Stay Cozy

  There's an age-old art to staying warm., but a lot of people just never learned it. And that's okay, because I did the research*, which means you won't have to! Yeah, my parents met in Alaska, and my tender years were spent in the mountains of Nevada. So, I know stuff. Stuff that could potentially keep you from freezing your fanny. So if, by any chance, you trust me with this, come along, and let's get into it!

 Base layers are the first layer of clothing that comes in direct contact with your skin.** As such, they'll hold in most of your body heat. This is why you want full coverage (Like long sleeves and leggings.) because heat actually leaves through your limbs, hands, and feet. Of course, these garments can also trap sweat, so lots of people go for moisture wiking or synthetic fabrics. And it doesn't matter too much what they look like, because they'll be hiding under everything else.

Next, it's a good idea to have a Puffy, or middle) layer.*** See, these are your in-between. And wearing stuff like wool, flannel, or fleece acts as a buffer. This can help draw some of that pesky moisture away from your base layer, and the air that fills whatever you choose will trap even more heat beneath your shell. More on that in a minute. But this will kinda be your "main outfit," which is why they make so many different kinds of sweaters and flannel shirts. People might actually see this, so live up your personal style here.

This is something most folks don't know, but Jackets are a hip or waist length garment that serves several core functions and aesthetic purposes.**** Okay, you probably could have guessed that. But what I'm getting at is, in real cold, you don't stop there. You should totally go with a nice hoody, or even a blazer. But in snow country, that's only almost your last layer. Once again, this narrative's full of hot air, but that's really the point. You want as much insulation as possible, so as not to freeze that aforementioned keester. And hey, why not look awesome while doing it?

And finally, we have our Shell, or outer layer. + Yes, I'm carrying a torch here, but they also trap in warmth via insulation. But if you're outside in the elements, like, at all, a trench coat, great coat, or barn coat will protect you against rain,sleet, and snow. Hail might require other stuff, like body armor. But that's beside the point. In order to stay warm and dry whilst braving the treacherous tundra, four standard layers will often give you everything you need. Also, one last thing? Socks gloves and hats are important too, as any heat what doesn't escape through your hands and feet will try to leave from your head.

**Stio

***Backpacking Light

****Master Class-Guide to jackets

+Zagat Clothing