Layering

The human body is comfortable when heat production is balanced by heat loss. Therefore, you wear lots of clothes when you are cold and remove them layer by layer as you get warm. Clothing is classified into four layering categories, according to principle function:

• Base layer keeps your skin comfortable.
• Clothing layer absorbs moisture and provides some insulation.
• Insulation layer provides additional warmth.
• Outer shell layer protects against wind, rain, snow and sun.

Today's modern garments help you create a versatile, thermally efficient, and convenient way of dressing for all your outdoor activities.

BASE LAYER
To regulate body temperature, it's important for the first layer to breathe and allow moisture vapor to escape through the garment. Fabrics move, or wick, perspiration away from the skin to where it can evaporate; keeping you drier, your body temperature in check, and your skin comfortable. No single product is good for all activities. Assess your needs, and determine which type will be the most comfortable.

• How hot/cold will it be?
• Are you warm blooded or cold blooded?
• What activities will you be participating in?
• How active will you be?
• Will you be in a dry or wet environment?

In hot weather, loose, absorbent clothing is preferred by most people. Air can flow freely next to the skin, cooling and drying, while perspiration is absorbed by the material. Cotton, silk, and even wool feel comfortable in the heat. For high activity warm weather sports, your best bet is a fabric that lies close to the skin, wicks perspiration away from the body, and allows body heat to escape. In cool weather you want the warmth of dry, snug-fitting garments against your skin. If your perspiration rate is low, it doesn't matter whether this layer is made of natural or synthetic fibers. However, if you are active and perspiring, or if the climate is wet, synthetic fibers keep your skin drier than natural fibers. For high activity cold weather sports you want fabrics that wick perspiration away and retain body heat.

STYLE AND FEATURES
Whether as the only layer in warm weather or the first layer in cold weather, styling, construction, fiber, and fabric all contribute to the performance of a base layer piece. Body heat is generated in your torso, underarms, and crotch. Open necks or adjustable zippers and plackets allow heat to escape, whereas closed or high necks hold body heat in. Gussets, in the underarm of tops and the crotch of pants, allow greater mobility. When made of a high performance fiber mesh, they also aid moisture management in these heat producing areas. In high activity sports, seams should be finished as flat as possible, and placed so they don't chafe when you move.

FIBERS AND FABRICS
Natural fibers such as cotton, wool and silk, and the fabrics made from them, all have some insulating properties (the least being cotton). They are, however, absorbent and slower to dry which makes them better for low activity use, especially in cold weather.

• COTTON can be improved on by blending it with another fiber. For example, a cycling shirt made from a blend of Coolmax and cotton will dry faster than an all cotton shirt and move the moisture away from the skin.
• SILK, due to its hollow nature, preserves body temperature and breathes well, but dries slowly and requires care in cleaning (no bleach or high temperatures and gentle soap).
• WOOL wicks away moisture and will insulate even when wet, but is slow to dry. It requires care in cleaning, (no bleach or high temperatures and gentle soap) and many people find it irritating next to the skin. Synthetic fibers and fabrics can be engineered to provide specific properties and dry faster than natural fibers, thus performing better for high activity sports.
• CAPILENE (Patagonia) is a solid hydrophobic polyester fiber with a Capilene treated surface. This chemically altered surface is hydrophilic causing the fiber to wick better than other synthetic fibers. It can be machine washed and dried with minimal shrinkage and has an antimicrobial finish to retard bacterial growth. It is available in 5 weights for a range of temperatures.
• COOLMAX fabric is knit from a polyester, hydrophobic fiber; grooved on the outside for greater moisture evaporation (dries faster than polypropylene) and wicking. It is good for high activity levels in warm weather or cold, if blended with a thermal fiber for insulation.
• LIFA (Helly Hansen) is a polypropylene worsted-knit with wicking and insulating capabilities. It is also available in Prolite and stretch versions.
• POLARTEC SERIES 100 is light weight with exceptional moisture-wicking properties. It is available in four weights to provide comfort in a variety of weather conditions and activity levels: expedition and mid-weight velour (for more extreme conditions), interlock, and a light weight rib. There is also a four way stretch Series 100S. All have an antimicrobial finish and absorb little moisture but can shrink some in a hot dryer. Bipolar technology is a way of engineering fabrics with different properties outside and inside. In the Polartec 100 series Bipolar fabric, the thicker, brushed yarn on the inside insulates 10-20% better than regular Polartec and absorbs moisture but feels dry. The outside yarn attracts water to its slightly waffled surface which aids evaporation, drying 20% faster than polyester.
• POLARTEC SERIES 100M (Microfiber) is an ultra-light weight, double-sided, microfiber, pile fabric that combines the durability and performance of Polartec fabrics with a soft, chamois-like finish: ideal for intermediate thermal layer shirts and linings. The tight construction of the advanced microfiber yarn improves wind resistance and reduces drag when actively cycling or skiing.
• POLYPROPYLENE fiber is lightweight and capable of transporting moisture. It will insulate when wet, but can retain odors and will melt at medium heat. It is distributed under many brand names.
• PROCORE (Hind) is a rayon/polyester fabric that both absorbs and transports moisture but has thermal properties to retain warmth.
• THERMAX is a fine polyester fiber, with a kidney shaped cross section that promotes wicking, and has a hollow core to retain warmth, even in damp weather. It is soft, shrink resistant, and machine washable and dryable, though it dries more slowly than both polypropylene (polypro) and Thermastat.
• THERMASTAT is a fine, hollow core, polyester fiber that wicks away moisture 40% faster and is 23% warmer than Thermax. It is soft, machine washable and dryable, and shrink resistant.

