TOPS
Base layer
In winter and on colder days a base layer is sometimes needed to keep you warm. Anyway it is always best to dress in layers. Easy to remove an item as you warm on an ascent and put it on when the temperature cools.
For a base layer I favour a 200g 100% merino wool long sleeve top. You will be too hot on Mallorca in anything heavier such as a 260. To find one that suits, it is best to shop around and look online.
T Shirts
Avoid wearing cotton, be it your favourite band shirt or one that feels really comfortable against your skin. Cotton absorbs moisture and holds onto it, whether it’s sweat or a light shower of rain. On a hot day you will soon regret wearing it.
The best option is a “technical T Shirt”, as they are commonly known. Usually these are made of material from a polyester base and are quick drying and breathable. They are lightweight with the more expensive ones incorporating an anti-odour feature. Some weigh less than 100g. If you have environmental considerations, a few manufacturers use recycled fabric in some of their lines.
I favour those produced by Ternua and Salewa especially the former’s trekking series. Mostly they are in brighter colours. (There is no reason to dress in camouflage colours!). Despite frequent washing they have not lost their colour or shape.
Fleece
Again I recommend you steer away from a cotton based fleece. Most produced by the outdoor specialists are polyester based. The Polarlite range produced by Salewa, described as a “lightweight mid layer”, is a good bet for Mallorca. They weigh less than 400g. Those made from Polartec, a polyester based fabric, are a step up in quality and also price. The one I have is both the lightest and the warmest in my collection.
Ternua lead the way in using recycled materials.
Waterproof
I prefer a lightweight, waterproof top. A few years ago a guide friend recommended Keela to me. It is an award winning Scottish manufacturer. Its Saxon jacket is made from a Flylite Aqua fabric that is waterproof, windproof and breathable. It weighs only 260g. I never leave home without it!
Summary
While there is always the truth that “you get what you pay for”, don’t forget you should have at least 4-5 years wear from better quality gear. Factor in that consideration when you make a choice.
