Layered clothing

When you’re out in nature, layered clothing becomes your smart technology thermostat: it allows you to regulate your comfort by putting on and taking off “layers” of clothing as your activity level or the weather changes.

To understand how to properly wear layers of clothing for outdoor for outdoor activities, we need to know the function of each:

  • First Layer: manages moisture and wicks sweat away from the skin.
  • Second Layeris insulating and retains body heat to protect you from the cold.
  • Third layerprotects you from wind and rain.

Even if you don’t wear all three entry layers, it’s a good idea to wear garments that to carry garments that fulfill the purpose of each oneso that you can shed your clothes if you get warm and always be prepared to deal with wind and rain.

First Layer: Moisture management

It is the layer that is attached to the skin and its function is to keep perspiration away from the skin.. Por eso, en condiciones frescas o frías, se necesitan primeras capas tales como interiores térmicos largos y absorbentes, to keep your skin dry and prevent you from getting cold..

Materials:

You can opt for synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, or natural fibers, such as merino wool and silk. Todos cumplen su función, pero existen diferencias en cuanto a la absorción, el secado, la retención de olores y la durabilidad.

Weight:

The options are: light, medium and heavy.However, you may also find terms like “ultralight” at one end of the spectrum or “expedition” at the other. Heavier (thicker) fabrics will keep you warmer, although that is not the main purpose of a first layer.

Warm climates:

Here are some considerations on first layers for warm climates:

  • Any t-shirt or summer shirt is a good is a good first layer, especially if it is made of a fabric that made of a wicking fabric, as moisture wicks through the fibersmoisture is wicked through the fibers and allows evaporation.
  • Underwear, such assuch as briefs and bras, also should also absorb moisture.
  • The UPF-rated base layers give you extra sun protection for sunny days. protection for sunny days.
  • Cottoncotton, considered a definite NO in winter, as it absorbs water and in contact with the skin can cool you down, is fine if you are outdoors during a super dry summer day..
  • There are membranes designed to cool the skin on hot days, such as fabric impregnated with ceramic particles.such as fabric impregnated with ceramic particles.

Second Layer: Insulation and Sheltering

The second layer is what helps retain the heat radiating from your body.. Como las prendas por sí solas no tienen la capacidad de generar calor, es importante que esta capa sea eficiente.

Interlayer materials:

There are synthetic and natural options. A continuación, analizamos algunos de los most common materials:

  • Polyester fibers (the old and well-known polar):
    It is available in light, medium and heavy weight versions (sometimes marketed as polar 100, 200 and 300). (sometimes marketed as polar 100, 200 and 300). Keeps you warm even if it gets wet, dries quickly, and is rbreathes well. Sin embargo, el viento atraviesa fácilmente las fibras, lo que puede disipar el calor. Algunas prendas traen membranas rompe viento, pero de no ser así, podés combinar tu polar con una tercera capa que sea rompe viento.
  • Down jackets:
    Being very compressible, they take up little space in the backpack. Además, offer the best warmth to weight ratio. Las plumas can be goose, duck or blended.varying in their compression and heat retention capacities, depending on their fill power (fill power), ranging from 450 to 900. loses insulating efficiency when wetalthough there are technologies that minimize this effect.
    The great disadvantage of the feather is that it comes from animals. There are traceability standards that ensure dignified treatment of the animal. When purchasing these garments, everyone is aware of what they are doing.
  • Synthetic padded jackets:
    Synthetic insulations mimic the efficiency of the feather and every year they are getting a little closer to this standard. Although synthetic fibers do not compress as well as goose down, are a popular popular choice for rainy conditionsconditions, as they maintain insulation capacity when wet.

Third Layer: Climate protection

The third layer protects you from wind, rain and snow. The so-called parkas are a fundamental piece of your equipment, because if wind and water seep into the inner layers, you can get seriously chilled.

Most are treated with durable water repellent (DWR), so that water is quickly wicked away from the fabric.