CLOTHING LAYER
This layer provides more insulation, some protection from the elements, and absorbs perspiration. For most fibers, warmth results from trapping air and keeping it from swirling around, so there is no transference of heat. In addition to knowing your activity level and environmental conditions, you should also take into consideration:

• Your base layer. What style and fabric is it?
• Will you be wearing a jacket? Insulated or not? Waterproof? Breathable?

The most versatile of all, this clothing can be worn as one of many layers, alone or as the outer layer. Everyday clothing only needs to fit and be aesthetically pleasing. When the climate &/or activity changes, however, the performance of the clothing layer can make the difference between comfort and misery. A snug-fitting, absorbent clothing layer is the most comfortable for active use. Sweat transported by the inner layers either evaporates or is absorbed and/or transported by the outer clothing. The amount transported depends on the fiber, fabric, and fit of the garments. The air between clothing layers gives additional warmth, so the fit and closures of your clothing are important for temperature regulation.

STYLE AND FEATURES
Again, the styling, construction, fiber and fabric of this layer all contribute to its performance. Shirts, placketed pullovers, and jackets are easily vented at the neck and, sometimes, the cuff. Vests are versatile, as they are easily layered under a jacket but can be worn alone to retain heat in the torso area (where the heart and organs are). They are particularly good for highly active sports.

FIBERS AND FABRICS

• COTTON sweaters, pants, shorts, shirts, fleece, and knitwear are popular for leisure wear. Cotton absorbs moisture and dries slowly, which keeps you cool in hot weather but will chill you to the bone in cold weather. (This is why jeans are not a good choice for the ski slopes.)
• WOOL is good in cold weather at all levels of activity. It provides good insulation (wet or dry) but requires special care and smells when wet.
• NON-PILLING FLEECE, performance fabrics are one of the most popular choices for the clothing layer. They wick moisture, dry quickly, and insulate well, even when whet. They are odor-resistant, washable, and colorfast, but will shrink if put in a hot dryer. Their resistance to pilling will vary and is usually reflected in the price. These double-faced, polyester, fleece products are available in a variety of weights. The heaviest is primarily used as an outer layer, but in extreme cold can function as a clothing/ insulation layer.
            Polartec Series 200 and 300 (Malden Mills)
            Dyertech/Dyersport (Dyersburg Fabrics)
            Synchilla original and lightweight (Dyersburg Fabrics for Patagonia)
            Chinella and Chinella Lite (Menra Mills)
  Performance fleece products made of recycled polyester (soda bottles) include: DyerTech E.C.O. (Dyersburg Fabrics), PCR Synchilla (Patagonia), and Polartec Recycled. For maximum freedom of movement and durability; single-faced, lightweight fleece is constructed with a nylon/Lycra outer surface that stretches, and resists abrasive surfaces. The soft, low pile inner surface wicks and siphons moisture away from the body.
            Activist Fleece (Patagonia)
            Polartec Series 200PS (Power Stretch by Malden Mills)
• EL CAPILENE FLEECE (Patagonia) is a lightweight, fine-gauge, Capilene-treated polyester fabric (heavily brushed outside and lightly fuzzed on the inside) that wicks moisture away from the skin to the outside of the fabric.
• RETRO PILE (Patagonia) is a single-faced, coarse pile that is the bulkiest of the polyester piles.

