A Real Packing List: Layers

The Bulky Stuff You Want To Mail Home

Layering provides some versatility in cold weather; add more if it's very cold and strip off as you warm up. Generally, there are three layers of layers: base, middle, and outer.

Image courtesy Mountain Warehouse

Base Layer

The base layer sits against your skin. They are available in natural or synthetic materials with differing features. Wool is a terrific natural fibre for a base layer and has the advantageous properties of superior warmth, anti-odour, warm even when wet, and reasonably quick-dry. Some disadvantages include its potential to be itchy and care in laundering to avoid shrinking or stretching.

Polypro is a synthetic material that is ideal for active travellers. Advantages include moisture-wicking, quick-dry properties, and wash-durability. Disadvantages include its potential to smell if not laundered well, and its inferior warmth compared to wool.

Middle Layer

The middle layer is designed for warmth and consist of an enormous variety of items, including pullovers, cardigans, hoodies, and fleece. They are usually worn over some kind of top, and adding a base layer and/or outer layer allows greater customisation of comfort.

Outer Layers

The final outer layer is designed for warmth, but is different to the middle layer in that they are usually designed to also protect from wind, snow, and rain. Rain jackets or wind cheaters are the lightest and simplest of the outer layers, but most will have a warm lining such as heavy wool coats, leather jackets, soft shell jackets, and snow jackets.

What I'm Bringing

• a couple of pairs of thermal leggings 
• three or four long sleeve wool thermal shirts 
• wool cardigan that is just right for cool afternoons or air conditioning
• mid-weight fleece which is suitable for a range of temperatures 
• A&F fur-lined bomber jacket
• rain jacket

Finally, some thin thermal gloves, a scarf and a warm hat do wonders to keep you warm.