November outdoor tip: how to dress to stay warm

November often brings colder weather, but the bigger challenge is the damp. A damp day usually means low pressure, with grey skies and wind. The wind carries heat away from your body, and moisture soaks into your clothes. That's why a dry, high-pressure day below freezing can actually feel much warmer. 

Many people dress lighter when it's above zero, and they often end up cold, especially if they spend a lot of time standing still. On damp days above freezing, it's worth dressing warmly. You'll soon find you enjoy this kind of weather too.

Good layering starts, of course, with your base layer. Cotton holds a lot of moisture, so even if the rest of your kit is right, you can still end up cold. Don't forget socks and accessories either. They help keep the blood flowing to your hands and feet.

This November's outdoor tip is for your upper body, though. It's a layering trick that works for everything from day walks to demanding treks. Most of us who spend time outdoors have two trusted pieces in the wardrobe: a lightweight down jacket and a shell jacket. They often come along on hikes, but they're usually worn separately.

You can also combine what each one does best. The down jacket gives you lofty insulation, and the shell protects you from damp and wind. The combination works especially well on breaks and when you're sitting around at camp. For it to work, your shell needs to be roomy enough. If you've gone for a close-fitting shell, it may not fit over your down jacket.

The shell goes loosely  over the lightweight down jacket, so the insulation stays lofty. Compressed insulation doesn't keep you as warm. The shell keeps moisture out but lets moisture from your body escape. It blocks the wind and helps hold warm air in the insulation. That's why the two jackets together are so warm. A well-made waterproof winter jacket does the same job, of course, but a shell is made from tougher fabric than most winter jackets.

This combination still works in the hardest frosts of winter. If your jackets are roomy enough, you can fit a few more layers underneath. For example, wear a thin merino base layer top, a thicker merino top with a collar, and a wool jumper or a fleece. Then add the lightweight down jacket and the shell on top. Now you're ready for properly cold weather.