Sounds easy enough, right? So why do so many folks venture out unprepared and under dressed for the conditions they encounter? The fact that hypothermia kills more outdoorsman than all other natural factors combined should get our attention. And by natural factors, I mean things like drowning, snake bites, lighting strikes, bear attacks etc. So apparently, folks are still underestimating the danger, or more likely, they go out dressed properly, but not for unexpected changes in the weather or an unforeseen extended duration, such as getting lost and having to spend the night. It is also surprising to learn that nearly all cases were in temperatures between 30 and 50 F.
But aside from the fact that hypothermia can kill, I personally just enjoy the outdoors more if I am warm. And lucky for me, there have been many improvements in the way clothing is made. But before delving into the ways to dress to stay warm, a basic understanding of the ways in which we loose heat might be helpful. We lose heat in five basic ways and often in a combination of several.
1: Conduction is the transfer of heat directly from one object to another. A good example would be setting on a cold rock or sleeping on the cold ground.
2: Convection is the loss of heat through moving air or liquid. Ever notice how cool it feels after working up a sweat, then resting and a breeze comes along?
3: Evaporation occurs when a liquid changes into a gas. Sweat drying on the skin or from clothing is a good example. The wind (convection) usually speeds it up
4: Radiation is heat traveling through the air from warm objects to nearby colder objects. It is also known as infrared energy. We usually notice this in the opposite direction like when standing in front of a space heater. Notice how your clothes or skin get very warm really fast but the air in between does not.
5: Respiration is another way we loose heat. Most folks probably don’t think about it but I’ll bet most of us have breathed on our cold hands to warm them up. That same warm breath is constantly taking heat away from our body.
It is also helpful to know that heat energy is always trying to equal out. Colder objects warm up while warmer objects cool off. And remember to eat and drink so that the body does not run out of fuel. Clothes do not produce heat (not counting some chemical hand warmers and battery operated socks etc), but instead help preserve the heat the body produces.
And now for ways to dress for the cold. Layering is the biggest key to success in my opinion because over dressing can be just as bad as under dressing. With layers it is easy enough to take off something to avoid overheating, which leads to sweating, which can be dangerous in very cold or windy conditions. There is an old saying that cotton kills, and while it is not necessarily always true, cotton clothing does tend to absorb moisture and is not great at wicking it away from the skin. Wool and recently developed synthetics do a better job at wicking moisture away from the skin. Also keep in mind that the core areas of the body should be protected at all cost. Remember that heat rises so the old saying that if your feet are cold, cover your head, has a lot of merit. When layering, it is also advantageous to keep weight and bulk at a minimum. It is just not much fun to walk around looking like the Michilan man and for certain activities like bow hunting, bulky clothing can interfere with success.
So let’s start with the base layers. I personally like wool but some can be itchy. However, I have had excellent results with merino wool. I have also had good results with synthetics but do find they hold odors more so than wool. That is not to say that wet wool does not have an odor, but it does not seem to amplify body odor as much. There has also been some success in treating synthetics to lessen the odor. A good base layer offers two fold protection. First would be insulation by trapping body heat. As a general rule, the thicker the material, the warmer it will be. And the ability to trap air helps keep insulation lighter as trapped air is also good insulation as long as movement of said air can be minimized. Of course the ability to wick moisture away from the body is important.
I think socks fit in well when discussing the base layer. Again, I like wool or a wool blend in socks but recently discovered that socks may also be made with a PrimaLoft Merino Blend Yarn. They are offered by such companies as LL Bean, Lorpen, Fox River or The North Face. The socks are said to be soft and the combination of both fibers (merino wool and PrimaLoft) creates a great moisture management system that transfers moisture vapor away from the skin and pushes it out for dry and comfortable feet. I just recently got a pair of Lorpen socks that use this yarn but it has not been that cold yet so I can not really comment on their cold weather performance. I will say that they are very comfortable socks. Look for a separate review on these socks on this site soon.
While discussing socks, I guess it is logical to bring up boots. Boots are highly subjective as some prefer heavy winter boots while others are happy with a much lighter boot. I have even read of folks using trail runners and using bread sacks between two pairs of socks. I am in the middle camp. I like a good waterproof but fairly light weight boot for most winter conditions I encounter. If I am going to be sitting a lot, such as when hunting or fishing, I will swap to heavy boots or even a pair of Pac Boots from Sorel I have owned for years. However, I never liked walking far in these boots and just recently discovered the comfort and warmth of Muck Boots. I have a pair called the Edgewater which are now my primary cold weather boots, especially when I am going to be around water much. They are completely waterproof and stand 16 inches tall. But what I really like is the fact that they are very comfortable. I would not use them for a real long hike but they are okay for a few miles.
