In this article, we go from head to toe and base to shell on layering.
The top
Starting at the top, a light, airy, quick-drying synthetic cap with a bill brim is ideal. Those with a removable add-on neck shade apron add sun protection and look cool! Some favor hats with a continuous brim. Those work very well, but might take a bit longer to dry out. Light synthetic caps work great in winter, also, again with quick drying times.
Consider a buff or half buff over the head or as a sweatband. Stopping sweat from running down your back and into your shorts is a really good thing. A buff dries out quickly, even in winter, if it’s dropped down around the neck. Multitask headwear has its place in winter, whether it is a buff, open-top face protector, or a standard hat. You get to choose.
Moving on to the torso: start with a light base layer of wool or synthetic. Choose short or long sleeves depending on the season, sun, and temperature. A long-sleeve sun shirt or base hoodie comes next. I’m a recent convert to base hoodies for comfort, sun protection, and temperature regulation. Over this goes a little heavier-weight waffle weave shirt top. For any long-sleeve shirt, consider ones with thumb holes or straps, and maybe even a cuff that folds over hands.
Next up is a light fleece with interior fleece in a waffle pattern, hood, zip chest pocket, and elevated zip hand pockets that clear a waist belt. The outside of this jacket should be woven tightly and smooth for wind and a little water resistance.
Over all this comes the hardshell. This critical gear has to artfully combine weight, durability, and wind and water resistance along with shoulder articulation and a functional hood. You don’t want the shell exposing your waist when you reach up. Don’t scrimp on this garment. With a good hardshell, a damp base layer will dry out above treeline with a light breeze. No need to change out if you have the right quick-dry clothes.
A light puffy down (water repellent) or synthetic jacket completes the layers. It should fit either under or over the shell. Pay attention to fit. This will allow you to use it flexibly in either cold or wet conditions.
The bottom
We repeat the process for the lower body. Start with a light base layer and pants, from which there are so many to choose! Three-season pants should have a stretch fabric and start out with some water resistance (water beads up but may dissipate with wear).
Zip-off pants add a lot of use flexibility, but make sure the brand is comfortable for you, with the zippers not falling right at your knees. Color coding on the zipper shuttle is a key feature (L and R labels don’t work for me). Some zip-offs even zip along the length of the leg, which is very convenient for putting them on when you’ve already got your boots on.
Colder weather calls for heavier, more water-resistant stretch fabric. A reinforced cuff with drawstring closures is a nice touch. Also, pay attention to pockets and their layout.
Gaiters keep laces in and the trail out of your footwear. Grit and dust in footwear leads to blisters. Gaiters can be very lightweight or medium-weight, ankle height or calf height. Medium is all that is needed. Look for ones that include reverse toe lace hooks that are less likely to come off during use. If you really like long gaiters, go for it! They weren’t needed on McKinley/Denali, but they seem to be part of the ADK hiking uniform.
I saved hardshell pants for last as they are often underappreciated as essential gear. If it’s raining, don’t put gaiters over them. More than once I’ve seen hikers with boots full of water when they didn’t realize that rain gear goes on like roofing shingles, each shedding water into the next layer. Hardshell pants with full-length zippers on each side are a little heavier, but if you need to get them on quickly with rain coming, dancing your boots through the legs might not even work, and taking boots off takes more time than you may have. Leave the zipper tabs together, about four inches down from the waist, so it’s fast and easy to put them on.
A system
Finally, your gear is a system. Use what makes sense for what you’re doing and the conditions.
I’d suggest always having the base layers and hardshell pants in your pack if you’re not wearing them. Say you slip in a stream and get drenched, with the prospect of either hypothermia or just discomfort ahead. Strip off the wet clothes, don your base layer and hardshell pants, and you’re back in business. A bivy sack or extra-large contractor bag of some kind (not an emergency blanket) is your last layer. Wearing all your layers and snug in your bivy with your feet tucked in your backpack (or with the backpack under you), you are more likely to get through an unplanned night or a wait for help if you need it.
This article was written by Tom Hart in the Winter 2027 issue of Adirondac magazine. Tom is an ADK member and environmental scientist, reviewing gear for Adirondac from his home in Lake Placid, New York.
