Winter Layering Guide

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Stay warm and comfortable this winter with proper layering!

Cold temperatures and snowy weather don’t mean that you have to head inside and
spend all of your free time sipping hot toddies, playing board games and reading by a
fire (though that does sounds like a good way to spend your evening after a long day of
ice climbing, winter hiking or skiing). With proper layering and a thermos of hot tea, you
can get outside and enjoy the beauty of winter!

Factors to consider when choosing a layering system

Type of Activity:
Your winter activity of choice should be your initial consideration when curating your
layering system. Most activities can be combined into two categories: high-intensity
activities; like ski touring, Nordic skiing and trail running; or low intensity activities; like
resort skiing, winter hiking, ice climbing and casual snowshoeing. High-intensity winter
activities generate body heat and sweat, so it is necessary to wear clothing that is
breathable, moisture wicking and has good temperature regulation properties. Softshell
outerwear, light baselayers and versatile midlayers are ideal parts of a layering system
for a high-intensity activity. Low intensity winter activities require clothing that provides
weather protection, insulation, and core warmth. Heavier baselayers, heavier down or
synthetic fill midlayers, and waterproof shell outerwear are great for lower intensity
activities or for wearing around your campsite at the end of the day.

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Weather and Temperature:
While your activity of choice can determine a good starting point when choosing your
layers for a given activity, weather conditions and temperature are very important factors
to note as well. If it is very cold outside you may need to choose a thicker baselayer or
warmer midlayer, even if you are participating in a high-intensity activity. Additionally, if
the weather is nasty, you may need to wear a hardshell on your trail run, or ensure that
you have windproof layers. The great part about layering is that you can remove or swap
out pieces to change the dynamic of your layering system. You can always bring along an
extra layer or two to account for weather and temperature variations.

Personal Preference:
No two people react to cold weather the same way. Some people run hot and still feel
warm in a blizzard, while others start to get chilled when the temperature drops below
5o. You know your body, so make decisions in your layering to account for your unique
preferences. If you are always cold, choose thicker baselayers or warmer midlayers. If
you are always warm, choose fleece midlayers or layers with great venting, as well as
lightweight baselayers.

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Baselayers
Some of the most integral pieces of your winter layering system
are your baselayers. Baselayers form the foundation of your
entire layering system and are the key to staying warm and dry.
Winter baselayers have insulating and wicking properties and
are a key to proper temperature regulation. The primary
differences between baselayers to examine when selecting the
right piece for your layering system are weight and material.

Material:
When selecting your baselayers, you can go in one of two directions: wool or synthetic.
Each material has distinct benefits as well a s few key detriments. Wool is a natural,
renewable fabric that performs well. Wool baselayers are comfortable, naturally
antimicrobal (so they won’t stink), have excellent wicking properties, a wide warmth
range and great temperature regulation. Wool is warmer for its weight than synthetics as
well as more comfortable, but does not dry as quickly, is less durable and more
expensive. Synthetics wick very well, dry quickly and are very durable, however they tend
to smell bad after long days in outside and have narrower temperature levels depending
on the weight of the piece. Select wool baselayers for all-around use and extreme cold
conditions, since the wide temperature range will keep you comfortable in a variety of
conditions. Go with synthetics for high-intensity activities or wet weather where you need
a fast drying piece, or if you are concerned with durability.

Weight:
Baselayers, both wool and synthetic, come in multiple weights, which correspond with
how warm a piece is. Synthetics, like those from Helly Hansen or Terramar have specific
warmth levels, which make choosing a layer easy. Choose a light weight set for high-
intensity activities, a heavy weight set for low intensity activities, or a mid weight set if
you can only buy one for everything. Wool baselayers are slightly different, as the
temperature range for a wool baselayer is wider, but you can still choose between a
lighter or heavier weight wool piece depending on your activity. The difference is, wool
baselayers are more versatile, so you can usually use one set for everything you do, with
the exception of activities in extreme temperatures.

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Midlayers
Your midlayer is the meat of your layering system regarding warmth and insulation.
Midlayers are intended to insulate and provide heat trapping loft beneath your outer
layer. Midlayers are also versatile pieces that can serve as outer layers in the ski lodge or
on a warmer day, or as pillows in your tent at night. Depending on weather conditions
and your activity of choice, you may opt for anything from a super-warm down sweater
to eschewing a midlayer altogether. Midlayers are typically only worn on the top.
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Down fill:
Down midlayers are the warmest insulated midlayers available. Many down sweaters
that are intended for use as a midlayer feature 700-850 fill down that is extremely warm
and compressable, as well as a lightweight face fabric. Down layers will keep you warm
when skiing or climbing, and can be packed away in your bag when you don’t need them.
The downside to down is that it is not as durable as synthetic fill and moisture may
hinder performance. However, many elite outerwear brands make down sweaters with
hydrophobic down, which will resist moisture and retain warmth and performance
longer. Down midlayers are perfect for dry and cold conditions when Alpine skiing,
Alpine climbing, mountaineering, or as an additional layer to throw on after skinning up a
peak to keep you warm on the ski down.

