Let's break down how to layer for cold weather. In a way that's simple to understand.
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Throughout many winter adventures and expeditions, I've learned from a combination of theory and my own trial-and-error downfalls. What I'm left with, is knowledge. Knowledge I hope to pass on to you so you can build upon. Here, I'll share with you my system for keeping warm, which you can apply to your own life in literally every situation, covering all outdoor activities from shovelling your driveway to crisp ice fishing getaways and multi-day winter camping trips.
Cold Weather Layering: Why it's important?
A winter layering system can be understood like this: If you just pack on a massive jacket, thick pants, and cram layers on a bunch of socks - sure it may feel toasty at first, but as you change your activity level, you get too hot and start to sweat.. Then as you become less active, that sweat will cool down and you'll be freezing cold, and in some situations, can be a risk to your life. Wet clothing makes you cold up to 25X faster than if you were dry! Learning to layer clothes gives you the ability to strategically add or remove layers according to the outside conditions; keeping you from sweating too much or getting too cold.
The Layers:
Here are the components to an expert-level cold weather layering system:
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#1. The Base Layer
The Base Layer is your next to skin layer. Also known as "long underwear" and is your arguably the most important layer. It's role is to do
these 3 things:
1. Moisture Management:
This is best explained with an analogy of spilling water on a counter. Just as a sponge soaks up liquid, the base layer fabric absorbs sweat or moisture from your skin - keeping your skin dry.
But what happens then, won't your base layer just be wet and left sitting against the skin? No, because base layers ALSO help evaporate that moisture away. Using another analogy to explain - instead of a sponge, we place a paper towel on the spill. It won't soak up as much water, but it will spread it out over a larger surface area - meaning it will evaporate faster. So the material dries off quickly and, again, helps keep your skin dry.
2. Regulate Body Temperature:
There is a unique type of base layer weave that has an amazing additional property: It can create a microclimate of air against your skin. A mesh weave Base layer, Also known as a Fishnet base layer. They work like this: when your body increases heat fast by working hard, that air gap helps you not to overheat as fast. Same with when outer temperatures are colder, the air gap helps your skin not feel it as fast. Think of it as a regulating buffer; your skin could increase or decrease by a few degrees, but that air buffer remains neutral, helping to temper the increase or decrease. -
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WATCH MY YOUTUBE VIDEO ON MESH BASELAYERS HERE
3. Mitigates Transient Cooling:
Big words here, I know. But simply put: transient cooling happens when cold air or a cold material touches the skin. Think of when a cold breeze touches your bare skin, you instantly feel that shock and get goosebumps. Well, the additional role of base layers is in reducing skin cooling caused by momentary contact with cold outer fabric layers. Even thin underwear can give the impression of warmth because cold receptors in the skin are highly sensitive to momentary cold exposure. A next-to-skin layer is very important for this often overlooked fact. For example,
thin plain knit underwear can reduce the thermal impact of cool outer fabric by about 43%.
Common Base Layer Materials:
Natural fibers vs Synthetic fibers: Keep in mind when we talk "natural fibers" here we're talking about merino wool as a base layer. You want to avoid cotton as much as you can. It's a poor choice of base layer as it has very limited moisture-wicking properties, and absorbs and retains moisture, such as sweat, rather than wicking it away from the skin. Thus sapping your body heat. The most common base layers come in Merino Wool or Synthetic blends. In general, Merino Wool is better for stop-and-go activities because even if it gets wet, wool can still help with body heat and keep you warm as it will retain about 40% of it's insulative value when wet. Wool will wick moisture a bit slower than synthetic, but it will keep you feeling drier. It has a slightly higher insulation value than synthetic, so better for very cold days and doesn't retain odors so it won't smell. Synthetic baselayers, on the other hand, are better for high-exertion activities. They are great for winter hiking, cross-country skiing, or any activities where you'll be sweating a lot. They tend to wick away sweat much faster than wool, although they don't do anything for your body heat when they get wet, and tend to smell after sweating in them.
#2 THE MID LAYER (Insulating Layer)
The mid layer is what provides you insulation and real warmth in cold weather! Many people make the mistake of buying thick base layers for insulation. I wouldn't recommend it. Instead, focus on layering multiple base layers if need be, and rather spend that money on a good mid layer. The middle layer works by trapping still air, which has low thermal conductivity. Meaning, your body temperature will slowly heat up that trapped air within the fibers, and will act as a warm buffer between the outside colder air. One important thing to remember is:
only use your insulating layer when you are in an inactive state. Try as best as you can to stick to this rule. If you are hiking up a hill for example, have only your base layer and a shell layer overtop. When you reach the top and stop being active, this is the time to break out the extra layers and put that middle layer back on to trap that body heat in. You don't want to be overheating while being active.
