Gear:: Layering for Adventure Racing, Trail Running, and Winter Exercise

layering recommendation,layering system,base layer advise,mid layer advise

Home>> Gear:: Layering for Adventure Racing, Trail Running, and Winter Exercise

Base Layer Recommendations: Layering for winter exercise and activities provides a method to control and effectively manage a couple critical variables: staying reasonably warm, excess heat, and moisture production and management. The challenge during winter exercise and training months is staying warm, yet not over heating and effectively removing the moisture that is produced (especially true for a race like the Susitna 100). The typical layering approach involves a wicking base layer (close to the skin--Capilene is an example, but wool was the original mountaineer's choice and still is for some people), an insulating layer and an outer layer that provides wind and/or increment weather protection (rain/sleet/ snow). The concept is to create and maintain a thin stable layer of warm dry air to maintain your proper body temperature. The wind proof outer layer maintains the stable warm dry layer that keeps you warm, while the wicking layers move moisture away from the skin. The colder the conditions the more layers are required to trap warm air.

Recommended layering selection criteria:

Highly flexible layering system based on weather and terrain conditions. This is especially true of mountain biking, trail running and any skiing involving climbing: telemark, Nordic, alpine touring, or snowshoeing, etc. Climbing a steep incline at speed will generate a great deal of heat and sweat, while the descent will generate very little and add the wind chill component
Adjustable on the move. Layering must be adjustable without stopping and removing all your gear. Look for side vents, and/ or use a wind proof vest which protects your core heat, but allows the arms to vent excess heat and moisture
Comfortable fit for all layers: not too tight
Start off your exercise or activity with less layers and cloths than think you will require. You will generate heat quickly exercising and you do not want to sweat excessively. Moisture will speed heat loss through convection and/or evaporation

Bottom Line: Experiment with a number of wicking base layers and determine what works for you. Try a soft shell which affords superior moisture management relative to a hard shell outer layer. Layer with the idea of not slowing down to adjust to changing temperatures and terrain. See base layering tips on the side bar. More over, ensure you are consuming enough calories to maintain glycogen levels because fat metabolism is reduced in colder temperatures. More on Nutrition>>

