Packing light, layering and staying comfortable in the UK in May-June. What worked and what didn't.

I also hope to get a new zipper for the Patagonia jacket.

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Dear Lo, Thank you so much for sharing this experience of yours. I am from sunny Southern California (and we are having a heat wave just like the rest of Southwestern US). We hardly use raincoats, boots, or any "real" winter clothes, so this is very helpful when we plan trips to places that are cooler/rainy weather than what we are used to. My friend went on an European river cruise last year in mid September and packed with clothes for layering, too. She also found that despite having multiple layers with a medium jacket, it was still not enough to keep warm. i think she broke down and bought another jacket (useful souvenir, too). Thank you again for the detailed report and for including the brand names - this really helps to know what works and what may not! Dee

Hi Lo, great report. I was in England for the first 3 weeks in May 2016, and nearly roasted it was so hot in London and Salisbury while I was there! Too bad some of the cool weather you experienced in the North didn't move to Southern England! I wore a sleeveless top and cotton Lands End capri pants a couple of days in London. Still got hot. The second week in May, went to Stonehenge. That particular day we had a misty rain, so I wore a hooded short raincoat over a T-shirt and lightweight jeans. It never got cold, even with the rain. Just warm and humid. I had packed only an Eddie Bauer lightweight carry-on bag, but I had packed a couple of long sleeved sweaters and a fleece jacket. Hoo boy! Never needed those!

Amazing how different the weather can be in Northern Scotland and Southern England on the same day, or within the same week. While you were in Kirkwall on Orkney, shopping for a fleece jacket, I was in Salisbury wearing a sleeveless T-shirt and capri pants.

Thanks again for the clothing and packing trip report! Very helpful to know that if I do another UK trip in May that includes Northern Scotland next time, to take lots of warm clothes! Even if the clothes I pack for Southern England next May include a bathing suit, shorts and capris!

I was always watching the weather on TV. It's convenient that you see the same information regardless of where you are in England and Scotland.

I'd say that the rain, sun, wind, cold, warm varied on a daily basis while I was in western England. It was more on the cold, rainy, wet side starting in Edinburgh and continued to be that way in Kirkwall, Aberdeen, York, Canterbury and Hastings. Besides Kirkwall, I was wettest and coldest in York and Hastings. There were waves of stormy and cool weather coming off the Atlantic, but it remained on the warm, wet, humid side for my last week in London.

I kept that rain jacket with me the whole time and used it almost on a daily basis for rain or wind. I did wish it would've folded down smaller, but I don't think if would've been as useful if it had.

Lo, thanks for posting this so quickly. We are off to Ireland, Scotland and London on Thursday. I'm throwing back in my silk base layer that I pulled out thinking I was being crazy. You also helped me decide on which jacket. Did you/should have taken gloves? Someone whose in Ireland currently said hat and gloves.

I did take some Land's End gloves, very light fleece with finger pads supposed to work with mobile phones. I kept them in my pocket when the weather was unruly, but I probably used them less than 5 times. They are better than most, but I find gloves really annoying.

Lo, as much as I hate to say it, you layered incorrectly. I'm saying this as someone that grew up in a cold area. I use layers all the time when I go back there, and have never had a problem, even when it is -20 F. Here are the mistakes that I see:
* Substituting lots of clothes instead of base layers. Lots of clothes work in a pinch, but nothing outperforms a good base layer. Filament weight silk is super light, dries quickly, and is so thin you barely notice you are wearing it (except you are warmer)
* Shapewear - shapewear is constrictive and cuts off the blood flow to the core. That's the opposite of what you want. You want lots of blood flowing to all the parts so you can warm them. Never EVER wear anything constricting or binding if you want to stay warm!
* Substituting shapewear for other base layers. Shapewear is not made out of insulating material (it's just the opposite). Something like a silk singlet or long john top would have been a better substitution.
* No sweater. A shirt is not the same as a sweater. The loose weave of the sweater traps air, which is key to keeping you warm. If you can't wear merino or other wool then consider a synthetic sweater. Any sweater is warmer than a shirt.
* A puff layer. I realize that your Patagonia puff jacket broke at the last minute. You really needed it. A puffy layer traps lots of air and acts as an insulator.
* Nothing over the buttocks? From your description it appears that you only had 1 layer on your pants. A light pair of leggings or a silk long john bottom would make a huge difference when the cold air is literally blowing up your rear end.
* When it gets really bad there's nothing like light rain pants to seal in the heat and keep out the rain. I usually only bring these on outdoors 1 bag trips, but you should know that they are available if needed. I have a pair of Montbell Versalight rain pants that weigh in under 4 oz and fits into the palm of my hand. (Disclosure: I'm a strong proponent of good rainwear as protection from the elements)

TLDR: To layer correctly your clothing should be non-binding. Start with 1-2 layers of thin base layer. Add a top and pants. Add a sweater. If needed, cover with a puff jacket and rain jacket.

