UKH

Winter climbing I layer a ME Eclipse hooded T over a Rab Powergrid Pullover.

This has worked pretty well but I'd like something just a little bit warmer for crappy days. 

Any suggestions?

Ta.

Try and get a hold of a Rab Alpha Freak Pull On before they disappear.  I think they’ve stopped making them, which is a classic case of a great piece of kit that lacks sales volume so it gets axed.  It’s  warmer than my ME Eclipse and dries so much quicker - it’s really  very noticeable how much better unlined Alpha material is compared to Grid Fleece wrt drying out, which I didn’t expect - plus it’s got other neat features like a windproof hood, thumb loops etc.  For “crappy days” it’s easily the best midlayer I’ve used...

Looks like I'm a bit late!

Small and XL still available half price on sport pursuit! 

Cheers but I'm definitely a medium!

Does anyone know if there's anything between the Eclipse and the Patagonia R1 in terms of warmth? Given that they're almost identical weights I can't imagine there would be.

Another option I guess is to add another layer all together? I primarily climb with a warm base layer and an ME Transition synthetic jacket as a midlayer, then use my Eclipse as a second baselayer if it's really cold. The Transition jacket, or another lightweight synthetic insulation is going to pack down easily in the bag for the approach and maybe gives you a little bit more flexibility with layers throughout the day maybe? 

What's a little bit warmer than a ME Eclipse?

Two ME Eclipses.

Add a synthetic gilet on the rubbish days?

Gives more flexibility. 

In the grand UKC tradition of not answering your question, I wear my eclipse as a base layer (or solar eclipse if warmer) and then have a Patagucci Nano Air* as a mid layer. Pretty warm, but also very breathable.

*Other synthetic breathable insulation options available.

The Kinesis is perfect over an Eclipse: https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/clothing/softshell/mountain_equipment_kines...

I have a Rab Alpha Direct jacket that i really like to use as a mid-layer on crap weather days in winter (same as the "Rab Alpha Freak Pull On" Innes is on about apart from with a thin windproof layer on top). I find it really good at retaining warmth even when its soaked through (I'm quite bad at always having my hood down when i'm at a section of climbing i find difficult so invariably end up with quite alot of snow on the inside of my hardshell). And having the windproof outer is great as for when u are walking out or moving fast and want to ditch a layer and its not snowing/ raining, as it keeps the wind off you and whilst somehow keeping you warm whilst not too sweaty.

You've probably got your systems a bit better dialed than me although i find on poor weather days my default system is walk in in long sleeve baselayer under hardshell > change baselayer to fresh dry ME Eclipse Hooded T (the fabled "T-Sneachda Striptease"), then Rab Alpha direct and hardshell on top, Bon!

Would that not be ‘twice’ as warm? That sounds significantly more than an little bit’.

So you're layering two fleeces, with no significantly wind resistant layer?

I'd just stick a windshirt on top of either.

The law of diminishing marginal returns 

I assumed that people would realise this is under a hardshell, I can't imagine anyone climbing in two grid fleeces alone! 

As for softshells, I find the number of days when you can climb in a softshell to be very few so I've given up on them hence the old school fleece / hardshell combo.

Because it's only ever going to be under a hardshell I don't need a fleece with wind resistance.

I've just got a Patagonia R1 Air pull-over.

It's a lot warmer than Eclipse or standard R1 hoody, despite that it looks similar and is of a lower weight.

It comes in Purple too, which is always a winner with me!

https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/product/mens-r1-air-zip-neck-fleece/40245.ht...

Another good option would be Patagonia R2 Jacket. 

 Tom

I use a Rab Alpha Flux jacket as a winter mid layer and love it, in fact I wear it loads, as a stand-alone in spring summer and autumn , great to climb in, really light, wind proof and really warm, also breaths great and wicks moisture away. 
 

hope that helps

The Alpha Direct is fantastically warm - almost too much so. I don't think it works that well as a midlayer for Scottish Winter unless you really, really suffer with the cold, which I don't, especially now that I'm extra 'buff' after lockdown. 

It's brilliant as on outer layer on days when you don't need a hardshell.

I've gone back to various standard fleeces over a montane merino/poly baselayer, although I now fill my Alpha Direct so snugly I might have a go wearing it Buffalo style this winter...

I walk in with a Rab Alpine light. Quick striptease to put on a Paramo hooded gridded top followed by the Rab then Paramo jkt.