Winter Layering Guide | 5 Tips for Best Results

Need to stay warm out there in the lowest temperatures? Hopefully this guide will give you some peace of mind.

Questions, thoughts, advice? Leave them in the comments below.

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[WontSeeReplies]

Finally an honest explanation on how to stay warm without sales gimmicks.

Finally!!!

Thank you

[NateSail]

Brilliant video, been doing winter backpacking and things since I was a child in the 80s, and most of the videos on layering vastly overcomplicate it likely for the sake of selling hot new items. I've been doing what you suggest since then for the most part. I have never done the wool ankle sock under a SmartWool winter sock that's a brilliant idea and I'll implement that for sure, I've always done thin silk or similar and SmartWool. One good point with feet is that being too tight in a boot or having sweaty feet is as big a problem as not having enough insulation. Feet are already an extreme extremity so any reduction in blood flow is a huge problem. Good common sense layering can take you into some really nasty stuff without being restricted in movement or looking like a Goodyear tire guy.

[Sanmbar]

Took notes for myself. Moving to Saskachewan early next year. This helped me a lot to prepare. Thanks Richard.

Layering allows you to undress and redress as needed. Work from your lightest layer to your heaviest. Sequence is mentioned below:

1. Base layer - Icebreaker 175 everyday crew - merino wool / synthetic blend - stay away from cotton.
2. Midweight sweater / fleece - Arcteryx Delta LT Hoody
3. Lightweight synthetic jacket - Arcteryx Atom Sl Hoody OR maybe a vest - L.L Bean Microfleece Vest.
4. Heaviest Insulated layer (Winter Coat / Puffy Jacket / Parka/ski jacket) - Arcteryx Cerium LT Hoody.
5. Always end with a Shell Jacket - This could be a soft shell, a windbreaker or a rain coat. It should be wind & water proof. It also retains heat - Arcteryx Beta AR.
6. If your Insulated layer (winter jacket/parka/ski jackets) already has a shell jacket then you don't need to add a separate shell on top of it, but if it doesn't then you need it.

Don't forget your extremities (legs, feet, hands, head, neck)

1. Legs Base Layer - Icebreaker 200 Oasis Legging (merino wool).
2. Athletic Pants or Hiking Pants - Mountain Hardware Chockstone Pant.
3. Waterproof Pants or Snow Pants or Ski Pants - Marmot PreCip Pants.
4. If you're wearing a snow pant then you'd be fine with just a base layer. Goal is to keep you warm but not impede your mobility.
5. For feet start with a thin ankle sock or no show sock - Smartwool Microlight Socks.
6. Heavyweight Merino Hiking Socks - Smartwool Medium weight Hike Socks.
7. Insulated Snow Shoes if it's super cold and snow outside (Merrell Thermo Chill WP Boots) if it's not then waterproof hiking boots (Danner Mountain 600).
8. For Hands a Thin Merino Wool Glove (Smartwool Liner Glove).
9. Heavy Ski Gloves - Outdoor Research Adrenaline Glove.

Stack and Overlap Items e.g. Tuck your upper base layer into your lower base layer, tuck your leggings into your socks and pull your sleeves over the cuff of your gloves. The idea is that no cold air should come in.

Cover your neck

1. Buff / Neck Gator / Scarf

[mtnbound]

this is excellent advice, the same ive learned over the last year or two. layer and stacking is the key. the one thing i still struggle with, is keeping my face warm and not fogging up my glasses at the same time.

[jmbrigida]

Going abroad next month and your tips will help me to face the winter for the 1st time. Thank you mate.

[labellaescrima]

Are you being sponsored by Arc'teryx, you got over 1000.00 worth of vest, baselayer, midlayer, and down jacket!

[TheNewMe]

Great video, straight to the point and with examples for those who are new to the outdoor adventure. Thanks!

[UpYours]

I usually go with wind suits and a base layer and mid layer. My base layer is usually a thermal shirt with buttons on the collar and my mid layer is a full zip jacket and the rain jacket is full zip also. I like to be able to unzip to let heat escape my torso without having to take anything off and thermal bottoms and wool socks on top of that I usually go with a neoprene track suit or an insulated full zip hoodie and sweatpants rain pants and rain jacket and a fleece balaclava and stocking cap. This is usually all that I need where I live. It is warm but still lightweight. I can still feel the cold but it is tolerable enough that I can stay outside for a long time. I usually choose black clothing for my base and mid layers also because black retains heat.

[cyasi]

I’ve been skiing for years in a long sleeve cotton tshirt, a sweatshirt….and a $60 ski coat.

[CRyan]

What I find is that I don't need all the layers on my arms. Firstly they don't go cold like my torso and secondly I find it nearly impossible to move my arms. So I'd be looking at 2nd layers or fleeces without sleeves.

[brentwoodconciergemedicine]

Nice. But there are no comments about the hats or the head! Lol– – Maybe you can make an addendum. Is synthetic hat material just as good as wool

[germansestopal]

Excellent. What about a presentation related with the temperature.example: for 0 to 10 degrees this clothes, then for 10 to 20 that's one's etc. I will appreciate that information

[amritgurung]

finally I uderstood. Very useful tips in a simple way. thanks

[inmgp]

Pure wool should be applied directly to the skin because of its properties after moisturising with ingrams canphor cream because camphor has warming properties.

[gracyvuna]

Thank you for this video, simple but very clear and practical.

[constantinipsilanti]

The main goal in the winter is not to overheat and prevent sweating. It all depends on the level of effort and your heating issues. Also, the extremeties should never be strangulated, to allow blood circulation and heat control.

[ImBadWithNamesSadly]

I'm from Brazil but closer to the south and I've always dealt with a lot of cold, ofc not so cold compared to where you are but still very cold and never understood why I was still cold, I did none of those things, this is extremely helpful lol, especially cus I have a Finnish gf lmao

[jakepokervegas]

Ohh, thanks!! I was looking this info for years!! jajaja. Nice video :P

[cgigammez]

I am in tokyo in march and i cant handle the cold, my city is just as cold but you dont usually walk around, i always hated using a lot of clothes but seems i will have get used to it

[timvibes]

Too many layers. What temperature would you wear them in? One heavyweight down parka is enough for me in single digit temperatures.