Mountain Hideaway Blog

Layering for colder weather is essential for staying warm on cold days. The concepts of layering are not new but do change somewhat according to the new technologies that exist with today’s clothing and outerwear. The how and what to layer with also depends on a few variables such as the activity being performed, each individual’s body to adapt to colder temperatures and the environment that you will be exposed to.

 Before the days of Gore-Tex and super technologically advanced garments, layering was and still is essential to survival in extreme cold temperatures. The only difference between now and then is that now we have more options in terms of choosing specific layering systems and we have lighter weight and more breathable fabrics.

1^st Layer: Base layer or “Next-to-Skin” layer

This layer can be made of a wool fiber or synthetic material that conforms to your body and lays close to the skin to wick moisture away from your body. Moisture wicking fabric allows moisture to escape the body, so as to avoid overheating during physical strenuous activities. The is layer is not usually made to be an insulative layer; however there are some baselayers like the Capilene 4 (expedition weight) that is considered to have insultive properties.

 2^nd Layer: Mid Layer or “Insulative Layer”

This layer is added for extra warmth and insulation. Materials such as fleece, down, or synthetics such as Primaloft are usually used for this layer. Fleece is a great lightweight insulator but it can be bulky and it does not retain heat in windy or wet weather. Goose Down is lightweight and is the most effective layer for warmth in dry cold weather; however in wet conditions down will lose its ability to retain heat. Synthetic materials bridge the gap between down and fleece and offer excellent warmth in a wide variety of conditions; it is often times heavier than down.

3^rd Layer: Outer-Layer or “Shell Layer”

 The outer layer’s primarily used to keep moisture and elements such as ice and snow away from the body. These layers need to be 100% waterproof, but may also vary on how breathable or durable the garment is. The Gore-Tex brand of material is outdoor industry standard for being most waterproof, breathable, and durable.

 The Soft Shell:

Soft shell’s have been somewhat of an oddity in the layering system, mainly because of it’s flexible construction and the wide variety of conditions it can be used in. The soft shell’s main purpose is to create a layer that allows the body to move freely without restriction. Most if not all soft shells have some ability to stretch all while providing some protection from the elements. Soft shell’s early on were not made to be water proof; however some have evolved into a sophisticated garment with full waterproof protection.