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Layering Techniques for the Nordic Skier
Being knowledgeable about proper layering practices can make all the difference for a day of skiing. It is a lot more fun to concentrate on your skiing, rather than worrying about the cold.
Layering essentially is wearing a combination of clothing to regulate your body’s temperature and to keep you warm and dry. First and foremost, it is critical to avoid cotton at all costs during wintertime outdoor activities, especially as a layer close to your skin. Cotton will leave you damp, soggy and with extreme chills, which can become dangerous depending on your locale and the conditions.
Another general guideline for Nordic skiing is to match your clothing with your expected exertion level. Remember Nordic skiing can burn well over 100 calories more per hour than running or cycling. If you are planning on a relatively high aerobic classic or skate ski session, then you will want to layer with light layers with more emphasis on ventilation. If you are planning a day of touring, you will want layers that ventilate, insulate and protect, and be shed and carried easily. As you gain experience, you will also fine-tune your layering for shade vs. sun and downhills vs. uphills.
Basically there are three layers to consider before you head outside: The base layer, or wicking layer; the mid layer, or insulation layer; and the outer layer to repel the elements.
Your base layer should wick perspiration away from your skin, where it will be transported to the outer layers to evaporate off of your clothing. There are a variety of thicknesses, or weights, when considering base layers, and the appropriate one should be chosen based on the weather and your level of activity. If it is a warmer day and you anticipate undergoing a decent work out, then a lightweight base layer could be perfect alone underneath a soft shell jacket. Several different types of synthetic fabrics, such as polypropylene, are currently available to keep you dry.
The insulation layer’s primary function is to keep body heat close to you, while keeping the perspiration that was wicked away from the base layer moving on to the outer most layers. The best insulators will trap warm air while still offering ventilation when your body begins to overheat. Fleece, wool and newer synthetic/natural blends work great as mid-layers. This layer also needs to dry quickly and having breathability is ideal to regulating your body’s temperature.
As perspiration continues to move outward, it is important your outer shell can finish the job of getting it to the evaporation stage.
The outer layer also protects from wind, snow or rain penetrating your inner layers. This is essential to remaining warm during your active pursuits. Most outer layer jackets and pants are fully waterproof, typically meaning they have taped seams to eliminate the chance of any dampness getting inside even in a downpour, the flip-side of this characteristic is the variable level of breathability. Many outer layers may be breathable, but not breathable enough to handle the amount of heat you generate. Outer shell protection should be determined specifically on the exertion level, the conditions, and length of time on the trail.
After we’ve gotten all our layers together to guarantee a warm day on the trails, we cannot forget a few other critical pieces: our extremities. Your head, hands and feet loose body heat the quickest, and just like the rest of you, if they get damp, it may be only minutes before your comfort is lost.
It may seem like better sense to pick out a heavy hat when you are going to be outside in cold conditions. However, when we are active our heads generate a lot of heat, which needs to be handled properly. This heat can be used to keep the rest of our body warm, but it must be regulated so we don’t over-heat or get too cold. We recommend using two lighter layers, such as a wicking beanie and a performance headband. They can be worn together or alone depending on your activity level, but the big advantages of layering headgear is they can be adjusted quickly and easily, and they are lightweight. Ski tourists should consider 3 hats for the trail. Two adjustable, very light layers for exertion, and one heavier hat that remains in your pack for your breaks.
Don’t forget the neck! We carry a variety of zip mock neck tops in both base layer and insulating layer weights. We do this for one specific reason, and that is to protect the neck, and help regulate torso heat. The zip neck can be unzipped to allow heat to escape, or zipped up to help trap torso heat and warm up your neck.
Many people’s hands feel perpetually cold in the wintertime, and to prevent painful fingers, the right glove choice is critical. Glove liners are made to wick moisture away and can be paired with a breathable and waterproof glove or mitten to increase warmth and your comfort. Fleece may be warm for around town, but when you are playing in the snow, fleece is quick to get wet and therefore more likely to be ineffective. Especially as a beginner, you can expect to be starting and stopping more, and falling in the snow a little more often, so you should start out with something a little heavier than normal. We carry a variety of split finger gloves for added warmth – these have become very popular with women who have a hard time keeping their hands warm. It is important to choose gloves that match your exertion level as well as the conditions. If you tend to heat up fast and sweat a lot, you can choose a lighter weight glove.
The right sock choice is significant and directly relates to how much you enjoy your new-found hobby. Cold feet lead to irritability. For a full day of touring, you can use the same strategies used for hiking. A thin liner sock works great to wick perspiration away from your feet which is very important. In one active day your feet could pump out a full cup of sweat. Over top of the liner sock, you should have a thicker insulating sock to keep that warm air inside.
For more intense skate and classic skiing it is important to have no seams or extra sock that will become chafing, pressure points. We recommend socks that fit well with no flat-lock seams, and we do not recommend liners for these pursuits. Also, to keep good blood flow in the calves, avoid alpine skiing socks that go up and over your calves. These can lead to cramping and poor circulation. A wool, or wool blend, mid-weight crew length sock that fits well, is the best choice for warmth and essential circulation for skating and classic skiing.
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