Western Mountaineering Versalite

“So, as usual we descend into hair splitting madness. So I ask, what are the terms we're describing here? Is a 3 season kit a template based on specific items (ie: a versalite is 3 season jacket and a heavier one is not regardless of conditions), a quantity of items, or a weight? You refer to swapping out a lighter fleece for a heavier fleece. So if you take a kit that is 3 seasons, but swap in a sturdier jacket and shelter (think a sturdy mid is fine for this and still UL.) like that one poster said. Is this still 3 season? Granted I'm from Canada but I would consider 4 seasons to require a LOT of changes and additions. Maybe white gas stove, heavier clothing all around, ice axe? Microspikes/crampons? sleeping bag instead of quilt. More ground insulation. Now a larger pack to fit all this. Stronger lighting, more emergency stuff. Hell maybe a pulk/skis/snowshoes depending on where youre at. If we put pure weight aside and focus on the minimalism/quantity of items aspect of UL, I don't really see how needing a sturdier shelter/rain jacket and making your worn clothing suitable to the abrasiveness of your trip shifts us out of the 3 seasons category. I did a season of landscaping in nylon eddie bauer pants until they finally died from melting holes in them with an angle grinder this stuff is sturdier than you'd expect if you don't just buy the absolute most featherweight things on the market. Anyways my tips: -I like rain pants. Not packing them in the desert or dry conditions but yeah freezing alpine rain in the wind or pushing through wet brush they're nice to have. -Mid shelters are good, I use a Solomid XL. -fleece is crucial for the wet I always see people saying you don't need fleece since its heavier than down as if they serve the same purpose. Fleece is the "this article of clothing is getting soaked and it will save me from hypothermia" shirt. -hand insulation! I use the REI gortex mittens over liner gloves. My hands will go numb if I'm hiking in cold rain and wind without them. - sturdier trail runners like la sportiva or some salomons that are basically low cut boots are nice I don't really like having the boots come up high I'd rather wear gaiters. - sleep clothes, another one like the fleece people say to skip. When its 10 degrees and raining for a week straight I don't really see a way around it unless you want to just jump into your quilt naked and not move until morning -i never used gaiters until I came to Tasmania but yes wading through thigh deep mud is a lot nicer with them and I somehow manged to wear holes in 500d canvas so I guess they are doing their job not shredding my pants.”