Layers: Not Just for Parfaits, Onions, and Ogres

Layering is one of the most important clothing techniques for the outdoors, and one of the ideas I find myself explaining to customers most often.

The idea is simple: by using multiple layers of clothing, each serving a specific purpose, you can mix and match to suit current weather and activity conditions. This flexible adjustability means more comfort, and in some cases, more safety.

Layers are one of three types: base layer, insulation, or outerwear. The base layer is the first layer on, sits next to the skin, and its job is to pull moisture away from the body. The insulation layer provides warmth, and the outerwear layer provides weather protection.

Let's take a simple example to show how these layers can work together. Imagine you're backpacking, ascending the sunny side of a ridge. With the aerobic output and sunny weather you'll probably be in your base layers and a pair of shorts. Once you reach the top of the exposed ridge and stop for a break, you throw on your outerwear to block the wind. As you descend the shaded side of the ridge, a storm rolls in. You put on your insulating layer between the base layer and outerwear to keep warm in the shade and rain, and your outerwear keeps you dry. Once the rain stops, you remove the outerwear to increase the breathability, leaving you comfortably descending in your base layer and insulating layer.

Because each layering piece serves its own purpose, our example goes through four different temperature/activity situations by adjusting which layers are being worn. If the waterproof/windproof outerwear was also insulated, then you couldn't stay dry without also getting warmer, and you couldn't get warmer without also inhibiting breathability.

Maximum versatility with a minimum of material is the name of the layering game. The lack of versatility is why we typically don't recommend insulated hardshells (hardshell just means wind and waterproof) or 3-in-1 jackets (we understand that 3-in-1 jacket liners are removable, thus providing the specificity sought after, but you can often achieve higher quality products by choosing your own shell and your own insulating pieces) except in very specific uses.

We'll be examining each piece of the layering system in the coming weeks, so be sure to check back. If you have any initial questions about layering, or getting your own backcountry layering system together, just give us a call or stop by the shop. You can check out base layers here (men's, women's) and outerwear and insulating layers here (men's, women's).