Dressing for Extreme Cold: How to Layer Up Safely

Direct answer: In extreme cold, several loose layers beat one heavy coat. The air trapped between the layers is what keeps you warm, and you can peel layers off before sweat soaks your clothes — because wet clothing chills the body fast. Add a hat, a scarf over your face, mittens, and a water-resistant outer layer, and you have the system the National Weather Service and the CDC recommend.

Why layers work

Warmth comes from still air, not from fabric alone. When you wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing, the air trapped between them insulates you. The National Weather Service puts it plainly: trapped air between the layers will insulate you. A single heavy coat has only one pocket of air and no way to adjust, so you either overheat or freeze. Layers let you add or remove warmth as conditions change, and they let you change out of a wet layer before it starts stealing your heat.

The layering checklist

The CDC and the National Weather Service give the same checklist for adults and children going outside in extreme cold. Start with several layers of loose-fitting clothing. Make the outer layer tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded, so wind and wet snow stay out. Then add the pieces people forget: a hat, because much of your body heat can be lost from your head; a scarf or knit mask to cover your face and mouth and protect your lungs from extreme cold; sleeves that are snug at the wrist; and mittens, snug at the wrist, which are better than gloves. Finish with a water-resistant coat and water-resistant boots. If you must travel by car in extreme cold, carry extra warm clothing and blankets with you — the CDC warns not to rely on the car for heat, because the car could break down.

Stay dry — wet is the real danger

The second rule of dressing for cold is staying dry. Wet clothing chills the body quickly, and sweat counts as wet. The CDC advises removing extra layers whenever you feel too warm, because excess sweating will cause your body to lose more heat. The National Weather Service says the same: remove layers to avoid sweating and the chill that follows. Getting wet from rain, melting snow, or sweat is also why hypothermia can set in at cool temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, not only in deep cold. Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks outdoors — the CDC notes they cause your body to lose heat faster. And do not ignore shivering: the CDC calls it an important first sign that your body is losing heat, and constant shivering is a sign that it is time to go inside.

Who needs extra care

Some people lose heat faster than others. The National Weather Service notes that about 20 percent of cold-related deaths occur in the home, and that young children under the age of two and adults over 65 are most susceptible to hypothermia. Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity, and the CDC advises checking on older friends and neighbors often during extremely cold weather, and keeping the thermostat above 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room, because they lose body heat more easily than adults. If you are helping someone who is cold, get them into dry clothing and wrap them in a warm blanket, covering the head and neck.

Know the warning signs

Clothing buys you time, not immunity. Learn the signs of the two cold injuries before you go out. Hypothermia — abnormally low body temperature — shows up as shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, or drowsiness. The CDC is blunt: if a person's temperature is below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, it is an emergency, and you should get medical attention immediately. Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing, and it most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. Its signs are a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and numbness. The National Weather Service notes that frostbite can only develop when the actual air temperature near your skin is below freezing — wind chill alone cannot freeze skin when the thermometer reads above freezing — but hypothermia can still set in. If you notice signs of frostbite, seek medical care, and rewarm the area slowly with warm, not hot, water. Check the weather alerts page and the site's cold safety guidance before you head out, and read the frostbite and hypothermia guide and the wind chill guide so you know the numbers before the cold arrives.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to dress for extreme cold?

Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing with a tightly woven, water-repellent, hooded outer layer. Add a hat, a scarf or knit mask over your face and mouth, mittens snug at the wrist, and water-resistant boots. The air trapped between the layers is what insulates you.

Why are mittens better than gloves in the cold?

Mittens keep all your fingers in one space, while gloves separate them. Both the CDC and the National Weather Service recommend mittens, snug at the wrist, over gloves in extreme cold.

Can I get frostbite when the temperature is above freezing?

No. The National Weather Service notes that frostbite can only develop when the actual air temperature near your skin is below freezing. Wind chill cannot freeze skin when the thermometer reads above freezing — but hypothermia can still set in if you are wet and chilled.

What should I do if someone shows signs of hypothermia?

Get medical attention immediately — a body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit is an emergency. While you wait, get the person into dry clothing and wrap them in a warm blanket, covering the head and neck. Warm the body core first, not the arms and legs.

Sources

• CDC - Safety Guidelines: During and After a Winter Storm
• National Weather Service - Wind Chill Questions
• National Weather Service Binghamton - Extreme Cold Safety Tips

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