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