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Proper Layering
When it comes to cold weather adventure from snowshoeing behind the house to multi-day epics in Alaska’s mountain ranges, proper layering is the key to having fun and staying safe in the wintery outdoors. This is a quick and easy guide to get you out in the cold dressed like a pro.
Base Layers
The first layer to think about when getting ready for a cold-weather adventure is the layer of clothing against your skin. The first rule of base layers is to AVOID ALL COTTON. Cotton has no moisture-wicking properties so as you sweat, a cotton t-shirt or underwear holds that moisture against your skin and makes you cold. The best base layers are synthetic or wool. A synthetic or wool base layer pushes the moisture away from your skin allowing you to stay dry and warm. This is the same for your legs. Using synthetic or wool tights is the best way to stay warm.
Mid Layers.
Mid-layers are fully dependent on the weather conditions and where the true warmth comes from. On an average weather day, a light puff is the perfect mid-layer. This will help retain your body heat and keep you warm. For colder weather days a larger puffy will retain more heat. Generally, for legs, a mid-layer is not necessary unless in truly frigid temperatures. As most of your body heat is emitted from your core, keeping your core warm is the most important part.
Outer layer
The outermost layer is less for retaining heat and more for keeping the elements out. This is where materials like Gore-Tex come into play. A water/ windproof layer is a key element to proper layering, Keeping you dry and warm regardless of what the weather does. The other key to outer layers is when traveling uphill remember to remove the layer so it does not trap moisture on the inside of the jacket. But when you stop uphill travel the first thing you should do is put your outer layer to keep the heat you just generated from dissipating.
Accessories
Accessories such as hats, gloves, and socks are just as important as a good jacket. Starting at the top and going down a good warm hat is a great way to help stay warm. Hats are very straightforward and a fancy merino wool hat is not necessary. Just something to keep the head warm is the goal. Gloves are another very important part of a good cold weather kit. Having a nice pair of waterproof gloves will allow your hands to happily function in colder weather. There are no major performance differences between gloves and mittens except mittens tend to be slightly warmer. When it comes to socks having a nice high-end pair of wool or synthetic socks makes a huge difference in how warm your feet stay. Changing socks often is key. Damp socks lead to cold feet. Having warm comfortable feet is a make or break on a cold-weather adventure.
Public lands need your help now. Durango Outdoor Exchange has compiled this handy list of regional organizations that you can support while federal budgets are slashed and land stewards are laid off.
We’ve all read the disappointing headlines and shocking Facebook posts, and we maybe have even encountered problems of our own–national parks and other public lands in the U.S. are being impacted by severe federal budget cuts. These cuts have resulted in locked gates, reduced services, and loss of support for these lands that mean so much to us.
This means more than longer lines at entry stations. In some cases, there is legitimate concern that budget cuts will lead to impacts on historic sites and natural landscapes. This is a scary time to be someone who dearly loves our public lands, but there are ways that everyone, including you, can make a difference.
It happens to all of us–we accumulate a few too many pairs of skis, a bike saddle we took off an old steed but never found another use for, pants we **might**have, um, outgrown, and shoes we loved but just never fit right.
It’s nice to accumulate old gear in closets and sheds, but it’s nicer to sell it. Much nicer.
Selling your used gear to Durango Outdoor Exchange is a great way to pass on the good vibes and build store credit that you can use for upgrading your quiver(s). Best of all, selling your used outdoor gear is a super chill and easy experience. Read on to learn how.