Base, mid, shell. Three layers, the right order, and the one habit that keeps you warm all day. By Ingrid Solheim.
By Ingrid Solheim
Layering is the one skill that makes every piece of winter kit work harder. Here is the short version.
Base layer
The layer next to your skin has one job: move sweat away before it cools you down. Choose merino or a technical knit, cut close to the body. Leave the cotton T-shirt at home; it holds water and chills fast.
Mid-layer
This is your warmth. A fleece or half-zip for high-output days, a light down or synthetic jacket when it is properly cold. A zip at the neck is worth having, because it lets you dump heat without stopping.
Start slightly cool. If you are warm in the lift queue, you will be too hot on the run.
Shell
The outer layer keeps wind and wet out and lets moisture escape. Look for taped seams, pit zips and a hood that fits over your helmet. A shell with no insulation is the most versatile jacket you can own.
Do not forget the edges
Most heat is lost where layers end. A neck warmer, a thin beanie under the helmet and gloves that overlap your cuffs make more difference than another fleece.
Adjust before you need to
Open the vents before you sweat and add a layer before you shiver. Not sure what works together? Build a Layering Kit, or book a free fitting at the Fit & Repair Studio.
