What to Wear for Different Outdoor Activities
There isn't one layering system that works perfectly for every outdoor activity.
The amount of heat your body produces can vary enormously between a strenuous uphill walk, sitting around a campsite, riding a motorcycle or spending a day on the water. Weather, wind, altitude and how frequently you stop also affect the clothing you need.
The basic principles of layering remain the same: manage moisture next to the skin, add insulation when required and use an outer layer to protect you from the weather. The difference is how those layers are combined for each activity.
If you're new to layering, start with our Outdoor Layering System guide before looking at the activity-specific suggestions below.
Walking & Hiking
Walking can involve everything from a gentle low-level summer walk to a winter day in the mountains, so flexibility is particularly important.
In warm conditions, a lightweight technical top that helps move moisture away from your skin may be all you need while you're moving. Sub Zero Cool-T and All Active clothing are designed for more active conditions where managing heat and moisture is important.
When temperatures fall, a thermal base layer such as Factor 1 Plus can provide additional warmth without excessive bulk. An insulating mid layer can then be carried or worn depending on the conditions.
For colder walks, consider:
- a thermal base layer
- an insulating mid layer
- a windproof or waterproof outer layer
- suitable walking socks
- gloves and a warm hat
Conditions can change quickly in exposed areas, so carrying an additional insulating layer can be useful even if you don't need it when setting off.
Trail Running & Running
Running generates considerable body heat, so clothing that feels slightly cool when you first step outside can become comfortable once you're moving.
Lightweight, moisture-managing clothing is normally preferable to heavy insulation. Cool-T and All Active garments are suited to highly aerobic activities where heat and perspiration need to be managed.
In colder weather, a lightweight thermal base layer can provide extra insulation, while a light wind-resistant outer layer can help on exposed routes.
Avoid adding too much insulation at the start. Multiple lightweight layers provide more flexibility than one very warm garment.
Cycling & Mountain Biking
Cycling combines relatively high physical activity with additional cooling from moving through the air.
A moisture-managing layer next to the skin helps deal with perspiration during harder efforts, while additional insulation may be useful in colder conditions.
Wind protection becomes increasingly important as temperatures fall, particularly on long descents when your activity level drops but your speed remains high.
For longer rides, lightweight layers that can be removed and packed away give you more flexibility as conditions change.
Camping
Camping presents a different challenge because your activity level can vary dramatically throughout the day.
You might be warm while walking, pitching a tent or preparing camp, but become considerably colder once you stop moving in the evening.
A flexible combination of base layer and insulating mid layer works particularly well. In colder conditions, adding thermal leggings underneath your normal trousers can also increase warmth without requiring particularly bulky clothing.
A warm hat, gloves and dry socks can make a considerable difference around camp.
For overnight trips, keeping a dry set of clothing specifically for the evening or sleeping can also be useful if the clothing worn during the day has become damp.
Skiing & Snow Sports
Skiing and other snow sports combine cold conditions with periods of considerable physical activity.
A thermal base layer helps provide warmth while managing moisture next to the skin. An insulating mid layer can then provide additional warmth, with a suitable ski jacket and trousers forming the protective outer layer.
The amount of insulation required will depend on temperature, wind, altitude and how active you are.
Pay particular attention to your extremities. Suitable gloves, socks, neck protection and headwear can all play an important role in maintaining comfort in cold mountain conditions.
Mountaineering & Expeditions
More demanding mountain and expedition environments require careful clothing selection because conditions may be severe and opportunities to find shelter limited.
A versatile system normally begins with a moisture-managing base layer, followed by one or more insulating layers and suitable weather protection.
For colder conditions, heavier thermal layers such as Factor 2 can provide substantially more insulation than lightweight base layers.
The important consideration is adaptability. Clothing needs to cope with periods of strenuous movement as well as stops, changing weather, wind and potentially significant changes in temperature or altitude.
Gloves, headwear, neck protection and suitable socks should be considered part of the complete system rather than optional extras.
Climbing
Climbing clothing needs to balance warmth, moisture management and freedom of movement.
Approaches and more strenuous sections of a climb can generate considerable heat, while belaying or remaining stationary can cause you to cool rapidly.
A lightweight base layer combined with an insulating layer that can be added during less active periods provides useful flexibility.
For exposed outdoor climbing, wind protection can be particularly valuable because wind can increase the rate at which you lose heat.
Canoeing, Kayaking & Paddle Sports
Paddle sports can involve high levels of physical activity while also exposing you to wind, spray and cold water.
A suitable layer next to the skin should help manage moisture and remain comfortable if it becomes damp. Additional insulation can then be selected according to the water temperature, weather and type of activity.
Your clothing system also needs to work with the specialist protective equipment required for your particular paddlesport.
Remember that conditions on the water can feel considerably cooler than they do on land, particularly when wind increases.
Rowing
Rowing is a highly aerobic activity, so overheating can be as much of a consideration as keeping warm.
A lightweight moisture-managing layer such as Cool-T or All Active can be worn next to the skin, with additional lightweight layers added in colder conditions.
Historically, Sub Zero Factor 1 garments have been popular with rowers because additional thin layers can be removed as exercise intensity increases.
Legs often require less insulation while actively rowing than the upper body, although this will depend on the individual and conditions.
Once you stop exercising, add an insulating or wind-resistant layer promptly to reduce cooling.
Motorcycling
Motorcycling differs from most of the activities in this guide because the rider can experience considerable wind cooling without generating the same level of body heat as someone walking or running.
During warmer weather, lightweight technical clothing underneath motorcycle clothing can help manage perspiration.
In winter, insulation becomes considerably more important. Thermal base and mid layers can provide warmth underneath protective motorcycle clothing without the bulk of conventional everyday clothing.
Factor 2 has traditionally been particularly popular with motorcyclists looking for additional insulation in cold conditions.
Your thermal clothing should always work alongside appropriate specialist protective motorcycle clothing and equipment.
Diving
Thermal clothing worn underneath a dry suit has different requirements from conventional outdoor layering.
Historically, Factor 2 garments have been used by divers as insulating layers beneath dry suits. The fabric provides warmth without relying solely on a very thick pile construction.
Factor 2 separates can also provide flexibility when selecting insulation for different conditions.
Diving involves specialist equipment and potentially significant risks, so thermal clothing should always be selected according to the type of diving, water temperature, dry-suit system and appropriate professional or equipment-manufacturer guidance.
Outdoor Work & Cold-Weather Work
People working outdoors may spend many hours exposed to cold, wind and changing weather while alternating between physical work and less active periods.
A layering system makes it easier to adapt clothing throughout the working day.
A thermal base layer provides the foundation in colder weather. An insulating mid layer can then provide additional warmth without excessive bulk, while the appropriate workwear or weatherproof clothing forms the outer layer.
For physically demanding work, being able to remove or ventilate insulating layers can help prevent excessive heat and moisture building up inside your clothing.
Adapt Your Clothing to the Conditions
These recommendations are starting points rather than fixed clothing rules.
Two people doing exactly the same activity in the same conditions may prefer very different amounts of insulation. Weather, temperature, wind, exposure, activity level and personal preference all influence what will be comfortable.
A flexible layering system allows you to adapt.
Rather than asking simply “What should I wear?”, consider:
- How hard will I be working?
- How cold will the conditions be?
- Will I be exposed to wind or rain?
- Will I spend long periods standing still?
- Can I easily add or remove clothing?
- What happens if the weather becomes worse?
Planning around those questions will help you build a clothing system appropriate for both the activity and the conditions.