Bumblebeez, a good base layer will serve you well and not add bulk. I like Cuddle Duds t’s and pants for my base layer.

I recommend the Cuddle Duds. My husband likes Under Armour base layers but sometimes complains that it is too warm. I do not know the weight of the base layer he has. Here are some choices for women at Dicks Sporting Goods.

Pendleton wool clothes are amazing. Even a thin layer of wool is amazing. Check higher end resale shops for good deals.

Thank you 2pups and happy2b, base layers it is.

Dchall, I love pendleton wool too! The best!

Ok, base layer, then what? Sweater? Fleece? 2 jackets? I will never be out when it's raining btw. Wool? Some kind of modern fiber?

I have a lot of warm sweaters and jackets and coats, I am specifically looking for low bulk. Probably some kind of legging instead of jeans.

A friend just returned from Iceland and these were her upper body layers-probably too much for you but it gives you an idea. Base layer-very thin ultrafine merino wool, 2-larger and thicker merino wool mid weight, 3-lightweight synthetic zippered vest, 4-slender down jacket, 5-windproof Gortex parka.

We traveled to Lapland (northern Finland) last January and it was pretty darn cold. I wore my cuddle duds every day under a turtleneck, a thin sweater and a Columbia down-alternative jacket. If you are hiking you’re obviously going to generate heat. I think it’s probably best to try different combinations of layers that are comfortable for you.

I like heavier hiking tights. I bought some for my DGD from Athleta for a 4-day hike on the AT and she loved them. It snowed the first night they were on the trail. She’s a 2-P and they fit her well and they are now her go-to pants. I like Athleta too as they have tall sizes. I also have a pair of North Face hiking tights I like a lot.

For upper body, I can wear a lightweight upper layer first, sometimes a thin running shirt, or merino base layer is also good. Then a zip front tech thicker shirt. I can unzip a little if it gets warm. After that it depends on the weather. Fleece is good if really cold for hiking, a wind proof vest if not so cold (mine is an Eddie Bauer), or a rain jacket. For running I have another hooded jacket. I also usually carry a Buff neck warmer thing I can pull up over my face if it’s windy or can pull it on my head like a headband if needed.

I really appreciate all the ideas and this has helped me a lot in knowing what to look for and what to use from what I have already. I need the base layer and I'll look at cuddle duds, and a better jacket, a Gortex jacket. And the tights/ leggings.

I was freezing for the first part of the hike and didn't generate heat until mid way through when I started leaving items on the trail.

Y'all are making me remember why I live below the snow belt (most of the time).

Barely anyone in the continental US is escaping the cold now! It is hard because here we don't really get a lot of cold, so our winter wardrobes are a little lacking because we never get a chance to wear them. Last year I took my CuddlDuds to the Great Wall, and I was too hot. It was much milder than I anticipated even though December. I also had my Lands End packable down coat.

Oh yeah, and I talk about wanting to move to a Scandinavian country, too.

Gortex jackets are for the rain. Unless the jacket has armpit zips you may sweat too much in them. I run and hike in the cold and rain and wear pretty much all Arcteryx gear. Thin layers with no bulk.

We don't get as cold here (PNW) as the rest of the country but what we experience is a very raw damp cold.

I wear Cuddl Duds every day from early Nov till late April. I mean......in the house! I often wear them under my nightgown, too. I get the silky, stretchy kind. I walk outside all year round. I wear them under jeans/corduroys and rarely feel the cold come through. I highly recommend them!

I wear Merino wool and two pairs of leggings or maybe 3 depending on if it drops way below zero. I'm out all day walking dogs rain shine sleet snow slippery dry you get it. I have three changes of clothes in the car and will sometimes have to change my pants and even my waterproof quote end quote jackets. Especially if the rain goes sideways. :-)

I'm where BLFenton is but don't have the money for the very expensive things. The arcteryx wear is so pretty and nice looking though! I wish!

yeonassky - C`heck out the factory outlet store and then the factory outlet store sales. That's when/where I shop.

Thank you for all the great ideas! Gsc, you are right, this is an abnormal cold for us and I don't have the right clothes. I haven't bought much in the past as January could have weeks in the 60's many winters. My winter coats last decades and some years I don't wear them at all. I'll look for Nike Pro Warm at the local Nike outlet.