Clothing For the Outdoors
 By, John Schaefer
The Outdoorsman. This word has conjured up a variety of images that have changed and transformed over time; from the Alaskan trapper, with fur boots and deerskin coat, to the early mountaineers with their wool knickers and lace up boots, to today's brightly colored men and women in high tech gear. While some of the traditional fabrics have remained the same, the style and functionality has been transformed into some of the most advanced clothing the world has ever seen. One thing remains the same however, what we wear only works as well as our ability to use it. The following will take a look at the materials used in today's outdoor clothing, tips on what to wear and when to wear it, and a list of a few of Anew Outdoors' favorite pieces.
Materials
There are two basic groups of materials used in today's outdoor clothing, natural fibers and synthetics.
Natural fibers have stood the test of time for the simple reason that they work. Cotton can be cozy and comfortable when dry, or extremely cold when wet. This could be to your advantage in a hot environment where you want to stay cool, but in a cold environment wet cotton can kill you by absorbing moisture and robbing the body of needed heat. Wool is a great natural material that insulates when dry, works when wet, and doesn't easily absorb odor. Leather is amazingly durable and many different furs don't absorb water.
Synthetics are the latest and most diverse material being used in today's clothing. They can be just about anything, from hollow fibers to trap air and heat, to tight, nearly invisible weaves that allow vapor to pass but resist water.
Layering
As I'm sure you know, our body is an amazingly complicated mess of organs all working together to sustain life. An interregnal part of this is the body's ability to control temperature. This is done in many ways, but those that have the most effect on our daily life are sweating and shivering. Sweating is our body's way of trying to encourage evaporation (the cooling process) by using water (a very efficient heat conductor) to absorb and dissipate our heat. Shivering is an effort to create motion and hence encourage warm blood flow. We can play an active role in controlling our body's temperature through the simple process of layering. Imagine not sweating to death on your next hike, staying dry during a snowball fight or even staying cool when the mercury is pushing triple digits. The following four categories will show you how to stay comfortable under a variety of conditions.
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Base Layers
Base layers or long underwear are the foundation to layering. As with any foundation it is critical they do their job correctly, which is to wick sweat (moisture) from our skin and transfer it to our insulating layers and beyond, where it can evaporate. Base layers (bottoms and tops) come in many weights and thicknesses, light weight or thin for heavy aerobic activity, mid weight for cooler yet active environments, and expedition weight for the down right cold and often sedentary activities. These layers should fit snugly, but not be restrictive.
For years cotton was the choice fabric for base layers in all temperatures, however with its poor ability to wick it is best suited to keeping you cool or even cold in hot environments such as the desert. Synthetics are nice, but over time it absorbs odor, persisting even after washed. Merino wool is quickly becoming the choice of many outdoor enthusiasts. It does an excellent job of wicking, is warm when wet, and holds very little odor.
Our picks:
Active layers consist of those everyday articles of clothing such as shorts, pants, and shirts that are just as capable as base layers at wicking. This layer gets the most wear and should be built rugged, comfortable and stylish if you so desire. Often the base layer shirt acts as the active layer during most aerobic activities, however a wind shirt (light, lined wind breaker) or lightweight fleece can be used to cut the wind and keep you from getting chilled.
If you were only going to own one piece of clothing that falls into the category of active layers, a good pair of synthetic pants (sometimes referred to as Schoeller) would be the item. Even though they are pants, if fitted well you should be able to roll them up to suffice as shorts. The other lighter wait option for the legs is a thin nylon zip apart pant / short combo. These are nice in warmer environments where you're not looking to get any warmth from the active layer.
Our picks:
Insulating layers are designed to retain heat and are worn when base layers and active layers aren't providing enough warmth. Synthetics such as fleece and Primaloft are the most widely used because they are lightweight, warm when wet, dry fast, and breath or wick in wet environments. Down is compactable and is exceptionally warm only if you are in a dry environment. Many Washintonians stray away from down because it's insulating value is useless once wet. Wool can work but is often quite bulky. Many pieces of insulating clothing can be worn over each other to fine-tune the desired warmth, but typically the more insulating layers you wear the more cumbersome they become.
Our picks:
Shells and outer layers should be thought of as a storm layer, best worn when it's raining, snowing and/or windy. Their goal is to stop moisture and wind from penetrating to the insulating, active or base layers causing heat loss. Shells provide protection in varying degrees, deciding on which type to use depends on your activity and situation. The following is a brief description of each type of material that will hopefully guide you in the right direction.
- Waterproof Non-Breathable
This material is typically a rubberized nylon. Many of Alaska's fishermen can be seen working in these rubber suits because it is the only material that can keep them dry while constantly being pounded by waves and rain. The drawback is that it holds in your sweat and water vapor in active environments, turning you into a walking sauna.
The most common of these materials is known as Gore-Tex. It is a tight synthetic weave with a spray on coating, designed to be the middle of the road between aerobic activity and protection from a wet environment. If you are going to own one type of shell, this is probably it, due to the fact that it works for most activities and covers the greatest range of conditions.
- Water Resistant Highly-Breathable
This again is a tight synthetic weave but with a lighter spray on coating. This material is sometimes referred to as "Soft Shell" and is designed for aerobic use and lots of wicking. This type of shell is great for slogging around in the mountains on a somewhat stormy day with little precipitation.
Our picks:
 It is estimated that 50 percent of the body's heat loss occurs through the head. So one of the easiest ways to control one's body temperature is to wear the right hat. A beanie or knit cap of wool that covers the ears is perfect for either wandering around Pike Place Market on a cool winter day or topping out on the windy summit of Mt. Rainier in early spring.
 A hat with a large brim and a loose weave or knit can keep you cool and protect your face and eyes from the sun's harsh rays. Whether you're lounging on the beach in the Bahamas or cross-country skiing on a cold, sunny day, finding the right sun hat is important
 The same layering system that you use for the rest of your body is also ideal for your hands and feet. A base layer of thin synthetic or wool liner gloves/socks is a nice start, followed by an insulating layer for warmth. Bring a shell glove for your hands to keep out the elements in wet and windy conditions. When doing an overnight trip, make sure to carry a pair of socks that are designated to stay dry. This can make the difference between a memorable experience and a battle with cold, wet feet.
Our picks:
Bridgedale Coolmax Liner Sock
Outdoor Research Hurricane Ridge Glove
Experience
A layering system only works as well as our ability to manage it, which can only come with experience. Here are a few things to keep in mind next time you're outside in an active environment.
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The layering system works well, so use it.
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Plan ahead and prepare as you layer up.
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Ask what's around the corner? An uphill hike where you're likely to expend lots of energy, creating more heat and moisture or an effortless ski descent down the perfect slope.
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What is the weather going to do? Is it going to be windy, spraying you with saltwater as you cross open water or calm and protected in a wind-sheltered bay?
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Shed layers before you start sweating and add them before you catch a chill.
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Remember, your shell is a "storm" layer and should be removed whenever the wind or precipitation has ended. It is as effective at trapping moisture (sweat) as it is at rappelling rain or snow.
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Practice makes perfect.
To see a complete list of outdoor equipment Anew Outdoors likes, please visit 20 Pieces of Equipment Anew's Guides Couldn't Live Without
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