Choosing clothing for the mountains is one of the hardest things of all.
Anyone who decides to go into the mountains for a demanding hike, whatever the season, cannot know in advance what weather conditions they will find. For this reason it will be hard to have fixed rules, always valid, for choosing mountain clothing.
The first piece of advice we can give, worth more than any other technical tip, is: build up your own store of experience.
On the technical side, on the other hand, the general advice given in mountain associations, in clubs, in mountain manuals is: learn to dress like an "onion" (in layers).
What does dressing like an onion mean when you go to the mountains?
Dressing like an onion in the mountains means having several layers of clothing available, all generally light, but which, worn one on top of the other, create a protective barrier against heat loss.
Dressing "like an onion" you can take off 1 or 2 items of clothing to reach the ideal body temperature.
How to dress for the mountains in winter?
You learn to recognise the weather conditions with time, and you also learn to put up better with more extreme conditions (too
cold or too hot). The body is able to adapt to different weather conditions as long as you keep yourself constantly active and in training.
We have seen that clothing for winter hiking calls for heavier garments such as the windproof jacket or winter gloves to protect your fingers from the icy wind.
How to dress for the mountains in summer?
In clothing for summer hiking, however, a few heavier garments are not ruled out, given that (even in summer) temperatures, even at medium altitude, can drop close to freezing point.
Packing your rucksack with the possibility of cold in summer in mind is a perfectly legitimate precaution.
Finally, knowing how to shed the extra layers (stowing them in the rucksack) during the walk is another of those good habits that can make the hike itself simpler and more pleasant.
Dressing for the mountains requires knowledge of the weather conditions, knowledge of the types of clothing, but also of how your own body reacts.
Frequently asked questions
What does dressing like an onion mean in the mountains?
It means wearing several layers of clothing, usually light, which, one on top of the other, create a barrier against heat loss. That way you can take off one or two items during the walk to keep the ideal body temperature.
How to dress for the mountains in summer?
Even in summer it is worth bringing a few heavier garments, because already at medium altitude the temperature can drop close to freezing point. You pack your rucksack with the cold in mind and, during the walk, stow away the extra layers.