How to Layer: The Ultimate Guide to Staying Warm

The most important factors for staying comfortable as temperatures drop are keeping in heat, staying dry, and being protected from the elements. Understanding how to properly layer and getting the right gear is vital to staying warm during fall and winter!

The art of layering is critical in regulating your body temperature as your activity level and the weather changes throughout the day. While you may not need to use every layer all the time, it is important to have them available. To effectively layer, you will need the following:

• Base Layer: For comfort and sweat-wicking
• Middle Layer: For warmth
• Outer Layer: For protection against the elements

Base Layer

Your base layer is the layer you wear against your skin, it should be soft, comfortable and able to wick away sweat from your body. What you choose as a base layer will depend on the temperature, your middle layer and the intensity of what you are doing. For example, if you are going for a hike in early fall you will want to opt for a lighter base layer than if you were going for a leisurely walk in winter. For a lighter, fast-drying option we recommend the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew. For something that offers more warmth, we recommend the Filson Waffle Knit Thermal Crew or the Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Crew.

Middle Layer

A good middle layer traps in heat while also being breathable, it should keep you warm while still allowing perspiration to escape. There are 2 main types of insulation, down and synthetic. Down has the best weight-to-warmth ratio and is able to be easily compressed and packed away however it loses effectiveness when wet. The second type is synthetic, it is ideal for wetter conditions as it is still able to keep you warm when wet and there are still a ton of great options for packability. When choosing which middle layer to use, you must consider what activity you are doing and what the weather will be like. If you are backpacking in dry conditions, a down jacket may be a good option however if you are going for a hike in the rain, you may want to use a synthetic option. Our favourite middle layer options include the Hooke Seasonal Lightweight Insulated Vest, the Filson Ultralight Jacket, a Synchilla Fleece Jacket or for a down option, the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody.

Outer Layer

An outer layer (also referred to as a shell) is durable and protects you against conditions such as rain and extreme wind. While you may not always need to wear an outer layer, it is critical you have one available when the weather requires it. For milder weather, you can use a soft shell which is comfortable and able to protect you from light precipitation. For more extreme rain and snow, you will want to use a waterproof jacket which is designed to keep you dry as well as vent excess heat and moisture. Finally, you can use a windbreaker which is ideal for protecting you against gusts of wind and can be easily carried in your bag or pack due to its compactability. Like your base layer and middle layer, the outer layer you choose will depend on what you're doing and the weather! There are so many great options for an outer layer, our top picks are the Hooke Misty Rain Jacket, the Patagonia Houdini Jacket, the Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover and the Filson Swiftwater Rain Jacket