Three Layers to Survival
November 10, 2009
Filed under Gear
Tags: clothing, Gear, hiking, layering, outdoor gear, warmth, winter, winter clothes
That probably sounds like a melodramatic title, but my job is to convince you it’s not. After we go over the scare tactics, I’ll give you some guidance on how to choose your layered winter hiking gear.
What’s the Big Deal? Danger!
Why do you need layered clothes anyway? And why high tech ones? The short answer is exposure, which can lead to hypothermia. That’s a fancy way of saying “you could freeze to death.” Most people are more worried about frostbite, which is a real concern, but, a person stricken with frostbite will quickly progress to hypothermia if they aren’t warmed immediately. This may be the subject of a future entry, but, for now, if you want to know more, the link goes to Wikipedia’s article.
Why Layers?
Everybody knows that layers are important. Multiple layers of clothing, besides adding the warmth of each layer, also trap layers of air between them. The air becomes warms from heat escaping your body, but, because it’s sheltered by still more clothing, the air stays warm. This is similar to how a wet suit works.
But layers alone only help so much. If you wear three sweaters, the wind will cut through them like a warm knife through butter. If you wear three ponchos, this will keep you dry, at least from the outside world, but you’ll sweat so much as to soak yourself, the air temperature (and wind, if present) will drop your core temperature like a stone, and you’re in danger of losing fingers and toes.
The Three Layer System
Fortunately, people have been experimenting for a long time about this. We haven’t just narrowed things down from an arbitrary number of layers to three, but more importantly, these three layers have very specific purposes. Most of your guesswork is done for you.
The Base Layer
As I type that out, I feel like I’ve just said “The North Face,” and cheesy. ( Everybody in Seattle wears North Face gear, Dear Reader, and it feels like a well worn cliche! )
Your base layer is the innermost set of clothes, worn directly against the skin. The job of these underwear is to wick moisture ( which should only be sweat ) away from your skin. It’s ok to have wetness inside of your clothing system, but it should never be in direct contact with your skin. Again, that would defeat the purpose and leave you in some danger from the cold.
I prefer wool for my base layer, although there are a number of synthetic fabrics that work quite well. Wool is a bit scratchy, at least when you first put it on – I find that once you get moving, you forget all about this. Either way, expect these to be inordinately expensive, and get long sleeves.
The Insulating Layer
As the name suggests, this layer is here to provide warmth. Your base layer will be paper thin, and, ideally, so will the outer shell. These play important roles in your continued survival, but neither of them add much in the way of heat. The middle layer of clothing does exactly this.
Many people like fleece. It doesn’t weigh terribly much, and traps a great deal of heat – it’s warm stuff. Others prefer wool. Really, so long as it’s warm, it doesn’t matter what you choose here. Experiment with clothing you already have, and see if you can find something comfortable for you.
The Outer Shell
If you think the space-age wicking material is expensive, prepare to lose your lunch. An outer shell is designed to isolate you from the elements, and, for that reason, most people you’ll see on the trail will have selected GoreTex for this purpose.
I think GoreTex is in some ways overkill here. Make no mistake that you need complete wind-proof and water-proof here. But GoreTex is designed to provide these traits, while “breathing.” There won’t be much breathing going on – that’s transfer of heat and moisture from your body to the outside air. Three layers is a lot to ask to breathe through.
Still, I don’t only hike in the winter, and so I personally use a high end GoreTex jacket and similar GoreTex pants. These are quite valuable in the Spring and Fall, when things aren’t so cold, but still uncomfortable enough to bring a jacket.
In Conclusion
First, I want to point out that while the dangers of hiking through alpine country buried under several feet of snow are not overblown, you will not experience them personally if you’re prepared.
Hiking is an enjoyable activity – for many people, even a spiritual one. If you know what you’re doing, the danger is minimal, and the reward is immense. As I write this blog, you’ll find I’m a staunch advocate for the healing power of nature, and for hiking specifically. It would be irresponsible for me to lure you out onto the trail, without arming you with a proper warning and the knowledge of how to avoid the danger.
Do the basics to stay warm, safe, and comfortable – and with a bit of leg work, you just might discover Switzerland in your own back yard.
I prefer eVent to Goretex.
I’ve heard a bit about event, but haven’t personally tried anything that was made from it. From what I hear, it’s another GoreTex competitor. There are plenty now, and I’ve had bad luck with most of them, so I’m not especially in a hurry to try it. I suspect most people feel the same way?
But what really matters is that if the stuff works for you, you should use it. There shouldn’t be a holy war about something as trivial as what fabric to wear – the point is to set out on the trail, and enjoy the view from the summit.
North Face is overrated, too. You see all these yuppies in their North Face jackets, and you know that 90 % of them have never been farther than the suburbs in their life!
Do you two know each other? I’ve never seen two different people get the same icon before. This is very weird.
Ever see the “I’m with stupid” t-shirt? Joe’s my husband.
Gotcha – thanks.
[...] base layer is the most important layer you’ll wear, as it sits immediately next to your skin, keeping you dry. My recent [...]