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It was a simpler, gentler time when preparation for a winter outing involved playing coat rack
while Mom piled on the long johns, flannel, sweaters, snowsuit, hat, mittens, triple socks, red
boots and sent you out to build Frosty. You never worried about sweating, or frostbite, or wind
chill, or layering. You moved like the Pillsbury Dough Boy, but the system worked. Maybe it was
youthful ignorance. Maybe it had something to do with being 25 yards from hot chocolate and a
crackling fire.
Now, your winter excursions take you farther afield and proper dressing is a science. Hot
chocolate, or your preferred equivalent, may be 20 miles and eight hours away. The stiff-armed,
stump-legged wobbling of your snowman days won’t do for telly turns or jogging up hills in
your snowshoes. Fear not! Modern clothing, employed wisely, can provide blissful comfort
even in the worst conditions. In an invigorating, wintry sort of way, that is.
Cotton kills
This well-worn adage is as true as ever. Cotton soaks up moisture—either sweat or snow
melt—and holds it next to your skin, where it quickly freezes as soon as the action slows
down. Wool also absorbs water. Pass up old-style “thermal” underwear of
wool/cotton blends in favor of synthetics such as polypropylene, which don’t scratch
like wool and absorb no water, retaining the all-important air space between fibers that is the
essence of insulation. Tops and bottoms should be light- or midweight, stretchy for freedom of
movement, and the top should have a zip for venting, the longer the better. Add a thin pair of
socks and perhaps gloves of the same fabric for a complete “first layer” that wicks
moisture away from your skin.
Layering up
What you put on next depends on conditions. Key to comfort in winter is layering—dressing
in multiple, light garments that can be donned or shed as conditions and your activity level
change. Carry a light backpack for unneeded layers, and adjust your outfit frequently.
Where I live, in Colorado, I might be sweating shirtless as I skin up a sunny aspen-dotted
slope, only to pull on shirt and pile sweater in the shade of the spruce and fir. On the windy
ridge above the day’s powder run, out come nylon shell bibs and jacket, and maybe a
balaclava. At lunchtime, I’ll bundle into a down jacket.
Being too warm is as bad as being too cold. If you’re overdressed for the more active
parts of your outing, you’ll soak your clothes with sweat, which all too soon will be
ice. Remember, dry is warm. Strip down until you’re chilly before starting a
strenuous climb, then hoard that warmth by layering on as soon as you stop.
What to wear
Specifics will vary with the season and the region, but in general, to your first bottom layer,
add a good-quality pant or bib of the semi-stretchy, wind- and water resistant variety. For
longer outings or warmer, wetter weather, replace the pants with—or add—a
waterproof-breathable shell bib. To go first class, look for detailing like reinforcements
in the knees, inside-ankle panels for protection against ski edges, and stretch panels in the
thighs.
For the torso, add a second, heavier polypro shirt or sweater on top of your first layer. This
shirt should zip nearly to your navel, with an ample collar that can be zipped to turtleneck
height. Top this off with a high-quality waterproof-breathable parka, coming just past
the waist (a bit lower if you won’t wear bibs). Make sure the hood fits over your helmet,
if your winter sport calls for one, and closes tightly to keep out the elements when Ma Nature
gets in a mood. If you live in an area where winter is wet, take care to choose a
waterproof-breathable fabric that not only keeps moisture from passing through but actually
sheds it at the surface. Porous fabrics that “wet out” will freeze, becoming chilly,
stiff and awkward when temps drop.
The wind factor
Wind is as significant as temperature in its chill factor. On a windy day, a millimeter of
windproof fabric is worth six inches of fluffy down. No matter what your winter activity, make
sure you have a good windproof layer, head to toe, sized large enough to wear warm clothes
underneath. On cold days when it blows, think frostbite. Cover all exposed skin, if you
can. Tips of ears and noses are common victims. If you can’t cover these body parts, touch
them frequently, checking for a stiff, waxy feel. Have your companions check for the telltale
whiteness of frostnip, and return the favor. Rewarm the nipped parts immediately, and get them
out of the wind.
The details
Don’t skimp on your accessories—wool or synthetic socks, gloves, hat, et al. A lost
pair of gloves is a sure ticket to frostbite, and a lost hat even worse, since 40 percent of
your heat loss is through your head. I carry spares of each in my pack. Depending on your
activity, you may want several choices of hand wear anyway, say a good cross-country ski glove
for the kick ’n’ glide hours, and a pair of warm mitts for hanging out. Goggles will
help you see through the spindrift, and they’ll also add considerable warmth. If you expect
to be in above-timberline winds, consider a face mask. A bandanna, useful in any case, can
substitute.
In your pack, carry essential survival gear—fire-starting paraphernalia or a small stove,
space blanket, a pot to melt snow, and a compact snow shovel top my list. I fill out the empty
space with a half-liter thermos and a light, puffy down jacket. But watch out. Bundled in your
jacket with a steaming cup of mocha in your hand, you just might get the urge to build a
snowman.
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