They can be grouped into the following categories:

  • Waterproof / breathable parkas:
    It is the most functional option for adverse weather conditions, although it is also the most also the most expensive. Existen variedad de membranas en el mercado, siendo Gore-Tex la más conocida.
  • Water resistant / breathable parkas:
    They are are best suited for drizzle, wind and high levels of activity. They are also they are more economical. Están hechas de telas de nailon o poliéster apretado, que permiten bloquear el viento y la lluvia ligeros.
  • Soft parkas (soft shells):
    Emphasize breathability and are technical garments designed for activity in wet conditions. designed for activity in wet conditions.. La mayoría cuenta con paneles de tela elástica donde el ejercicio lo requiere.
  • Waterproof / non-breathable parkas:
    These basic parkas are fine for for rainy days with little or no activity. (e.g. fishing). They are usually made of coated nylon, which is water and wind resistant.

Some examples

We are often asked how to apply coatings for a given climate. Sin embargo, cualquier sugerencia basada únicamente en el clima, pasa por alto temas claves, como el nivel de esfuerzo y el metabolismo personal.

Therefore, the examples below are for a hypothetical person, who is not particularly hot or cold naturally and who is going to do a half-day trekking, intermediate level:

  • Layers for cold weather (some wind):
    Top, long thermal interiors; underneath, medium polyester interiors. Lightweight warm jacket with synthetic insulation. Medium trekking pants. Jacket and pants windbreaker/breathable (can be waterproof jacket and pants).
  • Rainy weather layers (cool temperatures):
    Top, long thermal underwear; underneath, lightweight polyester underwear. Lightweight breathable micro fleece. Synthetic trekking pants. Lightweight, waterproof and breathable jacket and pants (with open vents).
  • Layers for warm weather:
    Polyester underwear and short-sleeved synthetic T-shirt. Convertible trekking pants. Jacket breaks wind light.

It is essential that you take the necessary time to adjust the adjust the layers as conditions change.. Por ejemplo, si la lluvia y el viento disminuyen, podés guardar la campera impermeable. Si el trekking no te hace entrar en calor rápidamente, arrancá la caminata con una capa intermedia. Luego, mantenela a mano para los momentos de descanso o de hidratación.

Degree of difficulty in mountain and adventure

Before embarking on an adventure itinerary, it is important that you always know its level of difficulty. For this, in the mountain and adventure tours, we use grading systems that allow you to obtain information in advance about the difficulty of each route. In this article of our blog Blog, we want you to know the way we measure the degree of difficulty of the routes of mountain and adventure Huka, so you always know the level of preparation you will need and the requirement to which you will be exposed. To this grading system, you can also add a plus sign (+) where the difficulties slightly exceed the characteristics described here.

BEGINNER

Relaxed (1)
Enjoy an adventure, clear your mind and connect with nature at your own pace.

  • Activity: 1-3 hours, most days.
  • Distances: less than 5 km, most of the time.
  • Surfaces: flat terrain.
  • Elevation change: little or none.

Easy (2)
Ideal for newcomers to more active travel.

  • Activity: 3-5 hours, most days.
  • Distances: walking up to 10 km most of the time.
  • Surfaces: uneven terrain, with some steep climbs and descents.
  • Elevation change: up to 600 meters per day.

INTERMEDIATE

Moderate (3)
For those who are taking their first steps or want to continue adding experience in nature.

  • Activity: 5-8 hours, at least, some of the days.
  • Distances: walking up to 16 km, most days.
  • Surfaces: undulating or hilly terrain with some steep climbs / descents and uneven trails.
  • Elevation change: up to 1000 meters per day.

Demanding (4)
Recommended for people engaged in physical activity with basic activity skills.

  • Activity: 8-10 hours, at least, some of the days.
  • Distances: up to 20 km most days.
  • Surfaces: Mountainous and exposed terrain with steep ascents and descents and uneven trails.
  • Elevation change: up to 1200 meters per day.
  • Altitude: up to 4500 meters. Altitude experience may be required.

