Winter hiking requires some thermal precautions. If you get cold, not only will your comfort and enjoyment suffer, but your performance will decline too. For your muscles and body to function at their best, they need to be in a comfort zone. That is why dressing properly before heading out for winter sports is essential. The 3-layer technique remains unbeatable for this, and it guarantees you stay warm whatever the temperature.
The 3-layer system: effective protection
The 3-layer system is recommended for many outdoor activity enthusiasts, including hikers. This endurance activity demands good thermal protection for optimal muscle energy output. With this technique, athletes can dress with a minimum of garments for maximum efficiency. These 3 layers are more than enough to ensure the necessary comfort, whatever the ambient temperature and atmospheric conditions.
The first layer
The first layer is the one in direct contact with the skin. The role of this base element is crucial, as it keeps the skin dry. The hiker will not feel the cold, whether it is windy, snowing or raining during the activity.
This first layer must therefore have a good level of breathability to allow perspiration to escape, preventing the athlete from feeling clammy due to sweating — a clamminess that can turn into an intensely cold sensation within minutes.
For this base layer, advances in new types of clothing using innovative materials have been a major step forward in delivering high-quality thermal underwear. You can find short or long underwear made from merino wool or synthetic fibre. A cotton base layer is strongly discouraged, as it absorbs moisture and dries too slowly, exposing the athlete to a real risk of chilling.
For the upper body, you could choose a thermal base layer such as the warm crew-neck technical base layer Warm Top 3F, with a flattering feminine cut that provides excellent thermal insulation and optimal moisture transfer for all your cold-weather activities. This technical base layer features an anti-bacterial treatment to limit odours and bacteria.
To protect your legs in the coldest temperatures, you can opt for the seamless bamboo and silk thermal leggings Strategic Pant 3 H, which offer unmatched warmth and comfort. With a seamless design, they feel like a second skin. The silk blended with the fibres delivers an immediate feeling of well-being and effective insulation.
The second layer
The second layer can be considered a mid-layer. It sits on top of the base layer and beneath the third layer. Its essential role is to retain body heat by preventing the air warmed by the body from escaping out of the clothing. This second layer is generally made from synthetic fibres, as found in fleeces, or from down (in certain down jackets, for example).
The advantage of fleece garments is that they protect against the cold even in wet conditions. They transfer moisture towards the outer layer and dry more quickly than garments made from natural or synthetic down.
You could choose a mid-weight fleece, which is more breathable than a heavyweight fleece and warmer than a lightweight fleece — making it the most versatile of the three. It can be worn as an outer layer when temperatures are mild, or slipped in as a mid-layer when conditions are at their coldest.
The third layer
The final layer is a protective layer. It is in direct contact with the elements, and its function is to shield athletes from moisture and wind.
It also helps to expel perspiration. This layer must therefore be waterproof above all, while remaining breathable at the same time.
There are now many garments with waterproof and breathable membranes. These new materials prevent hikers and athletes from experiencing a sauna effect during exertion and sudden chilling when they stop.
Choose effective softshell or ultrashell jackets for a garment capable of protecting against external moisture and wind, while expelling moisture from within.
For the outer layer, the hiker might opt for a Dynamic hooded softshell jacket (Men's), for example. This is a benchmark jacket combining the finest fabrics with CimAlp expertise. This jacket from the "EXPEDITION SERIES" line delivers flawless comfort with its 3 layers: an inner fleece fabric for thermal insulation, a waterproof-breathable membrane, and an ultra-resistant stretch fabric on the outer face.
With 2 side ventilation openings, 2 large pockets, adjustable velcro cuffs, inner protective gloves, a removable hood with zip and a waist drawcord, this modern softshell jacket packs in the details and features that firmly place it in the must-have category.
Finally, its waterproof-breathable membrane, rated to 10,000 mm of water and with a real breathability of 10,000 g/m²/24h, guarantees all-conditions comfort. Weighing just 810 g in size M, it is the ideal companion for hiking in any region — and should make you forget autumn's chill entirely.
For winter trousers, a strong option is the Intrepide Warm trousers, which combine a modern, clean look with versatility and warmth thanks to their 3D-Flex+ 260g weave. They also feature a waterproof DWR treatment.
Wearable from autumn through to spring, they offer superior comfort and stretch — a real bonus when hiking when temperatures drop.
Finally, they are easy to care for, crease-resistant and quick-drying. All in all, they offer excellent value for money, making them an essential choice when you want a warm pair of winter trousers.
The great advantage of the 3-layer system is that it is, of course, adaptable. It lets you set out well covered and remove a layer as the temperature rises throughout your session. And at the end of your activity, when your body is at rest, you can put the layer back on to avoid getting cold.
Finally, this system also avoids the bulk (and inefficiency) of a single heavy garment. Modern manufacturing techniques for synthetic membranes make it possible to design thin, lightweight garments. These layer easily over one another and are rarely uncomfortable to wear together. They allow you to move freely while staying warm, without losing ease of movement or feeling restricted by excessive bulk.
