Layer Clothing System
Know how to keep your body at a comfortable temperature to enable you
to operate efficiently regardless of the weather (within reason!).
The layer clothing system is a proven method to keep you operating at a comfortable temperature. It doesn’t matter whether you’re trekking in the Sahara Desert, climbing Kilimanjaro, or on a serious Arctic Expedition, the weather conditions will vary, sometimes enormously, whilst you are there.
What Is The Layer Clothing System? The layer clothing system is the process of using various layers of clothing to suit the outdoor conditions you find yourself in. The flexibility of using a number of thin layers, essentially to trap the warm air (or to prevent wind and rain from getting in), has proven to be far more effective than fewer thick layers. As conditions change, such as temperature, potential rain and wind, and physical workload, so too can your layers change, adapting to keep your body comfortable thus avoiding excessive overheating or getting too cold.
Essentially, there are 3 prime identifiable clothing layers:
- Base Layer
- Mid Layer, and
- Outer Layer
What you wear and when will depend entirely on the conditions you’re in.
Regardless of the environment (desert, mountain or arctic), you should have all 3 layers in your kit somewhere. You may never need some of the clothing layers but given you have no control over the weather, you just may need them. Don’t get caught out.
Base Layer
The base layer is in direct contact with your skin and is likely to be either a thermal vest or some form of a t-shirt. Conditions and personal preference will dictate what garment is used but as an example, you’re more likely to use a thermal vest (or similar) in an arctic environment rather than an equatorial environment.
Merino wool garments are cited to be super warm but possibly too warm for some. There are plenty of synthetic materials out there that are good, lightweight and easy to dry.
Base layers go next to your skin
Mid-Layers
The mid layer adds insulation, trapping body heat to keep you warm, and continues moving moisture outward. There is nothing to dictate how many layers you can use, sheer bulk and the ability to put them on over each other will decide that! I would suggest 2 or 3 mid layers is about the limit though.
A thin, lightweight fleece may be your first choice on top of your base layer, for example, followed by a thicker fleece, or a thin duvet jacket. A full-blown duvet jacket is likely to be the final layer before getting to the outer layer.
Mid-layers are the engine room that keeps you warm
Outer Layer
The outer layer protects you from the elements, such as the wind and rain. A ‘shell’ garment (which is literally material such as goretex without any padding) is recommended over more substantial jackets such as downhill ski jackets. The latter will be way too warm (and heavy) for any physical activity such as trekking, or cycling. Given its role, the outer layer needs to be of good quality to withstand anything and everything likely to come your way. Don’t forget the bottom half!
Berghaus, Rab, Craghoppers, and Northface are good examples of Suppliers.
Outer layers prevent the elements from getting in
Layer Association – Don’t Forget the Extremities
The layer clothing system above is designed to keep your body core at a comfortable temperature but don’t forget to pay attention to the extremities to complete the picture.
Hats, gloves, and other similar face/neck protection can also work in layers to protect hands, ears, nose, etc… Arctic adventures for example, would need inner and outer gloves/mitts in order to keep hands warm enough to operate efficiently. Similarly, thin wooly hats would be more suitable when skiing, whilst a thicker one is better at night when you have stopped.
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