Marmot Long Sleeved Midweight Zip Shirt (Men's)-CLOSEOUT Marmot's Mid-weight Zip Neck Top is your second skin, foundation layer to build the most effective layering system possible. DriClime is based on a bi-component knit that has huge dimensional ... more info.	Marmot Long Sleeved Midweight Zip Shirt (Men's) The Long Sleeved Midweight Zip Neck by Marmot is a tribute that baselayer/long underwear can actually look good while keeping you warm. This Midweight Zip Neck is made with a ... more info.	Marmot Long Sleeved Midweight Zip Shirt (Women's) The Long Sleeved Midweight Zip Neck by Marmot is a tribute that baselayer/long underwear can actually look good while keeping you warm. This Midweight Zip Neck is made with a Polartec Power Dry ... more info.
Patagonia Capilene 1 Crew (Men's) The Men's Capilene 1 Crew from Patagonia helps you stay dry and cool in this silky baselayer ideal for high-exertion, hot-weather pursuits. For cool comfort and a measure of sun protection during ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 1 Graphic Crew (Men's) In between sessions at The Bowl, stay dry, cool and better protected from the sun in Patagonia's colorful long-sleeved Capilene 1 Graphic Crew. Quick-wicking, fast-drying and super breathable, ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 1 Graphic Crew (Men's) 2006 Patagonia's Men's Capilene 1 Graphic Crew has a classic print bringing diversity to your performance layer lineup in Patagonia's fast-drying and lightest-weight baselayer fabric. Silky-soft Capilene ... more info.
Patagonia Capilene 1 Graphic T-Shirt (Men's) With the Capilene 1 Graphic T-Shirt by Patagonia you can stay dry and cool in this silky baselayer ideal for high-exertion, hot-weather pursuits.Stay dry and cool amid the swelter, with an ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 1 Scoop (Women's) The Women's Capilene 1 Scoop from Patagonia helps you stay dry and cool in this silky baselayer ideal for high-exertion, hot-weather pursuits. Grab a slab of sun-warmed sandstone for a quick asana ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 1 Scoop Neck (Women's) Spring Stay dry and cool in the Capilene 1 Scoop Neck shirt, a silky baselayer ideal for high-exertion, hot-weather pursuits.Grab a slab of sun-warmed sandstone for a quick asana before tackling that ... more info.
Patagonia Capilene 1 T-shirt (Men's) The Men's Capilene 1 T-Shirt from Patagonia helps you stay dry and cool in this silky baselayer ideal for high-exertion, hot-weather pursuits. Take it out for a trail run, mountain-bike ride or ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 1 T-Shirt (Men's) Spring Stay dry and cool in Patagonia's Capilene 1 T-Shirt, a silky baselayer ideal for high-exertion, hot-weather pursuits.Take this tech tee out for a trail run, mountain bike ride or hot-weather ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 1 T-Shirt (Women's) Ideal for a post-work grind through Chocolate Gulch or a lunch-hour sprint up Warm Springs, the Patagonia Capilene 1 tee keeps you dry and cool when the sun is high and your lungs are heaving. Its ... more info.
Patagonia Capilene 1 Tank (Women's) Stay dry and cool in the Women's Capilene 1 Tank by Patagonia. This silky baselayer is ideal for high-exertion, hot-weather pursuits.Wear it as a highly breathable under-all layer for ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 2 Cap Sleeveless (Women's) The Patagonia Capilene 2 Cap Sleeve for women is perfect as a minimalist layer for ultralight backpacking or paired with heftier insulation during a five-day climb in the Cordillera, the open ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 2 Crew (Men's) The Men's Capilene 2 Crew from Patagonia helps you stay dry and cool in this highly breathable baselayer designed for use in a range of activity levels and temperatures. This top is built to keep you ... more info.
Patagonia Capilene 2 T-shirt (Men's) The Men's Capilene 2 T-Shirt from Patagonia helps you stay dry and cool in this highly breathable baselayer designed for use in a range of activity levels and temperatures. Ten hot, dusty switchbacks ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 2 V-Neck (Women's) The Women's Capilene 2 V-Neck from Patagonia is a lightweight, fast drying, high-performance v-neck long-sleeved tee ideal as a next-to-skin baselayer for mountain biking, trail running, and climbing ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 2 V-Neck (Women's) Spring With the Women's Capilene 2 V-Neck by Patagonia you will stay dry and cool in this highly breathable baselayer designed for use in a range of activity levels and temperatures.When the skies turn ... more info.
Patagonia Capilene 2 Zip-Neck (Men's) The Men's Capilene 2 Zip-Neck from Patagonia helps you stay dry and cool in this highly breathable baselayer designed for use in a range of activity levels and temperatures. Patagonia's Capilene 2 ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 2 Zip-Neck (Women's) The Women's Capilene 2 Zip-Neck from Patagonia helps you stay dry and cool in this highly breathable baselayer designed for use in a range of activity levels and temperatures. Worn on its own, this ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 3 Crew (Men's) The Men's Capilene 3 Crew from Patagonia helps you stay dry and warm in this versatile baselayer ideal for moderate exertion in cool or cold weather. Blitzkrieg-like, the salmon fly hatch has begun. ... more info.
Patagonia Capilene 3 Crew (Men's) 2006 Stay dry and warm in the Capilene 3 Crew from Patagonia, a versatile baselayer ideal for moderate exertion in cool or cold weather.Blitzkrieg-like, the salmon fly hatch has begun and nothing - not ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 3 Crew (Women's) The Women's Capilene 3 Crew from Patagonia helps you stay dry and warm in this versatile baselayer ideal for moderate exertion in cool or cold weather. Your perfect companion on the trail, this ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 3 Crew (Women's) Spring Your perfect companion on the trail, the easygoing Patagonia Capilene 3 Crew features a soft, honeycomb knit interior that wicks moisture, insulates and keeps you dry. Stay dry and warm in this ... more info.
Patagonia Capilene 3 Zip-Neck (Men's) The Men's Capilene 3 Zip-Neck from Patagonia helps you stay dry and warm in this versatile baselayer ideal for moderate exertion in cool or cold weather. Pair this piece with a lightweight shell for ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 3 Zip-Neck (Men's) 2006 Stay dry and warm in the Patagonia Capilene 3 Zip-Neck, a versatile baselayer ideal for moderate exertion in cool or cold weather.Pair this piece with a lightweight shell for dryness and warmth while ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 3 Zip-Neck (Women's) The Women's Capilene 3 Zip-Neck from Patagonia helps you stay dry and warm in this versatile baselayer ideal for moderate exertion in cool or cold weather. Logging lonely miles in the Absorkas, ... more info.
Patagonia Capilene 4 Crew (Men's) The Men's Capilene 4 Crew from Patagonia helps you stay dry and warm in this stretch baselayer designed for high-output, stop-and-go activities in cold weather. Whether you're racing a storm on the ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 4 Hoody (Women's) The Women's Capilene 4 Hoody from Patagonia is a smooth, high-performance first layer ideal for endurance activities in cold temperatures, with a hood, a built in "mock neck" and thumb loops. Get all ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 4 Zip-Neck (Men's) The Men's Capilene 4 Zip-Neck from Patagonia helps you stay dry and warm in this stretch baselayer designed for high-output, stop-and-go activities in cold weather. Enlist the stretchy warmth and dry ... more info.
Patagonia Capilene 4 Zip-Neck (Women's) The Women's Capilene 4 Zip-Neck from Patagonia helps you stay dry and warm in this stretch baselayer designed for high-output, stop-and-go activities in cold weather. The Capilene 4 Zip-Neck offers ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene 4 Zip-Neck (Women's) Spring Stay dry and warm in this stretch baselayer designed for high-output, stop-and-go activities in cold weather.The Capilene 4 Zip-Neck offers a lot of warmth for its light weight and the scant room it ... more info.	Patagonia Capilene Cami (Women's) Like to keep things simple? The Patagonia Capilene Cami is a care-free camisole that skims your torso in a single layer of soft, lightweight, moisture-managing fabric. It's tube-constructed, so there ... more info.
Patagonia Capilene Sport Cami (Women's) Slip on Patagonia's sleek Sport Cami for smooth support beneath your favorite active tee while mountain biking, ski touring or mending fence lines. The built-in shelf bra streamlines layering, ... more info.	SmartWool Lightweight Crew (Men's) The Smartwool Lightweight Crew is a great primary or base layer for aerobic activity. The high-quality merino wool fibers wick and evaporate to help you stay dry and comfortable. This lightweight ... more info.	SmartWool Lightweight V (Women's) The Smartwool Lightweight V is a great primary or base layer for aerobic activity. The high-quality merino wool fibers wick and evaporate to help you stay dry and comfortable. This ... more info.
SmartWool Midweight Zip T (Men's) Smartwool's Midweight Zip T is part of their heaviest line, and it is perfect for forays into alpine environments where temperatures -- and schedules -- fluctuate. Comfortable next to the skin, and ... more info.

Tip #1: Remove your hat to help assist with excess heat management.

Tip #2: Start out with layered clothing that still leaves you feeling cool when you start out hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking, etc...Your activity level will produce a great deal of heat that will cause you to sweat if you begin layered and comfortably warm.

Other gear recommendations and suggestions for adventure racing, trail running, mountain biking and backcountry travel: