Guest Author - Jessica Hoffmann
As the country begins to emerge from the throes of winter, we all find ourselves eying our flip flops and breezy skirts, yet mornings remain brisk and evenings crisp.
While cotton sweaters and cashmere cardigans are the perfect weight for spring, if you are headed for a city tour or on a day hike, you may want to think of some layering options more suitable for outdoor pursuits and travel. These items wash well and resist wrinkling, giving them a huge number of travel and outdoor applications.
Wicking fabrics have a special function in summer, and are ideal for keeping perspiration away from your skin, but they are also ideal as a base layer for cool weather. They ensure that sweat does not stay close to the body, while keeping you warm when temperatures drop. Look for synthetic and merino wool base layers that feel silky to the touch. A good baselayer is one you can forget you are wearing!
Wicking materials also serve you well when a surprise rain or thunder storm arrives, as they do not hold moisture, which would make you susceptible to hypothermia. When rain is a distinct possibility, look for rain shells that offer some ventilation, like pit zips, which ensure that heat and perspiration can escape from the inside while keeping you dry on the outside.
Synthetic fleece is one of the most versatile fabrics to come from the outdoor industry. It warms like your favorite wool sweater, but washes just as easily as a cotton tee shirt. Many of today’s fleece jackets feature a fuzzy texture, which is wonderfully snuggly to the hand and toasty warm. A fuzzy fleece jacket in a neutral color is a piece you will be grabbing for all season long thanks to its versatility, durability, good looks and extreme comfort.
Softshell jackets have come a long way in a short amount of time, and now you can find a simple, lightweight version for around $100 that will look great in a variety of settings. Softshells are water resistant, meaning they will keep you dry in a light rain, but they are not ideal for a true downpour.
One of the greatest things about softshell jackets is their stretch, enabling you to comfortably move for hiking, climbing, skiing and more. Softshells are rarely insulated, so you will want to wear appropriate layers underneath them, but you will find that they are a great outer layer for many weather conditions.
When purchasing outdoor clothing, look for versatile colors and paired down features if you want to get the maximum use out of them in a casual or travel setting. A classic black jacket goes with everything and can go from daytime to evening seamlessly.
Before heading for a trip in the Southeast, check out the area’s average temperatures for the month you will be visiting. Many visitors to the South are surprised by high and low temperatures. Although rare, it can snow in Florida or hit the 80's in February!
Popular Outdoor Pieces for Spring include:
Mountain Hardwear Wicking Tees
Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Softshell Jacket
The North Face Venture Rain Jacket
The North Face Denali Jacket
Mountain Hardwear Monkey Woman Jacket
