THIS STORY IS PART OF OUR WINTER SPORTS PLAYBOOK. READ MORE HERE.
It’s All About Layers
It’s important to make sure you have enough layers to block wind, rain and snow, as needed, but beyond that you only need one or two layers beneath a jacket, depending on the conditions, according to Moshe Katz, owner of Yellow Wood outdoor gear boutique in Whitefish Bay.
“There’s a great expression called ‘bold and cold,’ where you need to start tough enough to say ‘OK, I can be cold for a couple of seconds,’ because once you start your activity, you’re going to heat up very quickly,” he says.
Paul Keber has been active in the Nordic Ski Club of Milwaukee since 1985. He wears a lot fewer layers when he’s doing intense training than when he goes out for a more casual weekend ski with his wife. “I see too many people that go out there – beginner skiers – and they have heavy coats on,” he says. “If it’s a warmer day, like it gets in the 30s, they’re just sweating like crazy.”
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
The Basics
❄️ Investing in a good hat, pair of waterproof gloves and moisture-wicking socks is crucial. Mittens keep hands warmer than gloves do – the added warmth may be worth the lost dexterity.
❄️ Whatever you’re wearing for warmth on the top, you also need to wear an equivalent on the bottom. “If you’ve got a pair of snow pants that are windproof and waterproof, great. If they’re insulated, even better,” says Katz.
❄️ Feet are often harder to keep warm than hands. Keber recommends toe warmers for really cold days. “Boy, it sure makes a difference,” he says. They’re about $1 each, and you can even save them for reuse by storing them in a tightly sealed snack bag.
❄️ Even when you’re covered head to toe, it’s hard to cover the middle of your face. Katz says there are balms you can apply to prevent windburn and lock in heat; Keber recommends Vaseline.
Minding Materials
Base layers
YES!
Merino wool is soft to the touch, naturally wicking against sweat and water, and antimicrobial, so it won’t stink, even when you’re sweating. Plus, it can keep you warm even when it’s wet. It’s a great material for base layers, long underwear and socks.
MAYBE?
Silk is a lightweight option for a base layer, like long underwear, but it doesn’t wick as well as wool and isn’t odor-resistant.
NO!
Cotton is a poor insulator. It also absorbs moisture instead of wicking it – which is bad because it doesn’t keep you warm when it’s wet.
Outer Layer
Your jacket should be breathable, waterprof and windproof. Most jackets that are waterproof are also windproof. But those that are windproof are not necessarily waterproof.
Down is a great lightweight insulation that keeps you warm, but it’s less effective when wet – so make sure that your shell has a waterproof coating.
Synthetic insulation, like polyester, is common and effective but isn’t as lightweight or warm as down.
