BEST DRESSED: WINTER EDITION

Winter is Here! Layer Up, it's Time to Go Outside!

Bryce Canyon National Park, January 2019

Last month, while shopping at a big name sports store, a woman approached me asking, "do you hike?". My Spidey senses tingled, my pride glowed -- this is just the sort of stereotype that I've worked years to achieve! She'd spotted my tan and red hiking shoes, and watched as I stood at the mirror, trying on a still-expensive-yet-clearance-priced past season purple sweater fleece. I paused to help her sort through her cart full of over $500 in gear to prepare for a weekend night hike and camping trip.

Although I admired her dive, head-first into preparing for an active winter outdoors with everything from hiking boots, a coat, base layer, fleece jacket, paracord, and a nearly complete backpacking set up; this is unlike any shopping spree I've ever personally done in preparation to get outdoors. I still haven't amassed all this gear. It was great fun, helping her sort through things that were must haves and things that just weren't necessary -- especially for a newbie.

Shopping sprees like these are a personal choice for some that helps them feel comfortable in having all that they need -- to be prepared. It is also the idea of this up front, lump sum investment that makes people feel like an outdoor adventure lifestyle is inaccessible or out of reach. I encouraged the woman in the store to talk to her hiking group, combine resources, and borrow gear. These are great ways to lower the cost (and your load, if backpacking!), and to get to know what gear you like before investing in buying it for yourself.

This experience made me start to think more about winter readiness for getting outdoors. On my ski trip over the weekend, my friend mentioned her fear of being cold. It's an easy thing to get hung up on - I've been there. But, this year more than ever, we need the outdoors; an escape from our homes where we can feel safe, stay active, and perhaps responsibly see a friend or two. Now that winter is officially here, I hope to share some helpful tips for embracing the season, bundling up, and not letting the fear of the cold keep you locked inside.

It's only the second day of winter as I write this, but I feel like I already have a lot of good cold weather experience under my belt in 2020. From camping in freezing temperatures, to hunting, hiking through snowy winter wonderlands, and my first time cross-country skiing last weekend, each activity requires a different plan to stay comfortable -- if not warm and cozy.

Starting out, full layers

Start moving. No coat needed!

The secret (which I think I finally perfected last year), is LAYERS!

No clever acronym here. Smart layering is the key to warmth, and if you do it right you don't have to end up looking like Randy from A Christmas Story. I've been there. It's not cute, and most of the time you still end up cold or unnecessarily uncomfortable with restricted mobility. All through ski club in high school, my backpack of scrounged old sweaters and turtlenecks piled on before I braved the cold of the Pennsylvania mountain. I remember entering the dressing room and not emerging for ten minutes, and layers and layers later.

So, what are smart layers -- and will they cost a fortune? Start by considering how cold it is outside and how much movement will be involved - if you're going to be moving you probably need fewer layers than you think. The nice thing about layers is that you can stay comfortable by removing or adding layers as needed. This can be trial and error, a skill to perfect over time and with experience. You want to be comfortable to warm but avoid breaking a sweat (as much as possible). If you're starting to sweat, it's time to unzip for ventilation or remove a layer. If you're worried about getting cold, you can always add the layer again once you've cooled down. I often carry an extra pair of thick socks in my pack, thicker gloves, or HotHands warmers for hands and feet if I think I might need them. You can also toss in an extra layer for your core -- a heavier coat or sweater, if you're not worried about added weight in your pack.

Smugglers' Notch, VT, 2017. Everyday clothing in layers.

This doesn't need to be expensive. If you're just starting out, take an inventory of what you already have that could double as a cold weather layer. I don't own a good base layer pant, so I typically use yoga pants or thin, fleece-lined leggings as my bottom base layer. I still have a very old hand-me-down pair of too big, male gender cotton long underwear, but if I use them, it's never as a base. I was a skeptic, but through firsthand experience, I've adopted the "cotton kills" mentality when dressing for the elements.

If you're not with me, test it for yourself by paying attention to what dries fastest on your clothing line. Sweat is the enemy here, but also a reality. When you sweat in cotton, it holds the moisture close to your body, preventing insulation and making you cold. Feeling cold is miserable, but even worse is the risk of hypothermia. Synthetic materials and wool can wick the moisture away and dry at a much faster rate, keeping you warm even when sweat happens. To prepare for my cross country road trip, I bought two mid-weight base layer tops from the clearance section of Patagonia's website. On clearance they were around $35 each. I have worn these at least weekly since buying them and they really kick up the heat. For me, the investment has been well worth it, and I can't wait to find a good deal on their heavy-weight base layers. One of my Dad's famous lines for considering a purchase was, "If you wear it [35] times, that's only $1 each time," and to me, these are words to live by. I think this is a great approach when considering gear for a hobby or sport, and why I would never suggest large investments to newcomers who may be trying something for the first time. Also, this is why you can find great barely-used gear at outdoor shops and even better yet, thrift stores.

Friends at Smugglers' Notch, 2017

Almost all of my hunting apparel is hand-me-down, and I consider the vintage red plaid wool pants and thick knit wool sweater the powerhouse, if not the fashion statement, of my ensemble for sitting still for hours in the cold woods. After hunting, and when it snowed in Pittsburgh last week, I found myself living in a pair of fleece lined pants that I'd picked up on a clearance rack at Eddie Bauer outlet past-season for around $15. They're fuchsia pink inside, and no-nonsense black with great pockets on the outside. They make me smile at this warm and brightly colored fleece secret on days I just don't want to feel the cold. I used to call these type of pants, "bubble bath" pants. Clearance racks are a gem for leveling up your gear, and the great thing about these types of layers is that they are pretty universally usable for any cold weather activity. Walking the dog to hunting, skiing, or just being super cozy at home.

A general rule of thumb that I follow for layering is, for an activity like hiking or cross-country skiing: 1 pair of socks, base layer top and (optional) bottom, heavy or lined pants, sweater, lighter weight coat, neck gaiter/scarf, hat and gloves. If it is very cold, consider adding or bringing an extra layer. If you are hunting or doing a stationary or low movement outdoor activity, add an extra layer or two. Even temperatures that seem more mild in the mid-30s and above can seem much colder when sitting still. If there are wet conditions, take this into consideration, and be prepared with waterproof/water resistant outer layers like snow pants or gaiters. Depending on the technicality of the activity, or icy conditions, you may need to consider additional gear like crampons or trekking poles.

Hugging the snowy hoodoos. Bryce Canyon, 2019

I hate to say it for the cost conscious, but I'm loving the full zip Patagonia Better Sweater (my third) that the woman caught me trying on at the sporting goods store (it was a reeeeaaallllyy good price). That warm and cozy creation is pure magic in the cold and I was thrilled to delayer and wear just that and my mid-weight base layer while cross-country skiing last weekend. The weather was mild with temperatures in the mid-thirties, but even in all my close contact with crash landings in the snow, I never got cold. I don't consider myself to be a top expert at layering for the winter outdoors, and you can certainly do it well less expensively, or expertly and pay a lot of money. Whatever you do, it should be something you're comfortable with. Test it out. Don't get the fear of the cold keep you from getting out and having fun! Worst case, you can always head back to the car or back inside, hopefully to a warm cup of cocoa and a hot crackling fire.

What are your plans to get outside this winter? Share your favorite winter sport or activity in the comments below or on social media, along with your thoughts and personal wisdom on layering up. Have a question about how to layer? I'm happy to help! Happy winter, friends! Until next time, Live Wildly and stay cozy.