How To Layer For Outdoor Winter Activities
Being from South Florida, this was a topic I had NO IDEA was so important until I moved to Colorado and dove right into learning how to snowboard. I figured out from previous camping trips in the Appalachians that cotton was the enemy but I had no idea how to layer my clothing to stay warm and dry. After a few rounds of frostbite (my friends all know I'm notoriously prone to) and some formal education, I am proud to say I have my layering DIALED IN and ON POINT!
First we need to go over the objective of layering, to stay warm and dry! Recreating in the winter can be SOOOO much fun with options to hike, snowshoe, snowboard, ski, snowmobile, ice climb, etc. The best part is you can explore some really popular trails with way less people than the typical summer crowds.
However, winter can bring up some very unforgiving conditions and if you're unprepared to handle those ever-changing elements you are putting yourself at risk for hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia can become a serious situation causing difficulty thinking clearly and reduced. motor functions. Frostbite if ignored can cause severe nerve damage or even amputation. It's all fun and games until your toes go numb and you pull your foot out of your boot to discover yellow waxy toes. You don't want this experience TRUST ME. So knowing how to keep yourself warm and dry is critically important and makes all the difference between having a great time or a miserable experience.
LAYER #1- The Base
Repeat after me, NO COTTON EVER. Not even for your sports bra, underwear or boxers. Cotton doesn't wick moisture, it holds on to it. So imagine you're snowshoeing up hill and you're sweating because it's a strenuous activity. You get to your destination and as soon as the adrenaline settles down you realize you are soaking wet under all those layers. This is how hypothermia can become a very real problem in the backcountry and why you shouldn't wear cotton when you're recreating outdoors. Synthetic fabrics and merino wool are the way to go, they even sell undergarments made from that material.
Synthetic fabric such as polyester, nylon, rayon, and polypropylene are great options as well because they are so affordable. However, they do hold odor so if you're going on a multi-day excursion it's a good idea to invest in a quality merino wool base system. I've had my Smartwool base layers for 4 years now and they still look brand new. I make sure not to dry them to avoid any shrinkage.
You want the fit of this layer to be snug against your skin but comfortable. You don't want it so tight that you get stomach cramps after a day of use. I used to have a pair where the waist band was so tight, I had to cut slits in the sides so I could breathe. Find your fit and you should be able to enjoy using that set for many years of adventuring.
EXTREMITIES
While we're talking about base layers, we have to acknowledge the extremities and how important it is to keep your hands, feet and head warm at all times. When you start to get cold, you typically feel it first in your fingers, toes, nose, cheeks, chin and ears. It's an indicator that warns you to warm up because your core body temperature is starting to drop. This skin is usually the most prone to frost bite because it's exposed!
Liners are great options that add additional warmth and protection in harsh conditions. They consist of a thinner material that acts as a second skin underneath your more insualting glove/mitten, socks, and hat. So if you're someone who has trouble with cold feet, consider investing in a high quality liner. They also really help with preventing blisters!
LAYER #2- THE INSULATOR
This is the layer that will keep you warm and toasty in low temps by retaining your body heat. There are a few factors to consider when it comes to this layer- the efficiency of the insulating material and the thickness of the material itself. The most common options are fleece, and puffy jackets (down or synthetic.)
Fleece is awesome because it's affordable and stays warm even when damp. It dries quickly and breathes well. All the great qualities you want when recreating in winter conditions. However, fleece is heavier and bulkier than puffy jackets. You can find options in lightweight, midweight and heavyweight fabric.
Down puffy jackets are my favorite! So versatile and lightweight. my favorite feature is how compressible they are making it easy to delayer and throw your puffy in your bag without adding a bunch of weight and bulk to your pack.
Down offers the most warmth to weight ratio making it another MUST HAVE item in your outdoor repertoire. Just don't get it wet because it will lose that insulating power. Fill options range from 450-900, the higher the fill the warmer the jacket will be.Synthetic puffy jackets are great because they are an affordable alternative to some of the more expensive down jackets. They're heavier and they don't compress nearly as efficiently as down but they remain insulating while damp! This factor makes them a popular choice for conditions where you know you're likely to get wet.
