If you want to survive winter, mentally and physically, you can’t stay inside all day, every day.
You need to get out, move around and breathe fresh air.
And you can’t let wind, rain and snow deter you.
That means layering, experts say.
Being too bundled up when you’re being active can actually make you sweat excessively, which can make you feel cold and clammy, even if your jacket is dry.
Here are the three basic layers of outdoor apparel and how to use them, whether you’re headed out to walk the dog or up a mountain for a day of snowshoeing.
Base layer
This is the layer you put next to your skin. Its job is to wick moisture away from your body as you sweat. Though your first instinct might be to reach for your thick, cozy, long cotton underwear, don’t.
Cotton is the worst choice for a base layer – or any other layer, including socks – because it absorbs water and takes a long time to dry out.
In a wilderness situation, soaked cotton can accelerate hypothermia, hence the phrase, “Cotton kills.”
When going outdoors for extended periods of activity, avoid cotton, including cotton underwear and bras.
Wool and synthetic fabrics such as polyester, on the other hand, naturally wick moisture away and disperse it so it can evaporate.
If the mere thought of wool makes you itch, fear not.
Many outdoors companies are making fine merino wool thermal underwear and base layers that look and feel as soft as cotton.
They are typically more expensive, but they can last for many years.
Polyesters are more common, often less expensive and work equally well.
Both miracle fabrics have downsides: Polyesters tend to get stinky from body odors. Wool, once thoroughly soaked, dries slowly.
REI also recommends some types of treated silk. Read “How to Choose a Base Layer” at REI.com to compare the strengths of wool, polyester and silk.
Insulation layer
This is where you add warmth to your ensemble.
Polyester fleece vests, jackets and tights are good insulation choices for outdoor activities because they not only trap air but also are made with moisture-wicking fibers to help keep you dry, according to “How to Dress in Layers” at REI.com.
Wool and goose down are also excellent insulators. Wool keeps its insulating properties even when wet. Down, which is the lightest and most compressible of all insulators, does not.
Carrie Strandell with the Everett Mountaineers said she often removes her insulation layers once she gets thoroughly warmed up.
On a cold day, she might start out bundled up in a fleece jacket, fleece vest and polypropylene long thermal underwear, plus a stocking cap and gloves.
“But those all might end up in my pack fairly soon if I’m working hard,” Strandell said. “The main thing I try to do is keep my clothing at the level where I’m not sweating too much. Otherwise, if I take a break or if the wind suddenly comes up or the temperature changes, I’ll get cold very quickly.”
Outer shell
You may call it a rain jacket or windbreaker, but outfitters call it your shell.
It’s the layer that shields you against Mother Nature while also taking into account, yet again, the moisture generated by your own body.
To protect you from the elements, your shell should be waterproof or water resistant, depending on your activity level and the weather.
If you’re going to be moving at all, choose something with a breathable exterior, meaning a fabric such as Gore-Tex that allows sweat vapor to escape but won’t let in wind or precipitation.
Avoid nonbreathable waterproof clothing if you plan to break a sweat. Though it is completely waterproof, it is will trap sweat inside.
When layering, be sure you have a large enough jacket to accommodate your base and insulation layers.
If your fit is too tight, it can be harder to move.
No matter what layers you wear, listen to your body and adjust accordingly by removing or adding layers as needed, including hats, scarves and gloves.
Get out there
The Everett Mountaineers are offering a variety of classes to get you out and about this winter and beyond. All include tips on appropriate outdoor apparel. To sign up or get more information, go to www.everettmountaineers.org or call 800-573-8484.
Winter camping: Feb. 23 and March 1, plus a field trips March 3 and 4. Cost is $30 for members, $40 nonmembers.
Alpine scrambling: Feb. 23 to May 24. This 12-week course includes six lectures, three field trips and an information-packed syllabus. Learn the basics in off-trail navigation, rock scrambling, snow travel, ice-axe handling, backcountry first aid and more. Cost is $170 for members, $205 for nonmembers.
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