This post is an advertise in collaboration with Peak Performance Luleå.
Winter has arrived here in Gällivare and we’ve already had some really beautiful winter days with crispy air and a landscape all covered in snow. As the temperature drops, down jackets and warmer clothes come creeping out of the closet. Clothes layering for cold weather is a must. Me personally, I love when the temperature drops below -15ºc and the air is crisp. But if you’re going out exploring in the cold, how you dress plays a crucial roll in wether or not you will enjoy your day.
How to dress in layers
As I have written before, versatile and functional clothes is what I use the most. Clothes that you can wear on many occasions and all year around. You’ve probably heard that it’s good to dress in layers in order to stay dry and warm. You often hear about three layers, but in winter I usually dress in four. I tend to get cold easily and I’d rather undress if I get too hot, than walk around being cold all day.
I’ve put together a few good things to think about when it comes to clothes layering for colder days, so that you can enjoy your adventures even on colder days!
Peak Performance Teton ski jacket.
Base layer – to manage moisture and keep you dry
The base layer is what you have closest to your body. This layer has to transport the moisture off of your body when you sweat, and also keep you warm in the cold. If you’ve ever worn a cotton shirt while out hiking or being active, you probably know that you get cold immediately when you stop. When the shirt gets wet you’ll stay wet, and cold, for the rest of the day.
Merino wool is the best material to have closest to your body. It’s warm, transports moisture in a good way and keeps you warm even if it gets wet. My base layer is always wool, long sleeve pants and shirt for best comfort. These ones from Peak Performance comes in different colours and are made out of 50% merino wool and 46% Thermocool®, warm and comfortable.
Peak Performance base layer in wool and polyester – Multi long-sleeved base layer. Both pants and shirt.
Second Layer/Mid layer – For extra warmth
If you’re out in late spring or early autumn you might not need this extra layer. But when the temperature drops below -15, or as far as down to -30, I can’t be without it. What I wear as a second layer depends on the temperature and my activity. It can be ullfrotté, fleece, or a mix of wool and polyester. It all depends on the weather and what you are doing.
One type of second layer – Peak Performance Helo mid layer.
Third or Mid layer – for insulation
I change my third layer depending on temperature and activity. If I’m gonna be active, I wear something lighter. If I know I will be sitting still (like on a snowmobile) I wear something warmer. This jacket is perfect for activities somewhere in the middle, or on days with medium cold temperatures (-5 to -15). If it get’s really cold I would use my helium down jacket as insulating layer.
A good way to think about this layer is that it’s supposed to insulate the heat that your body produces. The air that this layer captures will get heated by your body temperature. The more air – the warmer you will be. A down jacket keeps plenty of warm air insulated and is therefore warmer then a thiner layer. When you choose sizes and gear – go with room to move and room for air.
Thiner insulation layer – Peak Performance Helo liner jacket.
Shell layer – for protection against the weather
Protective layer is the outermost layer that’s supposed to keep snow and wind outside. Good breathability is important combined with water resistance (the amount of water your protective layer will keep out). I would recommend somewhere from 5000 mm and up on the ’water column’, but I prefer 10000 or more. Why is this combination important? So that you can avoid getting wet when sitting in the snow and still keep dry when getting warm.
These ski pants are a new found love for me. The legs are straight so they are slim but not too slim. Also the legs are adjustable so that you can open up the bottom when you need room for ski boots or snowboard boots, but zip it when you want to use them walking or doing other things, so that the legs aren’t too wide. Have been searching for pants that allow that for ages!
If you are going to go out snowmobiling, snow shoeing or skiing – I recommend that you have proper gear that really keeps you dry. There is nothing worse than getting cold, wet and being stuck outside freezing. When I used to go snowboarding and splitboarding on pow-days, nothing but the best protective gear was thinkable. You don’t want to miss a day out in the snow just because you’re cold.
Nothing you do will be fun if you are cold. Want an amazing day exploring? DRESS WARM.
Protective layer – Peak Performance Teton ski jacket and Chani ski pants.
If nothing else works – get moving
Even if you dress according to every rule, you’ll still get cold every now and then. Never forget that the best way to make sure you stay warm during a cold day, is to move. When I get cold I usually tell Erik we need to go explore and we run around for a bit, or I jump on Markus and wrestle him. I always end up loosing, but a couple of minutes is all it takes to get warm again. Any activity that gets your blood pumping will do the trick. Don’t forget to wear proper socks and gloves as well. I almost always wear gloves, or mittens, were the fingers aren’t separated since it’s easier to stay warm that way.
If nothing else works, get a fire going and drink a really hot cup of coffee! ♡
Make conscious choices – for the planet
As we learn more and more about how our choices affect the planet, I want to pass on a thought about what fabric you choose. I’m not an expert on this, but in short and simple terms – polyester is plastic and not the best choice for the planet. Polyester is cheap and durable, which makes it popular in clothing, and sometimes it might be necessary. Also clothes that last longer is good for the environment, but it’s still good to be aware of what impact it has on nature.
Being aware of our choices is a good way forward. Buying clothes second hand and choosing natural fabrics as often as you can is a good start for change. You can also read more on how Peak Performance works with sustainability.
Here’s a short video I made from a day in Markus family cabin. Simple life. Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel on Youtube ♡
Even though this post is a collaboration together with the Peak Performance store in Luleå, all thoughts and words are my own. I wear these clothes on a daily basis and love them. What gear you might need depends on what activities you are doing. And never forget – old is gold! ♡
