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Clothing for Walking

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<html> <head> <title>Clothing for Walking</title> </head> <body> <h1>Clothing for Walking</h1> <div class="info">Author: <a href="author_1_5516.html">Gareth Sear</a></div><div class="body">The right clothing is essential to ensure you have an enjoyable walk. Check the weather forecast and make sure you are dressed properly. Think of the three layer system. Base Layer (next to skin), mid layer (warmth), outer layer (waterproof and/or windproof). We will look at the three layers separately that go on top, and then we'll talk about the bottom half. Base layers Base layers are generally synthetic, though merino wool is making a very strong come back. Base layers are deigned to wick the moisture away from your skin and out to the next layer, or if the weather is good, out to the fresh air. This will help to keep you warm and comfortable as having wet clothing next to the skin will draw the heat away from you body very quickly. These come in a selection of fabrics. Generally the more you pay the better they are. Some are very close fitting, this will help make them more efficient in moisture transfer and provide a slight compress to the muscles that can help reduce fatigue and ache. Don’t wear cotton. This will absorb the moisture well, then keep it there, next to your skin causing chafing from rucksack straps and rapid cooling of the body. This will affect the performance of your breathable waterproof jacket. Base layers are generally quick and easy to wash and dry quickly, important if you are out on a long distance trail and want to keep clean without carrying too much kit. Mid Layers Mid layers provide the essential warmth that you need when out in the hills walking. Mid layers come in various guises and costs. They will often be used as an outer layer so think about what you look good in. Fleece is generally the accepted material for mid layer warmth and comfort. Again, a synthetic material that is designed to move the moisture away and onto the next layer. Mid layers come in a variety of fabric weights. Generally these have been divided into 100, 200 and 300 weight. This relates directly to the weight/warmth ratios that Polartec gave their fabrics. 100 weight makes a great lightweight mid layer that is fine for summer walks and balmy evenings. Again, quick drying and great to take travelling to warm climes for the odd chilly night. These fleeces usually come in over the head styles. 200 weight fleece is the most common and good for many uses. They can come in jacket form with pockets or over the head. Great for year round use. 300 weight fleece is, you may have guessed by now, the warmest. Therefore go for this weight if you are going to colder places, using it mostly in the winter or feel the cold a bit more. There are many many variations on a theme with fleece fabrics. Some have a larger pile on the inside, and a tighter pile on the outside. This can help reduce wind getting in and help moisture move from the inside to the outside. Some fleece give a better pack to warmth ratio, others a better warmth to weight ratio. Again with fleece often the more you pay the better quality you get and longer it will keep its warmth after being washed and worn. See our <a href="http://www.walkandtravel.com/advice/productcare/index.asp" >product care guide</a> on how to look after your mid layers. Outer Layers Why do you need these? You need an outer layer to keep the rain off and keep the wind out. These two things will really keep you warm and comfortable when you are out walking. There are two main types of outer layer, <a href="http://www.walkandtravel.com/products/?0,0,0,41,1" target="_blank">waterproof jackets</a>; sometimes called raincoats, anoraks, cagoules, macs and I’m sure many other names. They all have a common purpose, keeping you dry and keeping the wind out. They all do this to different levels and with a waterproof jacket; you really do get what you pay for. However, do be careful that you don’t pay a fortune for a jacket that could be over the top for what you are doing. Waterproof jackets are made from many different fabrics, ranging from, essentially a plastic bag, to specially woven fabrics that work in layers such as Ventile Fabric and Paramo Fabric. The most common will be a coated fabric, and the coating will vary in levels of breathability from nothing to a high level of breathability. The coatings you may have heard of are PU (not breathable), Gore-Tex, Sympatex, Event, Triplepoint and many other own brands such as North Face Hyvent. Most of these are a PTFE membrane that is bonded to the outer fabric shell. Breathability is important to help keep you dry and comfortable. Breathability allows water vapour to escaper from the inside of the jacket thus reducing condensation build up. What it won’t do, as many people believe it would, is stop you sweating and stop you getting damp on the inside. If you stopped sweating you would probably die, and breathable fabrics, though good cannot disperse all moisture build up in a jacket. Especially in the climate you get in the UK. Still, it is important to get a breathable jacket as it will help to move moisture away from your body. It is important to care for your waterproof jacket properly to help ensure it keeps it breathability and waterproofness. Please look at our <a href="http://www.walkandtravel.com/advice/productcare/index.asp" >product care guide</a> for more information on this. Paramo and Ventile Jackets work different way. They do not have any coatings to help keep you dry but rely on the make up of the fabric. Paramo works along the lines of animal fur and has a brushed inner, which is like a fur, this actively wicks the moisture away from the inner of the jacket then onto the out fabric. The outer fabric has a water repellent finish that helps to stop the water coming in. Between the two they make a very good and very breathable fabric. Some people feel that the down side is the weight of the fabric. Though they have now reduced this by 25% Paramo is used for many types of outdoor activity right up to full on mountaineering, but a lot of bird watchers and animal watchers choose Paramo due to its very soft drape and almost noiseless rustle. Ventile Fabric is cotton, and was developed during the Second World War as a fighter pilot suit. It is