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For any outdoor activity in any weather condition, the overall goals of your layering system remain the same:

1. Quickly wick perspiration away from the skin

2. Retain body heat

3. Block out rain, wind and snow

Different layers perform different roles, and come together as your "layering system" to achieve these goals. Utilizing a system of multiple layers also allows you to put on and take off clothing in order to regulate body temperature depending on activity intensity, weather conditions and terrain. This lets you stay drier and warmer across a wide variety of conditions.

This layer is worn next to skin, where it wicks perspiration away from the body to help regulate your temperature, allowing you to stay dry and warm. When moisture is left on the skin, it will use energy in the form of body heat to turn into water vapor and evaporate away. That’s why moist skin and wet layers will leave you feeling clammy, cold and can lead to hypothermia in some cases (even in summer). Using the right base layer tops and bottoms will quickly absorb that perspiration and spread it out to quickly evaporate off of the fabric (not your skin!). When deciding on a base layer, go with synthetic ZEO-LINE when quick-drying properties are more important. Choose SUPER MERINO WOOL when heat retention and odor control is in greater demand. *Remember, cotton should be avoided at all costs!

The middle layer is there to retain warmth while venting excess heat and moisture to the outer layer. Synthetic insulation and fleece jackets are highly breathable, quick-drying and offer some warmth even when wet. This makes them extremely versatile and great for active pursuits or when rain is in the forecast. Down insulation delivers an incredible warmth-to-weight ratio, meaning lofty heat retention in a lightweight and packable form. However, down loses its insulating abilities when it gets wet. If conditions are dry or you're trying to save pack weight/space, then down is an excellent choice.

A pair of hiking pants with the appropriate stretch to maintain mobility will work great. Hiking shorts, trail running shorts or a trail skirt combined with a pair of long tights are also an excellent, and highly versatile option. The kind of trails you explore should be taken into account. If you enjoy rock scrambles, climbing, or you find yourself on narrow trails with lots of brush, a pair of long pants will offer a degree of protection from minor scrapes and snags that shorts can't provide.

Rain jackets/pants and alpine parkas/pants feature a waterproof breathable membrane which will protect you from wind, rain and snow coming from the outside. At the same time, this membrane will vent excess heat and moisture coming up from the inside of your layering system. For activities like backpacking and hiking, a rain jacket is best. Generally they are lighter and more compact, easily fitting into an already stuffed pack. For an alpine mission in snowy and extreme weather conditions? An alpine jacket will be better with its more durable fabric and features that provide a greater level of protection.

These two shells somewhat straddle the border of both middle and outer layers. If used accordingly depending on conditions, wind and soft shells will push your layering system to new levels of versatility.

Wind Shells

These layers are neither waterproof, totally windproof, nor indestructible. So what do they do exactly? Wind shells help block out warmth-sapping wind, hold in a little warmth, provide a degree of breathability and receive a water repellent finish to shed light rain. This performance is often delivered with an extremely thin and lightweight fabric that packs into a miniscule size. Wind shells work great when worn as an outer layer in windy conditions, and can be used over your middle layer and under a lightweight rain jacket for a bit more warmth on colder days with heavy precipitation. These characteristics will help your layering system perform across a wider array of temperatures with little effect on pack size and weight.

Soft Shells

As it sounds, soft shells use a soft fabric that provides stretch, wind resistance, heat retention and breathability. While they aren't waterproof and won't keep you dry in heavy rain, they are water-repellent and will shed light precipitation. Soft shells also provide a level of stretch and breathability not found in hard shells, and weather protection not found in most middle layers. The result is an ultra-versatile shell to use an outer layer when it's not raining, but can just as easily slip under a rain jacket or alpine shell in more difficult conditions.

Depending on weather conditions and your activity, it will be important to put on and take off different layers to achieve optimal comfort. But, what layers should you bring along? For example, the outdoor clothing you take for a winter alpine mission, or a 3 hour day hike in summer, will be drastically different. We have some example activities broken down by season to help you get started!

Base Layer

Middle Layer

Outer Layer

Insulation

Base Layer

Middle Layer

Outer Layer

Wind Shell

Insulation

Base Layer

Shorts

Middle Layer (colder conditions)

Base Layer

Middle Layer

Outer Layer

Base Layer

Middle Layer

Outer Layer

Base Layer

Middle Layer

Outer Layer

Neck Gaiter

Base Layer

Middle Layer

Outer Layer

If you're looking for more information on specific parts within a layering system, read through our various product guides. Each guide is designed to help you choose the right Montbell item while discovering a bit more about the technical features and functions of each product.

Middle Layer

Outer Layer