ADVANCED

Difficult (5)

Designed for trained and experienced people in the field.

  • Activity: more than 10 hours, at least, some of the days.
  • Distances: 20 km or more most days.
  • Surfaces: remote, hilly and exposed terrain with steep ascents and descents, uneven trails with loose features.
  • Elevation change: up to 1200 meters per day.
  • Altitude: can exceed 4500 meters. Altitude experience is required.

 

How to assemble the backpack

Assemble your backpack efficiently, it can hold an incredible amount of gear, but it is also important that its distribution is balanced and does not move when you walk. that its distribution is balanced and that it doesn’t move when you walk.. The mochi can be divided into three zones and peripheral storage:

  • Lower area: ideal for bulky equipment and items not needed until camp.
  • Central zone: good for dense and heavy equipment. The closer the weight is to the back, the better the balance.
  • Upper zone: Recommended for essential items you may need on the road.
  • Pockets for accessories: the ones you need frequently and in an emergency.
  • Loops for tools and lashing points: For large or long equipment, such as trekking poles.

The idea is to fill the nooks and crannies until you have a solid, stable load with equally and stable load, with the weight equally balanced on each side.. Una vez llena, se ajustan las correas de compresión, para optimizar la carga y evitar que se mueva mientras caminás.

Lower zone

Here are the bulky items you don’t need to use until camp.. Por ejemplo:

  • Sleeping bag (backpacks usually have a bottom compartment designed for this).
  • Layer you plan to sleep in.
  • Lightweight camping footwear.

Packing this type of soft equipment on the bottom creates an internal shock absorption system for the back and backpack.

Central zone

In this part, you put the heavy equipment that you are not going to use during the trekking.. Incluye:

  • Meals planned for camping or later days.
  • Kitchen kit.
  • Fuel.
  • Camel bag (sachet-type water tank).
  • Tent body and roof cover.
  • Extra clothing.

Pack heavy items in this area and against the back, creates a stable center of gravity and directs the load downward, rather than backward.. Esto es importante porque si se colocan muy abajo, hace que la mochila se combe y, colocados demasiado alto, hace que se sienta inestable.

You can use soft items, such as socks or socks or clothing, to fill in the spaces and and create cushioning between bulky items.

Do you carry liquid fuel? In this case, use only approved fuel bottles and make sure that the cap is tightly closed. Pack it upright and down (separate) from the food, so that, in case of a spill, food will not be contaminated.

Upper Zone

On top of everything else, we place the essential elements to use on the trailss:

  • Waterproof jacket.
  • Warm jacket.
  • First aid kit.
  • Water filter or purifier.
  • Toilet kit (paper/wet wipes, personal trash bag, dustpan).

Depending on the weather and the itinerary, the tent can also be stored in this part, for quick access if a storm arrives earlier than planned.

Accessory pockets

All backpacks have several pockets: on the lid, front, sides and on the lumbar belt. They are used to organize the smallest essentials:

  • Chart and compass.
  • Electronics.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Sunscreen and lipstick.
  • Headlamp.
  • Repellent.
  • Lunch on the go.
  • Water bottles.
  • Rain cover (if you don’t have a rain cover, bag the entire contents of the backpack).
  • Car keys (there is usually a clip inside one of the pockets).
  • Documentation.

Tool loops and tie-down points

Some backpack models have loops and lashing points to carry objects and tools to carry objects and tools, such assuch as:

  • Trekking poles.
  • Tent poles.
  • Insulation for sleeping.
  • Piqueta.
  • Crampons.
  • Rope.

The daisies and compression straps can also be used to hold equipment that cannot be carried elsewhere. However, always minimize the amount of minimize the number of items you carry on the outside of your backpack, as they can snag on branches or scrape against rocks.They can snag on branches or scrape against rocks.