Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mid layer
The mid layer is the everyday items that you'd normally wear. Depending on the temperature,
it can be a t-shirt, button-up shirt, light sweater, etc. This provides a little extra warmth and
can be worn alone if the weather is warm enough.
Insulating layer
The real warmth comes from the insulating layer. Depending on the conditions, your insulat-
ing layer may also be your “outer layer.” You can wear multiple thin insulating layers to adjust
to the temperature. If you get too hot, it is easy to remove layers until you are comfortable
(and vice versa). Insulating layers should be a little loose to allow for better insulation. The
most popular insulating layer fabrics are:
•
Fleece.
Fleece is as warm as wool but it's lighter and less bulky. It also has the ability to
hold in warmth even if it gets damp. A fleece jacket is also versatile because it can be worn
as an outer layer on a warmer day or a mid layer on a cold day.
•
Wool.
Wool is a great choice. It has been keeping people warm for thousands of years and
it will still keep you warm even if it gets damp.
•
Synthetic (Thinsulate).
It's not as effective as wool/fleece but it is cheap, lightweight, and
does a fairly good job at retaining warmth.
•
Down fill.
Down filled “puffy” jackets provide a ton of warmth while being incredibly
lightweight. Another nice benefit is its ability to be compressed into a ball the size of a shoe,
which makes it amazing for ultra-light travel. The main downside is that it loses all its in-
sulating properties when wet so you'll need an umbrella or an additional waterproof layer
if it rains.
Shell layer
The shell layer keeps away the elements (wind, snow, rain, etc.). The shell layer is usually in
the form of a jacket and it should block the wind and be waterproof. Ideally, the shell layer lets
interior moisture escape (look for jackets that are “breathable”), while not letting wind and
water pass through from the outside. There are a multitude of jackets that fit these criteria,
but there are no jackets that can be totally waterproof and extremely breathable—there will
always be some kind of trade of.
Normally I say that a
heavy winter coat
is too bulky and often unneeded if you're back-
packing during the winter. However, if you plan on visiting extremely cold climates, you might
consider bringing a heavyweight winter coat. You're going to spend a lot of time outdoors so
you might as well be comfortable.
