TOP 4 OPTIONS FOR SPRING AND FALL GEAR

If you live in the southeastern part of the US, you know how frustrating it can be to choose the right fall and spring gear. You wake up to 30° F weather in the morning only to end up in 65° weather in the afternoon.

If you wear a large, insulated coat as your main source of protection from the cold, you get overheated and sweaty. If you stick to a long-sleeved cotton shirt, you are nearly guaranteed to be cold through a decent portion of the day.

Thankfully, there is an answer to the spring and fall gear dilemma: layering. RefrigiWear® offers several layering options including base layers, sweatshirts, vests and lightweight jackets that will keep you comfortable all season long.

Base Layers

Base layers can suit a wide array of outdoor activities and conditions and work great as spring and fall gear. The stretchy, breathable and comfortable fit of base layer shirts and pants will keep you comfortable during rigorous activity without leaving you overheated. Because they’re breathable, base layers prevent moisture build-up on the skin so you can stay comfortable when paddling your kayak or hiking a trail.

A base layer can also serve as protection beneath other cold weather clothing during less rigorous activity and when the temperature drops, like when you’re camping or fishing along the riverbank on a cool fall evening. Base layers provide a snug seal beneath heavier garments to trap in body heat and keep you warm even when you’re outdoors for several hours.

Sweatshirts

Sweatshirts and hoodies are comfortable and versatile—no wonder they’re often the go-to for fall and spring gear! Whether they have a pullover or full front zip design, sweatshirts have a relatively loose fit that make them easy to put on or take off. Because they also give you freedom of movement, they are a practical layering option for outdoor activities.

For colder mornings or evenings, a sweatshirt paired with a base layer top will give you extra protection without requiring a heavy jacket. As the temperature rises throughout the day, the sweatshirt can be removed to regulate your temperature. For colder conditions and low intensity activities, a quilted or insulated sweatshirt can provide added warmth.

Vests

Vests are a terrific lightweight option for layering. From bird watching and Geocaching to hiking and kayaking, vests offer free range of motion for your arms. Vests come in a variety of materials, including puffer, softshell and fleece designs. These garments can range between lightweight materials and heavier, insulated Iron-Tuff® versions. Lots of people like to wear a vest over other layers like long-sleeved shirts or sweatshirts.

Vests are a great choice because they cover your core, and when your core is warm, your body sends blood to the hands and feet. When your core gets cold, though, the first thing the body does is take back all that blood to keep your heart and kidneys protected. So, when your hands and feet get chilly during the fall and spring, warm up your core with a vest.

Lightweight Jackets

There are a lot of lightweight jackets to choose from like fleece, softshell and puffer jackets. Each of these styles provide different benefits. One of the biggest advantages over heavily insulated jackets is that they are not rigid and can be taken off, rolled up or folded, and stored easily.

Fleece jackets are one of the most popular options. Even though they are great for cool weather, be careful as they are not waterproof and only provide wind protection to a certain point.

Lighter weight softshell jackets are probably the most versatile option because many are water resistant and windproof. They’re popular with many outdoor enthusiasts, like campers, hikers, golfers, sailors and fisherman.

Quilted and Puffer jackets provide the best of both worlds because they are very soft and lightweight while also providing insulation. If you’re hiking on a chilly morning, a puffer jacket provides an excellent layer of warmth that can also be easily removed and stored away in a backpack for later.

With the right layers and the right gear, you can enjoy the changing seasons and not worry about the changes in the weather.