THE ART OF LAYERING WITH THE NORTH FACE
THE ART OF LAYERING WITH THE NORTH FACE
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Quickview →Sure, we were born in it, we’re used to the cold and the northern winds, but there’s always that period of the year when we realize our nordic roots aren't enough to not be bothered by the Winter elements. Layering is made for these moments, when it gets so cold it surpasses our ability to cope with rough weather.
In this case, a day inside watching Netflix and playing video games can sure be an interesting choice. That being said, if you’re like the TNF crew and playing outside on a regular basis is much more important to you than playing the latest Call of Duty, this article is for you!
Layering is also known as the onion technique. As we all know, an onion has several layers. That’s the goal here.
Imagine going snowboarding early in the morning at -40 celcius. You will most definitely be happy to have the warmest jacket one can put his hands on, but when the sun comes out around 1 pm, you’re most likely to end up spending the rest of the day in a damp jacket. That’s why layers are the secret to any great Winter day outside. Take em off or put them back on as the weather flows.
The North Face has some of the best products on the market for all things outdoors related, including of course all the essentials it takes for layering properly. Stylish, warm and breathable clothing that keeps the cold out and the heat in all while offering great moisture managing and breathability. As for the style, well, it's TNF... Y'all already know the gear is Stylish as can be.
The Layers
The base layer
The base layer of a good layering kit should be light, close to the skin and made of synthetic materials like Polyester or Merino Wool. Avoid Cotton at all costs as this material is not as breathable as the other ones. This first layer is used for maximum heat retention and above all, moisture management. At this level, products like the Warm Poly Top Layer from TNF is one of our go to's.
This one is one of the the smoothest first layer on the market and will be a great start for your layering kit. With its anti-sweat construction, incredible breathability and FlashDry fabric technology keeping you nice and dry at all times, it’s the ultimate tool to feel free and warm while enjoying a day outside this Winter.
Once you have your base layer, it is time to move to the second one, the “mid layer”, which is just as important as the base layer.
The mid layer
The layer most people forget about. The secondary or Mid-layer has a very special and important role as it provides adequate insulation. Meaning it’s the layer that will keep you warm. It also represents the part of your kit that is easy to remove if heat comes in the middle of the day. For your second layer, the experts at TNF are proposing some of the most comfortable, durable and warm polar fleece on the market. Wool and down can also be a good alternative, but the fleeces are actually ideal for snowboarding.
A great example in the new TNF range is the new Gordon Lyons jacket, a heavyweight, sweater-knit fleece full-zip jacket for thermal insulation in cold conditions. The 95 retro Denali fleece jacket is also a must and one of our favorite second layers. In the puffy jacket department, the famous Thermoball won’t disappoint and will also do the trick just fine as a second layer!
Shop the TNF Insulated Thermoball →
Shop the TNF Retro Denali Polar Jacket →
Shop the TNF Gordon Lyons Jacket →
The outer layer
Last but not least, the last layer of your kit. This one’s function is to protect yourself from the elements. With the base layer and the secondary layer, you don’t really have to aim for the warmest of jackets, you just need something that will complete the other two layer’s job. To make it simple, you need something that’s waterproof and that blocks the wind.
TNF knows what’s up in that domain and offers a range of jackets just as stylish and technically advanced as each other to complete a proper layering. Among our favorite models from The North Face, the 1994 Retro Mountain Light Futurelight Jacket. This one is stylish and features lightweight FUTURELIGHT™ fabric for incredible breathability and waterproofing. Exactly what we need.
Shop the TNF Futurelight Jacket →
Shop the TNF Women's Gatekeeper insulated jacket →
The Triclimate jackets
If you don’t want to invest in a few different layers, The North Face also has exactly what you need with the Triclimate jackets. Those already include the second and last layers of your kit, so all you need to think about is to put on your base layer in the morning and you’ll be able to get your layering situation straight!
Shop The TNF Men's Clement Triclimate Jacket →
Shop the TNF Men's Apex Storm Peak Triclimate Jacket →
Bonus pro secret: control your sweating
Knowing how to listen to your body, in addition to wearing a good layering setup, is the ultimate key to never suffer from Quebec’s extreme cold. Why? Because your goal throughout your day or evening outside is ultimately to limit your sweating and to prevent moisture between your layers. When you feel that things are getting hotter, don’t hesitate to take a little break, to remove your first two layers and to let them breathe for a while. Give your body the time to go back to a stable temperature and get back to what you were doing!