How to layer for cold weather
Your cold-weather layering system consists of a baselayer, a midlayer and a shell. The baselayer wicks sweat from your body to keep you comfortable. The midlayer traps heat to keep you warm. And the shell protects you from the elements. Combined, these three layers help you stay warm, dry and comfortable.
What is a Baselayer?
Baselayers are the foundation of your layering system. They are your sweat-wicking layer for next-to-skin comfort. By wicking moisture away from your body, they help prevent the fabric from getting soaked with sweat, which can make you cold when you stop moving. The best baselayers are the ones that go unnoticed, sit comfortably against your skin and help keep you dry and comfortable during a wide range of activities and conditions.
We have two different styles of Capilene®️ baselayers to choose from. Our lightest option is Capilene®️ Midweight. It is versatile and fast drying. Next up is Capilene®️ Thermal Weight. Its lofted, grid fabric provides a step up in warmth, while still offering excellent breathability and odor control.
To choose the best baselayer for your activities, it’s important to understand how you’ll be using it. For high exertion activities like trail running in mild temperatures, Capilene®️ Midweight is a good choice. For cooler conditions, Capilene®️ Thermal Weight makes sense. Remember, you’ll often be using a baselayer along with a midlayer so it's important to factor in the warmth of your midlayer as well to determine what kind of baselayer you need for your cold-weather kit.
What is a Midlayer?
Midlayers help you stay warm. They create dead air space to trap your body’s heat as you move, but they’re also designed to allow breathability. As the name suggests, you wear your midlayer between your baselayer and your shell. In fair weather conditions, you can often get away with a midlayer as the outermost layer of your cold-weather kit.
We have two different categories of midlayers, technical fleece and insulated products. We’ll start with technical fleece. Our Regulator®️ Technical fleece, as defined by R1®️ and R2®️ in product names, has a versatile, highly breathable knit fabric designed to keep you warm during start and stop activities in cold weather. They’re stretchy, they’re comfortable and they’re designed to handle a wide range of conditions.
Then we have our insulated midlayers. Within this category we have down, synthetic and active insulation. Down insulation is made from duck and goose feathers, providing an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. Down is ultra-compressible and lightweight making it a great choice for cold, dry conditions when weight and space are at a premium.
Synthetic insulation is the alternative to down and is the best midlayer for wetter conditions. It’s also lightweight and packable, but it holds its structure, unlike down, to keep you warm even when wet. Our final option is active insulation. These layers have some stretch, exceptional breathability and they help moderate your temperature as you move. Active insulation has become the go-to midlayer for mountain athletes during high-output activities in cold weather.
To choose the midlayer you need, think about where and how you’ll most often be using it. The kinds of sports and activities you’re into and the climate where you live are important considerations when selecting a midlayer. The final consideration is the silhouette. We have jackets, vests, half-zips and more to help you dial in the exact system you need.
What is a Shell?
Shells protect you against the elements. They are durable, waterproof and wind-resistant layers that are worn over your midlayer. Their main purpose is to keep you dry. You might not wear them all day long, but if a storm rolls in, they’re a crucial piece of gear to have ready at a moment’s notice.
We have three different types of shells—soft shells, wind shells and waterproof shells. Each kind helps keep you warm and dry, but they all excel in slightly different conditions for different activities. Let’s start with soft shells. These are the most comfortable shells we make. They have some stretch, some breathability and can handle light precipitation because of a DWR (durable water repellant) finish on the exterior fabric. Then we have windproof hard shells. They do what the name suggests, they block wind. They naturally shed precipitation, too, due to their smooth exterior fabric, and they pack down super small to disappear in your pack.
Finally, we have waterproof shells. These block rain, sleet and snow to keep you dry. They also feature vents to dump excess heat and moisture.
When trying to find the right shell for the activities you do, think about how important it is to you to have a waterproof outerlayer. If you’re in the Pacific Northwest or like skiing in storms, a waterproof shell is a must. If you value comfort and mobility and don’t like storms, a soft shell thrives in fair conditions. But if lightweight packability is your goal, then a wind shell is your choice. With these three layers combined, your baselayer, midlayer and shell, you’ll have a cold-weather kit that’s tailored to your interests for many years to come.
