If you're heading outdoors, no matter what the season, the easiest way to stay comfortable
is to dress properly.
Layering is simply a strategy that emphasizes versatility and efficiency.
Instead of bulking yourself up with a couple of heavier items, what you'll want to do is
put together an outfit with several lightweight items that you can add or remove, as needed.
So with that, here are a few quick keys to layering comfortably.
The first is to think about what you'll be doing outside.
Are you going to be standing around in colder temperatures, or moving?
Think about how fast you'll be moving as well, because that will impact what layers you ultimately
choose.
The second, if you're going to be active, your going to want to start the day slightly
cool.
If you're warm the second you step outside, you'll probably overheat 15 or 20 minutes
into the activity.
Number three, while your core is really important to think about, you'll also want to remember
those extremities.
This means stashing a hat and some gloves so you can keep your extremities warm on any
fall, winter or spring hike.
And lastly, remember if your heading into the mountains, that the temperature is going
to drop as you head up in elevation.
Here you can see I'm wearing a lightweight Smartwool base layer.
The base layer is the layer that sits next to your skin and you're going to want it to
be made out of a material that will keep you dry.
Base layers can be made from synthetic materials, wool or silk.
While polypropylene has been around for decades and is effective, merino wool has become an
increasingly popular option.
Merino wool is warm, breathable, it dries quickly and resists odor.
Sometimes you'll see that the merino wool is blended with spandex to provide extra stretch.
Base layers come in lightweight, midweight and heavyweight versions.
If you're out in the warmer temperatures, you're probably going to want to go lightweight.
Midweight base layers are great for activities like skiing, where you'll be working up a
sweat in colder temperatures.
Heavyweight base layers are best reserved for less intense activities in cold temperatures,
or if you're just going to be standing around in the cold.
Now we're looking at the mid layer.
The mid layer is worn over the base layer and really gives a lot of options because
there are so many different ways to go.
The key is figuring out which qualities are going to be important for you.
For some activities a lightweight fleece or fleece vest is going to be sufficient.
However, if you're looking for more warmth and maximum mobility and flexibility you may
want to opt for a jacket with down or synthetic insulation.
Down is great for those times when you know you're going to be in a climate that's cold
and dry.
However, if you do choose to go with a jacket, just be sure to consider the bulk, because
something that's too bulky might feel a little restrictive and slow you down.
But now, let's move to the outer layer.
The outer layer is the most important piece of the layering package when the weather gets
bad.
It's what keeps out the rain, snow, hail, and sleet.
Gore-Tex is the waterproof breathable technology that most of you are probably familiar with,
but many other manufacturers produce their proprietary technology that is equally as
effective at keeping you dry.
This is the Marmot Cornice jacket and it features 2-layer Gore-Tex technology which helps prevent
overheating when you're hiking, climbing or skiing.
The two or three layer hard shell has been a standard outer layer for decades, but these
days some people prefer a soft shell.
Soft shells offer more mechanical stretch and more weather resistance than a fleece,
but less protection than a hard shell with a membrane.
Fabric technology has also gotten to the point where you can find hybrid jackets.
These offer a mixture of soft shell fabric so that you can balance weather protection
and breathability.
So consider your outer layer carefully.
Are you going to be hiking in the rain, climbing at altitude, or doing a start stop activity
like backcountry skiing?
Whatever the case may be, these are the three main pieces of the layering puzzle.
So I hope you found this informative.
If you want to check out any of the layering pieces that I demonstrated in this video,
be sure to click on that shop button, and if you want to continue to learn more about
layering, be sure to click right here on this video.