The Hut Magazine

48 The Hut

Living

The Hut

Living

Unfortunately here in the UK we aren’t blessed with the most reliable weather.

For outdoor enthusiasts, our topsy-turvy climate should be a hindrance and

prevent us from venturing out as often as we might like. Fortunately, though, the

layering system has been developed as a tried-and-tested way of staying warm,

dry and comfortable whether walking under the beating sun or in a deluge of rain.

When layering for outdoor activities, each and every layer serves a purpose.

You should be able to add or remove layers easily and quickly to adjust to the

changing weather, and each layer must be light and packable for maximum

convenience on the go.

BASE-LAYER

As you might have guessed by its name, your

base-layer is the first layer that will lie next to your

skin. The base-layer is designed to trap a thin layer

of air next to your body to regulate your body

temperature while also allowing perspiration to mov

away from your body to evaporate - keeping you co

and dry in the process.

Popular base-layer fabrics include merino wool

- with fine fibres that are insulating and quick-

drying - and synthetic materials such as polyester

or polypropylene which are excellent at moving

moisture away from the skin while also offering

great comfort. Synthetic base-layers will be more

affordable than merino, but merino is widely touted

in the industry for its moisture-wicking and insulatin

properties, in addition to the fact it is 100% natural,

biodegradable and sustainable.

MID-LAYER

Also known as the insulation layer, your mid-layer

should trap body heat to keep you warm in cooler

conditions while still allowing moisture to move

through the layers away from the skin. The most

popular type of mid-layer is a fleece jacket, although

you can also use down-filled jackets, synthetic

insulation and soft-shell jackets in cooler climates.

Affordable, durable and quick-drying, a fleece

will be your go-to mid-layer piece. Fleece jackets

can be purchased in different thicknesses depending

on your needs, ranging from thick 300-weight

fleeces to thin microfleece jackets for mild

temperatures. For even greater warmth, you can

opt for a down-filled or synthetic jacket that

works to maximise insulation.

INSULATED JACKETS:

In dry but cold conditions,

insulated, synthetic or down-filled jackets can be used

as effective outer layers to protect against the cold. It

is worth noting that if you are using an insulated outer

jacket, it is worth having further layering options to hand

in case of changing weather conditions.

OUTER-LAYER

Your outer or shell layer is your first and last defence against

the elements. While protecting you against the wind, rain

and snow, a good outer layer will also allow the moisture

and heat from your body to escape to prevent overheating.

There are essentially three types of jacket you can use for

your outer layer...

A Simple Guide to

LAYERING

HARD SHELL:

The classic shell jacket, a hard shell jacket offers

waterproof and windproof protection. Typically made using

GORE-TEX® or Event membranes for outstanding performance,

a high-quality shell jacket might also offer taped seams, a DWR

(durable water repellent) coating as well as good breathability.

SOFT SHELL:

Used in drier but windy

conditions, soft shells are typically lighter, more

flexible and breathable than your hard shell jacket.