I always thought it a neat idea the old US Army M65 field jacket had the outside edge of the sleeve cuff with a fold up flap that could be extended to cover the back of your hand to help in inclement weather. Not quite a thumbhole but they meant well.
Brilliant, I do the same, primarily to let my hands breath and save sweating my gloves out. Also works with freezing rain and saves getting you gloves soaked.
Thanks Aaron! Great tips! I love my finger hole shirts from Eddie Bauer too (I get the same ones you’re wearing but with the hoods). Between the hoods and the finger holes, I don’t have to mess with gloves and a hat when I’m moving and generating heat (in stable conditions as you mentioned), if I need a little more heat I either pull the hood up quick or tuck my hands in like you do. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stopped to put on one or the other, and dropped one or dropped one by not putting it in my pocket all the way after taking off. Keeping things simple keeps you moving, warm, & saves more time for the scenic spots and nesting at camp. I don’t know about anyone else, but my hands get hot when I’m moving anyway and I can’t get my gloves off fast enough when I’m hot.
Consider one with a lot of structure for mountaineering. Hyperlite is light but might not carry as well from what I've seen of others using them on Denali.
I like thumb hole shirts/baselayers/jackets but I never use the thumbholes. I like them because they are cut with longer arms. I am a lean 170lbs at 6'2" and I can often get away with medium size if they have thumb holes. If they don't have thumb holes the arms are usually too short as most clothing is cut for short overweight couch potatoes
@@WisconsinEric I used to have the same problem, but found that the Eddie Bauer shirts like Aaron is wearing (as a lot of their gear like the hooded version of the same shirt that I buy), are offered in Long versions of all the sizes. At 6’1” 205-210 throughout the year, I used to have to size up to XL or XXL in some brands, now I just order the “TL” for “Tall Large” from Eddie Bauer. Not a commercial for Eddie Bauer, but fit is everything in the field as you know and the Eddie Bauer gear has been good to me. Hope that helps!
@@DUBBLARON I believe the US military ECWCS level 2 baselayer is a budget version of that. Same Polartec grid fleece w/ zip neck, available in tall/long size too, and has the thumb holes. If my memory is correct Polartec's website says both are the same material
@@WisconsinEric Yup. ECWCS is very close and I used that system extensively as former military. I still have a lot of that gear, and mix & match with civilian gear. I.e. I buy & use the military gear by Outdoor Research (Firebrand mitts & gloves, gaiters, etc.). I grab additional pieces when the price is right in surplus or “online auctions”. Depending on the generation, you want Level 2 or Level 3 ECWCS for the micro grid fleece, but they never came with hoods. Back in the day, I would send a pile of those shirts home and my mom (who’s the best) would cut apart some shirts for material to lengthen the sleeves & bottoms, and add hoods (you can now get those shirts in Long, but you couldn’t 20-30 years ago). I’m 50 this year and bought a sewing machine & serger, and mom has been teaching me how to modify gear and make new stuff (lately making dyneema & sil nylon bags). You’ll need a serger to work on the grid micro-fleece and other delicate fabrics. I find the newer gen. Level 3 is very close to Eddie Bauer micro grid. Look for the pieces that were made by Patagonia (there were a number of name brands that landed military contracts), they seems to be of a little higher quality and satisfy my need for being a label hound. Nice chatting with you, even it’s about micro fleece. 🤣
@@DUBBLARON I have the OR Firebrand 5-finger gloves and the ps 150 liners. Also have the previous gen OR "Colossus" w/ primaloft gold. Its OR's take on the level 7. Was looking for the Patagonia level 5 shoftshell pant in a medium long but they are hard to find
I always thought it a neat idea the old US Army M65 field jacket had the outside edge of the sleeve cuff with a fold up flap that could be extended to cover the back of your hand to help in inclement weather. Not quite a thumbhole but they meant well.
Brilliant, I do the same, primarily to let my hands breath and save sweating my gloves out. Also works with freezing rain and saves getting you gloves soaked.
Great tip!
Thanks Aaron! Great tips! I love my finger hole shirts from Eddie Bauer too (I get the same ones you’re wearing but with the hoods). Between the hoods and the finger holes, I don’t have to mess with gloves and a hat when I’m moving and generating heat (in stable conditions as you mentioned), if I need a little more heat I either pull the hood up quick or tuck my hands in like you do. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stopped to put on one or the other, and dropped one or dropped one by not putting it in my pocket all the way after taking off. Keeping things simple keeps you moving, warm, & saves more time for the scenic spots and nesting at camp. I don’t know about anyone else, but my hands get hot when I’m moving anyway and I can’t get my gloves off fast enough when I’m hot.
Too true @ hot hands.
Always enjoy your insight.
I appreciate that!
Aaron, which backpack brand do you recommend I am currently looking at Mountain Hardwear or Hyperlite?????
Consider one with a lot of structure for mountaineering. Hyperlite is light but might not carry as well from what I've seen of others using them on Denali.
New question: how do you structure your planning process to ensure redundancy for vital functions such as sleep, fire/cooking, food prep et al.
I like thumb hole shirts/baselayers/jackets but I never use the thumbholes. I like them because they are cut with longer arms. I am a lean 170lbs at 6'2" and I can often get away with medium size if they have thumb holes. If they don't have thumb holes the arms are usually too short as most clothing is cut for short overweight couch potatoes
Good pointers!
@@WisconsinEric I used to have the same problem, but found that the Eddie Bauer shirts like Aaron is wearing (as a lot of their gear like the hooded version of the same shirt that I buy), are offered in Long versions of all the sizes. At 6’1” 205-210 throughout the year, I used to have to size up to XL or XXL in some brands, now I just order the “TL” for “Tall Large” from Eddie Bauer. Not a commercial for Eddie Bauer, but fit is everything in the field as you know and the Eddie Bauer gear has been good to me. Hope that helps!
@@DUBBLARON I believe the US military ECWCS level 2 baselayer is a budget version of that. Same Polartec grid fleece w/ zip neck, available in tall/long size too, and has the thumb holes. If my memory is correct Polartec's website says both are the same material
@@WisconsinEric Yup. ECWCS is very close and I used that system extensively as former military. I still have a lot of that gear, and mix & match with civilian gear. I.e. I buy & use the military gear by Outdoor Research (Firebrand mitts & gloves, gaiters, etc.). I grab additional pieces when the price is right in surplus or “online auctions”. Depending on the generation, you want Level 2 or Level 3 ECWCS for the micro grid fleece, but they never came with hoods. Back in the day, I would send a pile of those shirts home and my mom (who’s the best) would cut apart some shirts for material to lengthen the sleeves & bottoms, and add hoods (you can now get those shirts in Long, but you couldn’t 20-30 years ago). I’m 50 this year and bought a sewing machine & serger, and mom has been teaching me how to modify gear and make new stuff (lately making dyneema & sil nylon bags). You’ll need a serger to work on the grid micro-fleece and other delicate fabrics. I find the newer gen. Level 3 is very close to Eddie Bauer micro grid. Look for the pieces that were made by Patagonia (there were a number of name brands that landed military contracts), they seems to be of a little higher quality and satisfy my need for being a label hound. Nice chatting with you, even it’s about micro fleece. 🤣
@@DUBBLARON I have the OR Firebrand 5-finger gloves and the ps 150 liners. Also have the previous gen OR "Colossus" w/ primaloft gold. Its OR's take on the level 7. Was looking for the Patagonia level 5 shoftshell pant in a medium long but they are hard to find
Sleeves with thumb holes are never long enough to actually use for me. They are always cutting of my bloodflow. Pity I have long arms apparently.
That can be a challenge.