Ryan Stuart, explore's gear editor
Ryan Stuart's tell all blog spot on his gear addiction and life and times as explore magazine's gear editor
What to wear....layering isn't as easy as it used to be.
Earlier this week, I went skiing at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, the bigger of the two ski hills on Vancouver Island. It was a very coastal winter day with a little rain, some snow, sunny breaks and the odd view from alpine to ocean. It was perfect conditions for testing waterproof and breathable shells: while skiing I’m sweating (telemark skiing is hard work) and then on the lift the rain, wet seat and wind conspire to pull all the warmth away. With the temperature around the freezing and 100% humidity it was a tough test for my jacket’s breathability and my layering strategy.
I was wearing the new Arc’Teryx Alpha SL jacket made of Gore PacLite. As a 2.5 layer shell (meaning it’s made up of a outer protective layer laminated to a Gore layer and then a thin layer of oil hating material) the Alpha is very light, just 12 oz or 340 grams, but cut the wind and stopped the pelting sleet, while breathing quite well – there was only a small amount of moisture condensed on the inside. The Alpha layered over a fleece-like soft shell and two base weight layers worked perfectly for today’s variable conditions.
With all growth in soft shells, different weight waterproof jackets and waterproof insulated jackets the old rules of layering are being thrown out and new ones written. I’m still getting a handle on all the theories and how well they work. As I do I’ll share them with you. But in the meantime I would like to know what system works for you? How do you layer up for a day of backcountry skiing, snowshoeing or cross country skiing?
On the next post I'll tell you all about my adventures testing surf skis. The last time I paddle one I flipped it three times and now it's winter. I'm scared.
Ryan
I'm struggling with the same thing. The new world of cold-weather layering hit me when I was shopping for a snowboard jacket (my first one) and eventually had to accept that just about none of them is actually insulated. They're just shells that you pay hundreds of dollars for and then still have to invest in proper layers underneath. Kinda annoying when you're cheap, like me.
Rob M
February 18, 2008 at 12:03 p.m.
Add your comment to “What to wear....layering isn't as easy as it used to be.”
To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you do not have an account you can register now—it's free, and it takes only a few seconds. If you have an account, log in now.
Note: Neither the author nor Outdoorsica necessarily agree with the comments posted here. Read our privacy policy.