Will It Keep Me Warm?
Insulation Basics
As is with waterproofing, the insulation of snow garments varies across a spectrum to cover all the bases when it comes to climate and personal preference. All the way at one end of the spectrum is a shell. Shells are jackets and pants that have no insulation in them. They’re great for spring skiing and warmer weather, people that run hot, and people that like to fine tune their insulation with different layers. On the opposite end of the spectrum are fully insulated jackets and pants. This insulation can come in the form of synthetic or down, both with their own pros and cons. Synthetically insulated jackets won’t be as easy to pack down and compress, but they’ll hold up better if they happen to get wet. Synthetic insulated is rated in terms of weight, thus the more grams of insulation, the warmer the garment will be. Down insulated jackets are typically warmer and are easier to compress, but if it gets wet, it won’t trap heat properly. Down insulation is rated in terms of its fill power. This refers to the amount of volume taken up by one ounce of down. Higher quality down will have a higher fill power rating and will be more efficient at insulating. In sum, synthetic insulation is a great choice in warmer and wetter climates, and down is a better choice in colder and more dry environments.
Layering
Layering is also an important part of keeping you warm. Starting at the base layer, you want to make sure the fabric is either wool or a polysynthetic blend of fibers. These will be moisture wicking and help keep you dry and warm. Cotton will not do the job! When cotton gets wet with sweat, it is slow to dry and will stay damp, which will in turn make you colder. On top of your base goes your midlayer. The specific function of the midlayer is to keep you insulated. Depending on the temperature, you may not need one, but if you do, there are lots of options to choose from. There are fleece midlayers, synthetically insulated midlayers, crewnecks and zip T-necks, vests, and more. What’s important is that you’re keeping your core warm, exactly how you do that is up to you!