Thanks so much for your advice, Cindy H. I was trying to follow some of the suggestions and videos I've seen on this website in combination with packing light. And I'm definitely a product of my southwest upbringing. What that means is that I'd prefer to wear what I wear year round and just throw a coat on.

However, I did manage to live in Cincinnati when the Ohio River froze over, in the Pacific Northwest for about 20 years and Germany for 3 years and never felt underdressed for the weather. But the accent is on live. I wasn't trying to visit them with very limited clothing options.

Now to respond to some of your specific points.

I did wear a base layer, but as we both pointed out, perhaps I should've worn 2!

The shapewear is partly for the obvious reasons, but also to help with back problems. I don't find it constricting or binding. In fact, it's sort of a medical device for me and has prevented cracked ribs when I've fallen. It's non-negotiable.

I find sweaters problematic when packing light. The very qualities that make them warm also make them bulky. I did get one for the trip, but I just didn't have room to pack it and I realized I wasn't going to wear it every time I changed locations like I did my boots. My version of a sweater is most likely going to be fleece.

My puff jacket doesn't have a lot of puff, but it definitely would have helped. The slickness of the fabric also would have made it much easier to put on and would have cut down on my layering annoyance factor.

My butt was covered. Every top and the rain jacket were long enough to cover it and go down over my thighs a bit. I also had some long john bottoms that I wore as pajamas. I never felt the need to wear them under my pants, partly because of the length of the tops and partly because my socks go up to my knees.

But those Montbell Versalite pants are interesting. They say they are both waterproof and breathable. They probably would work much better for me than leggings, which I do find both constricting and binding.

I think your summary sounds perfect, filtered through my own quirks and preferences. I will take it to heart on my next cold trip.

Cindy is correct that the number of layers is far less important that the effectiveness of each layer. Assuming that you have a good base layer that wicks moisture away from your skin, and a good outer layer that blocks wind and rain, your insulating layers depend on thickness and insulation effectiveness. One thick but low density fleece (or wool) layer can be far more effective than three or four thin layers. Too many layers that are compressed are worst than fewer loose air trapping layers etc.

It also depends on physical activity. More insulation needed for sitting or standing around than for walking or skiing in the same weather. Don't over dress to the point where sweat dampens your thermal insulation layer.

Yep, agree with Edgar.
The most 'layers' you should need is 3, or 4, if you include a seperate stand alone waterproof layer
1. Base layer - Wool or synthetic (Wool being better / never wear cotton, anything, as a base layer)
2. Mid layer - Wool, Fleece, synthetic or Down (something that is warm)
3. Top layer - Windproof Jacket (can be waterproof / warm too)
4. Waterproof Jacket
Of course you need to wear different 'weights/thicknesses' of these layers depending on the climate you are travelling to.
As an aside, I've been to Kirkwell, in the Orkney's in Jun, and the temperature there in late spring was colder than the coldest normal winters day in Sydney Australia:-)

I live with that big temperature spread, too. Our Tucson winter highs are usually higher than the summer highs of the places I travel. Except during monsoon season, the humidity here is typically in the single digits or the low teens. There's a reason why we retired here after decades of living in the Pacific Northwest.

I must admit that after the last trip, I'm leaning toward traveling in the summer to some of the places people say are miserably hot at that time of year. I could really pack light then.

I would add that a thin baselayer bottom (silk/synthetic/merino) plus hat or hood and thin gloves make a world of difference.

I also like to include a thin down vest when I layer. I bought mine at LL Bean and it folds up into a tiny ball when not in use. The extra layer around my body keeps me warm - without adding more bulk to my arms.

For down vest or puff jackets to properly insulate, your outer layer (wind/rain) needs to be sized to allow the down or synthetic fibers to "loft". If your outer jacket is too "sleek" and compresses the insulation, the thermal barrier will be compromised. Size your outer layer for a loose fit but not to the extent that it flaps in the wind.

Yes, I agree with Edgar. Our outer layer rain jacket still fits comfortably over the layers.

FYI - Travelista guide to cold weather layering

I have also found my Ahnu waterproof hiking shoes to be fabulous when traveling. They provide great support on a variety of terrain and keep the feet dry as well.