Hi, Katie. I'll try to answer your questions as best I can
1. No, I don't carry a fleece or puffer jacket. And yes, the layering options that I use keep me comfortable to -4c. Keep in mind that because you are on a Camino, it is relatively easy to purchase a piece of clothing if you find you need to add something.
The insulating layer is my vest. Combined with one or more baselayer long sleeved tops (depending on the temp) I cut down the weight of carrying a jacket or fleece and have the same level of protection. If the wind is adding to the chill, I also put on my windshell.
Layering not only gives the best flexibility to easily adapt to a wide temperature range, but it also is thermally more efficient and effective than a single, heavier insulating layer.
2. Yes, the contents of the pack are only what is carried in the pack. That is part of how a pack's 'base weight' is determined. Since very few folks walk or backpack in the nude as their normal kit, what I wear while walking will be similar to what I carry, and will also complement my backpack's clothes closet in order to add to overall layering efficiency.
I will usually backpack, for example, dressed in another long-sleeved, lightweight Merino wool or a long-sleeved synthetic blend shirt, like one of Patagonia's Capilene long sleeves. I only hike or walk in shorts, which will either be a lightweight nylon-synthetic runner's short with a liner, or in the short's part of my REI Sahara zip off pants. If there temperatures mandate it, or if rain is a bit chilly on the skin, I'll add the baselayer Merino wool lightweight bottoms (which are sorta like a slightly less tighter version of tights).
3. The insulating layer is usually thought of as the warmest garment worn over your base layer. Layering is done in three basic parts and goes something like this:
- First layer is the 'base layer'; it is the layer that is directly on your skin. Primary consideration: The ability to move water vapor and perspiration away from the skin.
- The materials will be either a synthetic blend or a wool (I love Merino wool products) that are naturally hydrophobic and can retain insulative value when damp.
- Base layers are usually defined as 'light weight', 'mid weight', or 'heavy weight'. The planned environment and season usually will determine which weight to pack.
- Second layer is the 'insulative or insulating' layer; it is the layer which sits on top of the base layer and is most responsible for maintaining your core body temperature during exposures to cold temperatures.
- The insulating layer can be of any material or design: down jackets, fleeces, wool sweaters, synthetic puffers.
- The primary goal is to choose a garment which is the lightest and most efficient and is able to function for the expected walking environment. For example, I am not going to take the 6 pound down parka that I wore while summiting Mt McKinley thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail during late spring through late fall. That level of insulation is way too much both in warmth and in weight.
- Synthetics vs Down or Feathers. It used to be that in wetter and warmer environments it was better to use a synthetic insulation than either down or feathers. While not a 100% loss of insulative quality, if down or feathers became wetly saturated, their ability to provide warmth crashed. Synthetic 'down' or fleece or wool were much better able to maintain their insulation even when wet.
- Nowadays technology has advanced. Most down or feathers used in sleeping bags, sleeping quilts, jackets, vests, etc, are treated with products which do not impact the insulative qualities of the down, but which allows them to maintain insulation if exposed to wet conditions. Down is now very hydrophobic and will shed water so that they are far better now than even 5 years ago.
- I have never used synthetic insulation for sleeping bags, quilts or my insulating layer, unless I was in a rain forest environment. Even when thru-hiking the PCT or on my Camino where it rained a lot, I prefer down for my insulation. It is not the job of the insulation (2nd) layer to be directly exposed to and protective from the outside weather.
- The Third layer is the outside layer. It is supposed to keep the outside weather, well, outside. It can be called a shell, jacket, poncho, windbreaker, etc. The 3rd -- or weather layer -- can have insulation or not. Again, it's design matches the expected environment on will be in.
- The 3rd layer can be an out-of-the-box piece of gear. A good example would be a backpacking umbrella. If one considers its function, it performs the same type of function as a wearable layer in protecting one from outside elements and conditions.
4. Compression leggings. There are medical conditions where there is a defined benefit, sometimes required, where compression garments are needed and useful. There are also many studies demonstrating the benefits of compression garments in high performance athletics and serious recreational athletes who compete at high levels and in grueling competitions.
It is less clear if compression benefits a healthy recreational walker, even one who walks a lot of miles over the course of a day for many days. This is one area where, if I were looking at the purported benefits and they were of interest to me, then I would be investigating how MUCH compression is required to see these benefits. Then I would obtain the garment and wear it under similar conditions to which I would be engaged in.
I would not be looking for the garment to INCREASE my comfort as a direct byproduct. Instead, I would be looking to determine if the garment DECREASES the impact to either performance or comfort with that physical effort I am engaged in compared to how I felt without wearing the garment.
If you, as some do, experience puffiness above the ankles after a long day of walking, a compression garment could also affect the amount of puffiness, although maintaining sufficient hydration during the day will also help, and elevating legs for a couple of hours in the evening will help resolve any temporary condition.
The other factor is if the garment is increasing my discomfort: does it feel too tight, is it making my legs too warm, with it needing to be frequently washed, is it drying out in time for me to wear it the next morning or is it still going to be damp?
Bottom line is that for me I see no benefits, even with the high level of backpacking and walking I typically do. But if you are unsure and think it is an interesting concept to try, it is unlikely to cause harm, so why not give it a go?
5. Aarn Backpacks. I cannot answer that question from direct experience. Since they are a New Zealand company that is like the counterpart to our Cottage manufacturers, I have never been contacted and hired by them to gear test their equipment. I have looked at their equipment descriptions and have viewed the pictures, but I have not had any hands on with their stuff.
My impression is that they produce a good product, although seemingly heavier than other quality backpacks of similar capacities and designs. While reviews are a tricky thing to use as an evaluation tool, Aarn seems to generate a lot of positive feedback, including from among our own Forum members that have used their packs.
What others think about a backpack is virtually meaningless as to whether or not YOU will like, and feel comfortable with, that same backpack. Good reviews and anecdotal reports are really good for three things: getting a sense of the QUALITY of the backpack (does it last), the warranty performance should a problem arise, and the basic usability of the backpack (how easy is it to put gear in and take gear out, exterior pockets for stashing water bottles, hipbelt pocket capacities, etc).
How the backpack FEELS to you can only be assessed when yours is properly fitted, properly adjusted and you are very familiar with how to make those adjustments, and you are carrying the backpack as your try it out for several hours with the heaviest load that you plan to carry with that pack.
Whether it is an Aarn backpack, Osprey, Gossamer Gear, Kelty, etc ad infinitum, do not pick a pack based on what other say, pick the backpack based on what your body tells you
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for a few minutes, then wear only layers which can be quickly and easily removed. For instance, adding a poncho will add about a 15 degree F advantage to existing layers. It allows for good air circulation. As you warm up during the first 10 minutes of your walk, the poncho is easily removed and stashed into a side pocket of your pack.
My leg (arm) warmers are a very subdued (& boring) basic black...tho I did fancy the bright multi-coloured stripey ones!
