IntroBe an Onion! Or at least channel your mind to think like one. When it comes to layering its best to think how your clothing can and will improve your trail experience, your performance experience and protection from the elements. Outdoor based clothing has elevated its game to provide materials best suited to insulate, drive away moisture, protect from the elements and best of all, provide comfort. Layering is not a one season mindset, it’s a four-season approach to how your body will interact with your outdoor experience. Let’s (intentional pun) peel away from the idea that clothing is something to mindlessly to account for and let’s engage in the practice that layering is an optimal investment to make. Layering has three components, that applies not only to upper body but to lower body as well. Let's meet each layer !
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Get to know your layers
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Base Layer
Role: Sits against the skin, the front lines of your battle with moisture & sweat.
Benefits:
Cotton retains moisture (adage "cotton is rotten" ). In fact, cotton will worsen your body heat & potentially make you susceptible to hypothermia. (or a really big uncomfortable chill at the summit. If your trail experience is in colder climates. |
Mid Layer
Role: Protects from the cold.
Benefits:
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Outer "Shell" Layer
Role: Outermost, protects from wind and precipitation.
Benefits:
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Recommendations
Layering can come in a few combinations, for example a summer hike would have a base layer short sleeve shirt to wick away the sweat and possibly a shell layer to avoid rain and wind on your trail. Conversely , winter layering could (and should) be the application of all three layers to maximize not only warmth and protection but to also manage sweat and moisture from the body. The concept of layering is that all layers should work collaboratively, be able to be packed and unpacked efficiently and provide comfort. Layering also applies to the legs, especially during winter hikes where temperatures go south of freezing, the base layer for the legs can provide real and substantial assistance to retain heat.
As a wrap up to layering (pun intended) , the idea here is to be ready for the elements and to avoid health risks due to exposure. layering is a common practice to ensure regardless of the weather day that your outdoor experience be a safe one and be easy to manage.
As a wrap up to layering (pun intended) , the idea here is to be ready for the elements and to avoid health risks due to exposure. layering is a common practice to ensure regardless of the weather day that your outdoor experience be a safe one and be easy to manage.
