Clothing basics

• Layering
  • Basic
    • Inner layer (underwear): sweat wicking
      • material: options (polyester, nylon, merino wool, silk)
        • synthetic (wicking: 5, durability: 4, odor-resistant: 3)
          • Possible materials: polyester, nylon, polypropylene, rayon, or other blends
        • merino wool (wicking: 4, durability: 3, odor-resistant: 5)
          • wicks wel; cools; moderately durable; naturally odor resistant
        • silk (wicking: 2, durability: 2, odor-resistant: 2)
        • ceramic/wool
          • moderate wicking; suppleness; not naturally odor resistant
      • weight: light, mid, heavy
        • lightweight - moderate to cool temps
        • midweight - cold temps
        • heavyweight - below-freezing temps
    • Middle layer (insulating): heat retaining
      • material: generally, thicker means warmer (wool, wool-blend, polyester fleece [100,200,300])
        • fleece is breathable, but wind blows right through it
      • down insulated jackets
        • compressive; fill power 450 - 900; loses insulating efficiency when damp
      • synthetic insulated jackets
        • similar to down, but not as compressive as down
    • Outer layer (shell): shields from natural elements
      • waterproof/breathable shells
        • best option for full-on squall conditions
      • water-resistant/breathable shells
        • more affordable
      • soft shells
        • focus on breathability
      • waterproof/nonbreathable shells
  • Cold-weather layers
    • midweight polyester long underwear top and bottom
    • a jacket with synthetic insulation
    • midweight fleece pants
    • waterproof/breathable rain jacket & pants
  • Rainy-weather layers (cool temps)
    • lightweight polyester long underwear top & bottom
    • lightweight fleece jacket
    • synthetic hiking pants
    • lightweight waterproof/breathable rain jacket & pants (w/ plenty of vents)
  • Hot-weather layers
    • polyester briefs & a short-sleeve synthetic tee
    • convertible nylon hiking pants
    • lightweight wind jacket