The Layering System
Layering traps air against your skin and the heat of your body heats that air, the air then in return comes
back to the body in simple terms. This is proven to be more effective than one large layer and so the basic
system is a base layer, a mid layer and an outer layer. It has the great advantage of weather changes mean
you can add or remove layers as you see fit. For we riders this is normally the mid layer that is added or
removed as the base and outer are integral to comfort and safety.
The Base Layer
This is the layer next to the skin and the main goal is
the removal of moisture from the skin. This keeps you
cool by helping the evaporation or warm by removing
cold moisture away from the skin and allowing the
warm trapped air to aid in temperature regulation.
The Mid Layer
I’d say the best for this is fleece for my own personal
use but for openness any loose weave fabric (NOT
COTTON) can be used. They should be wool or synthetic to
continue the good work of your base layer and keep the
moisture moving away from your body.
The mid layer has far more contact to the outside
influences of the temperature and if you don’t have a
good quality outer layer then any cold wind is going to
replace those warm pockets of air with cold pockets of air.
Combine that effect with the moisture that is moving away
from the body and you can find a 10 degree difference
from the outside temperature – known as the ‘wind chill
factor’. Get to good quality outer layer.