Comfort in the countryside

Matt Limb OBE takes a look at how to choose the right outdoor clothing to keep warm and dry, so you can fully enjoy your time in the countryside.

As the seasons turn and the days begin to stretch out again, there is often a sharpness in the air first thing in the morning and again as the evening draws in, a familiar feeling around the time of the Equinox.

Frost may no longer be a daily threat, but cold fingers and a lingering chill remain faithful companions for anyone who spends time outdoors. Early spring has a habit of misleading us, starting the day wrapped in cold before warming quickly once the sun finds its strength. It is this changeable nature that so often catches people out.

It is at this time of year that some people emerge from winter hibernation, wrapped in so many layers they can hardly move. Easy to spot, they resemble the Michelin Tyre Man of advertising fame and carry themselves with the same rounded determination.

Experience suggests they have dressed for the coldest moment of the day and forgotten everything that follows, whatever the time of year.

I remember one such figure beating on a day’s driven shoot some years ago. On the first drive he could hardly walk, weighed down by layer upon layer that restricted every movement and made flag waving a challenge in its own right.

By the third drive the story had changed. Layers were being peeled away one by one. He soon found himself standing still and he was now cold, swinging his arms in an effort to warm up.
It is a familiar pattern and one I have seen many times, the simple inability to dress for the conditions, remembering as a good friend once told me, “There is no such thing as bad weather, you are simply dressed incorrectly”.

To this I am sure we all have fond memories of our mother tending to us on a cold morning with the woolly vest, thick shirt, oversized jumper, scarf, coat, hat and gloves before we dared step outside the front door.But does piling on clothing really keep us warm and comfortable through a long and busy day outdoors?

It is worth pausing to think about what we are actually trying to achieve. The aim is not simply to stay warm, but also dry and comfortable and be able to move freely without overheating. Too many layers and you soon sweat, leaving you damp and chilled once any physical activity slows, as was the case with our Michelin Tyre Man. Too few and you are never truly warm at all. The challenge lies in finding the balance between warmth, protection and freedom of movement across changing climatic conditions.

Much of how we dress outdoors is guided by habit rather than thought. We repeat what we were taught as children or copy what we see others wearing. Here the latest fashion trends can soon lead to failure, as can mistaking weight for warmth. But over time the countryside teaches quieter lessons, comfort comes from adaptability and clothing should support the day rather than dominate it.

In recent years there has been a quiet revolution in textiles. Only the other month I noticed an advertisement for machine-washable tweeds and could almost hear old Scottish Highland keepers and stalkers turning in their graves.

The art of layering
While not all modern innovations are greeted with open arms, most of us now own at least one fleece and a breathable waterproof jacket. The real secret however lies not in owning such garments, but in understanding how to use them and how to combine them sensibly, without unnecessary bulk or weight.

This approach is commonly known as the layering system, which remains as relevant today as ever.

Contrary to popular belief it consists of just three simple layers, each with a distinct purpose. Next to the skin is the base layer, over this the insulation layer and finally the outer shell layer. Balanced together they provide warmth, comfort and protection whether facing a cold winter’s day or a hot afternoon.

The base layer sits next to the skin and contrary to popular belief its role is not warmth, but dryness. It works by drawing sweat and moisture away from the skin and allowing it to evaporate, maintaining a thin layer of dry air close to the body.

When this layer does its job properly you remain dry and comfortable, allowing the other layers to perform as they should. Natural fibres such as wool still have much to recommend, but on a personal note I find specifically designed modern synthetic base layers offer outstanding performance, while remaining lightweight and very comfortable.

What matters most is avoiding fabrics that attract and hold moisture, so leaving you cold once your movement slows, sadly your favourite old pure cotton t-shirt will be guilty of this.

Above this base layer sits the insulation layer, sometimes referred to as the mid-layer, whose task is simply to trap heat. This may be a fleece, a woollen jumper or a combination of both.

Unlike the base layer the insulation layer is flexible and can be made up of several garments worn together. It can be added or removed as conditions change. If you find yourself getting too warm it is this layer that you can reduce, then when the chill creeps back it is the one you reach for again.

One of my favourite insulation layers is natural duck down. The soft insulation feather found on ducks and geese, which has proved popular as a fashion item in recent years. A genuine down jacket is highly compressible, making it amazingly light in weight and one of the most efficient insulation layers. But be warned, it quickly loses any insulation value when even slightly damp.

The final layer is the outer or shell layer. This is your defence against wind and rain; it may be windproof or waterproof, perhaps both. It is here that modern breathable fabrics come into their own, allowing moisture to escape while keeping the worst of the weather at bay.

With an understanding of how these layers work together you gain the freedom to adapt to almost any set of conditions. By mixing and matching layers we can deal with the four main challenges posed by our climate. Hot and cold, plus wet and dry or a mix of them – a cold foggy day being cold and wet. A cold, dry but windy day when you are standing still calls for good insulation with a reliable windproof shell.

Whereas a day spent walking and covering ground requires less insulation but a more effective base layer to manage heat and moisture. Even on warmer days the principle still applies, a good base layer, most likely on its own, can keep you cool by wicking moisture away from the skin.

Head, hands and feet
It is also worth paying attention to your extremities such as fingers, ears, toes and nose. My own preference is rarely to wear gloves unless conditions are truly bitterly cold, but that is a personal choice.

One point worth noting concerns heat loss through the head, with as much as a third of body heat said to be lost here. Our mother’s advice about a warm woolly hat therefore remains sensible guidance.

Footwear is another area where experience counts, as a well-judged choice based on conditions and activity will usually be enough to keep feet warm and dry. Often the hardest decision is simply which pair to wear.

A good pair of leather boots is still an old-found favourite; well cared for and looked after they can last for many years, soon feeling as comfortable as a pair of carpet slippers, warm and dry, even after walking for miles on a damp cold day.

When it is really wet underfoot, we must remember that the good old Wellington boot is totally waterproof.

Traditional v modern
Traditional tweed still holds a special place in the countryside for good reason. Woven from natural wool it offers warmth, breathability and a quiet durability that suits long days outdoors, softening with age rather than wearing out, plus it is a timeless style. Just as important is its colour.

The muted lovats, browns and heathers that define traditional tweed are drawn from the landscape itself, blending gently with hedgerows, woodland and the open fields. These softer tones do not shout for attention, but sit comfortably alongside the changing seasons, allowing you to move through and with the countryside, rather than stand apart from it, as you would in a hi-vis vest. Bright colours may have their place, but in rural life it is these understated muted hues that feel most at home.

With this way of thinking do you need to rush out and buy an entirely new wardrobe for your next day in the countryside? Far from it! The key is to look at what you already own and understand where each item fits within your layered clothing system. It will soon become your own individual layered system.

Some garments such as a modern windproof fleece can serve more than one purpose, depending on conditions, while a natural wool jumper as an insulation layer can still take some beating.

There are however a couple of final considerations worth bearing in mind. Today’s modern fabrics perform exceptionally well, but they do not take kindly to barbed wire, brambles or careless treatment.

Damage reduces effectiveness, particularly with breathable materials. Regular and correct cleaning is equally important as dirt can impair both insulation and breathability.

But above all we must remember clothing alone does not generate any warmth. It can only conserve what your body produces.

A sensible breakfast, hot drinks in cold weather and regular cool drinks on warmer days all play their part. But with a little thought and preparation keeping comfortable outdoors need not be complicated, whatever the season or climate decides to throw at us.

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