What is layering? Learn the basics of layering for mountain climbing, including its meaning, how to choose your clothes, and more.

Hello! We are Teton Bros., an outdoor brand.

Layering is essential for mountain activities such as backcountry and trails.

This is a very important part of clothing when climbing mountains, but you may be wondering what it is like.

This time, we will explain in detail what layering is and the basic way to wear it!

We will also introduce how to choose clothes and some points to keep in mind.

What is layering? The importance of layering when climbing mountains

"Layering" is written as "layering" in English.

Layer means stacking layers, and in mountain climbing it refers to wearing multiple layers of clothing.

Layering is essential for activities that involve climbing, such as backcountry or trail climbing!

This is because your body's condition changes dramatically while climbing.

Climbing a mountain makes you sweat a lot, and the weather in the mountains is changeable; just when it felt hot, it could suddenly start raining and become cold.

It is said that the temperature drops by 0.6°C for every 100m increase in altitude, and the perceived temperature drops by 1°C for every 1m of wind speed.

Water also has the property of transferring heat quickly, so if you stay wet from sweat or rain, your body will rapidly become cold and you will be unable to move.

The important thing about layering is to regulate your body temperature without taking off and putting on clothes too frequently.

It is sometimes necessary to be flexible and take off your outer layer when it gets hot or put on when it gets cold, but your body can get cold from sweating or be exposed to cold air for a long time, which can lead to hypothermia, so make sure you learn the basics of layering, keep your inside clothing dry and comfortable at all times, and enjoy your mountain trip safely.

Layering plays an important role in protecting your body from different conditions.

How to layer! Basics of layering, items, and their functions

The basic way to layer is to wear three layers in order: base layer, mid layer, and outer layer.

We will introduce the characteristics of each.

Base layer

Of the three layers worn on the skin, the base layer is the bottom layer.

In other words, it's underwear.

Since the purpose is to evaporate moisture from the skin, choose a material that is highly absorbent and quick-drying.

It's a good idea to choose a material based on which functionality you want to prioritize, such as wool for moisture absorption and retention, or synthetic fibers (man-made fibers) such as polyester for quick-drying and durability, or a hybrid that combines the advantages of both materials.

Since it comes into contact with the skin, comfort is also an important point.

Avoid cotton and rayon, as they absorb sweat but do not dry easily and may cool you down.

Choose a garment that fits snugly to avoid chafing and reducing the moisture-wicking properties.

You can be more comfortable by choosing different styles and fabric thicknesses for your clothing depending on the season, such as high necks or crew necks.

Mid layer (middle layer)

A mid-layer is an intermediate layer worn between the base layer and outer layer, such as a mountain shirt or a thin fleece.

There are two types of mid-layers: active layers and thermal layers.

The role of activewear is to absorb moisture that has been transferred from the base layer and dry it, so quick-drying and breathable properties are important.

The basic bottoms are trekking pants.

Thermal layers include fleece, synthetic jackets, and down jackets.

Choose something that has good insulation properties to keep the heat in.

We recommend the front zip type, which is easy to put on and take off.

However, make sure to use your down jacket when you are resting or in a hut, or when you will not get wet.

When feathers absorb moisture from sweat or rain, they lose their insulating properties and dry slowly.

outer layer

The top layer of clothing that protects you from rain, snow, and wind is called the "outer layer."

Materials include rainwear made from Gore-Tex and other materials that are waterproof, water-repellent, windproof, and breathable, as well as jackets for snowy mountains.

It is common to wear rain pants or similar bottoms and regulate the temperature of the lower body with an outer layer.

If it's too big, rainwater and cold air will get in, and if it's too small, it will be difficult to move around, so we recommend trying it on before purchasing.

Use appropriate gear depending on the climate, such as rainwear in non-winter and a thin wind shell in summer.

The purpose of layering is to keep your skin dry and warm.

You can also use socks and gloves to make your mountain climbing more comfortable.

Things to keep in mind when layering!

Mountain climbing clothing is often high-performance, but if you layer it incorrectly, it can have the opposite effect.

Here are some points to keep in mind when layering:

Adjust the number of clothes accordingly

The basic rule of layering is to wear three layers, but you don't always need to wear three layers.

If you sweat a lot, a single base layer is enough.

However, the higher you climb the mountain, the lower the temperature becomes, and you may feel cold even in midsummer.

If possible, take off your clothes before you start to sweat and put them back on before you feel very cold, to prevent overheating, excessive sweating, and hypothermia (hypothermia).

In addition to layering each layer individually, another method is to layer extra layers, such as layering a thin and a thick mid-layer when it's cold, or wearing an over jacket over a wind shell as an outer layer.

Keep your upper body warm with a mid-layer

Base layers are the bottom layer, so you can't just take them off when it gets hot.

Regulate your body temperature with mid-layers that are easy to put on and take off, such as a warm fleece or jacket.

The exception is in extremely cold fields, where removing a shell will cause the warm air inside the clothing to be lost, so we recommend wearing an over-jacket over the shell.

Also, your body will warm up as you walk, so it's okay to wear clothes that are a little chilly at first.

When it comes to mountain activities, it's important to be flexible.

Be sure to layer appropriately according to the weather and your physical condition!

Make your mountain climbing comfortable by understanding the basics of layering!

Layering means wearing multiple layers of clothing, and is an essential part of activities in mountainous areas.

Basically, you layer three layers of clothing: a base layer, a mid layer, and an outer layer.

The purpose of layering is to keep your skin dry and maintain your temperature, so choose materials that are moisture-wicking, quick-drying, breathable, and moisture-wicking, as well as materials that provide heat retention to protect against the cold.

The important thing about layering is to take off and put on clothes frequently to regulate your body temperature!

If you neglect to take off your outer layer even though you are sweating, or if the wind starts to blow but you don't put it back on, you risk hypothermia.

Enjoy a comfortable hike by layering appropriately according to the weather and your physical condition!

As an outdoor brand, Teton Bros. offers a variety of layers that are quick-drying, warm, and comfortable against the skin, essential for the backcountry.

Please feel free to use it!