How to Stay Warm This Winter
People always assume that because I’m from Alaska that I’m immune to the cold. I’m not. The secret is that I know how to dress so the cold doesn’t bother me (and I have a jacket for almost every 10°F temperature increment 😅)!
Staying warm might seem as easy as just putting on warm clothes, but it can get complicated depending on what activity you’re doing and what exactly the weather is doing. What you would wear to stay warm while hiking or cross-country skiing is much different than what you would wear to stay warm if you’re just going to be standing or not moving much.
If you’re doing something like downhill skiing, you have periods of exertion and then you rest while you’re riding the chairlift. That means that you might get warm and a little sweaty while you’re moving, but once you stop moving you get cold! This means that having a layering system that you can adjust depending on your activity is really important!
Here are some things to keep in mind so you can stay warm on your adventures this winter!
Master the Art of Layering
Your layers hold the key to keeping your body warm and dry in the winter and cool and dry during the summer months. First, it’s important to keep in mind that layering is a dynamic process. Most of the time when you’re doing activities outdoors, you don’t end your activity with the same layers you started with. I find myself constantly adding and subtracting layers as my body warms up or cools down or as the temperature and weather change.
When laying there are three layers to consider:
Base layer: sweat-wicking
Middle layer: insulating
Outer layer: shell
Depending on what you’re doing and where you’re going, you might not need all three layers when you start, but it’s a good idea to bring them with you if you’ll be out for a while or far from your car or house.
BASE LAYERS
The job of a base layer is to wick sweat away from your skin. In colder conditions, long underwear base layers are most common. They are critical to keeping you from becoming cold or getting hypothermia. Your base layers can be made of a variety of fabrics. All of them (polyester, nylon, wool, or silk) will keep you warm, but there is a difference in how they wick moisture, how quickly they dry, their tendency to hold on to odor, and how durable they are.
My personal preference is merino wool. It continues to insulate well when it gets damp, it dries quickly, and it does not hold on to odors. However, polyester doesn’t absorb moisture like merino does which means that it tends to dry faster in extra soggy or sweaty situations.
MIDDLE LAYERS
The job of your middle layers are to keep you warm. The better this layer traps heat, the warmer you’ll be. There are a lot of options for middle layers, everything from wool and wool-blend to down and synthetic down insulated jackets.
Your choice of middle layers will vary depending on your activity. For most activities where I am going to be moving a lot or quickly (such as hiking, running, or skiing) I prefer a medium weight middle layer such as a wool shirt or a lightweight fleece (which one I pick depends on the temperature). If I’m not going to be moving as much or if it’s really cold, I’ll go with something like a down jacket. Sometimes, I’ll do a lightweight wool shirt under a light fleece as my mid-layers.
This is where you can do a lot of mixing and matching depending on the conditions and how likely you are to get cold!
OUTER LAYERS
The job of outer layers are to protect you from wind, rain, and snow. If conditions are not windy or wet, your outer layer is less important, but if you live in a place where there is often wind or precipitation, it’s probably worth it to invest in a good quality outer layer (they can be very expensive).
Keeping precipitation out is key in staying warm. If you get outside moisture into your middle or base layer, you can get seriously cold!
Learn to Adjust Your Layers
Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid sweating, so it’s important to know how to adjust your layers to keep you warm! If there’s no wind and you’re doing something that is a harder effort, a breathable insulation layer such as fleece over your base layer might be enough. If it’s windy, you’ll want to add a breathable shell over your insulating layer to prevent you from cooling down too much.
If there’s a lot of variability in the effort you’re putting out, so you get sweaty and then cool off, you might find yourself adding and removing your insulating and/or outer layer frequently as you heat up or cool down. It’s pretty important to be aware of how warm you are when you’re recreating in the winter because you can get too cold too fast which usually leads to trouble. It’s definitely worth it to take the extra time to adjust your layers as needed.
I tend to sweat a lot so I typically bring a dry base layer with me if I’m doing a longer activity outside in the winter. There have been many times when I’ve been out hiking and have been so happy to have a dry base layer to put on when I turn around and start going downhill. It’s worth the few very chilly seconds of having to take off my shirt in the middle of a hike to put on dry clothes and be warm for the trip down!
Bring an Extra Hat
Your hat is one of the most important parts of your outdoor attire. You can have all the warm and cozy clothing layers, but if you don’t have a good hat, you still risk being cold. You lose a fair amount of heat from your head and if you are out and about in colder conditions, you definitely want to keep your head and ears covered!
It’s also a good idea to bring an extra hat if you’re on an outing where your exertion or the temperature will vary. An extra warm hat for when you’re exerting yourself less or for when the temperature drops and a lighter, more breathable hat for when you’re exerting yourself harder.
Wool hats are my favorite option for both a warmer hat and a more breathable option. When you switch your lighter hat out for your warmer one, be sure to stash the lighter one in your pocket or close to your body where it will get warm and dry quickly. If you have a tendency to overheat or sweat a lot, you can use a headband or ear warmer to keep your ears covered while allowing heat to escape and sweat to evaporate (ears get frostbitten easily, so it’s best to keep them covered in cooler temps).
Stay Hydrated and Fueled
When conditions are cooler and drier, you become dehydrated more quickly than you might think, even if you aren’t sweating a lot. Most people don’t feel as thirsty when they are exercising in cooler conditions, but it’s still important to drink plenty of fluid while you’re out.
Your body also needs more fuel in colder temperatures, especially if you’re out for more than two hours. HIgher fat snacks such as chocolate, nuts, and cheese can be helpful because they are slower burning, but don’t skimp on the carbs either (your body needs those for energy too)! Make sure you keep a snack handy so you can fuel frequently. Bars or other packaged food stashed in your pockets make for easier access when you’re wearing gloves and if you don’t have to get them out of your pack, you can keep moving and stay warm.
Move Your Body
Your clothes are important in keeping you warm, but clothing doesn’t make heat, it only helps to trap it. Anytime you get cold, the best thing you can do is to start moving or increase your effort a bit. When you take a break, keep it short to avoid cooling off too much.
If you’re doing something that doesn’t require a lot of movement (such as standing around watching an event), jumping up and down or pacing can help keep you warm if you start to get chilly.
It’s also important to pace yourself if you are already moving because sweat can cause you to get cold extra fast. Try and keep a pace that keeps you warm but doesn’t cause you to overheat and sweat heavily. This isn’t always possible, but it can make a huge difference in your comfort during your winter outdoor activities.
Who the heck am I to be telling you about these things?
Hi, I’m Martha! I make cozy knit items inspired by adventures and made for the mountains. I’m also an avid outdoor adventurer and a nurse practitioner. I live in Alaska and my backyard is the third largest state park in the country!
