DRESS FOR SUCCESS

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Protective gear is always necessary when riding off-road. No matter what the trail offers, no matter what the weather is, the outfit you wear is as important as the vehicle you choose. It has two basic purposes, whatever the season: comfort and protection. But obviously, it should suit the weather and riding conditions as well.

Looks like you should have at least 3 (!) kits of riding gear – for cold, hot, and mid-season. Right? Not exactly.  

Here’s the truth: You don’t need more expensive clothing. All you need is the smart strategy of layering up. In this guide, you’ll learn how to keep comfortable over a wide range of temperatures and use the same riding set of membrane waders and a jacket for all seasons, with just a little extra gear and a few tricks.

Buy less – Ride more!

What Is The Layering System?

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

We bet many of us, off-road crazy riders, once had a bulky suit for winter and a T-shirt with common pants for summer.

Another alternative is to wear the same set of membrane waders and a jacket for both cold and heat, just using proper thermal layers underneath and slipping them on or off in case the weather is changing. Thus, it takes around a minute to warm up or cool down, adapting to the terrain and conditions throughout the day.

For newbies and pro riders who have never thought of it, the range of layering options available today can be a little overwhelming. Where to start? What to choose? To show you how to mix and match layers properly, let’s take a good example of the Finntrail riding gear since this brand is one of the few that build specialized off-road membrane apparel and offer a range of thermal underwear.

How Do Multiple Layers Work?

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The classic layering system structure looks like your breakfast sandwich. It consists of three main pieces: a base layer, a mid-layer and an outer layer. Each layer has its own function, but when combined, these items work together to keep you comfortable and dry when you’re riding your ATV & UTV.  

Base Layer: Worn next to the skin and designed to move your sweat away quickly.

Mid-layer: Provides insulation while still letting excess moisture pass through.

Outer Layer: Protects you from environmental factors such as water, rain, snow, wind, mud, dust, and debris.

 

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

There are two main points you should pay attention to. 

First, each layer needs to be made of breathable, fast-drying fabrics. They allow the warm, moist vapour produced by your body to continue its journey to the air outside. Otherwise, it will stay right next to your skin, making you damp and cold.

To let the layering system work, choose breathable membrane waders and jackets. Make sure your gear is built with proven membrane technologies such as Hard-Tex. Neoprene waders won’t suit. No doubt, they perform well in winter as neoprene provides a high level of insulation. But they’re not a good choice in summer. Being entirely non-breathable, neoprene waders create their own greenhouse (heat-trapping) effect, making you sweat and sweat and sweat for hours on the trail. 

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Second, it’s a big mistake to think that “thermal” underwear means “heating”. In fact, its main function is to keep your body temperature regulated. Thermal underwear is an essential piece of riding gear all year round. In winter, it keeps you dry and warm. In summer, it helps you cool down and not overheat in the sun. 

So, don’t neglect to wear the thermal underwear under your waders when it’s hot, considering that one more layer will make you hotter. When choosing the item, just make sure it’s designed for the proper temperature range and level of activity.

How To Mix Layers For Any Weather

The best thing about the layering system is that you may have one set of outer membrane gear and just a few thermal underwear garments to easily adapt to any temperature range. 

Use this guide and mix your layers to stay comfortable throughout the year.

LAYERING FOR COLD SEASON

Layer	Mid Intensity	High Intensity
Base	Extremely warm fleece underwear with a high zip collar won’t make you freeze. It perfectly accumulates your body heat, wicks away moisture and dries quickly. Flat seams and hypoallergenic materials ensure comfortable next-to-skin wearing.	Ultra-breathable light synthetics provide great wicking and quick-drying capabilities for high-intensity cardio activities. Seamless design eliminates chafing in high wear areas. Odor control hypoallergenic materials ensure comfortable next-to-skin wearing for long-haul days on the trails.
Middle #1	Fleece overall in addition to the base layer is the perfect mid-layer for your core body and legs, when riding at freezing temperatures.  Extremely light, fast-drying, and phenomenally breathable, it features an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio.	Fleece overall in addition to the base layer is the perfect mid-layer for your core body and legs, when riding at freezing temperatures.  Extremely light, fast-drying, and phenomenally breathable, it features an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio.
Middle #2	Hybrid mid layer is constructed from a blend of high-performance materials and advanced Thermalrate technology to create light, compact, and breathable insulation around your core. Moisture-resistant top layer provides extra protection against water and snow.	Durable softshell mid-layer creates super light, compact and breathable thermoregulation by reflecting and retaining the warmth your body generates. It also excels at blocking wind while allowing sweat to escape and drying quickly.
Outer	High-performance waterproof/breathable membrane shells let sweat escape and repel water and moisture.  Adjustable drawstring at the top of waders don’t let water, debris or snow slip inside.  Suitable for long-distance riding wherever you want – mud, streams, swamps, or woodlands.	High-performance waterproof/breathable membrane shells let sweat escape and repel water and moisture.  Abrasion-resistant coating and extra reinforcement guarantee durability in hardcore environements.  Suitable for extreme riding wherever you want – mud, streams, swamps, or woodlands.

