Dressing In Layers

Managing Your Body's Temperature in the Great Outdoors

What do you do when the morning temperature is in the low 40's and the high temperature for the day is over 90 degrees? Do you take enough winter style clothing to stay warm in the morning and enough summer style clothing to shed the sun and stay cool in the afternoon?

In situations like this, consider Dressing In Layers!

Layering is the method of regulating your body temperature when conditions such as wind, rain, snow, cold, and a baking sun wants to do otherwise. Dressing in layers allows you to cope with violent or sometimes sudden temperature changes that occur in the backcountry. Layering helps regulate your body heat so that you stay warm without overheating and cool without becoming chilly.

Wearing layers made of synthetic, quick-drying material helps to evaporate moisture from your inner core to the outside. Thus, keeping your clothes dry enough to prevent body heat loss. Combining synthetic undergarments with today's synthetic waterproof/windproof outerwear shells allows mositure to be "wicked" away from your body while protecting you from mother nature's changing weather conditions.

The Layers

BASE LAYER or Moisture Transport Layer. Worn next to the skin to wick moisture and perspiration away from the body to prevent heat loss. Made out of synthetic wicking fabrics such as Patagonia® Capilene®, Polartec® PowerDry®, REI MTS®, and CoolMax®.

MID LAYER or Insulating Layer . Clothing worn over the base layer made out of synthetic materials - fleece, silk/polyester or polyester/wool. This layer works to retain the body's temperature. Use this layer to regulate your body temperature. If cold, put something on. If hot, take something off.

OUTER LAYER or Protection Layer. Outermost component of the layering system. Normally a waterproof, windproof shell or insulating parka to prevent rain, wind, snow, and cold from diminishing the body's warmth.