The colder winter days are approaching, so it’s time for a short chat about the wind, snow, rain and other joys of autumn and winter days. Humans as curious beings have always had the need to explore different places and terrains, but modern times make that much easier. Different clothing and materials are being developed and produced with the goal of providing humans with the highest level of comfort in different conditions, from high peaks of the World to deserts in Africa. The end goal is always the same – to maintain the body temperature at a stable level which provides us with both safety and comfort. 

Hiking is and has always been one of the most popular favorite outdoor activities. Summer hikes we covered in one of our previous blog posts, but cold weather hikes require different clothing and gear. In this blog we will briefly go over the concept of hiking in dry conditions and guide you through the different layers you need in order to be fully prepared for it. 

Layering is the key when it comes to different sports and activities in the outdoors, especially in the cold autumn and winter days. Most basic and needed layer is a baselayer, or a layer we hold right next to our skin. This layer is often made out of FastDrying synthetic materials or in some cases natural materials, such as Merino wool. Merino shirts are ideal for this purpose, as they effectively evaporate moisture, prevent the accumulation of unpleasant odors, and help to retain body temperature. Merino blend shirt is a must-have for ones seeking a long-lasting, high-quality and durable merino shirts. In addition to merino composition, micro modal and polyamide are added. Micro modal ensures a super soft and comfortable touch on the skin, without any itching. As a 100% micro woollen shirt is sensitive to holes, a blend of polyamide is added for increased durability, which is essential in the rough outdoor conditions.

Warm and body fit baselayer, combined with 4-way stretch softshell jacket provides perfect protection in a cold weather hike. Ergonomically positioned PrimaLoft keeps the body warm on the most sensitive areas, while elastic fibers allow the body to move freely. Word “softshell” is used to describe multi-layered textile fabrics. Due to its multi-purpose functionalities, garments made out of softshell materials are suitable for a number of weather conditions, with the exception of powerful rainfall when the use of hardshell garments instead is advised. With the advancements in technology and production, even some softshell garments can offer the same level of waterproofness comparable to the one of hardshell. Softshell materials are usually a combination of 2 or 3 layers of materials. 2-layered softshell is usually treated with the special DWR application, which enables the garment to be water repellant and therefore suitable for light rain. 3-layered softshell has a semi-permeable membrane between the two layers of fabric. Wearing softshell garments actually helps us avoid using two different pieces of clothing, especially in the transitional weather conditions. As already mentioned, the biggest advantage of such materials is that it is very lightweight and thin, therefore it provides your body with optimal freedom of movement.

For your perfect autumn hike, pair the baselayer and softshell jacket with softshell pants. The same functionalities go for both softshell jackets and pants. With this, we will conclude our short chat about how to be prepared for an autumn hike in dry conditions. Stay tuned for the next article coming out, where we will talk about the perfect outfit suitable for your cold and rainy adventures in the mountains.