From “bring a cardigan in case it gets cold” came “it’s better to wear layers, like an onion.” Both are advice from mothers and grandmothers to help keep us warm. But which of the two tips is better? One thick layer or several thin layers? The answer is nothing new. The Romans themselves already knew that wearing several layers of clothing was better against the cold than wearing one coat, no matter how thick it was.
They are known to have used some long wool tunics and placed them one on top of the other as needed. In some ways this may seem inconvenient. But it is much more useful against the cold.
It has been scientifically proven that wearing several layers of thin clothing is better than one thick one, because between the layers bags are formed which traps hot air, making us much warmer. But when it comes down to it, it’s not just about using multiple layers. If we want to dress like real professionals, there are more correct order to which we can turn.
Start with a breathable layer
The first layer of clothing, the one that fits the body, should be breathable. This is, as explained in the article on this topic by the author Huffington Postit’s because if not, sweat can get trapped between the first layer and the skin. Sweat is a mechanism our body uses to regulate temperature when it’s hot. This liquid is released onto the surface of the skin and then evaporates. It needs heat to evaporate, so it extracts it from the body, lowering body temperature. Since the purpose of wearing layers of clothing is to keep us warm, we may sweat, but if the sweat accumulates on the skin, temperature balance cannot be maintained. Besides, moisture stuck to the body This can harm the skin and make us feel cold.
Use multiple intermediate layers or just one, but always insulate.
The intermediate layers must be insulating to retain heat as much as possible. There are many options for this, but polar overlays This is a good option. One may be enough, unless we are going to a very cold place, in which case more may be needed.
The outer layer is very important
When dressing in layers, we should also pay special attention to our outer layers. It is recommended that this protect us from the wind and also for it to be waterproof. Thus, it will not only help us retain heat along with the other layers. This will also protect us from possible external agents that could be harmful.
If you don’t want to layer, use 3-in-1 clothes.
The purpose of layers is not only keep warm. They also serve to remove them since we need to cover less. In both cases we can also use one garment, but it already includes several removable layers. This is the case 3 in 1 jackets, which usually consist of a waterproof coat attached to a removable fleece lining. This way, we would only need to add a breathable inner layer and we would have everything: an insulating layer that can be separated, a thick layer and a waterproof outer layer.
This is ideal, but if you don’t have specific clothes on hand, try just layering them layer by layer, in no particular order. If it worked for the Romans with tunics, it might save us some trouble.
Source: Hiper Textual
