What To Wear When Sleighing During Winter

Source: DHgate, Tag: Outdoor Sports

Love to sleigh in the winter? wrap up warm and find out what you should wear when sleighing during the winter season.

• When it is time for Sleighing, you are going all out. Time to roll out all the fun and let loose. This is the time when we befriend the snow and get the most of winter. And there aren’t many exciting activities when the temperatures are below zero.
  But because of the conditions which can be extraordinary, you need to be prepared to face them. This involves putting your mind to it, gathering enough energy and having the right gear from head to toe.
  Enthusiasts of sleighing are always talking about layering. Simple as it may sound, layering is the key to surviving the tough conditions. But it’s not just about heaping up clothes onto your body. The layers have to be functional. Some knowledge of the thermal dynamics will go a long way in keeping you in the right conditions.
  Your comfort is the issue of big concern here. You want to be feeling warm in those freezing surroundings because the body still has to function at optimal levels. Our bodies are conditioned to perform at certain temperatures. The concept of layering is all about preventing the cold from outside from coming in to cause discomfort.

Also, your body will be generating heat to counter the conditions and you don’t want things to heat up to uncomfortable levels within your sleighing clothing. What’s more, you will sweat when you get active in a bid to cool you down. This will lead to some soaking up and you need the right clothing to wick the sweat and keep you dry and comfy.
You won’t be sleighing every moment and during those moments when you are catching a breath, it might get so cold. The layering we are emphasizing takes care of these fluctuations so that you maintain your top performance.
When you don’t have the right clothing on, you risk getting bad health outcomes. You can get a common cold or worse still, your body may slump into hypothermia. Hypothermia is a deadly condition where the body loses more heat than it can produce and this leads to suboptimal functioning of organs. You can start feeling dizzy and collapse altogether. It is a very agonizing condition that can kill. You can also suffer frostbite which is some sort of a ‘burn’ that is inflicted by extremely cold temperatures. It can be superficial, affecting only the skin or it can go to deeper levels and reach the bones as well.
The Layers You Need for sleighing
To keep the comfort and mobility, we are breaking down the different layers of clothing that you need. We will elaborate on the materials you need and how to put them on to ensure that you get the most out of the outfit. the three basic layers you need are the base, mid-layer and outer layer.
The Base Layer
The base refers to the layer that is in contact with your skin. The material you choose should have the capabilities to keep you dry and enhance your mobility. For the base layer, you can choose to have a synthetic or natural material. The synthetics are light and they are well suitable for keeping you dry because they wick the sweat. They disperse sweat so that it doesn’t stay underneath and cause discomfort. Polypropylene works just fine. You need to pay specific attention to breathability for the base layer. Breathable material has the ability to wick away the sweat but it won’t let in any form of wetness from the outer layers.
If you want more emphasis on warmth or you get cold easily, you can consider the merino wool options. This leaves pockets of space so that there is good insulation. It will keep you warm although you might have to do with some loose-fitting.
If you are thinking of using your regular pants as a base layer, it would be better to change your mind at this early stage. The material of most regular underpants isn’t meant for vigorous activity. It is affected by friction and may cause lots of chafing. Also, the material tends to soak up in a sweat and it then becomes one uncomfortable piece of clothing that you want to get rid of immediately. If you have been out sleighing, you know that the day can be ruined by such a mistake.
Mid Layer

