How to Layer Better

Weather is always a trip’s biggest unknown. Wind and rain sap body heat in an instant, and a blizzard will challenge even well-equipped hikers. The solution? The right shell for the conditions.

Your warming layers can be different materials and thicknesses, but each one does the same thing: trap body-warmed air. Learn which ones are best suited to which conditions, and never be too cold—or too hot—again.

Before you can figure out how layers work, you need to know why they work—and what your body needs from them. Human thermoregulation is a complex process, and the better you understand it, the better you can harness its power.

Your baselayer is your wicking layer. It keeps you comfortable by keeping you dry, moving moisture away from your skin before it robs your body of heat. Combine natural and high-tech materials—plus common sense—to find the right layer.