How to Dress for Cold Weather
Knowing how to dress appropriately for cold weather is a matter of comfort and health. Using layers and selecting the right materials makes a significant difference in maintaining warmth and mobility. This article will explore practical strategies for dressing when it is cold out, so you can enjoy your favorite activities longer or endure your chores more comfortably.
Dress in smart layers
Dress in layers, of course, but what layers?
Start with a wicking base layer. Sweat is wet, and wet is cold. So you want to get any moisture away from your skin. For maximum effectiveness, choose a fitted layer made from synthetic fibers or from certain natural fibers such as wool or bamboo. Avoid cotton because it holds moisture and will become cold and clammy. If you want both softness and moisture-wicking, Merino wool and bamboo are excellent choices.
Add an insulating layer. Think "light and fluffy." Fleece is an excellent choice. If you are going to be out for a long time, engaging in a variety of activities, it is useful to have multiple layers so you can adjust your comfort by removing or adding them. However, resist the urge to bundle up in too many layers. This can compress them, crushing the air pockets, and make them less insulating. In addition, this can cause them to bunch up and potentially impede your circulation, which would make you feel colder.
Finish with a breathable windproof/waterproof layer. The outer layer needs to keep out moisture and wind while also allowing the moisture wicked away from your skin to escape. Look for breathable fabric or features like underarm zippers. Jacket vs coat will depend on the outside temperature, the wind, and your activity level.
Wear a hat, a scarf, and gloves
Choose a hat that covers your ears. If you simply cannot tolerate a hat, look for a well-fitting ear band. Heat is lost from the head, but not the high percentage that has been shared in the past. The important thing is to cover the skin of your ears and neck.
A scarf serves several purposes. It covers the skin of your neck, it stops the wind from blowing down your jacket, and it can be pulled up over your face when it gets really cold.
Mittens are warmer than gloves, but gloves give you more dexterity. Choose your handwear based on what you will be doing. Especially with mittens, consider a thin glove liner to protect your skin when you remove your mitten to take a picture or blow your nose.
Keep your feet warm
Your footwear will depend heavily on what you are doing. Chunky boots, as long as they have good traction, are appropriate for snow shoveling. However, you'll need something lighter and more flexible for hiking. Anything that binds will restrict your circulation and make your feet cold faster.
Choose your socks carefully. Just like when choosing layers for your body, use materials that wick moisture rather than trapping it next to your skin. And be careful not to put on more than can fit in your boot. Remember that it is the air pockets within the material that insulate your feet.
Identify your key areas
We all have that one thing that irritates us. In really frigid temps, you'll want to cover everything, leave no skin exposed. But for "normal cold," know what bothers you the most—cold hands? cold feet? ears? the back of your neck?—and make sure that you cover that spot.
Moisturize your skin
Don't forget that your skin is a layer of protection. Help it do its job by keeping it healthy. Creams and lotions don't impact your core temperature, but they will affect your perception of the cold.
What activities do you do out in the cold? What tips have you found most helpful?
