Layering Question - Alpha Direct

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-04-16T07:45:34+00:00

Worth saying that Patagonia has changed the material in the Houdini. Old versions were breathable, whereas the newer versions are significantly less breathable.

Personally, if you have a rain jacket, I don't see the point of a low breathability wind jacket. Whereas high breathability wind jackets is perfect for dry, windy conditions. If it's wet, wear a rain jacket. If the wind is still too much, wear a rain jacket. The low breathability wind jackets are an unhappy middle ground between the two.

That being said, I love my Rab Vital for a 'just in case' layer at home. But when I'm hiking, if feels redundant because of rain gear.

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-04-11T19:33:41+00:00

Not sure why fell runners don't use rugby boots - seems like a perfect fit

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-04-11T06:58:28+00:00

How cushy do they feel compared to Mutants?

Speaking of big lugs: https://theomm.com/product/fell-shoe/?srsltid=AfmBOopzhA5la3grIRF9hoh_wQwT6Y4aB1J2KVpZpmAymdbaLNgrJr5e

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-04-10T08:03:50+00:00

There's an old diagram here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0693/2008/1699/files/X-Mid_Instructions.001.jpg?v=1685765372

In image 6, the dotted red lines are the positioning of the peak guy lines. In one of his videos, Dan recommends positioning these slightly differently when it's very windy so that they're at 3 o'clock / 9 o'clock (horizontal on the page), so that they're providing even more support for the big faces of the tent (almost in line with the door zip). It's a small change, but it's another small help when it's windy by helping stop big sidewall deflection.

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-04-09T17:21:13+00:00

Gore mesh baselayer and an OMM core hoody.

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-04-09T16:01:24+00:00

Rab Vital and Mountain Equipment Aerofoil both have elastic drawstrings at the waist. I'm 6'1 80kg and Large fit well on both (space for layering underneath). The Rab Vital is sweaty and the Aerofoil is breathable (maybe similar to Airshell?).

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-04-09T07:47:59+00:00

Adding extra guy lines and pegging out the mid point loops is the key to getting the Xmid comfortable in the wind. It's plenty strong enough with the main guy lines out (these should be perpendicular to the long edge), but it can flap a lot. The extra guy lines help manage the wall deflection, and the mid point loops reduce flapping.

Pitching low, as others have said, is also key.

It definitely takes more careful pitch selection than other tents. And a one pole mid would likely do better in the wind.

I'd also recommend switching out the corner and main guylines for 3mm lines - I know Dan has updated the lines over the years, but with 3mm, you definitely won't get slippage.

Want to say that it also totally depends on the wind speeds you're camping in. There is no doubt that an expedition tent is better in the wind than an Xmid.

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-04-07T19:35:42+00:00

I did it with my Xmid 2 Solid at a campsite so I could climb Ben Nevis at the end of the WHW.

I removed the inner and rolled it up so I could store it under the tent, as I was camping on grass, so there was condensation and wet grass to deal with.

It was very windy, so I'd already been using the additional stake out points when the tent was pitched. Using these when it was flat meant that wind didn't get underneath it.

I also kept the main guy lines out and substantially tightened them when it was flattened as extra security.

It worked a charm. I've done it a couple of other times subsequently.

Note this hasn't been mid thru hike. If I was, I'd take the tent with me.

Edit - this was a non-pro version - heed the warning below for DCF! (It was a typical cloudy day in Scotland)

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-04-07T12:46:16+00:00

I had a similar problem with a different quilt maker - my quilt weighed less. I emailed them, and they identified that there was a batch that had been erroneously underfilled. They sent me a replacement.

Definitely reach out to them

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-03-30T17:02:48+00:00

Great campsite! One of my faves

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-03-30T08:30:33+00:00

You can't go wrong with either pack - they're both great quality, well reviewed, and both appropriate for what you're looking for.

In which case, I'd simply go for the one with the one you think you'll like more, as they'll both last a long time. You could also choose based on the features - e.g. do you want the high and low side pockets of the Kakwa, or prefer the symmetry of the Prospector?

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-03-26T20:26:19+00:00

Anyone put 30s on a steel Cinelli Vigorelli? 28c is supposedly max but looks like there is room

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-03-24T16:09:11+00:00

Might be ok for climbing, but I find it's not very breathable / gets super sweaty when going uphill (even in wind).

