James and Shereen discuss how to stay warm in the coldest winter yet and the warmest winter of the rest of our lives, because it will only get worse with Climate Change.
Clothing in the cold
Overall principles - cotton kills, it gets wet and stays wet and can freeze you
- It is not so much about staying dry as making sure you can dry off quickly
- Based on Mark Twight’s system , you essentially want to create a warm microclimate around your body which is warmer than the microclimate and will encourage and allow vapour transfer out into the world, not keep vapour around you
Base layer
Here you’re looking to wick moisture away from the skin and insulate while you’re warm. You want something that fits and allows you to move
 
Consider that wool can get misshapen and has to be treated with care but it doesn’t small like synthetic and it won’t melt and stick to you. Wool drys slower as well .
 
Don’t go too thick here, if it heats up or you heat up it really sucks to be locked into a thick warm base layer, I’d rather have a warmer active insulation layer and be able to strip down to a light base layer, for example when xc skiing uphill
 
Right now I am using a Black Diamond Rhythm which is a blend called Nuyarn, https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/m-ls-rhythm-tee/ 
 
when things get colder I have a 1/4 zip Artilect base 125gsm layer which I love. https://www.artilect.studio/us/m-boulder-125-1-4-zip-2211121-db-bk-1223#selection.color=6584 
 
 If you’re looking for value, I think Helly Hansen synthetic base layers are great, I have some that I got when I was 18. https://www.amazon.com/Helly-Hansen-Lightweight-Breathable-Baselayer/dp/B001N2MLYC/ref=asc_df_B001N2MLYC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312128224504&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3455986774775180687&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031340&hvtargid=pla-559593705576&psc=1&mcid=c1a5450b28a23d6ba978cf0b812277bb&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI69D566vlgwMViNLCBB1ofw77EAQYAiABEgLFGPD_BwE 
 
For legs I really like the kuiu base layer underwear with side zips and sized tk not overlap with socks
https://www.kuiu.com/products/ultra-merino-145-zip-off-bottom-charcoal?variant=40340172701854 
 
Wind layer
This takes the bite out of the wind while remaining breathable . It needs to be cut big enough to move around in and go over your active insulation , and possibly your parka for protecting it in camp. For this reason some people advocate for a thing wind shirt which you can wear UNDER layers and a soft-shell which provides abrasion tresistance and is sized to go over layers
 
I love the mountain hardware kor air shell . The Pertex quantum air fabric is incredible and it’s very small and light https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/mens-kor-airshell-hoody-1985031.html?dwvar_1985031_color=357 
 
A more robust wind layer that is very well respected is the Arcteryx Gamma, it’s got a higher denier face fabric which will make it much more durable. It stretches well, is warmer,  and is fine for light rain https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/gamma-hoody?cmpid=pm|mult|perf|google|Arc%27teryx_Google-PMAX_S22_Performance_BOF_R:NAM_C:USA_L:EN|All_Products||{ad_id}&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pm|mult|perf&utm_campaign=Arc%27teryx_Google-PMAX_S22_Performance_BOF_R:NAM_C:USA_L:EN&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwa_ByKzlgwMVwBOtBh3cgwz9EAQYASABEgL_ivD_BwE 

A budget option is the British surplus smock, but these are a lot heavier and bulkier https://www.militarysurplusworld.com/product-eng-15751-BRITISH-SMOCK-WITH-HOOD-DESERT-MILITARY-SURPLUS-USED.html 
 
Legs
In general I would say I like to find pants that allow for venting but also block some of the wind.
 
I’m a huge fan of the beyond rig light pants because the mesh pockets also act as vents. I also like to have a kneepad pocket, and a built in adjustable bungee cuff on the bottom. https://beyondclothing.com/products/a5-rig-light-backcountry-pant 

A slightly less technical pant I enjoy is the prana stretch Zion