Your Layered Clothing
Layering clothing is critical for health, safety, and comfort while outdoors. Layers allow your body temperature to stay regulated while protecting yourself from the harsh winter elements. While making your adventure as comfortable as possible. When you dress with layered clothing, you create a microclimate around your body. Trapping the heat and keeping you warm for your whole adventure.
Base Layer
The purpose of the base layer is to keep you dry to prevent the buildup of moisture that can lead to hypothermia. Utilizing thermal or moisture-wicking clothing will do just that. But keep in mind they work in different ways.
Thermal clothing material design traps heat and keeps you warm. It’s often made from a blend of polyester and nylon or other synthetic fibers. The fibers are woven together, creating a barrier that traps a layer of warm air close to your skin. Due to the design thermal clothing is often used as a base layer and worn next to the skin.
Moisture-wicking clothing moves sweat away from your skin. Bringing it to the surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate. This clothing is often made of polyester or other synthetic fibers. Those fibers are quick-drying and breathable. The fibers are loose and porous, allowing sweat to pass through the layers easily. Moisture-wicking clothing is also often used as a base layer, but it can also be worn as a mid-layer or outer layer.
Mid Layer
The mid-layer of clothing is a crucial layer in keeping you warm and comfortable. It helps trap heat while preventing heat loss providing an extra layer of protection between the outer and base layers. And adds versatility and maintains comfort during cold weather activities. The two most popular materials used for mid-layer clothes are fleece and wool.
Fleece is a synthetic material made from polyester fibers. It is lightweight, warm, and breathable, and it dries quickly. Fleece material is also very durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Wool, on the other hand, is a natural material made from the hair of sheep or other animals. It is warm, breathable, and naturally moisture-wicking, which helps to keep you dry and comfortable. Wool is also naturally odor-resistant, so it doesn’t need to be washed as often as synthetic fibers. However, it can be more expensive than fleece and may shrink if washed in hot water or dried in a dryer.
Outer Layer
The outer layer is all about protecting you from the elements while staying warm. It is the protective barrier that should be breathable, durable, visible, and insulated. There are many types of materials that experts use. We wanted to highlight a few of them.
This material is waterproof, breathable, and windproof. It is made of a membrane that is sandwiched between two layers of fabric. The membrane blocks water from entering the clothing. While allowing sweat and moisture to escape. It is a popular choice for outdoor activities.
Softshell:
This is a type of fabric that is designed to be both breathable and water-resistant it is often made of a combination of polyester and spandex. It is known for its flexibility, durability, and ability to block wind. Softshell jackets and pants are a good option for activities where you need a lot of movement and flexibility
Down:
Down is a natural insulation made from the plumage of geese or ducks. It is very compressible and lightweight making it a good option for outer layers that need to provide insulation but also need to be packable. Down is often used in outer layers for winter activities. But it can lose its insulating properties when wet.
Nut Shell
It’s important to remember that layering is not just about adding clothes. It is about choosing the right materials to keep you warm and dry. Being aware of how the material works allow you to prepare the best way for your adventure.
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