I am sorry to be so picky but you wrote a couple of things that don't make sense to me and it seemed like you were blaming the Sitka gear for shortcomings I don't think they deserve based on the use described.
First, I guess I should reiterate that I am a devout layering deciple. It was the way I was trained, it is the way I train and I have seen it work over and over again when employed properly. Base, insulating layer and shell layer. In my system the base and shell are constants, the insulation layer is what comes on and off depending on conditions and what I am doing. If temps are mild and I am working hard then I may stuff the shell jacket in my pack too but it is not often. If temps are severe and I am inactive, like glassing or sleeping, then I may throw a second insulation layer on like a down or heated vest or a wool sweater. 3 layers is optimal, 4 is the absolute limit because of constriction and compression issues that degrade performance. If I felt I needed more than that then I picked the wrong pieces for those conditions in the first place.
So, when you say that you know guys that had to wear three layers of Traverse I have to wonder what they were using as an insulating layer. Sounds like they were using the Traverse as their insulator and that will only go so far because there is very little loft or dead air space which is where the real insulating happens. They would have been better off with one Traverse and a good Primaloft or down insulation jacket.
Then you mentioned that the wind cut right through your Ascent pants, wool tops and the Celcius vest and that you finally had to put on your heavy Cabelas fleece jacket. Again, too many layers for me but more importantly unless those insulation pieces also have a windstopper laminate (which makes them heavy and redundant) they are going to be vulnerable to the wind. That is the way it should be, they are insulators not shells. If the wind is an issue it should be dealt with with the layer that is designed for that purpose, the shell.
A proper shell is more than just rain gear, it is the external protective layer. It is your armour, the roof and walls that shelter the important stuff inside that is light weight and more fragile and serves a different purpose. The shell protects the base and insulation layers from wind, water and damage from the physical environment like vegitation. It also determines how the rest of the world sees us or doesn't see us as the case might be. Camo, blaze etc, etc.
Lastly, you said that the APX G2 Alpine stuff was going to be primo in the heat because it feels cool on the skin. Not sure what you meant by that.
Does that make sense?
Wade
www.HardcoreOutdoor.com
