When you think of dressing in very cold weather, you may most likely think of a bulky coat and a few boots. However, keeping yourself warm in very cold weather is much more accurate and sensitive than this simple idea. In fact, the combination of layers and fabrics keeps you safe at a wide range of temperatures.
At the height of the winter cold, there is nothing worse than noticing when you go out that your clothes are not warm enough to withstand this very cold temperature. Not only can this ruin your day, it can also make it harder for you to think about anything other than how cold you are. In addition, this is a dangerous issue. Not wearing enough clothes in very cold winter weather can increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. So when you go out in very cold winter weather, it is very important to think more about the clothes you are wearing and make sure that you are wearing enough clothes from head to toe.
What is the best choice for very cold weather?
The best clothing for extreme cold consists of a set of layers that retain body heat and are composed of a combination of wool, synthetic fibers and feather fibers. To have the right clothes in cold weather, you need at least three coats: a base coat to keep the skin dry, a middle coat to insulate and an outer coat to repel wind and water. It is also important to note that in very cold weather, the use of accessories for the arms, legs and head is vital.
To simplify the process of dressing in very cold winter weather, here are some tips to help you get dressed well enough in winter and stay safe in sub-zero temperatures. have became.
What is it like to dress in very cold weather?
The number one tip for dressing in very cold weather is to use a layered dressing system because the layers not only act as a barrier against the outside air, but also trap air between each layer, preventing body heat from escaping. .
There are three layers that are applicable to most cold weather conditions. You can adjust the fabrics and the thickness of each or even add layers depending on the ambient temperature. The important thing is to have a base layer on your skin that eliminates sweat and keeps the body dry, an intermediate layer to insulate the body against the cold and an outer layer to prevent snow, rain and wind. its necessary.
The base layer should be close to the body but should not stick to the body so much that you can not move easily. The rest of the layers should be easily added and subtracted so that you can adjust the number of clothes needed by changing the climate and your activity level.
The same three layers that heat the body at 4 degrees Celsius may not be warm enough at sub-zero temperatures. In colder weather, you can use a thicker middle layer or wear warmer clothes on the outer layer.
The important thing is not to forget the lower half of your body. Layers are not just for the upper body. The same principle applies to the base, middle and outer layers of things like socks, gloves and hats.
When you have to wear warm clothes, it may seem that wearing only a few layers of clothing is a safe choice; But here we explain the scientific method of doing this. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes how to wear layers of clothing in cold weather for optimal warm-up:
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Inner layer: Wear fabrics that retain more body heat and do not absorb moisture. Wool, silk or polypropylene retain more heat than linen.
Insulation layer: The insulation layer helps to recover heat by trapping air near the body. Natural fabrics such as wool, goat wool or fleece are the best choice.
Outer layer: The outermost layer protects you from wind, rain and snow. This layer should be tightly woven and it is better to be resistant to wind and rain to reduce body heat loss.
Follow a checklist for wearing clothes from head to toe
Part of the safe way to dress in very cold winter weather is to make sure all parts of your body are adequately covered and dry. When dressing in winter, follow this checklist according to the instructions below:
- Hat
- Knitted scarf or mask to cover face and mouth
- Sleeves up to the wrist
- One finger gloves
- Multi-layer loose clothing
- Waterproof coat and boot
Although you may be tempted to replace one-finger gloves with regular gloves that are easier to wear, you should be aware that one-finger gloves are warmer. This is because, according to the REI website, the fingers produce more heat when not separated from the fabric. Look for gloves that have artificial insulation and a waterproof design and are the perfect size for your hands. According to the REI, a one-finger glove that is the full size of a hand will be about a quarter taller than the tip of your fingers when stretched.
As the best summer hat, you can choose the style that suits you, but it is very important to consider its ingredients to find out what keeps you warm and dry. According to Skis.com, microfleece and wool are both excellent at protecting heat and removing moisture.
Do not allow yourself to overheat
When dressing for very cold weather, it is very important to strike a balance between keeping warm and preventing overheating. Excessive sweating causes the body to lose more heat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so be sure to remove extra layers of clothing when you feel overheated.
Do not ignore your body’s warning signs
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chills are the first sign that the body is losing heat, and persistent chills are a sign that it is time to go indoors and warm up.
When going out in cold weather, it is also important to know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Symptoms of hypothermia in adults include chills, fatigue, dizziness, numbness of the hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness. In children, the symptoms include cold and redness of the skin and very low energy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also notes that symptoms of frostbite include whitish or yellowish-gray skin and numbness. However, redness or pain in any area of the skin can be a sign of the onset of frostbite, in which case it is important to protect the area exposed to the frostbite or to get out of the cold.
