Tag Archives: Clothing

Arc’teryx Atom Jacket

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Amazingly light and packable, this mid-layer jacket also works well as a standalone jacket. Considering it’s not a wind or rain shell, I found it to be surprisingly resistant against moderate wind and light rain.

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Upon first inspection, the jacket is quite thin and you may not expect it to provide much warmth… However, the Coreloft insulation by Arc’teryx is quite effective. The Atom is well fitted, very comfortable and makes a great mid-layer.

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The quality of this product is quite evident once you begin inspecting the garment up close. The cuffs are notably superb.

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Paired with a proper wind/rain shell, the packability, warmth, and weight, make this jacket extremely versatile and worth every penny.

Cost: Around CDN $200

www.arcteryx.com

 

Shelter and Warmth

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In a survival situation, shelter from the elements is critically important. Although water is a high priority, depending on the circumstances, a person can easily succumb to the effects of hyperthermia or hypothermia much faster than dying of dehydration. To put things into context, a person may survive for 2 – 3 days without water; however, in extreme cold or heat, a person may not last more than a few hours.

When it comes to shelter and the idea of warmth, it is important to recognize that it isn’t necessarily the shelter itself that generates warmth. The primary function of a shelter, especially in a survival situation, is to provide protection from the elements (wind, rain, snow, etc.) and to a certain extent, predators. We seek protection from the elements because they endanger our ability to maintain our core body temperature.

For example:

The source of heat for a snow-based shelter could come from a candle, small fire, your body heat (by default), a lantern, or a combination of several different sources. While snow-based shelters provide excellent insulation, you should ask yourself – what is the source of heat it’s insulating for you?

Think about the shelters we move in and out of on a daily basis. Our homes, offices, vehicles etc… It is not the structure itself that generates warmth per se, but rather a furnace, fireplace, heater etc… In other words, the shelter’s warmth is generated by a heat source. In a survival situation, give some thought to the heat source of your shelter as it may ultimately determine the type of shelter you construct.

Remember – In a survival situation, shelter and protection from the elements is critical. Don’t forget that your clothing is your primary shelter and clothing should therefore be well thought out.

Shelters are effectively micro-climates which allow us not only to survive, but to live and settle in environments that would otherwise be quite inhospitable. Proper clothing is what allows us to leave our shelters (homes, buildings, vehicles etc.) and move around. Therefore it is essential to think of our clothing as a shelter… After all, our clothing does in fact protect us from the sun, wind, rain, snow etc…

 

Dress for Success

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Here are a few quick tips to remember the properties of clothing fabrics to help you dress for the outdoors:

Remember – In a survival situation, shelter and protection from the elements is critical. Don’t forget that your clothing is your primary shelter and clothing should therefore be well thought out.

Shelters are effectively micro-climates which allow us not only to survive, but to live and settle in environments that would otherwise be quite inhospitable. Proper clothing is what allows us to leave our shelters (homes, buildings, vehicles etc.) and move around. Therefore it is essential to think of our clothing as a shelter… After all, our clothing does in fact protect us from the sun, wind, rain, snow etc…

C is for Cotton: Casual, Comfort, Cold when wet, Can’t Wick moisture

W is for Wool: Warm, Wicking, Works Well Wet, Won’t Stink, Works Well around a fire

F is for Fleece: Fluffy (warm), Fears Flames, Fights moisture (wicking)

P is for Polyester: Poor around fires and flames, a Pro at wicking

S is for Synthetics: Sensitive to fire and flames, Super for Specialty kit (technical clothing)

Tip: If your outdoor clothing is not particularly suitable for sitting around a camp fire, pack a light wool blanket with which you can wrap yourself up in…this will help protect your clothing against sparks.

 

Helly Hansen HH Dry Revolution Baselayer

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Bought two Helly Hansen Dry Revolution Long Sleeve Baselayers last week and tested one of them on a hike in North Vancouver, B.C.

Over the baselayer, I wore a Patagonia Better Sweater™ as a midlayer, and a North Face Venture jacket as a wind/rain shell.

After roughly 40 minutes into my ascent I was expecting my baselayer to be at least somewhat damp, but was surprised to find it basically dry to the touch.

On a cool day (which it was) the HH Dry Revolution is warm without being too warm – just enough to take away the chill. During the decent, I packed away my midlayer and was perfectly comfortable with only the baselayer and my shell.

The fit of this particular baselayer by Helly Hansen is “skintight” without feeling like you’re suffocating or being constricted. This is a good thing since your baselayer should be worn close to the skin so the fabric can properly capture perspiration and wick it away from you. The fabric is ultra soft, stretchy, and has no seams, so it’s very cozy.

Overall I am pretty happy with the HH Dry Revolution LS baselayer. It’s lightweight, packable, very comfortable, and effectively wicks away moisture.

In a survival situation, shelter and protection from the elements is critical. Don’t forget that your clothing is your primary shelter and clothing should therefore be well thought out.

Shelters are effectively micro-climates which allow us not only to survive, but to live and settle in environments that would otherwise be quite inhospitable. Proper clothing is what allows us to leave our shelters (homes, buildings, vehicles etc.) and move around. Therefore it is essential to think of our clothing as a shelter… After all, our clothing does in fact protect us from the sun, wind, rain, snow etc…

From Helly Hansen’s website:

HH DRY REVOLUTION LS

With long sleeves for warmth and all-over wicking power, this baselayer has everything you need for maximum comfort. The HH® Dry Revolution fabric is made from new Lifa® fibres that are even softer and more effective at drawing excess heat and sweat away from your skin, allowing you to maintain an optimum body temperature throughout your activities. It has a minimum of seams, sewn with flatlock stitching for a smooth look and feel, inside and out. Lifa® stripes add a splash of colour to the lower sleeves.

HH®Dry™ Your second skin and the heart of our effective 3-Layer System™. It is a moisture super highway creating a dry layer next to the skin, keeping you comfortable during highly aerobic activities in a wide range of conditions.

Cost: Around CDN $70

www.hellyhansen.com