HOW TO LAYER FOR
SKI TOURING

Ski mountaineering is an intense activity. Moving through the mountains in winter means that you need to take everything that you need with you. As such, every gram matters and unnecessary items are just extra weight to carry. Think lightweight, but durable. Quality counts too, trust us. You don’t want to have to start repairing your gear at 3,000 metres.

On a typical day in the mountains, temperatures can vary hugely, from sub-zero dawn starts when your breath hangs in the air, to hot sunny afternoons on open glaciers – with snowfall, strong winds and even sleet and rain all thrown into the mix.

Getting your clothing system right makes a massive difference. You want it to be versatile and adaptable enough to keep you warm in the coldest conditions but also breathable enough when skinning or working hard.

Layering is the key to dialling what you wear. This proven strategy lets you regulate your comfort by adding or peeling off layers according to activity levels and weather conditions.

Here’s a quick initial checklist of what to wear ski mountaineering:

• Long underwear
• Baselayer top
• Midlayer or softshell
• Ski socks
• Weather protection shell
• Extra insulation if you need it
• Alpine pant
• Gloves and spare gloves
• Helmet
• Hat and neck gaiter or balaclava
• Sunglasses/ goggles
• Don’t forget the avalanche rescue kit in your backpack

3. What midlayer is best for ski mountaineering?

People often obsess about shells and baselayers, but a warm, breathable midlayer is also essential to help you retain the heat radiated by your body.

The more efficiently it can trap heat, the warmer you’ll be. And the more breathable it is, the less you’ll have to worry about having to mess with your layers.

Your best options for midlayers are:

• Fleece
• Down insulated
• Synthetic
• Wool
• Softshell

3.1. Fleece

A lightweight or midweight fleece is a versatile insulation solution. Fleece will keep you warm even if it gets damp, and it dries fast too. Fleece also breathes well, so you’re less likely to overheat in it. The flipside of fleece, though, is that the wind often blows right through it. So, it only works in bad conditions when combined with a shell, unless you go for a version with a windproof membrane, such as Gore® Windstopper®. There are also some more sophisticated fleece fabrics out there, such as Polartec® Alpha® active insulation.

3.2. Down

Down is a nature’s natural midlayer and offers more warmth for its weight than any other insulating material. Down insulation is not made from feathers, but plumage – the soft, fluffy lofting underneath the feathers. Down is incredibly breathable and can wick unwanted moisture away fast to evaporate. And because down is always padded inside a shell material, down layers also offer some water and wind resistance. The drawback to down is that once damp, it loses pretty much most of its insulating properties and is slow to dry.

3.3. Synthetic insulation

Synthetic insulation is designed to mimic the qualities of down, but keep them even when wet. Its ultra-fine polyester fibres trap warmth in air pockets to maintain warmth. Synthetic insulation does have a lower warmth-to-weight ratio than down, which means that it needs to be heavier to achieve the same level of warmth. The big pro for synthetic insulation is that it’s resistant to moisture, and if it does get wet, it dries fast – especially in the sun or wind. This makes it a popular option for damper conditions. Naturally, you’ll find specific versions for men and women.

3.4. Wool

Alpine Wool and wool blends are another good midlayer option. Merino wool and wool from alpine sheep have outstanding thermal properties and excellent climate control. Wool fibres have a naturally crimped, wavy structure that traps air in the gaps between them to keep you warm. Wool is also easier to care for than down and also helps inhibit odour – so you can get by with fewer items of clothing, especially useful for multi-day trips in the mountains. Some manufacturers enhance the natural properties of wool with synthetic yarns to get the best of both worlds.

3.5. Softshell

There will be days when you are better off wearing just a softshell straight on top of your base layer for everything up to full storm conditions. These are the days when waterproofing can come secondary to breathability. The great thing about men’s and women’s softshells is that you get all-round performance from a single layer that you could wear for most of the day, reducing weight and bulk. Most important of all, you get greater comfort as you can control your microclimate better – a single layer is easier to adjust to stay warm or cool than multiple layers.

