This is the first of a series of Basics articles. In this series we hope to break down a series of topics into small introductory articles. This week we are going to look at layering:

Its natural to layer; when you’re cold, you put on a sweater. Cold feet? Slap on more socks! More layers means more ‘stuff’ between your skin and the cold outside- insulation. For the most part this gets the job done. The problem lies in that it can lead to bulky attire and inconsistent warmth. If you are insulated so that you are warm at rest, you will be too hot when active. Or if you plan ahead for that, you may be just right while active but cold when at rest.

Proper layering can help correct these problems and minimize bulky clothing, keeping motion free and unrestrained. Enter the 3-layer system that is able to wick moisture away, keep warm air in, and block out cold air and rain.

1st Layer: Base Layer or Wicking Layer

First things first – moisture. How often has a day out been soured when you stop and find some part of yourself cold and wet. I hate to point fingers, but I’m looking at you, feet. In addition to making us cold and uncomfortable, being wet inhibits movement and makes us more susceptible to colds and viruses in addition to making us uncomfortable.

Hence our first layer or “base layer”. The most important purpose of this layer is to keep you dry. That’s why long underwear is relatively thin, close-fitting to the body, and hopefully made of a wicking material. When we say wicking me mean literally like a candle wick – capillary action actively pulls water away from the skin to an outer surface where airflow and evaporate it away.

Synthetics and merino wool make ideal base layers because they are naturally wicking. These fabrics are ‘hydro-phobic’, meaning that do not absorb moisture. Instead any moisture just runs along the fibers away from the body. Many plant-based organic materials, such as cotton, are not good because they will just absorb moisture and become a wet rag against your skin, drying extremely slowly.

So the base layer is not insulating heat directly so much as it is keeping you dry so that you can keep in your body heat have already.

2nd Layer: Insulation Layer or Soft Shell

This is the layer where you buffer that nipping cold. On the inside of this layer you’ve (ideally) got that perfect warm temperature, but on the outside it’s going to be basically the exact same temperature as the aid around you.

The best insulation layers will offer too much insulation. We then combat that with vents that let us vary the amount of heat escaping. This also provides quick adaptability to varying weather conditions. Think summit versus base camp.

They should also be wind blocking. This keeps that gusting wind from getting through your layers to suck all your body heat away. It also helps keep the air inside your insulation isolated from the air outside; this way your body can heat up that pocket of air more than it otherwise would be able to do.

In ye olden days (read: The 90’s), insulation used to be a basic fleece. Since, companies have developed the “soft shell”. Soft shells incorporate the comfort, wind-blocking, and insulation of a fleece, but do oh so much more! They are more abrasion resistant, less bulky, more form fitting, more breathable, and many feature a DWR coating to make them water resistant. Thanks science!

3rd Layer: Shell or Hard Shell

Your shell is your last line of defense. It should serve as an impenetrable shield against rain, wind, snow, and cold air.

Materials such as Gore-Tex have made is so that a jacket can achieve all this while still allowing all that moisture we’ve been wicking away to escape. Gore-Tex is capable of allowing fine suspended water particles (evaporated sweat) to pass but blocks large droplets from passing (rain and melted snow). Furthermore, its totally wind proof. It’s like your yellow rubber rain coat you had as a child, except you don’t get all hot and muggy inside it and its lighter and more packable to boot.

The other consideration when selecting a shell is that it is large enough to fit over the previous layers. Most manufacturers size their layers with this in mind – a large base layer, fits perfect inside a large soft shell, which in turn fits just right inside a large hard shell.

And that’s it. The perfect base for active lifestyle warmth. The

only real variable you play with here is the insulation layer. The base layer and shell will stay the same and always need to perform the same function. Just increase or decrease insulation depending on the conditions. Now to top it off with the right accessories:

Hats:

Hats are another easy way to adjust your level of warmth. While tales your parents told you of 80% of your body’s heat being given off by the head are not accurate, the head is (hopefully) the highest part of your body. Compound that with a relatively high level of blood flow and that it has a lot of exposed surface area and the head is still a major factor in heat loss. Simply keep the hat on to keep that heat in or take it off to encourage it.

The best hats fit snug and offer a fair amount of insulation. They will also have some sort of fleece or other wind-blocking material.

Gloves and Socks:
In cold conditions, the body naturally limits blood flow to the extremities in favor of keeping core temperatures up. Don’t underestimate the importance of warm hands and feet! Make sure to have a good, waterproof pair of gloves.

In the case of feet, consider that the human body can give off a cup of perspiration from the feet in one day. A great option to side-step wet cold feet at the end of the day is to wear a thin pair of wicking socks beneath your heavy insulated ones.

The same goes for gloves; a liner is a good way to keep your hands dry.