Clothing and Apparel

Our Complicated History with Sports Bras

Trying a “Self Healing” Jacket

This Birkenstock Can Handle It All

How to Layer Right to Stay Dry Outside

Why We Love the Gore R3 WindStopper Tights

We Can’t Get Enough of These Blundstones

Oiselle Makes the Best Running Shirt

The Patagonia R1 Techface Hoody Is Perfect

Staff Picks: REI Sahara Convertible Pants

We Tested the Canada Goose Crew Vest

Testing the Maloja Nutal Jacket

How a Pro Musher Layers for Extreme Cold

Why We Love the Red Wing Harriet Boots

Staff Picks: Patagonia Performance Jeans

Staff Picks:Wild Rye Mauna Kea Base Layers

The 101: Layering for Backcountry Skiing

Staff Picks: Carhartt Ear Flap Cap

How to Buy Ski Boots that Actually Fit

Holiday Giveaway: Kari Traa Rothe Fleece

7 Layering Essentials
How to Layer Right to Stay Dry Outside
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
During the early 2000s, the United States military began fighting a new type of war. Suddenly, units like Navy SEALs and others found themselves tasked with long duration operations in inhospitable, high elevation environments. You know, the kind of places normal folk like you and I play outside. As time went on, they found that they couldn’t stay dry as they went through high-exertion activity in those cold, wet places. That’s where John Barklow came in. Now working as the Big Game Product Manager for Sitka Gear, Barklow was, at the time, tasked with training special operations forces in outdoor survival. Realizing that it was impossible to stay dry outdoors, he and retired Army Ranger Rick Elder set about developing a layering system that instead enabled those soldiers to get dry as fast as possible. And that’s an approach you can benefit from, too.