How To Layer Clothing - A Complete Guide

How to layer clothing for winter

Winter layers systems are done on both the upper and lower body. When done right, a good layering system will keep you dry and warm. Let's take a look in further detail on how to layer clothing for winter, starting with the framework everything else hangs from.

Every outdoor layering system is built on the same three-layer skeleton. Each layer has one job, and you add or subtract layers based on temperature and effort level:

• Base layer. Moisture management. Wicks sweat off skin, keeps you dry. Closest to your body, thinnest layer.
• Mid layer. Insulation. Traps warm air between your base and shell. Fleece, down, synthetic puffy.
• Shell layer. Weather protection. Blocks wind, rain, snow. Outermost layer, usually the least insulating.

Get this framework right and almost every other clothing decision falls into place. Get it wrong, say with a cotton t-shirt as a base layer, and no amount of expensive jacket saves you.

The reason it works is that several thin layers trap air between them, and you can open, remove or add one at a time as your effort changes. A single heavy garment can't do that.

Choosing a base layer

The base layer is the first layer and is the layer that makes contact with your skin. Its purpose is to transfer moisture from your body to the outside of the material, where it can evaporate and keep you dry. It is important for the base layer to be snug and not restrict movement.

Winter base layers can be made from a few different types of materials:

Synthetic base layers vary from material to material, and do a good job of wicking away moisture while remaining breathable. These materials are also the fastest drying. One downside is that they will smell after a good hike. Polyesters such as Polartec Power Dry or Patagonia Capilene are popular. Polypropylene and Under Armour are also common, as is REI Midweight, and they are cheaper than merino and drier in pure-dry conditions.

Cotton base layers tend to hold moisture, making them a bad candidate if you are active, in which case, are not recommended. Cotton can add a good amount of warmth, making it only a good choice if you are hanging around camp or sleeping. For anything else, never wear it. Cotton is the fastest way to hypothermia when it gets wet.

Silk base layers aren't the warmest or the fastest drying, but they do provide a lot of warmth for their thickness, and they feel nice. Silk is ideal for base layers that need to be in tighter-fitting clothing. It is thin and packable, loses warmth when wet, and is underrated as a liner in dry cold.

Merino wool base layers are made from an amazing material. Merino wool is very soft, effective at wicking away moisture, insulates well, and resists odors. It is a very popular choice for those who want to feel warm. It stays warm when wet and dries faster than most synthetics feel like it should. Go for 150-200 g/m² in summer and 250-320 g/m² in winter. Popular brands include SmartWool, Ibex, and Icebreaker.

Bamboo blends are soft and wicking, but less warm and durable than merino.

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Choosing an insulation or middle layer

The insulation or middle layer is designed to hold in heat by trapping in air. Let's take a look at the different kinds of insulation layers.

Fleece is often a good choice. It is lightweight, breathable, and insulated even when wet. They also dry faster and have a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than wool. Fleece can also be relatively cheap. One drawback is that it does not typically insulate from wind unless you buy a wind-resistant model. Examples include WindStopper EMS Divergence, Polartec WindPro® polyester or Gore WindStopper, and Polartec® Power Stretch® or Techwick Thermo.

Merino wool sweaters are another option and offer great benefits such as good insulation, comfort, breathability, and odor resistance. They are old-school but effective, heavier than fleece, and warmer when wet.

Down is another natural material, and one of the warmest materials. It does lose its insulation ability when it gets wet, however, there is such a thing as water resistance down on the market. It is warmest per ounce and best for stationary cold, such as belaying, stargazing and sleeping temperatures.

Synthetic puffy jackets use Primaloft or Coreloft filling. They are heavier than down, but insulate even when damp, which makes them the best all-around mid layer for wet regions. A softshell is stretchy, wind-resistant and lightly water-repellent, and good for aerobic cold-weather activity.

Examples: For high-energy activities such as cross-country skiing, cycling, or running, choose lightweight fleece (Polartec 100 or Power Dry) to avoid overheating. For cold conditions, try thicker fleece such as Polartec 200 or 300.

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Choosing an outer layer or shell

The shell is the outermost layer that is designed to protect you against the elements, such as wind snow, and rain. Having the right shell in bad weather can literally save your life. While it is pouring rain and windy, a shell will keep you dry and warm.

