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Step 1
Read or listen to a weather report. You will be most comfortable if you go prepared for the existing weather conditions. Choose your layers to suit the climate and the terrain. If you’re hiking from the top of the Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon National Park, for instance, you may go from frigid weather on top to something relatively balmy at Plateau Point. Dress to accommodate this change.
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Step 2
Select fabrics that wick sweat away from your body. Yes, sweat–it’s cold outside, but your layered clothing and your physical exertions are going to get you warm before you know it. Start with some good long underwear. These aren’t your grandfather’s old red long johns with the drop seat; today, you can choose from a multitude of fibers and weights to keep you just right for the environment.
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Step 3
Decide how many additional layers you need. You may want a turtleneck shirt and wool sweater or fleece topped with a weather-proof hooded jacket, or you may be okay with only a fleece jacket over your long underwear. You must be the judge. The trick is to put on the right layers to stay comfortable as your body warms up and as the day grows warmer or colder. Lined wind pants are great--not too warm, yet they cut the chill from the wind.
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Step 4
Remove layers as you grow warm. Don't wait too long to start peeling off layers; you don't want to grow so warm that your clothes become soaked in sweat, because those wet things will chill very rapidly when exposed to the cold air. Put layers back on as the day becomes cooler.
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Step 5
Wear a hat, tuck a scarf around your neck and put liners in your gloves; you can peel these layers off with relative ease and they are very easy to carry.
