| Synthetic
This layer keeps you dry by pulling sweat away from
your skin (IMPORTANT). It also keeps you a little warm.
It should be skin-tight but not uncomfortable.
Don't use cotton long
johns. They'll keep you wet and cold because they retain water.
Women's nylons will work very well in a pinch. |
Fleece
This layer keeps you warm.
If you need extra warmth, wear two layers of fleece over
the wicking layer, but don't forget to factor in how much you'll be
working and carrying.
If the day turns warm (as is often the case) you'll have
to
carry a lot of extra clothing in your back pack.
If the day is going to start cold but turn hot, wear these
over your pants so you can doff them easily. |
Nylon
This layer protects the wicking layer and/or fleece layer from
jagged rocks and brush.
Nylon is very tough and will provide the needed economy
in this clothing system by helping the more delicate components last
much longer.
This is the same layer that will
keep you cool when
worn by itself on hot days. |
Gore-tex®
or the like This layer shields
you from rain AND wind.
Though the three previous layers WILL keep you warm if
you become wet, it's always better to be dry on cold days. Further,
those inner layers can't stop the wind. |
| These clothing items
are all light weight, compact, quick drying, and most importantly, warm
and versatile. True enough, you don't have to wear them, but the
derived personal comfort and quality of work are sufficient reason alone.
If that's not enough, once you have suffered your first encounter with
frostbite and/or
hypothermia, you may
be open to the above. |