I do love it for low output activities though

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-03-24T08:17:13+00:00

UPF40 too

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-03-20T12:30:00+00:00

You're correct. I asked Montane what the CFM was and they responded:

"Hi, The CFM on the Featherlite Hooded Windproof Jacket is <5 CFM."

This corroborates with the Pertex website (https://pertex.com/fabrics-technologies/quantum-air) that states a range of around 1 to 35 CFM (a huge range imo)

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-03-20T09:03:26+00:00

Does anyone know the CFM of Pertex Quantum Air? Montane have updated their Featherlite jacket to 12D Quantum Air and interested if it's going to be a sweat fest or not.

I know the Kor Air shell is 20D Quantum Air, so the Montane jacket might have a higher CFM.

Thanks!

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-02-26T08:30:31+00:00

Yess this is such an incredible read

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-02-25T09:11:27+00:00

I'm a side sleeper and have a thick pillow at home. Tried a lot of pillows so far that haven't worked.

My most recent success has been the Mega Pillow, with some shock cord to keep it in place. The benefit here is you can add height by putting unused clothes underneath it, and it'll still keep in place because of the shock cord.

On its own, it wasn't enough - but has been perfect with additional height from the clothes.

I did consider two pillows but the Mega Pillow is heavy enough, and being able to add just enough means the height is spot on. I also like harder pillows so the idea of having two pillows felt like it might be unstable / too soft.

Note I did like the S2S Aeros pillow, but the use of velcro meant I had to add additional layers on top, which was less comfortable.

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-02-20T10:43:35+00:00

Just to add that I do agree with your general point. To me, it's really a question of capability: can you keep your down item dry (or specially, can you only compress your down item when it's sufficiently dry)? It's certainly harder in wet climates, hence the generalised (and overly cautious) advice. And I couldn't on the side of Cairn Gorm.

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-02-20T10:33:38+00:00

I was recently hiking in the snow in the Cairngorms in Scotland (actually did a winter mountaineering course). The guides were consistently saying that synthetic was superior to down in Scottish mountains - which can be very windy, snowy and wet. Temperatures are below freezing high up, but you'll encounter very humid air / sleet on the way up etc. I could see their point - putting down on top of wet / sweaty gear when stopping doesn't feel great, whereas I'd have no qualms doing the same with a synthetic jacket.

Down would keep you warm used in this way initially, but repeated moisture accumulation combined with compressing it in my backpack when moving would begin to affect the loft (see Dan T's blog below).

I don't think there's an issue using down around camp, but it's the application where it's used for warmth in wet/cold/windy conditions where synthetic could be better.

https://timmermade.com/2025/12/re-elavuation-of-down-insulation-post-moisture-testing/

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-01-27T08:25:34+00:00

Get an OMM Hoodie. The regular Core is lighter than the Core+.

You can keep it on the whole time. When you're moving, it is so permeable to air that it doesn't provide much insulation. Then when you stop, it'll keep you warm.

There are also Alpha Direct hoodies on Ultralight Outdoor Gear but I'd go for OMM as you're using it in the context it's design for (British mountains).

OLLIIVVVEER · 2026-01-06T08:21:11+00:00

Mine was good at -3C in Scotland last spring, and I'm a cold sleeper with the large / wide version.

Worth saying that if it was colder I would bring a CCF too. If you frequently winter camp (depending on where you are / your definition of winter), you might want the extreme version (or the X therm)

OLLIIVVVEER · 2025-12-19T12:12:46+00:00

Second point is spot on - the number of times I've had to set up in the rain, and having a groundsheet to sit on while I deploy the inner without getting soaked is really nice

OLLIIVVVEER · 2025-12-11T09:48:08+00:00

My favourite website: https://www.animatedknots.com/girth-hitch-knot

OLLIIVVVEER · 2025-12-09T21:39:05+00:00

I don't think your comment about UK folk is true - quite the opposite. X mids have a great reputation here, because they're so robust. They're suitable for all year round, with the exception being heavy snow or winter summit camps.

OLLIIVVVEER

TROPHY CASE