The Base Layer
More Articles Related to ClothingThe first layer in the 3 layer system is the base layer. Your base layer of clothing serves an important function - it should keep you both cool and dry by wicking moisture away from your skin. By staying cool and dry you increase your ability to maintain the proper body temperature you need to operate a peak efficiency.
The base layer is the first or inner layer of clothing you wear and makes direct contact with your skin. The material should be thin and cool since you may choose to wear it alone when the weather is fine or your are overheated from exertion.
What the Base Layer Does
The material of the base layer is important. For example, cotton is a poor choice as it easily becomes saturated with sweat or water and is difficult to dry. Wet cotton fabric may actually be worse than nothing at all when it comes to staying warm.
Your first layer of clothing should wick moisture away from your skin, dry very quickly, and be lightweight and durable. The moisture wicking component of your inner layer serves to evaporate or move water off of your skin and onto the next layer of clothing or into the air. This means your inner layer is working to keep you cool and dry.
The Best Base Layers
Excellent materials for base layers include Coolmax, PolarTec and my favorite – Patagonia Capilene. There are a number of other inner layer fabrics designed to keep you dry using the same principles. Some are available in several weights or thicknesses.
The last thing I want to wear is an extra heavyweight shirt when the temperature suddenly rises or my level of exertion increases. That is why I prefer to use lighter weight Capilene shirts and increase the flexibility of my clothing system by layering these as needed.
Two thin shirts can serve double duty as a thicker shirt when combined, and you then also have the ability to wear just one of the thin shirts when the weather is warmer or you are overheated. In addition you get the benefit of some dead air space between the shirts which is the same thing as free insulation. In general two thin layers give you greater flexibility than a thick layer for the same bulk and weight.
Get good dependable materials that have been well tested in real world conditions. Don't skimp on your base layer of clothing - solid foundations serve you well, and outdoor clothing is no exception.
Next in the 3-layer system: The Middle or Insulation Layer
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