LAYERING, is basically the order of which you wear your hiking clothes, which sounds pretty common-sense but bear with us.
There are three layers to outdoor clothing:
- Base layer (underwear layer i.e merino t-shirt): This wicks (takes away) sweat from your skin
- Middle layer (insulating layer i.e long sleeved shirt ): This retains body heat to protect you from the cold
- Outer layer (shell layer – waterproof jacket and over trousers): This layer shields you from wind and rain
The idea is that you can remove and put on the second and third layer as you see fit.
- Warm and dry weather? You might just need your base layer.
- Wet but not cold? Base and outer layer on.
- Cold but not wet? Base and middle layer on?
- Cold and raining? Calling all layers. Time to get to work!
Want more info? Click on this link to read the layering story on the REI website and/or check out the below video which expands on the idea of layering.