Working outdoors presents new challenges during the winter months. You need to stay warm, but layers also become required. Layers allow you to adjust your body's thermostat by putting on and removing items as comfort levels and exertion levels change. Every good winter layering strategy includes three basic layers: your base layer, your insulating layer, and your outer layer. In addition to these components, you also need the right footwear and some great, cozy add-ons like gloves, hats, and scarves.

Base Layer

Wet skin means cold skin.

A great moisture-wicking base layer is the best place to start when layering up to spend time outdoors in the winter. This layer will keep moisture away from your skin to keep you dry and warm. Base layers range from briefs and sports bras to long underwear sets.

If you are going to be moving around a lot, you'll want something that provides extra warmth and comfort, like a long underwear set. If your activity involves a lot of movement, you may want something light, like a moisture-wicking shirt.

Tips for Choosing the Right Base Layer

• Your planned activity level should factor in your choice of base layer
• What material choice is right? Honestly, there's no right answer here, choose whatever you are most comfortable wearing
• Heavier/thicker fabrics will keep you warmer, but that isn't really the primary purpose of a base layer ... wicking is the primary purpose!

A couple of great choices we offer are our Traditional Waffle Thermal Underwear and our Heavyweight Deluxe Thermal Underwear. Both choices are a great base layer for winter jobs, or just to go out and play in the snow!

Insulating Layer

Retain warmth

This is the layer most of us think of when dressing for time outdoors in the winter, your winter jacket, bibs, or coveralls. This layer's main job is to provide warmth. Your insulating layer helps you retain the heat that's radiated by your body. The more efficiently this layer traps that heat, the warmer you'll be. 

There are many options for types of insulating layers, and just as many materials for that layer. Fleece is a common mid/insulating layer, but if you are planning on being in really cold temperatures, you will want something that is insulated and/or quilted. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Insulating Layer

• Look for warmth, not bulk
• This layer traps heat against the body to keep you warm
• In general, thicker (or puffier) equals warmer
• The efficiency of the insulating material is also important
• It's easy to become jacket-obsessed. Save some love for your legs! Keep your lower half as warm as your top side

We offer several great mid/insulating layers from sweatshirts to heavy jackets and coveralls. Our Five Rock Thermal Lined Zip Fron Hooded Sweatshirt is a great layer to add (even under a coat), and easy to take on and off. This sweatshirt is also available in a midweight version, in case you're looking for a lighter layer.

Looking for an insulated, hooded jacket? Our Five Rock Quilt-Lined Jacket comes with a 3-piece insulated hood. Don't want that hood? Our Five Rock Deluxe Insulated Chore Coat provides a little extra length, all while keeping you warm (and at a price you'll love!).

About those legs ... our Five Rock Deluxe Insulated Coveralls and Deluxe Insulated Bib Overalls will keep your lower half just as warm as the top! Both offer easy access to pants and other layers you may have on underneath.

Outer Layer

Your outer line of defense.

A lot of the time, this outer layer is referred to as rainwear. The main job of this layer is to shield the other layers from snow, sleet, rain, and wind. You want this layer to keep out moisture, but you also want it to be able to breathe and allow perspiration to escape. Most (if not all) are treated with a durable, water-repellant finish to make water bead up and roll off the fabric. This outer layer is an important piece in wet, cold weather because if wind and water are allowed to penetrate to inner layers, you can get seriously chilled.

Tips for Choosing the Right Outer Layer

• Keep this layer breathable so moisture can escape from the base & insulating layers
• Needs to be wind-tight, waterproof (or at least repellent) & provide additional insulation if needed
• Precipitation protection is key. In winter, you don't want to sacrifice any warmth to evaporation cooling
• What's great about waterproof/resistant layers is they are typically also wind-resistant
• Just like with your mid/insulating layer, don't forget your legs! A great pair of rain pants or bibs can help a lot in wet, cold conditions

Here at QC Supply, we have several great water-resistant outer layers from Tingley. From their Vision Rain Pants to the Vision Rain Jacket, these layers are easy to add on and then take back off when the weather decides to dry up a little.

Head-to-Toe Cozy Add-Ons & Footwear

A great coat and some bibs will get you far in the cold temperatures and conditions of winter, but you can't forget about your head, hands, and feet. The best way to prevent extremities from getting cold is to cover up everywhere. The warmest options in hats, gloves, and socks do the same thing as everywhere else: wick, insulate, and block rain and wind.

Hats

• Wool & synthetic stocking caps work well
• You can also rely on the hood of your jacket to protect your head & ears
• Make sure any headwear covers your ears
• If your face is uncomfortably cold, wear a balaclava

Gloves

• Fleece gloves provide basic warmth
• Insulated gloves, especially ones with a waterproof/breathable shell are better
• Mittens let your fingers share warmth, making them a warmer option than a glove of the same materials

Footwear

• Boots with thick, non-cotton socks can provide warmth when conditions are merely cold, but not wet or snowy
• Waterproof boots are the next step up, as they offer protection from snow and other wet conditions
• Look for footwear with good traction on snow or ice

Other Options

• Keep your hands or feet warmer by slipping a hand or foot warmer into your gloves or socks
• If you prefer non-disposable heat, look for rechargeable warmers, gloves, socks and insoles

Additional Layering Tips

• Don't wait to adjust layers. Throw on a shell at the first sign of sleet, snow, or wind & remove your insulated jacket the minute you start to sweat. Staying warm & dry is easier than warming up or drying out
• Cotton is a no-no in any layer. Cotton soaks up water & takes forever to dry out. That's a recipe for hypothermia
• Layers should play well together. The middle & outer layers need to glide on & off. When they fit too tightly with the layers beneath them, then adjustments become cumbersome, and you risk constricting circulation

Always remember, there are no hard, fast rules when layering for winter. Sometimes you might need less than three layers, other times, you will need more than three!!! It's always a good rule to have too many layers; it's easy to take one off, but if you go out unprepared, it's hard to add on a layer you don't have with you.

Got any tips for winter layering we've missed? Add your comment below.