The 4-Piece Layering System You Need This Winter
A four piece layering system is ideal to prepare for whatever the mountain throws at you. Skiing Unlocked breaks down what this means.
Layers are the best thing that you can do for your ski gear. By having a multi-piexe layering system, often up to four layers of clothing, you can give yourself all the tools you need to survive all weather conditions.
This is not a definitive Bible to how to dress warm or cool for different conditions. Many of you will already own an insulated ski jacket that doubles up your shell and midlayer, and on really cold days there is nothing wrong for reaching for your favourite hoodie or jumper.
But having these tools gives you the versatility you need to chop and change as you wish to counter anything the mountain throws at you. Here is Skiing Unlocked's guide to layering for skiing.
1. Base Layer
Your base layer is the first and possibly the most important layer to get right. It sits next-to-skin and as a result plays a key role in removing sweat.
We all generate sweat when we exercise, but in cold climates this can be problematic when you then stop, as if left unattended can freeze and cause serious discomfort. It is vital that sweat is wicked away from skin as quickly as possible to avoid this.
I'm a huge fan of merino wool as a base layer material for skiing. It does so many things that are incredibly useful for skiing, including wicking sweat away, staying warm when it gets wet, and is naturally antibacterial.
This final feature sets merino apart from, especially, synthetic base layers. Being naturally antibacterial means you can wear them for several days in a row, saving space when cramming clothes in for a weekend away or long ski tour, and also saving money by reducing the number of items you need to buy.
A mid-weight merino wool layer is better than either heavy- or lightweight pieces.
2. Fleece layer
This is probably the least important layer to have, but it is useful to have the option to chuck a fleece on. To this end, I normally replace this layer with a t-shirt more to have something to strip down to at lunch or at a coffee stop, but I always keep a fleece in my bag in case temperatures do drop.
Like with your base layer, you don't need anything too heavy here. Your big fleecey eighties-inspired retro piece can stay in the hotel room, as can hoodies or your favourite sweatshirts. That being said, don't leave them out of the suitcase entirely - some days the layering system goes slightly to one side and it is 100% to chuck on your favourite, warmest hoody to stave off the cold!
This layer is the first that begins to add warmth, but only a sliver. The real goods come with the next step.
3. Mid-layer
This is where the bulk of your warmth comes from, so it is important to get it right.
Generally, I prefer a synthetic insulation over natural duck or goose down, here. Down is supremely warm, but in many ways it is too warm - it doesn't regulate its temperature very well and can leave you sweating and overheated!
Personally, I'm a huge fan of Arc'teryx's Atom or Proton layers for this role. Yes they are pricey, but they amazing at what they do offering good warmth without being overpowering, seemingly self-regulating constantly. Patagonia's Nano-Air has been a really good addition to my collection in recent years, too, offering a warmer alternative to either of the Arc'teryx layers.
4. Shell
Here's where things can turn slightly more "long term-y". In an ideal world, we'd all be skiing in a hardshell ski jacket without any insulation - after all, we're relying on our mid-layer for warmth, aren't we?
But I understand that many of you will have a ski jacket that is insulated that you've had for years, and it is expensive to replace. Furthermore, shells are great for active skiers who need the performance and manoeuvrability, but less important for those just pottering around on-piste with family, children, or between hot chocolate breaks.
If you are skiing in an insulated jacket, you can get away with losing the mid-layer, maybe stuffing it in your backpack for really cold days.
What are we looking for in a shell jacket? Something tough, and, ideally, waterproof, although this is in no essential as I touch on here. I've been skiing in Arc'teryx shells for the last few years and have adored them, and again, whilst expensive they survive everything the mountain throws at them.
What are the benefits of a shell over insulated? Well primarily it's the versatility of having the two separate layers that you can chop and change as you need. Lose the midlayer on warm spring days, or have both to hand for cold, snowy Januarys.
Similarly, when combining both layers into an insulated jacket, you lose a percentage of performance from both layers. The insulation can regulate as well as in a standalone piece, and the shell loses some of its performance and creates weak points where extra shaping has been added. Often, softer and not-as-waterproof materials will be used for the face fabric in an effort to save weight and increase manoeuvrability.
Final Thoughts
A four piece layering system is the ideal mechanism to offer versatility for whatever the weather the mountain throws at you. On warmer days you can lose layers to stay cool, and on colder days you can swap in heavier layers to keep out the cold, wind and snow. It's not necessarily a bible to follow religiously, but is a useful guide to follow and begin building towards.
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