LEGS
You might be thinking "what about my legs?" at this point. So here's the deal, if I'm being active and exercising in cold conditions I'm typically fine with my base layers and my insulated shell snow pants. Anything more makes me too hot while I'm moving around. However, if I'm winter camping I DEFINITELY want to have an extra layer to provide additional insulation for just hanging around. When you stop moving, you start getting cold. So if you snowshoe into camp for the evening, you want to set yourself up to retain that body heat as soon as possible.
My go to is adding a fleece lined pants layer over my base layers and under my outer shell snow pants. The extra warmth from the fleece goes a long way in maintaining your comfort level. Also switching out my active socks for a cozier, thicker pair helps my feet stay dry and warm. Top that off with some down booties and you're good to go!
LAYER #3- THE SHELL
The outer layer is in some cases the most important layer you'll have on. If you do everything else right but neglect this layer your whole outfit is basically useless. This layer protects you from the elements such as wind, rain, sleet, and snow. It acts as a barrier to keep the rest of your layers warm and dry.
When selecting a shell it's important to be sure it says WATERPROOF not water-resistant. I see this mistake made often and it's not the same thing. Water-resistant material is good for getting caught in a drizzle while running back to your car. But if you're outdoors in a storm the water will quickly soak through and you'll be in trouble. So look for material treated with DWR (Durable Water Repellent) which will make the water bead right off rather than seep right in.
It's important to note that technology and manufacturing has vastly improved in the recent decades. There are different variations of outerwear to choose from depending on the activity and weather conditions you are facing.
When you are playing in the snow, facing precipitation in winter conditions or doing any sort of winter overnight- I HIGHLY recommend going with a hard-shell to provide you with the most protection possible.
Hard-shells are designed to be breathable, built with an inner membrane of waterproof material such as Gore-Tex AND are treated with DWR as a final touch. These are typically more expensive but it's a one time purchase that when treated well will last you at least a decade or more of heavy use. This is the jacket you want to have on when it's full on dumping snow.Soft-shells are great for dry cold conditions. They are made of softer, high quality fabric that blocks most wind and protects you from light precipitation. They are also treated with DWR but can not be labeled as waterproof. Sometimes, when you're out on a cold day with a good weather forecast this is all you need! Great breathability with these too!
Some companies have started making hybrid shells which combine both the hard-shell and soft-shell aspects to their design. Imagine a jacket that looks and feels like a soft-shell but performs like a hard-shell. It's a powerhouse that allows breathability and stretchability with the waterproof protection you can count on.
ADDITIONAL WINTER ITEMS
Don't forget about mittens, gloves, beanies, balaclavas, gaiters and sun protection! The choice between gloves and mittens is a personal preference. Whatever keeps you more comfortable and warm is the way to go. I like mittens that have finger dividers and I've noticed it keeps me far warmer than just gloves.
I like to keep a balaclava in my pack for frigid days. You can purchase balaclavas in an array of different materials- from wool, cotton, polyester and fleece. I really love my smart wool balaclava because it's thin, lightweight, moisture wicking and very effective at keeping me warm.
A neck gaiter is a great addition if you feel like a balaclava is too much but still want additional protection from the elements. It will protect your face from wind and snow which is a plus. I have a fleece lined neck gaiter from Eddie Bauer which has served me well for many years.Something that often gets overlooked is sun protection. Do ya'll know what snow blindness is? It's basically a gnarly sunburn to the cornea caused by over exposure to UV light. It's painful, disorienting and although it usually goes away within 24-48 hours- NOT A GOOD TIME. Avoid this and protect your eyeballs with polarized sunglasses or snow goggles!
Alright that's all for my tips and tricks on how to stay warm and comfortable during your winter adventures! Comment below with any questions or requests for future blog posts!!
Happy trails xo Dee