ACCESSORIES
Hats, balaclavas, scarves, gloves and socks are a integral part of your layering system. They are available in both base layer and clothing layer fabrications; with or without insulation or shell fabrics. A hat is essential, since up to 90% of your body heat can be lost through an uncovered head. Ear flaps, headbands and earmuffs provide good ear coverage. Gloves should fit (not too tight) with no gaps. Mittens are warmer than gloves since they keep the fingers together, but you have much better dexterity with gloves. In cold weather, an outer, insulated mitten over a base layer glove is a good compromise.

Our extensive selection of name brand outdoor clothing includes casual, travel, work and active wear for women, men and children. We carry: Marmot, Royal Robbins, Columbia Sportswear, prAna, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, Gramicci, Lolë, Tsunami, and Water Girl to just name a few. Check out the new line of White Sierra clothing too! We are experts at outfitting you for all climates and conditions, for all activities, from work to play, outdoors or indoors - you will find what you need here. When the rain begins to fall, don't get stuck cold, wet and miserable while hiking or just trying to get home after a long day at work. There are some fantastic waterproof rain jackets, rain shells and rain pants that take up almost no room in your back pack, glove box, purse, or desk drawer. New technology is making them light and breathable, with the ability to compress down to nearly nothing, forming their own storage pouches and ready to spring into action on a moments notice. Joining that old favorite Gortex, are PreCip, MemBrain, OmniTech, Deluge and DWR among others, in this advancing technology. Once Winter really gets going, make sure you are warm and comfy while out skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, or maybe ski touring. Of course those who love alpine climbing and alpine camping have special gear needs and we have the best in serious parkas, performance vests, winter boots, socks, gloves, hats and everything else you will need. We understand your requirements and will not stear you wrong. The clothing we carry made from the new performance materials are truly amazing. Working outdoors on frosty days or mornings, ice fishing or winter hiking means wearing great thermal underwear, fleece or down jackets to stay comfortable. Being prepared for the cold, wet conditions with the proper clothing, such as a waterproof, insulated coat, insulated jacket, or windproof fleece can make all the difference in the world. Don't forget how important a good performance baselayer, can be. Patagonia has an excellent line of base layer clothing made from Capilene, a moisture-managing base layer that is exceptionally soft against the skin, naturally odor resistant and machine washable. When the weather begins to warm, these baselayers will help keep you cool and comfortable. Traveling somewhere warm? Check out our short sleeved shirts, shorts, convertible pants, tank tops, swim suits, dresses, skirts and sandals before you go. No matter where the destination, we have got you covered with windproof, down and insulated outerwear for Winter sports, fleece and convertable pants for backpacking, camping, climbing, hiking, trekking, mountain biking, and moisture-wicking clothing for aerobic activities. The new materials are perfect for especially hot-weather activities like running, trail running, paddling, canoing, working, traveling and most every outdoor adventure sport under the hot sun. Don't miss our excellent selection of men's and women's casual clothing for work, whether you are looking for something traditional, conservative or something more expressive of your style. For those times you need to slow down and unwind, we can supply your yoga, trail walking and beach ambling needs as well. At Sonoma Outfitters you will find clothes made from natural materials such as cotton, organic cotton, ramie and merino wool. Proprietory fabrics with specific high tech qualities, include thermolite, MarmaLoft, Polartec, and MTR Fleece fit specific needs perfectly. Capeline is something to experience for year-round comfort. You will find all your other favorite clothing ingredients here too. Be sure and look to us for advice on what you need for your sport, your destination and your style. We are a small company who truly cares for our customers. To simplify your online shopping experience please utilize our advanced search options and shop the items currently available in your size. There is always something new to find here, so come back often.