 

An Outfit for Mid-Intensity Riding

From left: Finntrail Subzero thermal underwear,
Finntrail POLAR fleece overall,
Finntrail Master insulated jacket,
Finntrail Aquamaster set of membrane waders, jacket, and boots for off-road riders.

 

An Outfit for High-Intensity Riding

From left: Finntrail All Season thermal underwear,
Finntrail POLAR fleece overall,
Finntrail Nitro softshell jacket,
Finntrail Enduro set of membrane waders, jacket, and boots for hardcore off-road riders.

 

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

LAYERING FOR MID-SEASON

 

Layer	Mid Intensity	High Intensity
Base	Light and breathable synthetic base layer which delivers both good moisture-wicking and body heat retention. Flat seams and hypoallergenic materials ensure comfortable next-to-skin wearing.	Ultra-breathable light synthetics provide great wicking and quick-drying capabilities for high-intensity cardio activities. Seamless design eliminates chafing in high wear areas. Odor control hypoallergenic materials ensure comfortable next-to-skin wearing for long-haul days on the trails.
Middle	Durable softshell mid-layer doesn’t feature special insulation material but it perfectly regulates your temperature by reflecting and retaining the warmth your body generates. It also excels at blocking wind while allowing sweat to escape and drying quickly.	Durable softshell mid-layer doesn’t feature special insulation material but it perfectly regulates your temperature by reflecting and retaining the warmth your body generates. It also excels at blocking wind while allowing sweat to escape and drying quickly.
Outer	High-performance waterproof/breathable membrane shells let sweat escape and repel water and moisture.  Abrasion-resistant coating guarantees durability in hardcore environements.  Suitable for riding wherever you want – mud, streams, swamps, or woodlands.	High-performance waterproof/breathable membrane shells let sweat escape and repel water and moisture.  Abrasion-resistant coating guarantees durability in hardcore environements. Suitable for riding wherever you want – mud, streams, swamps, or woodlands.

 

 

An Outfit for Mid-Intensity Riding

From left: 

Finntrail Thermo S thermal underwear,

Finntrail Nitro softshell jacket,
Finntrail Aquamaster set of membrane waders, jacket, and boots for off-road riders.  

 

An Outfit for High-Intensity Riding

From left: 

Finntrail All Season thermal underwear, 

Finntrail Nitro softshell jacket,  

Finntrail Enduro set of membrane waders, jacket, and boots for hardcore off-road riders.

LAYERING FOR WARM SEASON

Layer	Mid Intensity	High Intensity
Base	Ultra-breathable light synthetics provide great wicking and quick-drying capabilities for high-intensity cardio activities. Seamless design eliminates chafing in high wear areas. Odor control hypoallergenic materials ensure comfortable next-to-skin wearing for long-haul days on the trails.	Ultra-breathable and super thin synthetic items feature excellent moisture-wicking and quick-drying capabilities for high-intensity cardio activities in the hot season. Seamless design eliminates chafing in high wear areas. Odor control hypoallergenic materials ensure comfortable next-to-skin wearing for long-haul days on the trails.
Outer	High-performance waterproof/breathable membrane shells let sweat escape and repel water and moisture.  Abrasion-resistant coating guarantees durability in hardcore environements.  Suitable for riding wherever you want – mud, streams, swamps, or woodlands.	High-performance waterproof/breathable membrane shells let sweat escape and repel water and moisture.  Abrasion-resistant coating guarantees durability in hardcore environements.  Suitable for riding wherever you want – mud, streams, swamps, or woodlands.

 

An Outfit for Mid-Intensity Riding

From left: 

Finntrail All Season thermal underwear,

Finntrail Aquamaster set of membrane waders, jacket, and boots for off-road riders.  

 

An Outfit for High-Intensity Riding

From left: 

Finntrail All Season thermal underwear,

Finntrail Enduro set of membrane waders, jacket, and boots for hardcore off-road riders.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Wrapping it up

 

Let your desire to ride be more powerful than a cold breeze or scorching sun. Learning the basics of the layering system will make your off-road life significantly easier. Though, keep in mind that we all operate at different temperatures. It may take a bit of time to find your personal sweet spot and the perfect combination of layers. 

Anyway, if layering up properly, you’ll make space, save money and feel the most comfortable on your ATV / UTV, whatever the season.

See you out on the trails!

*All media and product specifications used in this article are obtained from the manufacturer’s website and social media.

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