What you should know about clothes for the cold season

Short answer: In winter the innermost layer does the most, not the outermost. If the base layer is damp, it cools the skin however good the outerwear is.

The base layer first

Moisture against the skin cools. A layer that moves the moisture on is what stops you getting cold after sweating. See bamboo undershirt for men.

Two thin beat one thick

The air between the layers insulates. See bamboo underwear for men.

The legs get forgotten

Most people put three layers on top and one below. See bamboo long johns.

The feet

Room in the shoe matters more than thickness. If the air is squeezed out of a thick sock in a tight shoe, it insulates worse than a thin one would have. See all bamboo socks for men.

Wash without fabric softener

Fabric softener cancels the moisture transport in the base layer and puts the whole system out of action. See washing and care.

Frequently asked questions

Which layer matters most in winter?

The innermost one. If it is damp, it cools the skin whatever you wear over it.

Are thick socks warmest?

Not in a tight shoe. If the air is squeezed out, the sock insulates worse.

What do most people forget?

A layer on the legs. Typically three layers go on top and one below.