Unlike a hike during the height of summer when outdoor enthusiasts are more concerned with lighter clothes, a winter day hike requires a little extra planning and foresight. This includes the layering of one’s clothes, a tried-and-true approach to staying as safe and comfortable as possible no matter the weather. For those that are ready to enjoy the outdoors no matter how cold the weather gets, here is a closer look at how to properly layer clothing.
When layering for a winter day hike, it is important to consider the clothing that is closest to the skin first and then work outwards. The base layer should focus on one thing: wicking away moisture. This is the layer that will be touching the skin and is generally comprised of long underwear when the weather is colder. Some of the best fabrics for this layer include synthetic fabrics, silk, and merino wool. Hikers should choose the type of fabric and style of clothing that is most comfortable for them and matches their activity level on each winter day hike.
The middle layer is all about insulation that will keep warm air next to the body and keep cold air out. Traditionally, the middle layer will be comprised of a jacket and leggings that cover most everything but the head, hands, and legs. The middle layer will help the heart by increasing the body’s temperature and some of the best fabrics to consider are fleece, goose down, and thermals. Many of these are rated as lightweight, midweight, and expedition depending on the outside temperature and the level of activity.
The final layer is the shell and typically the largest investment as it is designed to protect the inner two layers from anything that one may experience during a winter day hike. Every shell piece of clothing will come with its own rating and will need to be chosen for each specific climate. Many of the features include water-resistance, waterproofing, breathable shells, soft shells, and non-breathable shells. The style of shell that should be chosen is most dependent on the amount of moisture from rain, lakes, rivers, and snow.
Images via Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Loren Sztajer