Synthetic fill:
Synthetic midlayers are not as warm or compressible as down layers, but they make up
for what they lack with superior durability and resilience. Synthetic midlayers will not lose
warmth or loft when wet and are significantly cheaper than down layers. While many
companies have their own proprietary synthetic insulations, most high end synthetics are
comparable in warmth, weight and loft. Synthetic midlayers are excellent for wet
conditions or long trips into the backcountry where your layers could get wet over time,
or if you are concerned about the level of care involved with down layers.

Fleece:
Fleece midlayers are the perfect choice for high-intensity active winter pursuits. Fleece is
snug fitting, quick drying, warm when wet and heat retaining by construction, while also
breathing extremely well and allowing for excellent temperature regulation. A technical
fleece midlayer can often be used as an outerlayer when trail running or skinning, then
covered with a shell or even an insulated fill midlayer when you stop moving or bad
weather hits. A fleece midlayer can also be used in conjunction with another midlayer for
extremely cold days to add another level of warmth.

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Outerwear
Your outerwear is your primary line of defense against the harsh weather of winter and
is segmented into distinct categories. Depending on your activity, the temperature and
the severity of the weather, you can determine what type of outerwear is best for you!

Jackets-

Hardshells:
Hardshells are the toughest and most technical pieces of outerwear that you can choose
to complete your winter layering system. Technical hardshells typically feature a
waterproof/breathable membrane like Gore-Tex Pro, eVent, Pertex Shield+, or Dry.Q Elite
that repel water, while allowing water vapor to escape from inside of the jacket.
Hardshells are essential for activities where you have to deal with nasty wet or snowy
weather, high winds, or abrasive environmental hazards like ice, branches or rocks. While
all hardshells will repel water, most are specialized for an activity or type of activity and
have specific features sets. For skiing, look for a hardshell with a durable (60 denier or
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above) face fabric, a helmet compatible hood, a powder skirt and hand warmer pockets.
For ice or alpine climbing, look for a hardshell with a climbing specific cut that provides
mobility in the arms, harness compatible pockets and a helmet compatible hood.
Additionally, for high intensity activities where you may not be wearing your hardshell,
bring along a minimalist shell with a lightweight face fabric and pared down, packable
design that you can throw in the bottom of your pack in case the weather turns nasty.

Softshells:
For high-intensity activities or for mild winter weather, softshell jackets are an excellent
choice. Featuring a highly water resistant and wind resistant construction, combined
with excellent breathability, softshells are the most comfortable option for winter trail
running, Nordic skiing, technical mixed and ice climbing or winter cycling. Some
softshells are also seam-taped, for amazing wet weather protection, or feature
Windstopper technology for fully windproof performance.

Insulated outerwear:
Insulated outerwear is ideal only for low-intensity activities. Insulated shells are great for
resort skiing in cold weather or for stationary activities like watching an outdoor sporting
event or walking around town. They lack the versatility of a non-insulated shell, since
they have a fixed amount of insulation and therefore a set warmth level. An insulated
jacket is great for skiing, hiking or climbing when it’s cold outside, but once temperatures
warm, you do not have the option of shedding your insulating layer. Because of this lack
of versatility, most climbers and hikers choose to avoid insulated jackets. If you are
looking for a resort skiing specific jacket, a casual jacket for cold weather, or you tend to
be cold all of the time, an insulated jacket may be the right choice.

Pants-

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Let’s not forget about pants! For pants your layering system is similar to the top half of
your body, but simplified since you typically won’t need a midlayer; just a baselayer and
an outer layer. However, there are some exceptions to the suggestions above when it
comes to pants. If you are doing certain high-intensity activities, you may want to wear
thick tights on your legs and nothing else. For climbing, hiking or backcountry skiing, you
can pair softshell pants with a hardshell for a combination of durable weather protection
on top and superb breathability on the bottom. Other than those exceptions, you want
to use the same general rules for pants as those mentioned above for jackets. In severe
weather or for Alpine skiing, hardshell pants will offer the best protection and longevity.
For high-output activities like ski touring, softshell pants are the most breathable and
forgiving option. If your legs typically get cold, you may want an insulated shell pant for
skiing or other low-intensity activities.

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