Next up for discussion is the mid layer. This layer may also be used for the base layer in milder conditions. The same qualities that make for a good base layer apply here as well. In other words, clothing that traps heat, but also lets moisture escape. However, this layer should be able to withstand rough treatment since it will often be the outer layer. In other words, pants good for sitting on rough rocks or crashing through briers. Shirts might not need to be quite as tough but still need to be durable.
Hats and gloves are really an outer layer but I wanted to discuss them separately. A good toboggan (watch cap) is probably one of the lest expensive yet most effective articles of clothing you can wear in cold weather. Wool is good, but I have used cheap acrylic ones without any problem. Of course if it is going to be raining, some provisions should be made to keep the head dry. One of my favorite hats for cold wet weather is a bomber style hat in camo. It has a layer of thinsulate under the cap part and a soft fake fur like material for the inside part of the ear flap. The outside of the hat is made of a tough nylon with Cordura and incorporates a Gore-Tex membrane.
While on the discussion of hats, remember when I listed respiration as a way we loose heat. Another interesting product addresses this problem head on. Head on…get it! I am referring to something I can wear on my head (okay face to be more specific) called the ColdAvenger face mask. This mask is basically a mask that warms the air you breath. I won’t go into the scientific side of the product but I can say that I am keen to see how it works because I like to ride my recumbent in the winter and it can be tough riding when the temperature drops down to near or below freezing. I have a ColdAvenger face mask on the way and will be reporting on how it works in another article so be sure and watch for it. In the meantime, feel free to check them out here.
Gloves are important because cold hands can make doing even simple task like moving a zipper or buttoning a button impossible. There are many styles but I like the ones made for hunting because they usually come in camo and are made with some type of waterproof outer material. I just pick a pair for the expected conditions. If it is really cold and I have on a pair of thick gloves it is simple enough to take my gloves off long enough to complete any dexterous task.
The outer layer is usually the layer we think about most when thinking of cold weather clothing. I have a big puffy down jacket I really like for cold dry conditions. It has the most warmth for the least amount of weight but does have its limitations. For one, it is very susceptible to moisture. And when down gets wet it tends to clump, which diminishes the insulation it offers. For those times when I think moisture will be a problem I like synthetic insulation. I have several hunting jackets and insulated overalls which use various synthetic insulations. Most also have a waterproof breathable membrane. I also have several synthetic sleeping bags. The one downside I have observed is that after several years of hard use the bags do not loft as well and are not quite as warm as when new. Strangely, I haven’t really noticed this as much with my hunting jackets even thought they see even more use.
Another key function of the outer layer is protection from wind and rain. In fact, a good waterproof breathable jacket does not even have to be insulated to be effective. In other words, it can be worn over other layers and will help keep those layers dry and not let the wind carry away the warmth they have trapped as easily. One of my favorite such garments is my Frogg Togg jacket. I find it help tremendously on cold mornings. I will also grab the jacket for quick rest stops if it is cold and or windy and I am feeling chilled. I also have the matching pants but don’t wear them very often. However, they are very light so I nearly always pack them in the winter.
I did not intend to make this article about a particular type of insulation or specific brand of clothing. However, I recently emailed Primaloft and they kindly responded with some very in depth information about the products they offer. As expected, the information is very complimentary to their product line but it is still good information to know when choosing an article of clothing like a coat or a pair of gloves. And rather then try and reword the reply I am just going to use what they sent me. I am not endorsing Primaloft as better than other brands because I think there are others which work just as well. But as you will see, Primaloft does offer quite a range of products designed for different applications and many companies use their insulation. I own several PrimaLoft insulated garments myself plus a couple of sleeping bags.
“PrimaLoft was originally developed for the U.S. Army as a replacement to goose down because when down is wet it looses its thermal properties. The goal was to develop an alternative to down with equivalent thermal performance to goose down that could also repel moisture. The unique composition was patented and PrimaLoft evolved into a family of products to meet specific needs for outdoor enthusiasts.
Leading outdoor brands using PrimaLoft in their line of outerwear, footwear, gloves, sleeping bags, socks and accessories include: Arc’Teryx, Big Agnes, EMS, Patagonia , Merrell, Cloudveil, Marmot, The North Face, Swany, Dakine, 180s, Lorpen, LL Bean, and many others.
