Layering guide: tips and tricks for any weather

Functional clothing supports you in everyday life and during sports activities. The purpose of layering can be summed up in a few key words. If you arrange the layers correctly, it...

• improves moisture exchange between the layers of clothing.
• keeps the skin dry.
• prevents wind and moisture from penetrating from the outside.
• contributes to better regulation of body temperature.

The big advantage of the onion principle is that you can quickly put on and take off the layers, which means you are prepared for changes in weather and temperature. You can vary the thickness of your layer depending on the season and the outside temperature. Sometimes a simple shirt is enough and other times long-sleeved functional underwear is required.

As the name suggests, the onion principle consists of several layers. Each layer takes on a specific task. Let's take a look at what they are:

The base layer is the first layer on the body, closest to the skin. This layer is often referred to as functional underwear. Its job is to absorb moisture and transfer it on to the neighbouring layer. This ensures that sweat is wicked away and the skin remains dry to prevent the body from cooling down or chafing. You can choose from a variety of fabrics for the base layer:

• Synthetic fibres (polyester)
• Natural fabrics (merino wool)
• Material mix of several textiles

The choice of material should be based on your own preferences, as each fiber has its advantages and disadvantages. While a long-sleeved merino shirt can be a great base layer in the winter, a polyester t-shirt will often suffice in the height of summer.

The second layer in an onion look is known as mid layer, insulation layer or second layer. The purpose of this layer is to store body heat to prevent you from cooling down while hiking or skiing. Materials such as synthetic or natural down, but also (polyester) fleece or other artificial fabrics are used. The fibres for mid layers are very fine and have a large number of ramifications which form small air chambers. As air is a poor conductor of heat, these textiles are particularly good at retaining body heat.

The outermost layer of clothing is called the hardshell or outer shell. It forms the final layer and protects the body from the weather conditions. Depending on the membrane, a hardshell can be a rain jacket, a softshell jacket against the wind or a ski jacket. Goretex or Primaloft are well-known membranes which are used in the manufacture of hardshell jackets. The special feature of these textiles is that they release the moisture absorbed by the base layer to the outside while preventing water from penetrating in the form of rain or snow.

Base and mid layers as well as hardshells already cover a large part of the body. But your hands, feet, head and neck also need to be protected - whether with a cap in summer to protect them from the heat or with appropriate gloves in winter.

Make sure you choose the right materials for your socks, gloves, scarf and headgear. The same principles apply here as before: moisture must be quickly absorbed by the skin and transported to the outside. Gloves, for example, usually combine all three layers so that water cannot penetrate while sweat is released.

Tip: Don't use cotton! Although cotton keeps you warm and absorbs moisture, it only releases it very slowly. On long trips, this can cause your feet to cool down and chafe in cotton socks.

Layering is very popular for indoor and outdoor sports. Layers of clothing support you during your activities and even make you more comfortable. People often overlook the fact that these principles can be applied to everyday life. If you ride your bike to work every morning, you can benefit from a breathable base layer and quickly change into a fresh T-shirt at work.

The right materials and the order of the layers are important when layering. Use breathable fibres made from synthetic or natural textiles. Polyester and merino wool are known for absorbing a lot of moisture and releasing it quickly. This should be followed by an insulating layer to keep you warm. A final hardshell jacket ensures that you are protected from the weather while preventing water from penetrating from the outside.

When skiing, you are usually dealing with low temperatures, so three layers are a good idea.

For your ski underwear  as a base layer, we recommend a long-sleeved shirt and merino wool trousers to absorb moisture and keep you warm at the same time. It's best to wear a mid-layer over this to keep you warm all day long. The outermost layer is a ski jacket to protect you from wind and snow.

When skiing, long ski underwear is worn under hard shell trousers. Unlike the upper body, however, there is no mid layer. If you are still too cold despite the hardshell and long ski underwear, you can try warmer materials such as merino wool or thicker hardshell ski trousers. If you are too hot, you can also try softshell trousers.