3.6. Top tip – pack a gilet

Call them what you will – bodywarmers, gilets or padded vests – they make an excellent, lightweight, compressible layer that will disappear in your pack. They are very effective at preserving heat around your core on cold-weather days, while leaving your arms with a full range of movement. On a warmer day, a good men’s or women’s gilet combined with an effective outer shell, might even mean you can do without an insulation jacket at all.

1. How to get your layers right

Unlike our earliest ancestors, we have no fur. We lost ours along the way during evolution, in order to help us sweat and dump heat while running long distances. So, when we head outdoors in winter, layering becomes part of our smart-technology thermostat.

To understand how to layer your clothing for ski mountaineering activities, you need to know the function of each layer and how they work together:

• Baselayer: wicks sweat away from your skin to keep you as dry as possible
• Midlayer (insulation): retains as much body heat as possible to keep you warm
• Outer layer (shell): protects you from wind, rain and snow

2. Next-to-skin: What are the best functional baselayers for ski mountaineering?

As the next-to-skin layer, a baselayer’s job is moving perspiration away from your skin, by “wicking.” Sweat is absorbed from the body and then quickly transported away through the fabric and the other layers into the atmosphere. In cool or cold conditions, wicking long-underwear-style base layers are needed to keep your skin dry. This is important because it helps to keep you from becoming chilled – or even worse hypothermic. Choose a functional fabric, such as wool, synthetic or silk (not cotton).

2.1 Wool or synthetic?

Wool fibres absorb up to 35% of their own weight in water, while synthetic fibres (usually polyester) only absorb up to 15%. This is why wool still feels dry even when you sweat. Although synthetic fibres absorb less sweat, they specialise in moving moisture away from the body faster. Bear in mind: it’s no urban myth that wool is highly (naturally) resistant to odour-causing bacteria. There are also some interesting hybrid solutions out there.

2.2. Lightweight or midweight baselayers?

This kind of depends on the temperatures and how much you feel the cold. For touring and other high-octane activities, the lightest option is usually fine, unless it's extremely cold. If you expect to be hanging about at cold belays, go for the warmer option. Don’t forget, moisture management also involves a certain amount of heat exchange or thermoregulation. So, the thinner a fabric is, the more small gaps there will be, and the more moisture vapour that can escape and cooling air that can enter. Meanwhile, thicker baselayers trap air (body warmth) near to the skin and provide more insulation.

Bear in mind though, in order for your baselayers to do their job properly, your whole layering system needs to work. Otherwise, the moisture drawn away from your skin will just be trapped there.

2.3. What kind of baselayers to wear on your legs

You want a winter wicking baselayer legging that fits well, stretches well and remains comfortable all day long. Your long johns need to move with you and work underneath your alpine pant and support the venting when you’re skinning or cranking hard. Also, don’t forget to wear good quality (wicking) underwear too. Three-quarter-length baselayer bottoms are worth a thought: the boot-cut won’t overlap your ski socks at the calves, where they can chafe and become uncomfortable when you’re trying to shred.

2.4. Which baselayer tops are best?

Remember, your next-to-skin layer’s primary function is moisture management. It’s your insulating midlayer that’s detailed to retain your body heat (not your baselayer). To be able to wick sweat efficiently, your baselayer needs to actually be next to your skin. Look for a comfortable, snug fit.

2.5. Baselayers – What kind of socks?

Socks are often the last thing people think about when gearing up for ski mountaineering. But there’s nothing more miserable than skiing or climbing with cold feet. Obviously, boot fit is crucial too, but many experts recommend choosing new boots together with the socks you intend to wear in them – for good reason.

We recommend using a good quality men’s or women’s ski sock with a high wool content. They don’t need to be too thick (in ski boots, the thermal liner provides the insulation). Make sure your socks fit snugly, but without being constricting, i.e. with wiggle room for your toes. If the fit is too tight, it can restrict circulation. Most mountain ski socks go up to the knee to help protect the shins.

Liner socks used to be popular for moisture-wicking ability to keep feet dry. Nowadays though, most mountain socks perform well enough to not require a liner sock. When comparing socks, the main differences you’ll notice are fabric composition and level of cushioning.