* PrimaLoft products:
PrimaLoft offers a range of specialized insulations:
PrimaLoft ONE:
PrimaLoft ONE is an ultra fine microfiber insulation that is as warm, soft and lightweight as down. PrimaLoft ONE insulation offers superior water resistance and dries faster than down.
Applications: outerwear, gloves, hats (and sleeping bags)
Partners:
Most of all glove companies: 180s, Dakine, Gordini, Grandoe, Marmot, Swany, Hotfingers, Manzella, and many more
Outerwear companies include: The North Face, Merrell, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, Rab, Cloudveil, Eddie Bauer, EMS , LL Bean, Sierra Designs, Sherpa Adventure Gear and many more…
PrimaLoft SPORT:
PrimaLoft SPORT is a unique blend of ultra fine multi-diameter fibers that is thermally efficient, water resistant, breathable, lightweight, compressible and wind resistant. The ultra fine fibers create a high-loft insulation that keeps the body warm, dry and comfortable even in extreme conditions.
Applications: outerwear (and sleeping bags)
Partners: include Arc’Teryx, Brooks, Integral Designs, Loki, Marmot, and many more
PrimaLoft ECO:
PrimaLoft ECO is an earth-friendly insulation for performance and comfort. PrimaLoft ECO is a 50/50 blend of virgin fibers and recycled fibers. The recycled fibers are produced from post-consumer products. PrimaLoft ECO is a high loft performance insulation that is thermally efficient, lightweight, water-resistant, quick drying and with superior softness.
Applications: outerwear (and sleeping bags)
Partners: include Sierra Designs (outerwear and sleeping bags), Mountain Hardwear (outerwear), Big Agnes (sleeping bags and sleeping pads), Ripzone (outerwear),
Patagonia (outerwear), Outdoor Research (outerwear) and more…
PrimaLoft ECO Footwear:
PrimaLoft ECO Footwear is a blend of 50% virgin fibers and 50% recycled fibers (produced from post-consumer products). It is a resilient performance insulation that is warm, lightweight, water-resistant and has excellent compression recovery. PrimaLoft’s footwear technology combines a unique blend of ultra-fine fibers, multi-diameter fibers and recycled fibers that form a dynamic insulating structure.
Applications: footwear
Partners: basically all the manufacturers using PrimaLoft in footwear, including Merrell, Patagonia, The North Face, L.L. Bean. Big Agnes (in booties) and more…
More recently, PrimaLoft has developed a yarn technology:
PrimaLoft Merino Blend Yarn:
PrimaLoft Merino Blend Yarn is an optimal blend of fine merino wool and PrimaLoft micro denier fibers, which are half the size of typical cashmere fibers, resulting in an ultra-soft yarn with improved wicking and performance properties. PrimaLoft Merino Blend Yarn features Quick Draw Technology™, PrimaLoft’s proprietary moisture management system that transfers moisture vapor away from the skin.
Applications: socks, sweaters, accessories (base layers and blankets)
Partners: Lorpen (socks), Fox River (socks), The North Face (socks), Mountain Hardwear (sweaters), Kjus (hats) and REI (scarves, hats)”
I will close with another personal observation. I like to look at the new lines of winter clothes and I am often impressed but the prices are often times a bit steep for my budget. I learned a few tricks which many of you may already know but if not, listen up. First of all, thrift stores are sometime a great place to get top of the line, barely used gear. You just have to be lucky to find what you need in your size. I have also had good luck shopping online at retailers such as Campmor and Sierra Trading Post. On of my favorite shirts is a merino wool tee branded Backcoutry.com. And of course check out end of season clearance sales. Also, last years model is often times sold at greatly reduced prices.
About the author – Coy Starnes
I have a lot of experience in dealing with the cold of Northeastern Alabama. And while the name Alabama doesn’t usually usually bring bone chilling cold to mind, I have in fact been cold on more occasions than I care to remember. That said, I have hiked, hunted and otherwise spent many a cold day out roaming the woods while staying nice and warm. Being dressed properly allows me to enjoy even more the beauty and solitude the winter woods offer. I also know when to pack it in…Once, I actually struck camp in the middle of the night and hiked out due too being to cold. This night was a little colder than most with a low of 11 F but I have been cold on other nights as well. The bottom line is, being dressed for cold weather is not rocket science, it just takes a little extra planning. I owe myself and my family a return home safe and sound. So have fun out there, and don’t be one of the victims of hypothermia I mentioned at the beginning of this article.