by Michael King

Created on: February 25, 2009   Last Updated: March 02, 2009

In my numerous travels with the Air Training Corps I've climbed Snowdon twice, Scaffel Pike and Ben Nevis. So I speak from fair amounts of experience when I say that nothing will make you journey any more unpleasant then wind chill and H2O. Both of which you will be protected from by layers.

Your layers don't even have to be particularly windproof in themselves, though I would definitely recommend it, the layering itself will do most of the wind-proofing for you. If I had to name any particular brand of windproof I would recommend Paramo, they offer fairly cheap and high quality wind-proofs that are, admittedly, fairly fashionable.

The other beauty of layers is the ability to put on and remove them, you would usually wear your waterproof layer on the outside, but in the instance that some of your layers become wet and it is seeping through then you simply remove it, place it in your dry bag, a hiking essential. This ability to easily vary your number of layers gives you the ability to precisely control your heat and keep you dry. Again Paramo will be a perfect waterproof to go over the top.

Extra windproof and waterproofing tips:

1) Gaitors, these are a short piece of waterproof material that clip using elastic around your boots, it's perfectly comfortable and the waterproof material keeps dry that annoying place where your trousers overlap your boots, it will stop water plunging over the top of your boots in deeper water and generally keep the most important bit of your body dry, your feet.

2) Trousers are vital, jeans are a definite no, but tracksuits aren't ideal either, specialist hiking trousers are really affordable and far better, they are far more rainproof, though not completely, and will make your experience far more pleasant. In very cold temperatures I would recommend a tight trouser under-layer to keep your legs warm and dry.

3) I always wear a tight ski thermal as my base layer, unless it is very hot, because the tighter that base layer is, while staying comfortable, the better temperature control you can achieve and it keeps you far more comfortable. The issue with many layers is folds and too much material rubbing against each other, a tight base layer stops you feeling this.

4) Gloves: The brand sealskinz is fantastic, I couldn't love them any more, they are triple layer waterproof/windproof gloves that are so warm and about 0.5cm thick, they allow you to maintain full use of your hands, unlike thicker gloves while staying completely dry and warm.

Learn more about this author, Michael King.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.