Shells can be classified into hard shells and soft shells. While there is no specific standard, there are general differences between these types of shells.

Hard shells

Hard shells are usually known to be water and windproof. They are made from a “harder” material and are less breathable. Gore-Tex, eVent and Pertex are common names here. If you are active and become overheated, it's not uncommon for condensation to build up on the inside of the shell. For these reasons, hard shells are preferred in harsh weather, real rain and snow.

Soft shells

Soft shells tend to be more comfortable, breathable, and warm. The fabric is stretchy, making them easier to move in. They are usually water resistant, but not typically wind and waterproof. Soft shells are better suited for hiking in milder weather, where ventilation is a higher priority. If however you are hiking in severe weather, a hard shell may be preferred.

Other options exist. A wind shell with no membrane weighs 3 oz, packs to fist-size and blocks wind, which suits high-output use where full rain jackets overheat you. A rain poncho is cheap, easy and breathes well, but flaps in wind. Hybrid jackets pair a softshell body with a waterproof hood and shoulders, a compromise that works for 3-season use.

Consider the following features when looking to purchase a shell:

• Treated with durable water repellent (DWR) Which makes water roll off the fabric instead of being absorbed.
• Drawstrings at the waist and hood (hoods are usually on hard shells)
• Zipper under the armpits (pit zips) for extra ventilation
• Large enough to cover multiple layers of clothing
• Inside pockets hold Items and food close to your body, preventing them from freezing

Layering for common conditions

Once you know the pieces, the question is what to wear when. Here is how I'd put it together:

• Warm summer hike (65–85°F): merino t-shirt + maybe a wind shell in the pack for mountain weather.
• Cool summer hike (55–65°F): merino long-sleeve + softshell pants + wind shell.
• Shoulder season (40–55°F): midweight merino + fleece or light puffy + rain shell.
• Winter day hike (20–40°F): midweight merino base top + bottom + fleece or softshell + light puffy for stops + rain shell.
• Very cold (below 20°F): heavyweight merino + fleece + synthetic puffy + hardshell with hood, plus insulated pants over base layer bottoms.
• Stationary cold (winter camping, belaying): everything above, plus an extra insulation layer on top (big puffy, belay parka).

If you are camping rather than hiking, your clothing is only half the system. Pair it with a proper winter sleep system, and see our tips on how to keep your tent warm for the hours when you aren't moving.

Common layering mistakes

• Starting too warm. Strip a layer before you start climbing. Sweat = wet base layer = cold later.
• One thick layer instead of three thin ones. Versatility beats warmth. Three 6-ounce layers adapt to 30°F range; one 18-ounce jacket works only within its narrow temp window.
• Cotton anywhere. Jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts. Still the most common hypothermia setup in the backcountry. Our piece on whether you can hike in jeans covers the trade-offs.
• Forgetting the extremities. Layering torso and legs is useless if your hands and feet are exposed. Gloves, hat, and thick socks are as important as the jacket.
• Not venting. Pit zips and jacket zippers exist for a reason. Dump heat before you sweat.

I'd argue the last one is the mistake that catches experienced people most often. Staying a little cool while you move feels wrong, but it is exactly what keeps you warm when you stop.

Layering questions answered

Why is cotton bad for layering?

Cotton holds 27x its weight in water and loses all insulation value when wet. A wet cotton shirt in cold weather is a direct path to hypothermia, a drop in core body temperature that you can read about on Wikipedia. Wool holds 1x and stays warm; synthetic holds less than 1x and dries fast.

How many layers should I wear hiking in winter?

Base + mid + shell is the minimum for any sub-40°F hike. Add a second mid layer (usually a puffy) for stops, and bring insulated pants if temps drop below 20°F.

Should I wear layers in hot weather?

Yes, just thinner layers. A UPF sun shirt + wind shell handles hot days better than just a t-shirt because it blocks UV and breaks wind. Layering isn't only about warmth.

Is down or synthetic insulation better for hiking?

Down is warmer per ounce and packs smaller; synthetic insulates when wet. For dry climates or backpacking where weight matters most, down wins. For rainy climates, synthetic is safer.

How do I know if my layers are working?

You should be slightly cool at the start of a climb, comfortable at cruising pace, and warm without sweating at the top. If you're sweating hard, shed a layer. If you're shivering at rest, add one.