How To Use Layering, Pack Light And Still Beat The Cold

Introduction

"How many woolens should I pack for the trek ? " is a question I am asked frequently and my first answer to this question always brings up new expressions each time !! :-)

"Carry No Woolens At All"  is the first answer I always give.. Before going into the details, let me go back to the Physics of our junior school and dig out reasoning question which we all took may be in class 8 or 9.

Why covering yourself with 2 thin blanket taken one over other is warmer than 1 thick blanket of combined size of 2 ?

The answer to the question is " ... because when 2 thin blankets are taken over each other, it traps a layer of air in between them. Air is a good insulator and hence it retains the heat generated by your body, keeping you warmer as compared to the thick blanket. "

Full Marks !!  

Navigate To:

• Layering Of Clothes - The Concept
• How Does Layering Work
• The Base Layer - The Most Important Layer
• The Mid Layers
• The Outer Layer
• Hybrid Layers
• Most Important Points To Protect Against Cold
• Disclaimers

Layering Of Clothes - The Concept

Layering of clothes is a concept of putting on clothes on top of one another, to build a better insulation system, which shields away the cold by retaining the heat generated by your body. More the number of layers, more the warmth. It is a clothing strategy built on the fact that air is a good insulator. It is a technique used to keep yourself warm with minimum and light weight clothing while involving in an outdoor activity in a cold environment.

How Does Layering Work

Our body generates heat and in a cold environment, we are kept warm by how much heat our body generates and how well we retain it using our  clothing strategy. The sleeping bags which we use on treks are built using the concept of layering to keep us warm. ( explaining the layering material used in a sleeping bag is not under the scope of this article )

Having said the above, its very important to understand that clothes do not generate heat. Its the retention of heat generated by our body, which keeps us warm.

Remember - each one of are different and have different capabilities of body heat generation. This means that we all might have a differently optimized layering strategies.  However, the heat generating capability of a body is usually similar for similar aged group. As we get older, the heat generating capability decreases and therefore the same layers which was proved to be good for a man of age 30 might not be ideal for a man of age 50. He might need some extra layers.

Keeping the concept in mind, the layers which we use can be divided into 3 different categories - The Base Layer, Mid Layers and finally The Outer Layer

The Base Layer - The Most Important Layer

• This is the first layer which contacts the body.
• When you are involved in an activity, your body generates more heat as compared to being ideal. With that, you also sweat a lot.
• Since it a base layer, its not possible to remove it easily. You will have to remove all the layers on top of it to change your base layers. So better choose a perfect base layer.

So what is a perfect base layer? Below are the points to remember when selecting your base layer.

1. It has to be breathable, else you feel restricted, uncomfortable and you will sweat more.
2. It has to disperse the sweat generated by your body, else you will loose lot of body heat to keep yourself warm
3. It has to be odour free, else you will increase chances of bacterial growth and also create problems for your mates
4. It has to be smooth for your skin, as you will pile on layers over it, else it will itch when more heat is generated by the body
5. Always carry a replacement pair
6. Select a material which if wet, dries quick

Below is a product which we chose from Decathlon, and which I use in myself. The benefits of using it are light weight, compactness and breathable.

Base Layer Upper: https://www.decathlon.in/hiking/warm-wear/thermal-layers/flowfit-top-man/p-M8227800

Base Layer Lower: https://www.decathlon.in/hiking/warm-wear/thermal-layers/flowfit-pant-men/p-M8227809

**  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR BASE LAYER DRY. IF ON REACHING CAMP YOU REALIZE THAT YOUR BASE LAYER IS WET, CHANGE IT IMMEDIATELY. IMPROPER SELECTION OF UPPER LAYERS CAN MAKE YOUR BASE LAYER WET.

The Mid Layers

• These are the layer which go on top of the base layers and adds on the insulation by trapping air in between them.
• This is the layer which is actually responsible for keeping you warm.
• You can have multiple layers but its better you DO NOT take the count to over 3 as that starts to feel restricted.
• Keep the layer clothes light, breathable and dry fit to keep dispersing the moisture away
• Dry-Fit Tees and Fleece is the best second or sometimes third upper layer as it is light and a very good insulator material.
• Always add one fleece to your packing.
• If you are trekking in winters, or to higher altitude where you expect morw cold, add Down Jackets to your mid layer.
• Down jackets are light and warm, and comes in various quality, warmth and thickness.  
• Remember that socks act as a layer for your feet. You may use woolen knee length socks as layers for your feet.
• Increasing the number of layers in lower body is not a good idea as you move your legs the most, and it gets warm easier. Just keep your feet warm and comfortable. 
• A simple multi-pocket hiking pants are the best for your lower body as a mid layer.

The Outer Layer

• Its the layer which faces the elements of the environment, like wind, rain, snow, etc
• Its the layer which protects your inner layer form the elements of environment
• This layer is the easiest to change and is actually the most changed layer depending on the weather
• It is important that this layer is breathable as well, as much as possible
• Breathable water-proof layers are very expensive, so mostly you get unbreathable water proof material.
• Water proof  material are wind proof as well
• Wind proof material may be water proof or water resistant
• Water resistant means that it will repell water upto an extent, but if you expose it in water for longer time, it will get wet.
• Mostly you will find these outer layers with zippers to enable air flow, usually on chest, arms, sides, back, and thighs
• So depending on weather, you might need to carry multiple outer layers, like wind proof, rain proof, etc
• GORE-TEX is the best choice for your outer layer owing to its multiple qualities

What is GORE-TEX 

A simple google search to the above question will give you the answer - "a synthetic waterproof fabric permeable to air and water vapour, used in outdoor and sports clothing."

but it is much more than that.

In generic, the basic Gore-TEX  product always has the below qualities 

1. Waterproof
2. Breathable
3. Windproof
4. Durable

There are other advanced variants of GORE-TEX which are further better. GORE_TEX ACTIVE SHELL and GORE-TEX PRO. These are further more breathable and durable.

For your further research follow the link https://www.gore-tex.com/products/outerwear/?

There are other brands which sell the GORE-TEX products including shoes.

Hybrid Layers

These days there are hybrid layers in the market which has a outer water proof layer with zippers for wind flow and fleece inners. The inner and outer are separable and are kept in together with zips. My take on it is it makes things complex. A separate fleece jacket and outer wind proof jackets gives much required flexibility to me, and mountain demands remaining flexible.

Most Important Points To Protect Against Cold

1. Your Ears, Feet and Palm are the part of the body which is kept warm, you feel warm. Take care of keeping those warm
2. Protect your forehead, skull and throat from cold. Use a fleece beanie
3. Keep the above mentioned layering and its points in mind
4. Always change to dry woolen socks on reaching the camp
5. Fill your bottle with hot water and take it inside your sleeping bag
6. Never ever put your warmest combination at the beginning. Keep it for the worst.
7. Expose yourself little and slowly to the weather. Let it understand where it is and allow it to  adapt to the cold. It does in couple of days, only if you are not too overprotective about it.
8.  Never be on wet clothes for a long time. Change to dry cloth immediately
9. Keep keeping your things dry in your mind while packing
10. Always try to presume the worst scenario and prepare for it. Rest is take care of by itself in the process.
11. Check your tents. It has to be better insulated,.
12. Use fleece sleeping bag liners as a layer for the sleeping bag.
13. Always buy proper gears for the sport. For example - keep your mufflers away and get a beanie or a buff !!
14. While purchasing, always consider WEIGHT TO WARMTH RATIO

Disclaimers

*** The products shown are just samples and no commercial intent is there behind the product selection

*** We have chosen Decathlon products because its widely used store in India.

*** The author has just shared his experience of the field