The mid-layer or the warming layer's primary role is to keep the heat being emitted from the body within. It acts as a form of assurance because heat can escape the base layer. When you have a functional warming layer, you will stay warm.
For this mid-layer, you have the options in fleece or wool. You can use sweatshirts and sweatpants which have proved to be functional. The synthetic options are light and will not hinder your mobility. They are the best if you are looking to hit the professional levels. Pullovers and vests are other options to offer warmth.
This layer can be done away with if the conditions are warm enough. When it gets so cold or if you tend to lose heat so fast, you can always add up the layers.
The Outer Layer
The outer layer is the piece that is meant to face the outer conditions. It is supposed to be waterproof to ensure that the snow does not creep in your inner layers. Nylon and polyester are the common materials you will find on the market for the outer layers. It should be sturdy enough to withstand conditions when it gets windy. But this should not be at the expense of your mobility and top performance.
The pants you choose for the outer layer should have the means to cover your boots so that there is no space for snow to get to your feet. A cord to tighten things around will work well to prevent this. Alternatively, the pants can have buttons to fasten around the ankles.
Basically, for the outer layer, you will be looking for snow pants and a waterproof jacket. Choose the size that fits perfectly. The two pieces should also match each other in terms of size and material. It is common for manufacturers to put more emphasis on warmth for the jacket because it covers the torso and affects the core body temperature. Therefore, most waterproof jackets will come with an inner lining to boost their warming capabilities. Some manufacturers will do the same for the pants but even if that’s not the case, you can always make up for this with proper inner layering.
Protecting the Head and Face
Let us not forget that the head too will get cold and you don’t want to be feeling uncomfortable up there. Getting a hat made of wool will help you keep warm from all ends. Then comes the question of whether you should wear a helmet. It might seem like overkill if you are only engaging in mild activity but it is better to stay safe. Severe head injuries have been recorded during sledging, mostly in children. You just don’t know when you can fall and what you will hit. To avoid these concussions or intracranial bleeds, it is safe to have a helmet on when you go sledging.
The other sensitive parts that you need to protect are the eyes. Again depending on the conditions, you will have options to choose from. If there are blizzards, then you are looking at protective goggles to ensure maximum safety. Some people are more comfortable with the usual sunglasses especially when the conditions are a bit calm.
As a rule, you should not step out to sledge or snowboard without protective eyewear. Because of the reflective properties of snow, the lights get reflected in your eyes and the intensity can potentially cause blindness by a condition known as photokeratitis.
For the neck, make sure to put on a scarf that covers every part and provides enough warmth.
The Hands and Legs
For sleighing and snow tubing, you need to offer sufficient protection to your feet. The boots have to be sturdy to withstand the conditions and waterproof to keep your feet dry. Always ensure you get quality boots for sleighing.
For the hands, you need to make sure that you have thick gloves on to handle the friction as well as the cold. Pick a material that has the waterproof ability. Cotton may not be the best option when it comes to sleighing. The mittens can easily soak up and start causing discomfort to your hands. Remember that you will be using your hands to make some manoeuvres and to slow down.
The same applies to socks. You need nylon or polyester. The reason is that it is not entirely possible to keep all the ice from getting inside your boots. The nature of the activities typically allows some pieces into the boot. When this happens and you have poor quality socks, you will soon have damp feet because poor material will absorb the moisture coming from the melting ice.
In all these layers and accessories, we are looking to achieve comfort and to get maximum enjoyment from sleighing. Your safety should not be compromised in any way. Because of the serious health concerns that we highlighted at the beginning, make sure to throw everything at ensuring you stay safe even as you engage in your favourite sport.
You are free to make any adjustments to your layers as long as it enhances your comfort. You don’t have to be locked inside the layers when it is burning hot. Of course, weather conditions can change anytime and you need to follow suit with your clothing. When the temperatures rise, you can always reduce the warming layer and thin it out. If it is too hot, you can get rid of it together. And the converse also applies. In simple terms, make sure to take control of the conditions out in the field.
The Extras
While you are out sleighing, remember you will have to drive or walk back home. And at the end of the day, you will be tired and longing for some warmth in nice clothing. Therefore, make a point of carrying extra clothing while you head out. Even though you might have all the right gear with you, sometimes the conditions get unfriendly. And in unfortunate events, accidents can occur and you will end up needing fresh pieces of clothing. Make it a habit to carry extra pieces of clothing when you go out to sledge.
You can also carry a small bag with you. Something subtle like a fanny pack will get you going. Here, you can put your phone and some other accessories that you might need. The thrill of taking some selfies on the snow is one of a kind. Let not the gear prevent you from taking those nice snaps and videos. With a fanny pack, you will not have to deal with the disappointment of losing your devices when you go out sleighing.
Are there other options that you consider apart from these gear? Well, it is safe to always have the right pieces of gear when you go out sleighing. If you don’t want to follow all the rules, at least have something such as wind pants and rain pants. Find something flexible to wear underneath and get the best experience sleighing.
Wrapping It Up
sleighing is one of the activities that light up winter. It is a time to take out family or get to hang out with friends and engage in vigorous exercise. Just ensure you have the right gear in place when you go out because this will save you from hazards that lark out there. These sleighing gear can be found at DHgate which is an online shopping destination of choice. You will get a variety to choose from because we have collections from manufacturers who are topping the charts.