outerwear advice for Northern Japow
Hey peeps,
Heading to japow (Hokkaido) in early Feb next year and not sure if shell with thermals will be enough. I’ve got great gloves and toasty facewarmers, but would a 10k shell with cotton blend or merino baselayer be enough? Don’t want to get caught short, particularly as my wife really feels the cold. I anticipate average temps on mountain will be between -5 to -20 + wind chill right?
Cheers,
I definitely wouldn’t be braving Japan with just base layers and a shell. You need more bulk insulation and I would strongly recommend getting at least a midweight fleece layer. Personally, I would even go for something of heavier weight for colder days. For complete versatility, I would probably take two fleece layers of different weights; one for super cold days and one for regular days. Maybe a light/midweight and something heavier.
I don’t find legs to be so much of a problem as long as you keep your core warm. But personally, I still take a heavier base layer pant for colder days (regardless of location). That said, merino is quite warm, so you’re probably fine with your lower half.
You can stay warm/comfortable in any conditions. The trick is layering appropriately.
Does the wife ski or board?
My temp runs colder when I ski.
I also would rather be hot than cold!
In Japan on colder days I wear skins and mid or heavy thermals under my padded ski pants.
I also wear and extra jumper under my jacket than what i normally wear in Aus.
The only thing different that I wear in Japan as opposed to here, is a face mask!!!!!
If ya jacket has some sort of insulation, and a reasonable proof/breathability ratin, you’ll be sweet!!!!!
* I do wear base layer thermals, and just a t shirt!!!!! My helmet doesn’t have vents either, so that helps to keep the heat in!!!!!
Merino base layer top, light/midweight fleece top, shell jacket/pants with good gloves and face protection has always kept me warm enough. It’s more about keeping the pow out i.e powder skirt/wrist gaiters.
Cool thanks for all the replies 
Looks like it’s time to shell out for some decent base layers then.
Cheers
Merino base layer top, light/midweight fleece top, shell jacket/pants with good gloves and face protection has always kept me warm enough. It’s more about keeping the pow out i.e powder skirt/wrist gaiters.
Yep, This right here!!!!! ^^^^^
Gaiters and Skirts!!!!! That fluffy pow melts as soon as it hits ya arse crack!!!!! Then it gets colllldddd!!!!!
Yeah i agree about the pow skirts, but other than that, i wear the same as what i do here in aust. I actually think its colder here on a windy wet day on the hill than in japow.
Plus if you ever have to start hiking in dick deep pow, you warm up really really quickly!!
Yeah i agree about the pow skirts, but other than that, i wear the same as what i do here in aust. I actually think its colder here on a windy wet day on the hill than in japow.
Plus if you ever have to start hiking in dick deep pow, you warm up really really quickly!!
Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!
Yeah i agree about the pow skirts, but other than that, i wear the same as what i do here in aust. I actually think its colder here on a windy wet day on the hill than in japow.
Plus if you ever have to start hiking in dick deep pow, you warm up really really quickly!!
Amen!
Even though I don’t have a dick (oh my God did she say that… 
) I almost died that first deep hike out of trouble. Just wanted to strip!
I add an extra thermal top for Japan.
My heavy weight Merino black one. I bought it when I started snowboarding and needed it but nowadays it only gets used in Japan on cold days. Topped with my fave thin merino ls thermal of the moment.
The tuck is the important thing….and if it’s really brutal a daggy thermal underwear singlet goes on first.
Each layer gets tucked into the next layer pants so there’s an under over thing happening. No snow down MY back or butt….I learned the hard way how heinous that can be in Japan!