3 Things Keeping You Cold While Backpacking
The reason you feel cold outside probably isn't what you think. It's likely NOT because of a 'bad jacket.' 3 OTHER main things are likely the reason you feel cold in the backcountry, & this article will help you understand them!
It's so important to understand these points - otherwise you might spend your entire life constantly cold & never really understanding why.
Here at OV, we spend weeks at a time in the backcountry.
Collectively we log thousands of miles on trail & have spent countless hours honing in on the BEST ways to stay comfortable & confident outdoors.
We can promise you that these 3 secrets are worth knowing. You CAN be comfortable.
Secret #1: Heavier Jackets Don't Always Mean More Warmth
You've probably seen lots of people bundling up with big, heavy jackets when temperatures outside drop.
While big, heavy jackets might block the wind pretty well - the fabrics can compress insulation (insulation needs LOFT to actually work!)
Some of these heavy jackets don't even have insulation.
Instead, they are made with just thick, heavy fabrics that may feel comforting, but don't actually insulate much.
Again, it's the LOFT (or the puffiness) of a jacket that adds the most warmth - NOT how much the jacket weighs.
Secret #2: Warmth Now DOES NOT Mean Warmth Later
Ask yourself how many times you've planned to go outside for a couple of hours and at the 30 minute mark, you're already feeling overheated & are rethinking your decision.
This is because you wore a jacket that was TOO warm.
Maybe it felt great right as you left your house or got out of the car to step into the cold.
But as you started to move around, you started to sweat.
Big problem.
The MAIN JOB of sweat is to cool you down! The second you stop moving, your sweat instantly starts to do it's job to cool you down - making you feel uncomfortable.
The "Super Warm" puffy jacket you love might actually be the REASON YOU FEEL COLD, not the thing keeping you warm in the end.
Secret #3: Waterproof or Weatherproof Jackets Are NOT Warmer
We all know that getting wet is a very serious problem & is the quickest way to go hypothermic in the backcountry.
But wearing a waterproof jacket all the time is actually guaranteeing that you'll get wet!
How?
Humans constantly product moisture as a part of daily life - even when you're not active.
By wearing a waterproof jacket when you're NOT in the rain, you are trapping all that moisture inside.
The moisture eventually condenses into liquid and soaks whatever clothing you're wearing.
At that point, it will be incredibly difficult to feel warm & comfortable. That moisture will keep you cold!
Solution:
What you need is a jacket that is warm, but also breathable so you can regulate your temperature - whether you're sitting still or moving while outside.
Put It All Together
So to sum it all up, make sure you wear a jacket that can BREATHE in the backcountry, isn't TOO warm, & that isn't so heavy that it's compressing any insulation inside.
If you've made it this far, we'd like to help you out.
Why not have an insulating layer that weighs less than half a pound & packs to the size of a softball?
The Ventus Active Hoodie is the world's lightest weight insulated hoodie at just 7oz. It solves ALL of the problems discussed above.
It's powered by an innovative & stretchable insulation that allows you to move, vent heat while moving, & retain more heat when you stop.
This is your first step to warmer & more enjoyable adventures outdoors. Here are a few media mentions to prove it:
"This quarter-zip synthetic-insulated jacket kept testers warm down to 30 degrees & compressed to the size of a grapefruit..." -Outside Magazine
"Men's Best Hiking Apparel: Ventus Active Hoodie by Outdoor Vitals 'Technical Layer for any occasion'" -Backpacker Magazine
"...the Ventus hoodie was one of the most impressive pieces of gear that I used this year. It’s earned a permanent spot in my pack." -Outdoor Life
"The Ventus Hoodie has quickly become my most coveted insulated technical layer due to its versatility, breathability, and warmth." -Blister Review
Find out for yourself!
By clicking below you can actually try a Ventus Active Hoodie completely FREE & pay for it later.
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