Layering

Staying comfortable outside is a matter of dressing for the conditions. It's a balancing act between the climate, your activity level, exposure time and tolerance to heat and cold. Choosing the right clothing and layering it properly can make the difference between a pleasant outdoor experience and an uncomfortable (or even dangerous) situation.

Layering clothing is the best way to ensure comfort in the outdoors; it allows you to make quick adjustments based on your activity and the weather.

Each layer has a function: the outer layer shields you from wind and precipitation; the middle layer insulates you from the cold; and the innermost layer (against your skin) manages moisture. Fabrics that either pull moisture from your skin or retain warmth when damp are effective at maintaining your body temperature.

The Multi-Layer Concept

The multi-layer concept applies to any outdoor activity. The objective is to keep your core body temperature consistent no matter what your activity level (watching your kid’s soccer game, sailing, hiking, fishing, or enjoying a campfire) or the outside conditions (rain, icy wind or snow).

There are three basic stages in layering: a weatherproof outer layer, an insulating middle layer, and an inner, moisture-management layer. You make adjustments depending on the degree of exertion and the outside conditions. The ability to peel off layers as you heat up and add them when you cool off is the key to this system.

The Outer Layer: Wind and Water Protection

The shell layer protects you from wind, rain and snow. Properly designed, it holds in your body heat while allowing water vapor to escape. If wind or water is allowed to penetrate to the inner layers, you begin to cool off. Without proper ventilation, perspiration can't evaporate. Instead, it condenses on the inside of your shell.

Our shells are of Waterproof/Non-Breathable construction, made of a durable, polyurethane-coated nylon, which is water and windproof, these economical shells are ideal for activity in heavy precipitation. We recommend a loose fit to allow air to “breath” inside the jacket and circulate moisture away from your body.

The Middle Layer: Insulation

The insulating layer helps you retain heat by trapping air next to your body. Polyester fleece vests, jackets and tights are good examples of insulation suitable for outdoor activities. They not only trap air but are also made with moisture-wicking fibers.

Insulating layers keep you warm by holding in body heat. Fibers such as wool, polyester fleece and down are all excellent insulators. Wool sweaters and shirts offer reliable warmth and insulate when wet, though they are bulkier than their synthetic cousins.

Polyester fleece such as Polartec® and insulation such as Thinsulate® provide lightweight warmth for a variety of conditions. For extreme cold, dry conditions, goose down can't be beat. It must be kept dry to maintain its insulating ability, however.

Fleece is a favorite insulation material because it's lightweight, breathable and insulates even when wet. Plus, it dries faster and has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than wool.

The Inner Layer: Moisture Management

More than any other, the moisture-management layer influences how you regulate your body temperature. Have you ever worn a cotton T-shirt under a plastic raincoat while you walked briskly? Even though you weren't getting wet from rain, you probably felt wet and cold.

Trapped inside your clothing, perspiration can leave you chilled, no matter how well your outer shell fends off rain and snow. Cotton does an effective job of retaining perspiration where it can leave you feeling chilled.

Your next-to-skin layer should be materials other than cotton. Silk, wool and synthetic wicking fabrics such as Polartec® and CoolMax® polyester work to transport perspiration from the skin. Rather than absorbing moisture, these fabrics disperse it on the outer surface, where it can evaporate. The result: You stay warmer even when you sweat.

Examples: Keeping dry is important for maintaining a cool body temperature in the summer and avoiding hypothermia in the winter. Inner layers can be anything from briefs and sports bras to long underwear sets (tops and bottoms) to tights and sport shirts. Thermal underwear is available in light-, mid- and expedition-weights. You can select the right weight to match your activity and the temperature.

Some garments are designed to fit very snugly for better performance, range of motion and easier layering. For hot weather, the wicking layer often consists of a loose fitting, mesh garment.

Conclusion

All of the products you choose have to work well together to keep you warm and dry. We hope this information has enabled you to make intelligent choices in order to safely and comfortably enjoy the great outdoors. Thank you for choosing Viking products!