Making Your Gear Work For You: Part 2...

YAY for THE MIDDLE LAYER!!!!! LOL... ;)

Yesterday we discussed everything you need to know about choosing a base-layer...and it was quite a lot of information. Upon reading the post, you might have noticed that I did not give any recommendations as to any specific layering systems in my post, and...well...there is a reason for that!! Because each trip, destination, adventure, and adventurER is different, there is no ONE general system that works for everybody. Sometimes a person needs a lightweight pant and a polarweight top...or sometimes you find UnderArmour tops work perfectly, but the pants just do not fit or work well for you. Therefore, the primary purpose of the base-layer post was to give you all of the information that you would need to research and purchase your own perfect system...one that works for YOU in YOUR specific situation!! If you have any questions about a specific situation, though, I would be happy to give you a recommendation if I have one!!! Just leave me a comment or email anytime to fisherbabestaff@fisherbabe.com!!!

Now...moving on to PART 2: MID-LAYERS!!!! Exciting...I know!!! LOL...this post will be a bit shorter because it really is all about choosing the right fabric. After that is done, most garments in that particular fabric will work to serve the purpose of this layer...AND so...the first thing you should know is that the purpose of the middle layer of your layering system is to act as an insulating layer which when working properly should trap warm body heat and prevent it from escaping.

This layer is specifically designed to provide additional warmth and is typically added when base-layers are not enough. The garments that you choose for this layer should be warm, lightweight, and as non-bulky as possible. In addition, it should be breathable and allow moisture and sweat to escape while keeping warmth in!! There are a couple of different options for this layer, and each fabric works a little differently.

First, let's start with WOOL. Wool is a good natural insulator. However, one of the only advantages of wool is that it insulates even when wet, and a BIG disadvantage is that it takes FOREVER to dry. Another BIG disadvantage is that it can be quite heavy and bulky to wear and layer with...not to mention pack!!

A better option, or in my opinion the best option, for an effective mid-layer is FLEECE. Fleece is a great option, because it is available in MANY different forms and types of garments. In all likelihood, every single person can find something in this fabric that works for them!! In addition to variety, there are many other advantages to choosing fleece for this layer. Most importantly, it is VERY, VERY comfy and is warm even when it is wet. Also, it is fast drying and lightweight (usually weighing in at HALF the weight of wool).

One question that always comes up regarding this fabric is, "what is the difference between Berber Fleece and Regular Fleece?" One big difference between the two is that Berber Fleece has the appearance of being "bumpy" because it is thicker...the pile can be as thick as a full 1/2 inch...whereas regular fleece has a smooth, flat surface. Also, Berber fleece is touted as being "silent" in the field, and smooth fleece can be a little noisy depending on the kind you get. Although Berber Fleece would appear to be the warmer option, that is not necessarily the case. Warmth is mostly dependent on staying dry and keeping the wind out which I will discuss in more detail during tomorrow's post on Outerwear. The primary and most important difference between the two is that Berber can be VERY BULKY and HEAVY. Ulitimately, this added bulk can cause you to feel constrained and confined without adding any additional warmth. Another variation of this fabric called "Microfleece" offers the best of both worlds. It is silent and has a bumby appearance (although with shorter pile) like Berber but is non-bulky like regular fleece.

Most garments that you find that are specifically designed for this middle layer will be made from some type of fleece...and this is the fabric that I recommend going with for this layer. It does a great job of insulating while trapping body heat and allowing moisture to escape...which as we learned at the beginning of this article is what an effective mid-layer SHOULD do!!!

If you find that one garment does not offer enough warmth (as I often do), you can always add another garment to form a thicker layer. I recommend this approach rather than going for one super thick piece of clothing. The main reason for this is because if you get out into the field...or say the sun comes out later in the day and the temps rise, you can shed one of the middle layers to adjust to the changing conditions. In addition, two thin layers are much less constricting than one bulky layer, and if temps drop, you will find that your freedom of movement remains intact upon adding additional thin layers.

When choosing this layer, you should ensure that the garment is looser than your base-layer but still fitted enough to protect the trunk of your body. Any garment that provides a drawstring or other type of closure at the bottom will do a good job of keeping the heat from your body where it needs to be to keep you warm.

In addition, choosing a garment that combines these fabrics with wind-proofing technology is the absolute BEST way to gain the most from the middle layer of your system. Wind-proofing fabrics have come a long way in recent years, and these days, many middle layer clothing boasts superior wind-proofing technology. These types of garments not only act as insulators but also work to add an additional layer of protection between your skin and the icy wind that robs your body of it's much needed warmth. I will discuss wind-proof technology and it's importance more in-depth during tomorrow's post...but remember to not discount it while choosing the middle layer of YOUR system. It REALLY will help to keep you warmer out in the field!!!

I really hope that this information can work to help you choose a better middle-layer garment and that you can but it to use the next time you are trying to figure out what is just right for your system!!!

Stay tuned and check back tomorrow for Part 3 of "Making Your Gear Work For You" where I will discuss everything you need to know about choosing OUTERWEAR!!! Here's hoping that your week ahead is truly FABULOUS!!!

Happy Fishing ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

**The photo shows the "ArmourFleece" Hoodie from UnderArmour. It retails for approximately $74.99 and can be found HERE.