Winter hiking requires a few thermal precautions. If you are cold, not only will your comfort and enjoyment suffer, but your performance will also deteriorate. For your muscles and body to function at optimal output, they need to be in a comfort zone. That is why it is essential to dress properly before heading out for winter sport. 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, such as hikers. This endurance activity requires solid thermal protection for optimal muscle energy output. Thanks to this technique, athletes can dress with a minimum of garments for maximum efficiency. These 3 layers are more than enough to guarantee the necessary comfort, whatever the ambient temperature and weather conditions encountered.
The base layer
The base layer is the one in direct contact with the skin. The role of this foundational element is critical, as it serves to keep the skin dry. The hiker will not feel the cold, whether it is windy, snowing, or raining during the activity.
This base layer must therefore have a good level of breathability to allow moisture to be wicked away, preventing the athlete from feeling clammy due to perspiration — a clamminess that can quickly turn into an intense feeling of cold within a matter of minutes.
For this base layer, advances in new garment technologies using innovative materials have been a major step forward in offering high-quality thermal base layers. You can find short or long base layers 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 getting cold.
For the upper body, one option is a thermal base layer such as the warm round-neck technical base layer Warm Top 3F, with a flattering feminine cut, offering excellent thermal insulation and optimal moisture transfer for all your activities in low temperatures. This technical base layer features an anti-bacterial treatment to limit odours and bacteria.
To protect the legs when temperatures are at their lowest, the seamless bamboo and silk thermal legging Strategic Pant 3 H is an excellent option, offering an unmatched sense of warmth and comfort. With its seamless design, it acts as a second skin. The silk blended with the fibres creates an immediate feeling of well-being and insulates effectively!
The mid layer
The second layer can be considered an intermediate layer. It goes over the base layer and under the third layer. Its essential role is to trap body heat by preventing the warm air generated by the body from escaping through the clothing. This second layer is generally made from synthetic fibres, such as those found in fleece garments, or from down (as in certain insulated 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. They also dry faster than garments made from natural or synthetic down.
It will thus be possible to choose a mid-weight fleece that is more breathable than a heavy fleece yet warmer than a lightweight fleece, making it the most versatile of the three. It can be worn as an outer layer when temperatures are mildly cool, just as easily as it can be slipped in as an intermediate layer in the coldest conditions.
The outer layer
The final layer is a protective layer. It is in direct contact with the outside and its function is to shield athletes from moisture and wind.
It will also help to wick away perspiration. This layer must therefore above all be waterproof, yet breathable at the same time.
There are now many garments with waterproof and breathable membranes. These new materials prevent hikers and athletes from feeling a sauna effect during exertion and a sudden chill when they stop.
Choose effective softshell or ultrashell jackets to get a garment capable of protecting against external moisture and wind while wicking away moisture from the inside.
For the outer layer, the hiker might opt for a Dynamic hooded softshell jacket (Men's), for example. This is a benchmark jacket that combines the finest fabrics with CimAlp expertise. This jacket from the "EXPEDITION SERIES" line delivers uncompromising 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, velcro-adjustable cuffs, inner protective gloves, a zip-detachable hood, and a waist drawcord, this modern softshell jacket packs in the details and the positives that firmly place it in the category of reliable essentials!
Finally, its waterproof-breathable membrane, rated at 10,000 mm water resistance and a real breathability of 10,000 g/m²/24h, guarantees all-conditions comfort. Weighing just 810g in a size M, it is ideal for hiking in all regions and should make you forget the autumn chill!
For winter trousers, a great choice is this Intrepide Warm trouser, which has a modern, clean look, is versatile and warm thanks to its 3D-Flex+ 260g weave. It also features a waterproof DWR anti-stain treatment.
Worn from autumn through to spring, it delivers superior comfort and stretch — a real asset when hiking when the temperature drops a little!
Finally, it is easy to care for, does not crease, and dries quickly. All in all, it offers an excellent price-to-quality ratio that makes it a must-have when looking for a warm winter trouser!
The beauty of the 3-layer system is that it is, of course, adaptable. It lets you set off well covered and remove a layer as the temperature changes 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 garment. Current synthetic membrane manufacturing techniques make it possible to design thin, lightweight garments. They are therefore easy to layer and rarely uncomfortable to wear on top of one another. They allow you to keep moving while staying warm, without sacrificing freedom of movement or feeling restricted in overly thick clothing.
