How warm is rando-race clothing?

Nobody is arguing with your fast and light mantra Dane.....many of us a true believers and have been following that mantra for years.....in fact, many of us are bemused but the huge amounts of gear, clothing and packs that some of the "10Essential crowd" and especially Mountaineer club trained tourers seem the need to carry and preach to the rest of us about.

I was out on Saturday and 6 people started following my skin track, all beginners from what i could see, judging by the size of their packs, overdress and shit dangling off their packs. Many of us have read Mark Twight's bible and Steve House's essays and understand the benefits. Even they say...fine as long as the weather is good and pick your day.

However,

I have experimented with some of your Lycra clothing( bike gear mainly) and cutting it down so that I basically had to keep moving to stay warm.... its' great and fabulous when it all works out ..but when it doesn't...when you get slowed down by your partner..or a skin or ski problem surfaces...or you just want a break..or the weather changes unexpectedly...I've found the margin of error is too small for this climate....in general...especially when you tour 3/4 days a week all winter.
Sure..special days...pretty confident weather windows....big goal days...but for everyday use......too fine a margin....at least for me.
There's a happy medium

BTW...There was some of the 6..who booted up the skin track!!!!!......JEEEEESUS. H Christ....when will it stop!

First of all, when discussing expensive weight saving gear, take a good look in the mirror and put in the sweat equity. Losing 5lbs off the middle is 5 pounds you are not carrying uphill.

Secondly, ask yourself this question: What is my objective? If it involves trying to travel X distance in under Y time, then yes clothes that were made for exercising in are certainly better to do said exercise in.  Racing, self imposed time trial up to Muir, wear gear purposed for racing.

But if it is a question of, "gee this powder is great and I'd sure like to get another lap in" or as you've posed it help you "ski more", is NOT wearing lycra really going to be the deal breaker? Hardly.  Getting to the TH on time, keeping properly fueled and hydrated, pacing oneself, minimizing transition times, not falling down, and staying dry are more important, as is having the underlying fitness to get it done.

Good points Mofro, but I think Charlie has all these boxes checked.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mr. Turner (who makes few turns, but makes them count)! .

Right now, I'd guess I have all the boxes save fitness checked; my grad-school thesis has kept me inside far too long.

Agreed that lycra's not going to magically turn me into Greg Hill (who doesn't wear lycra, but gets more vertical than almost anyone). When starting this thread, I was curious about any advantages that lycra might yield and whether skimo-specific clothes were warm; everyone's replies have been interesting and useful.

My intention wasn't to argue.  Lots of people here doing way more than I ever have/will.

Many times a drop in body weight is better than a drop in gear weight. I wouldn't make that an "always better" suggestion however. Your decision which is a better answer for you. 

I understand the commercialism in the outdoor industry better than most.  Good bit of it is hype.  But not all.  Some is actually real innovation.  Advances are generally a combo of efforts.  Physical, mental and equipment.

Greg Hill's lwt gear as an example..

>"You can be "well prepared" with a 10# pack just as easily as you can be with a 45# pack."

>I don't buy this...the question is: "well-prepared for what?". 

Well prepared for a specific objective.  If your 45# pack prepares you for a pre-planned day or two out you are good to go.  If the same 45# is to  prepare you for a quick ascent of Rainier I'd say you are indeed prepared for a couple of days out...and you'll generally need them carring 45#s on your back.

The answer is to match what you carry and use for gear and clothing to your specific objectives. Taking the same gear on every trip..puts limits on what you are capable of. Think about it. Which was my point.

The answer is to match what you carry and use for gear and clothing to your specific objectives.  Taking the same gear on every trip..puts limits on what you are capable of.  Think about it.  Which was my point.

I agree...kind of a no-brainer.  That's the way I generally do things.  Over time, a competent outdoorsman will do this naturally. 

A corollary to what you are saying is: "people generally carry way more than what they really need".