[Music]
>> Jon: You only need a handful garments to stay warm, dry, and comfortable in rain, wind
or snow - so that you can enjoy views, like this [points]
Hi, I’m Jonathon Simons, I’m a wildlife tracker and bush craft instructor . And in
my spare time a keen bird watcher and hill walker . So I spend a lot of my time outdoors.
Every time I do go out I use the same versatile clothing system known as the Layering System,
to keep me warm, dry and comfortable.
And today I’m going to show you how it works.
I’m working with my friends at GO Outdoors who have all the know how on outdoor kit at
their finger tips.
The light and packable clothing that forms the layering system is designed to be kept
in your rucksack so it can be pulled out at a moments notice.
To see how it works we need to rewind to the start of the day.
The first part of the layering system is the base layer.
Its designed to trap a thing layer of warm air against my body and pulls or wicks sweat
vapor away from my skin . It also keeps me warm and dry
I’m wearing a base layer made of Marino wool.
Its fibers are so fine its doesn’t itch or scratch.
Marina also helps to neutralize body odor its environmentally friendly renewable fabric.
There are alternative to Marino wool And go outdoors have all the information
>> Jenny: Thanks Jon, Hi I’m jenny and speaking as someone who does lot of walking and camping
I find that synthetic base layers like this one this one here are a great alternative
to Marino garments as they also dry even faster.
They also cost less.
So typically you buy 2 synthetic garments for one the price of one Marino.
>>> Jon: Now there’s one base layer fabric that you need to avoid and that’s cotton.
Cotton soaks up sweat like a sponge and this is bad news because when cotton gets wet it
draws heat away from your body – and this can lead to hypothermia.
Hypothermia is a potential lethal condition and can contracted in surprisingly mild weather.
So unless your in a hot climate, avoid wearing cotton clothing.
And of course avoid wearing cotton underwear and socks to.
Well its getting cooler, so its time to throw on the next part of my layering system – which
is the mid layer.
The mid layer is design to trap body heat and to allow sweat vapor carrying keep moving
through the layer system.
The most popular mid layer fabric is fleece as its affordable, durable and quick drying,
the thicker the fleece the more heat it traps, so you want a mid weight fleece for colder
weather and thin or micro fleece, like this one, for milder conditions.
There are many alternatives available for mid layers, so its over to go outdoors for
all the details.
>> Jenny: Many mid layers are designed for specific outdoor uses.
But broadly speaking, all can be divided into either active or passive garment categories.
Fleece garments, like this one here, designed for active use are worn whilst on the move
as they allow sweat and excess heat to escape . Some mid layers are made from material that
repels wind, rain and snow – known as soft shell, these garments leave you comfortable
in poor weather and work especially well on blustery days in spring and autumn.
Mid layers designed to trap loads of body heat are ideal for passive activities.
Filled with either a synthetic insulation or a natural down insulation they are like
mini sleeping bags with arms and are great in cold weather.
These jackets are great in winter, if your having a break on the hill side or walking
to the pub.
>> Jon: As you gain altitude the temperatures drops.
So remember on the summit it could be quite cold, even if though if its really warm down
in the car park.
But ambient temperature is only part of the story – wind and rain can have a big impact
on just how cold and uncomfortable it can feel
Which is where the next part of the layering system comes in.
this out layer known as the shell blocks wind and rain, it has also my sweat vapor to leave
the layering system.
Now I’m wearing a waterproof Paramo shell – and I’m feeling very comfortable indeed
– lovely!
>> Jenny: There are 3 types of shell, Paramo, membrane and coated nylon – they all do
a great job in keeping out the elements – but they vary how quickly they allow sweat vapor
to move from the inside to the outside of the garment.
Paramo, is nick wax is an allergy fabric – which is what Jon is wearing, and membranes are
the two types of waterproof and breathable materials that is best suited to active use.
Paramo is very breathable and great at keeping you comfortable in many weather conditions.
But the material is heavier than some membranes and coated nylons.
Membranes such Gortex, Event And Due Point are lighter and more packable than Paramo
but they don’t breath quite as effectively.
The third type of outer layer is a coated nylon these shells are designed for passive
activities.
Such as walking the dog short rambles with the day sack or hiking to the pub.
Coated nylons are less expensive and less breathable than Paramo or membranes and will
feel sweaty during arduous activities.
All of these base, mid and outer layer are available in women specific designs.
>> Jon: You can use the layering system on your legs to.
You can layer a pair a Marino or synthetic leggings underneath your wind resistant summer
trekking trousers and you can pull on pair of breathable waterproof over trousers – should
the weather come in.
An alternative to the leg wearing layering system is pair a soft shell trousers – like
these.
Soft shell is a popular leg wear material, as its time consuming to adjust multiple layers
on the move.
Well the summits in site, and there’s a definite chill in the air, so I think it must
be time for my hat and gloves.
>> Jenny: Protecting and exposing your extremities is easy way to fine tune your temperature
without having to stop to add or remove extra layers.
I keep a hat and gloves in the pockets my jacket, so I can easily put it on…
Well it seems like Jon has reached the summit.
So thanks for watching, and remember with dozens of stores nationwide and an information
packed website, we’ve got you covered what every the weather.
See you.