Let’s face it, building a layering system for wind and rain is the most common step we take to protect ourselves from weather in the outdoors. Here are the basics that you need to know to build your own layering system for wind and rain...
When it comes to staying comfortable and protected in the wind and rain, having the right layering system is crucial. Whether you're hiking, climbing, or running, your layering choices can make the all the difference. This guide will walk you through the essentials of building an effective layering system, starting with the breathable baselayer, adding a lightweight midlayer for warmth, and finishing with a protective outer layer. Each piece has a specific role in keeping you dry, warm, and ready to face the elements.
Let’s face it, building a layering system for wind and rain is the most common step we take to protect ourselves from weather in the outdoors. As with all layering systems, it all starts with a breathable baselayer, which should be made from a wicking fabric that’s designed to move moisture away from your skin. Synthetic fabrics, including recycled polyester, are well suited to this. Look for a baselayer that fits quite close to the skin because this helps to drive the moisture-wicking process. Synthetic recycled baselayers are lightweight and designed to feel good next to your skin for all-day comfort. Wool-blend baselayers are also good at wicking moisture away from your body but avoid cotton because it holds onto moisture.
Above: Montane Men's Fury Lite Fleece Jacket
Next up is the lightweight midlayer, which adds warmth but needs to be very breathable, to work with the baselayer and transport water vapour away from your body, while preventing you from overheating. A high-performance midlayer will deliver warmth while maximising breathability, in a lightweight package. This combination will be suitable for everything from hiking, to fastpacking, to climbing and even to endurance running on colder days between the showers, when you need extra warmth. If you opt for a fleece midlayer, look at the inside features, such as a grid, that are designed to hold a layer of warm air next to the body, while still allowing water vapour to pass through.
In most conditions, a baselayer for your legs isn't necessary. Your lower body contains your biggest muscles and generates a lot of heat so you can go straight to selecting your ‘midlayer’ pants, which should be made from a durable, breathable, fast-drying fabric and ideally be wind-resistant. High-quality softshell pants can be windproof, breathable and with built-in stretch to deliver unrestricted freedom of movement for dynamic activities such as rock climbing.
Above: Montane Women's Cetus Lite Waterproof Jacket
Finally, the protective outer layer is where the wind and rain will meet your layering system, so it’s the most important part of the picture. If you’re reading this guide then you probably already appreciate the value of being able to move fast and light through the mountains, so it’s worth matching the degree of protection and breathability from your shell to the climatic conditions, as well as your intended activity.
For instance, windproof jackets can be incredibly light and designed to be worn for high-output activities, such as running, on windy days where you’d lose too much heat and energy in just a baselayer, but you need to prioritise breathability. If you’re not planning to be out in the open for too long, then the water-resistance offered by a durable waterproof coating (DWR) on a windproof jacket will be enough to see you through an unexpected shower. If you do need a backup for fast-packing longer distances, then a lightweight waterproof hardshell can be packable enough to be stashed in a low-volume daypack.
Moving up the protection scale, high-performance softshells are designed to be windproof, water-resistant and provide additional warmth, but also have more stretch than hardshell waterproofs, which means that they can move with your body during dynamic activities like mountain climbing, and can pull duty as your main protective outerlayer, with a waterproof hardshell kept in your pack as an additional emergency layer.
Providing the most protection, waterproof hardshells usually feature a very thin, 100% waterproof membrane sandwiched between a durable face fabric and a breathable backing fabric (3-layer construction). A PFC-free DWR coating can then be applied to the face fabric to bead water droplets and allow them to roll off it, rather than ‘wetting out’ that face fabric. Select a waterproof hardshell made with lightweight materials and high-tech construction for wind and rain because these make them packable, so they can flex between being an all-day outer layer and an emergency back up in your daypack. Hardshells designed for mountaineering have hoods that can go over climbing helmets and are cut to allow you to wear several layers underneath, depending on the temperatures. Once you’ve found a waterproof hardshell that works for you, make sure it isn’t too fitted because compressed midlayers can’t maintain the layer of warm air between your baselayer and the shell that you rely on for warmth.
The final piece of your layering system for wind and rain is your waterproof shell pants, which are designed to be pulled on over your boots and ‘midlayer’ pants. Because your legs generate a lot of heat as you move, it’s usually preferable to wear durable, breathable ‘midlayer’ pants with some wind protection and then carry waterproof shell pants in your pack, ready to put on as soon as you think it’s going to rain.
Above: Montane Logo Beanie Hat, Montane Fury Fleece Gloves
The final piece of your layering system for wind and rain is gloves, hats and other accessories. Cold, damp air can strip heat from exposed skin surprisingly quickly, so having the minimum of a pair of lightweight, wind-resistant gloves in your pack is always a good idea, and you can upgrade to waterproof ones for wetter conditions. Hats are a personal choice, but wearing one in changeable conditions will protect your head and face from UV as well as downpours. Just put your jacket’s hood up quickly if it rains because hydrophilic, micro-porous membranes such as Gore-TEX ePE will perform better if you put them on over dry skin. Some waterproof shells use hydrophillic membranes, which actively transport moisture away from the skin, making them a good choice for cold, wet conditions.
Check out our full guide to the layering system for the perfect combination in any weather conditions.
