As cold wave grips north India, know why wearing multiple layers of clothes is better than a single thick coat

He added that the number of clothes we wear affects our body temperature more than their thickness.

Agreeing, Dr Vighnesh Naidu Y, Consultant Physician, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, said that layered clothing works well for colder weather as one can add or remove layers to avoid sweating. It is essential as “sweating damps the clothing, bringing down its ability to insulate during a cold wave and cause life-threatening hypothermia”, he said.

How to layer?

Now that we know that’s better to layer, let’s understand how can we layer to earn maximum protection against cold.

Dr Naidu explained that one must ensure the layered clothing is well-fitted – not too tight or too loose. “It is advisable to wear long inner wears for the inner layer, mid layering with a well-fitted woollen shirt/top and the insulation layer with a suitable material with good thickness as it is the key for good insulation, and finally, a potent outer wind shell,” the expert shared.

Head and face should be protected with appropriate covering (Source: Pexels)

Allow us to break it down for you, layer by layer, as suggested by Dr Dutta.

First layer

The base layer needs to be able to wick away moisture as heat can encourage sweating. “An example of this would be cold weather sportswear, which offers the best compromise between lightweight fabric and moisture-wicking properties, adds a little bit of volume, and allows for a lot of flexibility in movement.”

Second layer

The second layer, on the other hand, should have heat-retentive qualities. “Wool is one such fibre that fits the bill. Warm and stylish clothing includes wool jackets composed of materials like angora and cashmere. On chilly days, warmth can be obtained by wearing a decent cardigan with a simple cotton shirt. Though it requires layers of a tight, windproof fabric to provide protection from the wind, synthetic wool is lightweight and a superb insulator even when wet,” he said.

The third layer/the protection barrier

This layer is crucial as the inner layers are kept safe by this layer. Dr Dutta explained, “This layer might not be particularly warm or insulating, but it should prevent wind from entering the body, trap warm air inside, and allow moisture to escape.”

Other clothing ways to remain warm during cold wave

Dr Dutta shared the following tips to keep yourself warm amid dipping temperatures.

*If you enjoy winter activities, dress in breathable, weather-resistant, and warm clothes. Synthetic fabrics offer greater comfort at lighter weights than heavy wool, allowing you to layer two or three thin layers in a row. Wear warm pants and leggings, as well as weatherproof gloves and an insulated hat.

*You should wear heavy, insulating, and weather-resistant clothing if you plan to spend a lot of time sitting down. If there isn’t any rain, you don’t need to worry as much about keeping dry. With a focus on a layer of moisture-absorbing socks, a base layer can be worn with thinner wool layers and an outer layer composed of synthetic fibres. Thick and insulated shoes can also be used to keep the feet warm.

“Head and face should be protected with appropriate covering with woollen monkey caps/ski masks/balaclava to keep the head and the ears warm,” Dr Naidu said.

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