As winter and cold arrive, we will explain why this method is so effective at protecting you from the cold during your outdoor activities in winter. It will help you dress optimally and adapt to all conditions.
How the 3-layer system works
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The 1st layer
The base layer keeps your skin dry to help prevent you feeling cold. It needs to be breathable and wick away sweat. Avoid cotton and choose technical underwear or merino wool. Consider the fit too: the fabric needs to be in contact with your skin to wick sweat away effectively. Choose a close fit. Depending on the weather, you can opt for a long- or short-sleeved base layer.
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The 2nd layer
The second layer, or mid-layer, insulates your body against the cold by retaining as much body heat as possible. Clothing made with synthetic fibres (fleeces) or down (lightweight insulated jackets) is recommended. Synthetic fleece garments are by far the most commonly used. Unlike down garments, they still protect against the cold when damp, move moisture away and dry faster. Down, however, provides much better insulation for the same weight. For this second layer, choose something that wicks away sweat, dries quickly and retains its insulating properties even when damp during activity.
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The 3rd layer
The outer layer protects you from the elements. Waterproof and windproof, it completes your outfit, shielding you from rain, snow and wind while continuing to let sweat escape. Third layers include Gore-Tex® or Hardshell jackets, which are waterproof and breathable. When choosing one, check two key measures: its waterproof rating and breathability.
The waterproof rating, also known as the Schmerber rating, corresponds to the level of water resistance of your garment's fabric. A garment rated above 20,000 mm is considered fully waterproof.
The breathability rating is measured in MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate) or RET (Resistance Evaporative Transfer). It corresponds to the quantity of water in vapour form that the fabric is capable of letting through. The more breathable your jacket's membrane, the better it will perform during outdoor activities and the more effectively it will let perspiration escape.
How to adapt the 3-layer system?
In certain situations, you may use more or fewer than 3 layers. That said, always respect the order of the layers. On a single outing, conditions or your needs may change (during a break, a shift in weather, at high altitude). Think about adjusting your layers in response to these changes and anticipate them by packing what you need in your bag.
Now that you know the 3-layer system, you can hit the slopes fully equipped and perfectly protected from the cold!
