Well, it is that time of year again when our outdoor activities become more concerning about the way we dress.

Over the past few years, I have tinkered and experimented with clothing made from different fibers to test this issue on my own terms and how these different fibers provide me with what I need to be safe and comfortable. About a month ago was another time I played around with clothing since it was the first time we had any cooler temperatures to speak of. 

For the first couple of weeks of hunting season, particularly through the bow season, the temperatures were in the 70s and even low 80s.  You might not think that this is a time to test cold weather gear.  Wrong! You see, many of the new garments are made using various synthetic “next to skin” fibers that are advertised to keep you both cool and warm. These fibers are designed to “wick” moisture away from you body to keep you dry when it is warm enough for you to perspire and they are also designed to insulate your body when it is cold.

Don’t ask me how this works. I still have problems trying to figure out why zippers and buttons on men’s clothing are on the opposite side of those on women’s garments.  But, the good news is that for the most part, these fibers really do a good job. 

An added advantage to garments made from these fibers is that they are much lighter in weight than those made of wool for an example.  They are also available in a much broader range of colors and styles.  However, the word “cheap” or “inexpensive” is nowhere to be found when talking about this new wave of technology. It is not uncommon to see a price tag on what you might consider a simple long sleeve undershirt in the $49 to $79 range and if you look for one with some brand names, you can expect to go even higher.

To me, in my experience, there are two key elements in the use of these “micro fiber” garments. 

First, which is also true for garments made from natural fibers, is layering. Starting off with a very light weight T-shirt and building up to what ever the weather conditions demand, dressing in layers does two things. It provides for the needed protection and it also enables you to adjust to the changing conditions throughout the day or night. You can put on or take off layers as needed.

The second key element is capturing. What I have found is that as good as these fibers are, they do not hold body heat very well on their own. It’s difficult to explain what I mean, but what I find is that even if I have two or three or even more layers on and I stop moving, stop generating heat, these garments do not do well to contain body heat. If you should be standing in a breeze, as an example, you will almost immediately understand what I’m trying to illustrate, you will feel the effects on the wind and the chilling within a very short time.

However, if you wear or add a tightly woven garment to your layering scheme that contains or captures your body heat by preventing it from escaping or blocking the colder wind from penetrating, these garments work extremely well.  When I went out a month ago, I experimented with the new and the old. I wore a couple of layers of micro fiber light weight garments and then, on top of them, added an old fashion 100 percent wool shirt and I was very comfortable.

So, next time you are out shopping or trying to come up with an idea for a Christmas present, remember these combinations.  There are numerous brands available in just about every sporting goods stores you can think of from Dick’s to Sears to WalMart, and yes, in my favorite catalog, Cabela’s.

One of these days, those guys are going to send me a coupon or something.

Keep warm and have a safe winter season.

See you outdoors!