again, a quiet fabric, and very breathable. Only the two layer versions are fully waterproof, though single layer is almost as good as. Obviously it is extremely hard wearing and if you are working in the outdoors where you could be making fires, cotton is a safer choice of fabric. Important things to look for when choosing an outer layer: How breathable is it? How noisy is the fabric? What is the weight of the jacket? How comfortable is it – try it on with a pack. Think about the hood, does it provide enough protection for your face? Has it got a wired (best) or a stiffened peak so it doesn’t flop into your face. Draw cord waist? Draw cord hem? Are the pockets right for what you are doing? Chest pockets are good as waist pockets may be hindered by a rucksack waist belt. Does it have a map pocket and if so can you fit your map in it? (personally I always use a <a href="http://www.walkandtravel.com/products/?0,0,0,33,12" target="_blank">map case)</a> How long is the jacket – some are short for active use, some are longer for general walking. Look at how many seams it has. More seams mean more tape to cover them and this means a slight reduction in breathability. That’s the top half, what about the bottom half? What to wear on your bottom half Same principles – think about the 3 layers, even for your underwear. Go for active underwear made from high wicking synthetic fabrics, not cotton! Walking trousers again vary immensely in fabrics, weights, costs and features. Aim for something at least made from Polycotton. This fabric will help block out wind and importantly will be fast drying and fairly lightweight. Other fabrics will be lighter, tougher more wicking and will dry faster. The most important thing to remember is not to wear something like denim jeans, these are heavy and if you get them wet, will take forever to dry and draw the heat away from your body. Leave them at home… even tracksuit trousers are better. If it is cold think about getting a pair of fleece lined trousers, long johns or fleece tights, depending on what level of warmth you need. I tend to go for the long john option as I can then use the same trousers in the summer and winter. Trouser outer layers are an important consideration. Again you can spend a lot of money on these and are similar fabrics to the upper body outer layer. Think about how much you are going to use them and what you are using them for. Most people go for a mid range on these as you don’t get such a high build of moisture on the inside of them, so don’t always need the high levels of breathability, but still have some and of course, they are waterproof. There are, of course, many more fabrics, styles, types, of outdoor clothing you can go for, so if have any questions please do ask me before you buy by email. Happy shopping and remember buying proper outdoor clothing will make your walking much more comfortable and a lot safer. </div> <div class="source">Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlealley.com/article_113938_29.html">http://www.articlealley.com/article_113938_29.html</a></div> <div class="author"> <div class="authorBio">Gareth Sear has been involved in the outdoors industry for over ten years. Through this time and experience in 'going out there' he has built up a huge knowledge of walking, camping, travelling and most things associated with this. Has a great understanding of travel accessories and walking accessories.</div> <div class="authorUrl"><a href="http://www.walkandtravel.com" target="_blank">http://www.walkandtravel.com</a></div></author> </body> </html>

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Clothing for Walking Author: Gareth Sear The right clothing is essential to ensure you have an enjoyable walk. Check the weather forecast and make sure you are dressed properly. Think of the three layer system. Base Layer (next to skin), mid layer (warmth), outer layer (waterproof and/or windproof). We will look at the three layers separately that go on top, and then we'll talk about the bottom half. Base layers Base layers are generally synthetic, though merino wool is making a very strong come back. Base layers are deigned to wick the moisture away from your skin and out to the next layer, or if the weather is good, out to the fresh air. This will help to keep you warm and comfortable as having wet clothing next to the skin will draw the heat away from you body very quickly. These come in a selection of fabrics. Generally the more you pay the better they are. Some are very close fitting, this will help make them more efficient in moisture transfer and provide a slight compress to the muscles that can help reduce fatigue and ache. Don’t wear cotton. This will absorb the moisture well, then keep it there, next to your skin causing chafing from rucksack straps and rapid cooling of the body. This will affect the performance of your breathable waterproof jacket. Base layers are generally quick and easy to wash and dry quickly, important if you are out on a long distance trail and want to keep clean without carrying too much kit. Mid Layers Mid layers provide the essential warmth that you need when out in the hills walking. Mid layers come in various guises and costs. They will often be used as an outer layer so think about what you look good in. Fleece is generally the accepted material for mid layer warmth and comfort. Again, a synthetic material that is designed to move the moisture away and onto the next layer. Mid layers come in a variety of fabric weights. Generally these have been divided into 100, 200 and 300 weight. This relates directly to the weight/warmth ratios that Polartec gave their fabrics. 100 weight makes a great lightweight mid layer that is fine for summer walks and balmy evenings. Again, quick drying and great to take travelling to warm climes for the odd chilly night. These fleeces usually come in over the head styles. 