Layers
It’s no fun being too cold...or too warm...or WET!
Layering is a very simple way to make sure your children are comfortable, no matter what the weather does; allowing them maximum playtime. Get this right and they will only want to stop when they’re tired or hungry.
It is the combination of good garments that makes the overall protection effective.
Layer 1 - The Base Choose thermals that are cosy and soft. This layer eliminates cold air and provides some insulation. Thermal underlayers draw moisture away from the skin, keeping it warm and dry. They should fit reasonably snuggly and there should be no gaps between the tops and bottoms. Cotton should not be worn as thermal layers as it absorbs moisture and traps it rather than releasing it.Thermals should allow moisture to transfer effectively from the skin to the next layer...
Layer 2 - The Quilt This is the serious insulation which provides the warmth. The middle layer needs to allow moisture to escape, but keeps the heat in. Jumpers made from Micro-fleece are great as the warm air is trapped by all the little fibres, giving good insulation. They are supersoft to wear as well. Think of this as the meat in the sandwich, this layer transfers moisture from Layer 1 to...
Layer 3 - The Shell Basically the Shell works as your skin does, lets moisture out but provides a barrier against wind and water. It also traps the warm air. Salopettes and Coats must be breathable AND waterproof, ours certainly are! Make sure that zips are well protected in order to avoid leaks. Our jackets have double zip covers.
Layer 4 - Hats and Gloves Children lose a great deal of heat from their head, so it is important no to overlook headwear. Neck chubes and hemlet chubes are safer than scarves and can be pulled up or pushed down depending on temperature. Helmet chubes and balaclavas can be worn underneath ski helmets for extra insulation. When skiing, gloves and mitts need to be insulated and waterproof. A flexible grip on the palm is also helpful. Don’t forget to protect young skin – the sun reflects off snow so cover up with a high factor suncream
The great thing about layers is that they allow you to adapt to changing weather conditions and level of activity. Muddy Puddles make every layer look good enough to parade in so you’ll have no problem convincing your child to ‘layer-up’ or ‘layer-down’.
