windy conditions.

Hard Shell Jacket

Your jacket should fit comfortably over your base and mid-layer garments, with room to move freely.

Mountaineering jackets come to just below the waist, allowing easy access to your climbing harness.

Tramping/bush-walking jackets that come below the waist are not ideal, but acceptable. They can be tucked under your harness.

Choose a jacket with:

• Full-length front zip

• A full-sized hood - capable of wearing over a helmet

• Zipper flaps

• Storm cuffs

Over-trousers

These must be fully waterproof. Full-length zippers are ideal as they allow the over-trousers to be put on, or removed, over your boots and crampons. Pants with half-length leg zippers will suffice if you already own a pair.

Salopettes (bib-fronted trousers) add extra warmth for winter mountain missions. However, the standard trouser style is lighter, cooler, and better for summer mountaineering.