LAYERING 101: BASE LAYERS FOR BEGINNERS
Don’t miss out just because it’s cold.
If you’re planning on doing any sort of outdoor activity layering is going to become your new best friend. It allows you to stay warm without overheating, and is flexible enough to accommodate all stages of all activities at any time of year. And in the layering world, base layers are the foundation for your whole system. I know that’s a bold statement, but I have bold feelings about layering systems. The other nice thing is that in the long run layering will save you money. No longer will you need separate seasonal gear kits, now you’ll be able to mix and match layering pieces throughout the year.
So what is layering? It’s basically the idea that instead of wearing a t-shirt under a massive parka you build up your warmth using, as the term implies, layers of pieces of varying materials, thicknesses, and warmth. It breaks down into base, mid, and outer layers, and can be used as a system for clothes, but also for socks and gloves. Today we’re focusing on the trickiest and most important layer of them all, the base layer.
Base Layer
Your base layer is the foundation of your layering system. It’s the thing you’ll be wearing directly against your skin, the article of clothing that will absorb your sweat and, frankly, your smell. In Canada, we often to refer to Long Johns or Long Underwear, and I’m sure base layers go by many other names. Just know that if it’s against your skin, it’s a base layer.
Exploring in the winter is a breeze with the right base layers.
Fabrics
Base layers are usually made either from merino wool or a synthetic like polyester. Both of these are great options, and both have some pros and cons to think about. Overall what you’re looking for from a base layer is its ability to wick sweat from your body (think along the lines of workout clothes) which will keep you feeling dry even when you’re working hard, and keep you insulated. It’s why cotton isn’t a great base layer. It absorbs the sweat, but then feels cold, heavy, and wet in a way that will get you shivering in no time.
Merino
Merino wool is an amazing fabric. It doesn’t have the same itch factor that other wool does, so don’t even fret about that. On top of the lack of itchiness and its mastery of wicking, it’s also anti-microbial, which means your funk won’t be so potent, which after a few days on a trail everyone will thank you for. Its final magical quality is the temperature regulation it provides. Merino wool has a knack for making its wearer feel warm when it’s cold out, and cooler when it’s warm out.
The downfall of Merino is that it’s quite a bit more expensive than its synthetic counterpart, and not nearly as durable. That means you’ll be finding you’ve worn holes in your favourite merino base layer more often than you’d like.
Synthetic
If you’re on a tighter budget, or you’re the kind of adventurer who’s pretty hard on your gear, synthetic might be the way to go. They’re a fair bit cheaper than their merino counterparts, and way more durable. These base layers are usually treated with some sort of anti-microbial coating. It’s not as effective as merino in keeping your hiking funk at bay, but is a pretty solid substitute. Synthetic base layers are also super champs at wicking away sweat and leaving you feeling dry as a bone despite your ability to wring out your clothes.
The downside to synthetic is that they will start smelling more quickly than the merino, and they don’t have the magic of temperature regulation. Good news is that everyone else on that multi-day trek is going to be in a similar stinky boat, so no one will notice you. Plus there’s all that fresh air around!
Silk
Silk isn’t super popular in the base layer crowd, mainly because it’s only mediocre at wicking sweat and you will need to wash it every time you wear it. Keep it in mind though for those summer or warmer adventures where you don’t need quite the same level of insulation, but you do want that silky softness against your skin.
Getting out and enjoying the winter is as simple as base, mid, outer.
Fit
You want your base layers to fit snug but not tight. Essentially you want the material to sit tight to the skin, but still be comfortable to move around and be in all day. Try your base layers on before you purchase and make sure you have that ‘second skin but not wetsuit tight’ fit. That’s a commonly used descriptive phrase, right?
Take charge and explore the icy waters with the right layering system.
Weights
Different manufacturers have different names for the weight of your base layer. Essentially it all comes down to lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight. These weights refer to the general conditions they are ideal for. Keep in mind that the majority of warmth is coming from your insulating mid-layer. This base layer is mostly there for wicking purposes.
Lightweight
The thinnest of the bunch, they’re sometimes referred to as things like T1 or 100 weight. Lightweight base layers are intended more for moderate to cool temperatures.
Midweight
As the name implies, this one is going to be more middle of the road. You’ll see it called things like T2 or 200 weight, and it’s going to be slightly thicker and warmer than the lightweight base layers. These puppies are intended for cold temperatures.
Heavyweight
This is your hardest working, heaviest base layer, sometimes referred to as T3, 300, or expedition weight. If you’re heading out into sub-freezing temperatures, consider these guys as a good option.
So there you have it, the basics of base layers. Now that you’ve got a good base to build off of (see what I did there, eh) we can move on to mid and outer layers until you are an unstoppable adventure machine that is ready for any temperature you find yourself in.