200 weight fleece is the most common and good for many uses. They can come in jacket form with pockets or over the head. Great for year round use. 300 weight fleece is, you may have guessed by now, the warmest. Therefore go for this weight if you are going to colder places, using it mostly in the winter or feel the cold a bit more. There are many many variations on a theme with fleece fabrics. Some have a larger pile on the inside, and a tighter pile on the outside. This can help reduce wind getting in and help moisture move from the inside to the outside. Some fleece give a better pack to warmth ratio, others a better warmth to weight ratio. Again with fleece often the more you pay the better quality you get and longer it will keep its warmth after being washed and worn. See our product care guide on how to look after your mid layers. Outer Layers Why do you need these? You need an outer layer to keep the rain off and keep the wind out. These two things will really keep you warm and comfortable when you are out walking. There are two main types of outer layer, waterproof jackets; sometimes called raincoats, anoraks, cagoules, macs and I’m sure many other names. They all have a common purpose, keeping you dry and keeping the wind out. They all do this to different levels and with a waterproof jacket; you really do get what you pay for. However, do be careful that you don’t pay a fortune for a jacket that could be over the top for what you are doing. Waterproof jackets are made from many different fabrics, ranging from, essentially a plastic bag, to specially woven fabrics that work in layers such as Ventile Fabric and Paramo Fabric. The most common will be a coated fabric, and the coating will vary in levels of breathability from nothing to a high level of breathability. The coatings you may have heard of are PU (not breathable), Gore-Tex, Sympatex, Event, Triplepoint and many other own brands such as North Face Hyvent. Most of these are a PTFE membrane that is bonded to the outer fabric shell. Breathability is important to help keep you dry and comfortable. Breathability allows water vapour to escaper from the inside of the jacket thus reducing condensation build up. What it won’t do, as many people believe it would, is stop you sweating and stop you getting damp on the inside. If you stopped sweating you would probably die, and breathable fabrics, though good cannot disperse all moisture build up in a jacket. Especially in the climate you get in the UK. Still, it is important to get a breathable jacket as it will help to move moisture away from your body. It is important to care for your waterproof jacket properly to help ensure it keeps it breathability and waterproofness. Please look at our product care guide for more information on this. Paramo and Ventile Jackets work different way. They do not have any coatings to help keep you dry but rely on the make up of the fabric. Paramo works along the lines of animal fur and has a brushed inner, which is like a fur, this actively wicks the moisture away from the inner of the jacket then onto the out fabric. The outer fabric has a water repellent finish that helps to stop the water coming in. Between the two they make a very good and very breathable fabric. Some people feel that the down side is the weight of the fabric. Though they have now reduced this by 25% Paramo is used for many types of outdoor activity right up to full on mountaineering, but a lot of bird watchers and animal watchers choose Paramo due to its very soft drape and almost noiseless rustle. Ventile Fabric is cotton, and was developed during the Second World War as a fighter pilot suit. It is again, a quiet fabric, and very breathable. Only the two layer versions are fully waterproof, though single layer is almost as good as. Obviously it is extremely hard wearing and if you are working in the outdoors where you could be making fires, cotton is a safer choice of fabric. Important things to look for when choosing an outer layer: How breathable is it? How noisy is the fabric? What is the weight of the jacket? How comfortable is it – try it on with a pack. Think about the hood, does it provide enough protection for your face? Has it got a wired (best) or a stiffened peak so it doesn’t flop into your face. Draw cord waist? Draw cord hem? Are the pockets right for what you are doing? Chest pockets are good as waist pockets may be hindered by a rucksack waist belt. Does it have a map pocket and if so can you fit your map in it? (personally I always use a map case) How long is the jacket – some are short for active use, some are longer for general walking. Look at how many seams it has. More seams mean more tape to cover them and this means a slight reduction in breathability. That’s the top half, what about the bottom half? What to wear on your bottom half Same principles – think about the 3 layers, even for your underwear. Go for active underwear made from high wicking synthetic fabrics, not cotton! Walking trousers again vary immensely in fabrics, weights, costs and features. Aim for something at least made from Polycotton. This fabric will help block out wind and importantly will be fast drying and fairly lightweight. Other fabrics will be lighter, tougher more wicking and will dry faster. The most important thing to remember is not to wear something like denim jeans, these are heavy and if you get them wet, will take forever to dry and draw the heat away from your body. Leave them at home… even tracksuit trousers are better. If it is cold think about getting a pair of fleece lined trousers, long johns or fleece tights, depending on what level of warmth you need. I tend to go for the long john option as I can then use the same trousers in the summer and winter. Trouser outer layers are an important consideration. Again you can spend a lot of money on these and are similar fabrics to the upper body outer layer. Think about how much you are going to use them and what you are using them for. Most people go for a mid range on these as you don’t get such a high build of moisture on the inside of them, so don’t always need the high levels of breathability, but still have some and of course, they are waterproof. There are, of course, many more fabrics, styles, types, of outdoor clothing you can go for, so if have any questions please do ask me before you buy by email. Happy shopping and remember buying proper outdoor clothing will make your walking much more comfortable and a lot safer. Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_113938_29.html About the Author: Gareth Sear has been involved in the outdoors industry for over ten years. Through this time and experience in 'going out there' he has built up a huge knowledge of walking, camping, travelling and most things associated with this. Has a great understanding of travel accessories and walking accessories. http://www.walkandtravel.com

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