#3 THE SHELL LAYER (Outer Layer)
The shell layer, or outer layer, acts as a protective barrier against wind rain and snow. Its job is essentially to be a shield in cold weather. It's that outer layer of protection that keeps the cold and rain from penetrating your warm inner layers. It's often made from waterproof breathable fabrics (WBFs). Which are designed to allow that sweat wicked off our body to evaporate out, but not let water come back in. In theory, this works well, but in practice, I've found that there's no real way for water to evaporate through the material if it's already raining out. The breathable technology (in my opinion) works best when it's not raining.
That being said, the most important feature to look for in an outer layer is zippered vents. The vents should be at both your armpits, and ofcourse the chest zipper. So when you're building up condensation inside - you can open up the outer layer to properly vent it out.
A bonus tip here is to pick a shell that can double as a rain jacket in the shoulder seasons and conditions other than cold weather - like fall or spring. That's by far the best value for your money, can being part of both your mid-season and cold weather layers.
BONUS: THE MODERN ALTERNATIVE - SOFT SHELL
Need image of someone wearing a softshell. Doesnt matter which. Just a basic one. An alternative and modern take to the traditional layering system is 'soft-shell' clothing, designed to be wind resistant and sort of do the job of both the middle layer and the exterior layer together. A great cold weather option. They're definitely more breathable than a hard shell but less water resistant. More so meant for light rain at best. However, they shouldn't be overlooked, as they're a nice middle ground for staying warm in mildly cold temps and are great for some light activity. You'll still have to have the proper layers underneath the soft shell - a sweat-wicking base layer, for one, but this saves in buying a separate middle layer and shell. Theyre great for both winter weather and fall /spring. Soft shells generally combine elements from the traditional layering system with knitted fleece or pile fabrics and a tightly woven shell layer, either with or without a membrane. It’s essentially your middle layer and outer layer combined into one. One that can be wind-resistant, warm, and somewhat water-resistant. Replacing the need for mid layers and outer separately.
Footwear Considerations in Cold Weather Layering
One more consideration when layering clothes is knowing how to keep your feet warm and toes toasty in cold weather.
Check out my video here for a great visual explanation Starting with the socks,
again make sure you're not using cotton socks. You want a material that won't hold moisture and instead will wick away sweat, keeping those feet dry and warm. Think high wool socks or synthetic blends, as they will be paired with your cold-weather boots. As tempting as it is to pile on an extra layer of socks into your snow boots, make sure you have enough space in there. Get snow boots that are 1-2 sizes larger than you're regular boots. If your toes can't move around inside, then they're too tight. This will cut off blood flow to your toes and will make them cold. For boots, you'll want something with a removable liner inside a boot that is preferably breathable. The concept is similar to how you layer clothes. You'll have your three layers; first are your wool socks which act as your baselayer and wick away the moisture, then the removable liner is like the mid layer and can be either synthetic insulation or wool insulation, and the snow boot outer is like your shell layer. If the outer boot is of rubber, or completely waterproof, then you can still adapt your footwear to layer properly. The key here is the removable liner. Because the outer layer wont allow moisture to evaporate out, you'll need to depend on the removable liner to evacuate moisture. You do this by the campfire, or after going inside after a long day out.
Keeping Your Hands Warm in Cold Weather
An overlooked part of cold weather gear: the gloves. I almost never use 5 finger insulated gloves in extreme cold weather. Always Mitts. Why? Well the reason is simple:
Mitts keep you warmer. I still apply a layering technique here in most cases, again, similar to how we layer clothes. Your underglove is like a base layer. It can be wool or synthetic, and will provide the same sweat-wicking properties mentioned above, BUT the extra protection if you need to take your mitts off in cold weather. Your hand won't be bare. There aren't usually middle layers in this system, just the under-glove and over-mitt. The Mitts not only act as your outer layer to protect you from the elements and provide wind resistance but also provide the maximum insulation because all your fingers are contained inside - together.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding how to layer clothing for cold weather is perhaps one of the greatest skills you can grasp for winter activities outside. With this knowledge, you can save money by narrowing down your purchases to only what works and what you need - according to your activity level. Thanks for stopping by, Your friend, DJ