Dress in very cold weather
The general rule for living in a cold environment is to have an insulation between the body and the environment. It is a good idea to wear several layers of clothing, as you can add or remove them to prevent sweating.
Why is it problematic to sweat in cold weather? This is because some materials lose their insulating properties when wet. Cold and humidity equate to a high risk of hypothermia, which can be life-threatening.
Which type of fabric is suitable for cold weather?
When choosing a fabric to wear in very cold weather, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that one type of fabric is not suitable for all layers and a special fabric that has the best performance should be used for each layer based on its application.
Polyester is an excellent type of fabric for the base layer because it has a very high efficiency in removing moisture and keeping the skin dry. Water releases heat faster than air; Therefore, keeping the skin dry is very important to keep the body warm. Many natural fibers are not suitable for the base layer, but silk is a good choice if you do not want to use synthetic fibers.
Silk has an amazing warmth due to its thinness and is a good choice for use in the base layer without too much volume. If you want to be active and move your body freely, using silk as a base layer is a good choice. However, silk breaks faster and is less durable than synthetic fibers.
Wool and silk are the best natural fabrics for cold weather. Wool is a better insulator (even when wet) and is naturally odor resistant. In addition, it is durable and does not absorb moisture, but in this regard, synthetic fibers do not work well.
Silk is also a good choice if the weather is very cold and you have little activity, as it retains odors and absorbs water moderately. A thin layer of silk can be placed under any fabric. Silk is less durable than wool.
Flax is not a good choice for cold weather, as it absorbs water and keeps it close to the skin.
Wearing several layers of clothing is the best choice to stay warm in cold weather. In this case, not only winter clothes act as insulation, but also the air between them is insulated.
4 layers of clothes that we should wear in very cold weather
The four layers of clothing, which are introduced to wear very cold weather, are adapted from part of the field manual for the US Antarctic program.
- Long underwear
The first layer should be long underwear. This layer should be well placed on the skin and made of non-absorbent materials. This layer helps with cold resistance by expelling water and keeping the skin dry. - Intermediate layers
The next layer is also important, because it absorbs the moisture that comes out of the underwear and releases it to the environment by evaporating. For this layer, look for synthetic fibers, goat wool or ordinary wool. Shirts, sweatshirts and pants are clothes that you are most likely to wear while you are active.
For the middle layer, use a fabric that is insulating, but allows the moisture absorbed by the base layer to evaporate. Wool is a good choice among natural fibers, because it is still insulating even when wet. It does not matter how much you sweat or get wet in the rain, using wool will keep you warm. In addition, wool is naturally antimicrobial and you can wear it for a full camping trip without worrying about smelling bad.
Pay special attention to the proportion of clothes in this layer; Because the middle layers work by trapping air and preventing heat from circulating and escaping.
In general, middle layer clothes should be appropriate and not tight. The outer layers should be the same.
3. Insulation layer
Thickness means heat. If the weather is still very cold, choose outerwear with a thickness of a few centimeters. Feather, thinsulate and microfiber materials are suitable types of insulation fabrics.
The remarkable thing about this part is that the feather loses a lot of its thickness when it absorbs moisture and it takes a long time to dry; Therefore, you should be careful not to get wet clothes.
- Shell layer (outer layer)
The outer layer must be weather resistant. Plastic is a good choice for this layer. The outer layer is often insulated with feathers or synthetic fibers. It is warmer but loses its insulating properties when wet; Therefore, it is not a good choice for wet or snowy weather.
The most important part of the system is the layers of clothing and the most practical part next to the long underwear is the windshield. According to the REI website, windbreaks that are worn on other garments in windy weather can increase the temperature by up to 50 degrees Celsius, or more.
What pants should we wear in very cold weather?
Jeans with flannel lining are a great choice when working in cold and dry weather outdoors. In very cold weather, adding layers such as insulated linings is a good solution.
Flannel lined jeans are great for one to three hours of light use. Their problem is that they retain moisture. For long-term use, activities that cause sweating or conditions with high humidity, sarees are a better choice.
Suitable plants for cold weather
Try to choose a boot size that is larger than the size of the shoe you always wear; This is because you may want to wear thick socks or add a liner to your boot. If you plan to wear double-sided socks, you should choose two sizes of boots. If possible, try similar boots with the socks you want to wear outdoors.
In this article, we got acquainted with the tips related to dressing in very cold weather. According to these tips, you can prepare yourself for very cold weather and even sub-zero temperatures. What is your experience of choosing clothes for very cold weather?