Frozen III

Oh the weather outside is frightful and nothing about it seems delightful.  Some folks are quite often less than enticed to venture outside much less make it a regular part of their physical activities. But the benefits of fresh air and physical activity have been long documented, so it seems wrong to not venture outside and do yourself some good.  The secret lies in doing so comfortably with appropriate apparel given the weather conditions.

So here are some of my weather life hacks that have seen me through rain, sleet, snow and incredible wind chills…..

Let’s start from the inside out:

Your base layer

The base layer should be fitted and not loose as any space between your skin and the thermal layer may allow cold air to sneak in. This doesn’t mean that you buy a size smaller than you usually wear as base/thermal tops have specifications that are very different from your typical t-shirts.

The base layer is meant to:

• Manage moisture
• Protecting the skin
• Maintaining the body’s natural temperature

You should look for something that has a ‘wick-away’ feature for moisture and is quick drying. Lastly, it should feel good against your skin. Some may find that if the top has a high silk content it’s too ‘cool and slippery’, conversely others have anti ‘itch’ sensitivity depending on the fineness of the merino wool yarns.

My go-to for years has been Icebreaker  Merino wool 175 crew neck long sleeved top. I am a big fan of merino wool because it’s a  great insulator.The wrinkled merino fibres when knit makes a structure with millions of tiny air pockets that retains body heat and thus a  buffer against the cold.  Lightweight and super soft. It’s naturally renewable, recyclable and biodegradable.

And do not forget the tush!  A good base layer legging under your jeans, running pants, or ski pants is vital to ensure that your outdoor activities are not cut short due to freezing your a$$ off.   I discovered long ago that any ski day or snowshoeing trek was made even more enjoyable by ensuring my ‘a$$ets’ were kept warm.

Icebreaker’s 250 Tech leggings are a mid-weight and not only regulate body temperature and are anti-itch, but naturally odour resistant.

The Outer Layer

Your outer layer choice will be dependant on the weather conditions. Here I must stress that you look at not only the actual temperature but also the speed of the wind and the resultant wind chill factor. I must admit that I have been errant in this regard a couple of times and have gone out for a long run to be simply blasted when I hit open spaces.

In the colder months, it’s important to check the wind resistant/water repellency rating. Not only will most technical gear brands have this on their product detail ( on-line and on the hangtags in-store), but quite often fashion brands will highlight this as well as it is an amazing feature.

I simply love my  Arc’teryx shell  I picked up in Paris when the weather forecast shifted to a significant rainfall forecast for the day of the half marathon and I was ill prepared.

This lightweight shell  is great because its construction has wind resistant construction on the arms and core and yet has a breathable material under the arms and back.   What’s great about this brand is its selection for all activities from outdoor fitness to chic dog walking in the city (in comfort!).

Another brand I have and simply and love is MEC . I must say I love all things MEC and they have been a staple retailer for me for all sorts of outdoor activities.

The Stride jacket  has tons of great features I love:  wind resistance and inner panels of fleece for wick-away and warmth. Additionally, having the muchly appreciated thumb loops and 5 (yes 5 !) pockets means I can carry the requisite mobile phone, and house key.  PLUS… right now it’s on sale for a steal deal of $34.50 CAD!

And to top it off….

And absolutely do not forget to top it off with a good hat. According to Harvard Medical School  if your head is uncovered in cold weather, you can potentially lose up to 50% of body heat. Forget the nonsense about ‘hat hair’ and forego covering your noggin…go for the warmth!

Lastly, when winds are high and the temperature cold, I also make sure I have a neck keeper or buff to pull up when I turn a corner and get hit with a few kms of head-on winds.

On these days I always give my face a little more protection by applying a thin layer of cream.

Some people apply Vaseline, but as it’s petroleum based, I am not a huge fan.   A great alternative is using coco butter, shea butter or Bees’Oline.  This extra layer of protection is great to save that delicate skin around your eyes and the tip of your nose from wind burn. (P dot S: it’s also amazing after your post activity shower applied your feet for a little extra TLC!)

So, don’t let the cold or inclement weather deter you for getting some outdoor activity during the winter months. The break will do your mind and body good.

Now get out there!!

Xoxo – Sandra