by Petter Ward
Dressing properly for the elements is one of the most important aspects of hiking safety and comfort.
You need to be able to put together an outfit that’s appropriate for your climate and adaptable to changing conditions.
For close to a century the accepted way to do this is through effective layering.
In this article, I cover the basics of layering while hiking and help you figure out how to put together the perfect layered outfit for any cold weather conditions.
The Basics
When we talk about layering there are three core layers to cover. These are the base layer, middle layer, and outer layer.
Base Layer
The base layer is arguably the most important layer of your outfit. It’s commonly called the foundation layer and it sets the stage for how comfortable you’ll be during your hike.
A base layer:
Sits right next to the skin
Keeps you dry and comfortable by wicking away moisture and sweat
Should be lightweight, quick drying, and soft on your skin
Good materials for base layers include things like merino wool, polyester, silk, or polypropylene. You should avoid cotton in all but very warm conditions as it wicks very poorly and loses most of its insulative properties when wet.
You can choose from light, medium, or heavy weight base layers depending on conditions. In cold weather you want your baselayer to immediately wick moisture away from your skin. If you start to sweat in the cold you can rapidly become chilled or even hypothermic.
Make sure you don’t forget about your actual underwear either. Things like boxers, briefs, panties, and bras should have wicking properties as well.
Middle Layer
The middle layer is only worn during winter weather conditions. It provides your primary insulation and can be made up of a single or multiple layers.
This insulating layer is what actually keeps you warm during really cold hikes. Size your mid layer to be adjustable to changing conditions.
You want to be comfortably cozy at the coldest point of the day, but not hot and sweaty during the noon sun. Think multiple thin layers of things like vests and pullovers.
Mid layer garments need to help deal with moisture wicked from the base layer through absorption and evaporation. Good middle layer clothes should be made of high-quality insulative fabrics like fleece, down, and synthetic fabrics like Synchilla, Primaloft, and Polar Fleece.
Outer Layer/Shell
The outer layer, commonly called the shell, is primarily to protect you from the elements, though it often also provides additional insulation. It should be weather resistant and able to stand up to wind, rain, and snow.
Good characteristics of a shell include:
Water resistant, usually with a Durable Water Resistant (DWR) finish
Breathable
Tough enough to stand up to scraps, falls, and abrasions
You can choose from water resistant all the way up to waterproof. Water resistant shells are lighter, cheaper, and generally more comfortable to wear.
The downside is that they’ll always allow water in if it rains hard enough and long enough.
For the shell you usually get what you pay for. If you want a truly waterproof shell that’s still breathable you’re looking at spending a pretty penny.
Choosing Your Layers for Local Conditions
There’s no perfect hiking layer solution for everyone. Each person runs at a little bit different body temperature and has different preferences for how warm or cool they want to be.
These are general guidelines you can use to put together a good set of layers for different conditions during and right around winter.
Winter Layering
When most people think of layering they instantly picture cold and snowy weather. There’s good reason for this too, as winter conditions are when you really need to break out all three layers.
For winter conditions start with a top to bottom base layer. Think wool or polyester long johns snug up against your body. Add on some nice water resistant nylon hiking pants and as many pullovers or lightweight down puffer vests or jackets as you need.
Finish off with a water resistant outer layer such as a down jacket or even a windbreaker in warmer winter climates.
The trick here is to have your outer layer provide only a small part of the insulation. You want to be able to cool down by removing mid layers without sacrificing your wind, rain, and snow protection.
Early Spring and Late Fall Layering
For a lot of hikers layering falls to the wayside the second they aren’t in the true depths of winter. This can be a big mistake. Spring and fall weather conditions change rapidly, with double digit temperatures changes over just an hour or two not at all unusual.
Layering for these seasons focuses on effective wicking of sweat away from the body, protecting yourself from the rays of the sun, and being prepared for sudden changes in temperature.
You always want a comfortable wicking base layer no matter what season it is. Depending on the forecast you should bring a light to middle weight mid layer. This allows you to be comfortable during the warmest parts of a spring or fall day while still able to warm up if conditions change.
It’s always a good idea to bring a lightweight and waterproof windbreaker as well. When the sun goes down temperatures can drop a lot lower and a lot faster than you might expect.
Add on a pair of zip-off hiking pants or shorts, a hat, and some sunglasses and you’ve got a comfortable and adaptable outfit.
Layering for Rain and Snow
Layering for wet and snowy conditions is one of the biggest challenges you’ll be presented with. If it’s warmer out but wet you don’t want a lot of insulation but you do want complete coverage.
A quality winter raincoat is our favorite option. It provides you with a wind- and water-proof outer layer that breathes to help prevent you from overheating. It doesn’t offer much in the way of insulation but keeps you comfortably dry and protects you from the wind.
GoreTex has long been the gold standard in raingear, offering a highly breathable fabric that still keeps larger rain and splashed water out.
Don’t Overthink It
Once you get the hang of layering it becomes second nature.
Dress in breathable fabrics that provide the proper amount of insulation without overdoing it.
Focus on adaptability and make sure your layers are capable of keeping you warm and dry in the worst potential conditions for your hike.