The Three Layer Clothing System for Hiking in Cold Weather

Layering is probably the best way to dress in cold weather hiking. It protects you from the elements while giving you the flexibility to make quick adjustments based on your body temperature and changes in weather.

The three layers in the three-layer system each have different functions and in combination keeps you dry, warm and comfortable hiking in cold weather.

The concept of hiking clothing is not about keeping as warm as possible. It’s more about heat regulation, to achieve thermal equilibrium. This means that your body heat production should balance your heat loss so that you feel comfortable.

Keeping as warm as possible can make you too hot especially when you’re on the move and when you’re hot, you tend to sweat. Sweating is the body’s natural way of keeping cool. This is a problem when you’re stationary as your body no longer generates enough heat to balance heat loss.

This layer handles moisture management. Most beginners make the mistake of wearing cotton for this layer. Cotton absorbs moisture and this results in “exercise chill” as your body generates heat when hiking and then cools down too quickly when you rest.

A good fabric for the next-to-skin layer is synthetic fibers like polypropylene. It keeps you dry by quickly wicking away the moisture from the skin through a capillary action i.e. by dispersing it to the surface so that it can evaporate.

This layer will keep you dry but it won’t be able to keep you warm. For warmth you need..

To be a good insulator of heat in clothing the material needs to be able to retain the heat generated by your body. The material itself doesn’t generate heat.

Air is a good insulator of heat so this layer should be able to provide a layer of air to keep the warmth inside.

Fleece is a good choice for the insulating layer but natural fiber is lighter. However, fleece can keep you warm even when wet and they dry very quickly.

Wool is also an option but they’re heavier and bulkier than fleece and natural fibers.

This layer protects you from rain and windchill. It can be as simple as a hooded windbreaker or as high tech as some raincoats.

A good raincoat is layered with breathable material like Gore-Tex which allows you to ventilate and remove the moist air away from your body. Without a breathable material, you’re bound to get condensates inside the shell which can be very uncomfortably wet.

Instead of using three different layers, you can use just one or two which can do the same thing.

A down parka is an example of a waterproof shell that has a built in insulation. It’s a two in one garment that is suitable for hiking in cold weather.

However, they’re not as versatile for layering in a variety of temperatures.