How do you stay warm on cold days? There are different opinions on layering and the truth of the matter is that what works for one person won't necessarily work for the next. However, a key element to staying warm is to stay dry. Layering will help you stay dry by wicking or pulling moisture off your skin before it has a chance to become sweat. Once you sweat, stop, and cool down, moisture on your skin becomes your enemy and you become cold.

There are several advantages to multiple layers as opposed to one thick layer. Multiple layers allow you to adapt to fluctuating weather conditions simply by adding or removing a layer. The advantage to layering is the "dead" air that each layer traps. This dead air is what creates most of the insulating value obtained from a garment. For this reason it can be better to wear several thin layers rather than one thick garment. This is why most shells sold today are not insulated.

The basic layering system consists of three layers:
- the base layer or next to skin layer
- an insulating layer
- and then a shell.

The base layer should be made of a wicking material like wool or polyester. Both of these fabrics are hydrophobic. Considering moisture removes body heat 25 times faster than dry air, the drier you stay the warmer you are. This first layer should fit snug for the best wicking results. Most long underwear these days are made of polyester; they all sport fancy brand names given by the manufacturer. Don't let this confuse you into thinking it's something else, just look at the tag inside, it will almost always be polyester. Good examples are Patagonia's Capiline and Craft's Pro Zero, both are made of 100% polyester.

Companies like Ice Breaker, Smartwool, and Patagonia are creating base layers from wool that is actually very soft and very warm. Contrary to what you might think when you hear "wool" it doesn't itch! Some people claim they stay too warm with wool and stick to synthetics like polyester. But for those of you out there stuffing toastie toes and hot hands into every nook and cranny this might be the perfect thing for you.

The second layer or insulating layer is designed to trap "dead" air. Down insualtion does this better than any other insulation out there. There are synthetic products made to mimic down, such as Primaloft, which also work very well and have their advantages, but you just can't beat Mother Nature. Down's ability to trap air, in addition to keeping you warm, also makes it a great packer. Most down garments can be compressed to less then half the size of a similar synthetic garment, as well as being lightweight. The one draw back to down however is that it takes a little planning. Don't wear down when you know it might become soaked or wet out. Preplanning will keep your down dry. With synthetics you won't have to think about wet snow or humidity. Primaloft which is made of polyester batting does not absorb water when wet, and therefore, won't collapse, thus retaining it's insulating value.

Other light layers made of fleece or wool are also great insulators. There are hundreds of different choices out there all with different features. A good place to start would be Patagonia's R1 pieces or Ice Breaker's pullovers. Patagonia has waffled the fleece in its R1 pieces making it less bulky yet giving it the same insulating value as the thicker pieces. Remember the idea is not to look like a stuffed sausage!

Another good layering piece are vests. They keep your core warm, which in turn will keep you hands and feet warm, while still allowing freedom of movement.

Lastly, is the choice of shell layer and this all depends on the activity. Soft shells (stretch woven nylon) have become very popular in the last few years due to their breatheability and more supple texture, hence the name. Soft shells are wind and water-resistant and have a 4-way stretch that gives them a great fit. They are very versatile and are used in almost any activity anytime of the year.

In the waterproof hard shell department, Gore-Tex still stands at the top of the list. That doesn't mean, however, that it is the only product out there. Most outdoor clothing lines now have there own version of Gore-Tex; Marmot Membrane, Patagonia Storm and North Face Hyvent just to name a few. Again, don't let these trade names fool you, these all work the same as Gortex, some even better and a lot of the time they are cheaper as well. Hard shells are the ultimate in waterproof protection, but they won't breathe as well or fit quite as comfortably as a soft-shell. You need to figure out what is right for you and your applications.

Another thing that tends to be forgotten is that all this applies to your hands, feet and bottoms as well. Don't go out wearing Fruit of Looms and white cotton socks. Yes underwear matters. Remember cotton is bad no matter where it is. There are plenty of brands of wicking socks and underwear for both men and women. Check them out, you will be surprised with the difference it makes. So now that you are armed with the knowledge get out there, have fun, and stay warm.
Ski Haus
1457 Pine Grove Road
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
1.800.932.3019
Ski Haus
1457 Pine Grove Road
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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Ski Haus stocks outerwear and insulating layers from:

 Patagonia
Mountain Hardwear
Marmot
Kjus
Craft
ArcTeryx
Smartwool
Ice Breaker
Under Armout
Snow Angel
Salomon
The North Face
Orage
Cloudveil
Pearl Izumi
Mammut
Bonfire
Bogner