1. Layers
Staying warm starts with a good base, preferably wool and even better is Merino wool. This ultra-fine wool effectively traps air between the fibers. So don’t be fooled by its thinness; only a thin layer of merino will help you feel warm. Once the base is selected, move on to the middle layer which absorbs sweat (because sweat cools you down) – wool is great here too. Then an outer layer that blocks wind, rain and snow. Finish with a reinforcement layer in goose down / duck down or synthetic for when you sit still or move less quickly.
2. Don’t get hungry
When temperatures drop, your body has to work even harder to maintain your core temperature of 37°C. And this requires extra calories – a lot of calories. For example, if you are active in the winter, your body may need about three times as many calories as under normal conditions. That’s why we recommend staying satiated at all times, and never letting your energy levels drop. A good way to do this is to snack on nuts or dried fruit (my favorite is Snickers) – which will give you lots of fat and sugar, i.e. energy.
3.Don’t get thirsty.
Water is even more important than food. If we have to, we can go without food for a few weeks. The same certainly cannot be said about water. Then we talk in days. Since more than 60% of the human body is made up of water, you can guess how important it is for survival. But it is also important in controlling the heat. So make sure you stay hydrated. We recommend drinking warm water regularly. Big gulps and half a liter at a time mean you’re already on your way to dehydration. And you definitely don’t want to go that way in the cold.
4.Stay dry.
When we mean “staying dry,” we mean avoiding sweating. Water conducts heat 25-30 times better than air and quickly transports energy away from your body. So if you feel warm while walking, take off a layer (see tip 1). And if you already feel patches of sweat on your back and under your arms, make sure you put on a layer as soon as you stop, don’t wait for your body to cool down. The sweat takes away your body heat and it will be difficult to warm up again.
5.Stay active
Since tip 4 advises you not to sweat too much, you’ll want to overdo it, but you can help maintain an even, consistent core temperature by moving around. And don’t wait until you’re cold. Then it’s too late. Keep a consistent temperature by hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, or even just doing some head, shoulders, knees, and toes.
See you outside!
