Best winter layering tips to dress for the cold breeze

Best winter layering tips to dress for the cold breeze

Winter is fast approaching. In fact, in the northern parts of the world, it has already made its presence felt. Read on to find the best winter dress for the cold breeze.

The ethereal white snow, blanketing everything in sight, is a mesmerizing view to behold. However, going out in the freezing weather is often not very tempting.

You need just the right number of strategically thought-out layers to stave off the chills while maintaining a particular style of dress for the cold breeze. The amount of clothing you put on is also directly proportional to the time you will spend out in the cold.

You can get away with just a wool coat over your fancy attire if you are heading out in a car with a warm and cozy destination at the end of the journey.If, however, you plan to stay outside for longer than a few minutes, you need to consider the following layering tips:

Learn about the main layers

Most of us would rather lounge in our PJ shorts (yes, that is a thing) when the temperatures drop, but sometimes you just have to brave the cold. Therefore, each of the following layers has a specific purpose, all combined to achieve a single goal: keeping you warm during the cold winters.

Baselayer

This layer functions as a second skin; hence it should be breathable and comfortable. The primary purpose of the base layer is to keep your body dry by wicking away the sweat.In the absence of the wicking action, the perspiration will sit on your skin, making you colder by the minute.

Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon have good wicking properties,while merino wooland silk are thefavorable options amongst the natural fibers. On the other hand, while cotton is a relatively good absorbent, it is not so competent at dispersing moisture.

You can choose any of the fabric according to your personal preference. Apart from the subtle differences in durability, drying rates, and odor retention, most of these fabrics will get the job done.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the base layer should fit snugly to your body to help promote wicking. However, it does not have to be too tight that it leaves you feeling uncomfortable.

Finally, the weight of the base layer depends on the temperatures outside. Opt for a heavyweight base layer for below-freezing temperatures, mid-weight for a chilly day, and lightweight for milder conditions.

Middle layer

This layer is all about insulation. You want to retain the heat generated by your body as much as possible without overheating yourself. Therefore, the mid layer fabric will largely depend on your planned activities and, of course, your personal preference.

Amongst natural fibers, wool and down are both very efficient insulators. Down puffer jackets often offer the most warmth amongst all the fabric. Since down is highly compressed inside its shell packing, it makes for a lightweight and easy-to-carry jacket. The only downside is that it quickly loses its insulating abilities when it becomes damp.

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Therefore, for days when you are bound to sweat excessively or during damp conditions, consider a puffer jacket with synthetic fillings. Every passing year has witnessed a vast increase in the quality of these jackets, making them almost as good as the down coats.

Both down and synthetic jackets offer good protection from the wind, but synthetic ones are better in terms of water resistance.

Fleece is another excellent choice since it is a more budget-friendly and very cozy dress for the cold. However, it becomes wet easily, thereby losing its usability very quickly.

So far, it has all been about protecting the top half of your body, but during frigid temperatures, your legs need some protection too.

Both wool and fleece offer ample warmth dress for the cold freezing days. Heavyweight ones work well on colder days, while lightweights should get you by in milder conditions. Polyester pants are another option,but the thinner variety might not offer enough protection when the temperatures become sub-zero.

Outer layer

This layer functions as the ultimate protection against the elements, including wind, rain, sleet,and snow. While the other two layers offer warmth dress for the cold, the outer shell serves as a barrier allowing your inner layers to do their jobs.

Again, your choice of the outermost layer depends entirely on the weather conditions. For a rainy day or during a snowfall, you want a waterproof jacket and not just water-resistant. If the moisture soaks the layers underneath, it will chill you to the bone. The higher the ability to repel the water, the pricier the jacket is. However, expensive jackets are also very durable, providing you company for many winters.

Breathability is another essential attribute of a good outer shell. While the inner layers wick away the perspiration, the moisture needs an outlet to escape. Breathable jackets promote this wicking action.

Moreover, you also want a barrier against the biting winds, but most often, waterproof jackets offer adequate wind protection.

When the conditions are dry and not so windy, you can get away with a regular winter coat. You can also wear one of your fancy coats if a vigorous activity is not on the itinerary.

Finally, you can wear your regular jeans during dry weather but find a pair of shell pants that offer sufficient wind and water protection.

Leave some space between the layers

It is imperative to leave some space between the layers since it has several advantages. For starters, the space functions as another barrier against the elements, allowing you further protection. It also allows for breathability, which provides an outlet to the perspiration wicked away by the innermost layer.

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Tightly packed layers mean that your body is just closer to the cold surroundings. It hinders with the functionality of all the layers and their primary purpose. Moreover, it can encumber your movement and flexibility, leaving you feeling cold, suffocated, and just plain annoyed.

Remember the essential accessories

After the excessive discussion about the tips and tricks to cover the torso and most of the limbs, let us talk about the additional accessories. These include hat, gloves,and socks, which provide another layer of defense against the bitter cold, rain, and wind:

  • Any good quality wool or synthetic hat will do the job as long it covers the ears. You can also use earmuffs to keep your ears warm
  • Fleece gloves are warm and necessary but for rainy days, look for a pair of insulated gloves with a breathable outer shell to protect your hands from the moisture and cold
  • Thick wool socks are great for keeping your feet warm and toasty. However, wear thin liner socks under your woolen ones to wick away the moisture and keep your feet dry if you plan to partake in some physical exercises

A few extra tips for the extra cold days

The entire aim of layering is to allow you the flexibility of shedding or adding layers as the temperature and your body heat varies. It is imperative to wear your rain jacket as soon as it starts raining to save your inner layers from accumulating moisture. Similarly, take off the insulating or middle layer if your exertion levels have increased or feel too warm. It is never a good idea to sweat a lot during the freezing temperatures, so take action beforehand.

Moreover, if you anticipate a long day out with unpredictable weather conditions, keep an extra pair of socks at hand in case the one you are wearing gets wet. There are very few things more unpleasant than wet, cold feet.

To conclude, the arrival of winters does not necessarily mean the end of outdoor adventures. As long as you have dressed smartly, there is no reason to be stuck in the home for the duration of the season.

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