October 30, 2009Watchawearin’ Alex? – October

The arrival of the beautiful season that is Fall also brings temperatures, that for many, are harder to manage. Carefully choosing your clothes to avoid suffering through the winter becomes a veritable science. Advice is wide-ranging and depends on many factors. Even if many of us have developed an outdoorsy side, reality is often much simpler and more dramatic.

We spend most of our time inside: metro, bus, car, work, school, cafés, restaurants, home, but once we step outside, it’s hell frozen over, just like the post-apocalyptic road from “The Road” leading to Vostok.

Obviously, even if I’ve also suspected that the best set-up is to wear merino underwear and a down insulated Himalayan one-piece, it’s important to take a look at a plethora of other possibilities. Here’s one of them that I’ve choosen to wear for a typical Fall day. My friends, here’s where I reveal myself to you by sharing the secret of my set-up for the day.

The weather:

10 degrees Celsius. It rained yesterday. It’ll surely rain tomorrow. Today’s overcast, but nothing is certain these days.

Choosen kit:

• Head

A tuque isn’t entirely necessay at this point, so I rely on my coat’s hoody to protect me. I also figure I should exploit the last few bleaching sunrays before my normal head of hair returns, “Gunther” style.

• Soulders:

Icebreaker Tech-T short sleeve shirt

- Ultra comfortable 100% merino wool base layer. Perfect for an uneven season where temperature and humidity levels are unpredictable. The wool helps regulate the body’s temperature. The fibre dilates to store just enough of the warm air we produce. The shirt is close fitting which allows management of humidity, which becomes quite important when we’re constantly switching from a warm to cold environment (from the comfort of the office or metro to outside).

Icebreaker Nikau long sleeve shirt

- A second 100% merino wool layer that’s just as comfortable. This long sleeve shirt supplies superior climate control around your body. Once outside, the combination of these layers on their own can be enough for many. The combo is also comfortable inside since it deals quite well with humidity and heat.

Arc'teryx Fugitive Hoody

- My third layer is made with 100% polyester but the outside is reasonably wind-resistant et slightly water-resistant. The jacket isn’t waterproof and will not provide the same type of protection as a classic shell, but it does protect you well enough against drizzle. If it starts raining slightly, the jacket gives you enough time to seek shelter. Its brushed fleece lining adds some heat. Polyester dries quickly if ever you're caught under more rain than expected. Finally, the jacket is very light and compact so it stashes easily in a backpack if ever you don’t need to wear it.

• Legs:

For the time being, I’m fine wearing just jeans, but…

Icebreaker Relaxed Boxer Beast 150 boxer with fly

Managing heat and humidity is essential a every level and merino is definitely the most comfortable. For those who have strong thighs (whether euphemistically or not), take the boxer otherwise the boxer briefs ride up and will encourage a high-pitched voice pretty quickly. There are also other types of merino underwear, notable one much lighter: the Icebreaker Beast Brief 150.

• Toes:

I haven’t taken my winter boots out yet and it’s not raining hard enough for a 100% waterproof shoes, so my current choice is:

Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra

Made to be a trail racing shoe, but it also is a great tough and comfortable shoe for any kind of terrain. Having easy access to the Mont-Royal and noticing the state of roads and sidewalks in Montreal, there is no doubt that these all-terrain capabilities are quite interesting. I’ve had these shoes for over a year now and they’re still just as comfortable. I took the non-waterproof (without Gore-Tex) version so that it airs out better. Next step is the proper selection of socks!

Icebreaker Lite Crew

To crown things off and insure comfort and breathability, break out the merino socks in the appropriate thickness. I’m focused more on staying dry than on heat, since I’m always moving from one temperature to another. If my socks are too warm, my heat will turn into sweat when I go inside; and once I return outside, my wet feet will get cold. I’d rather have cool feet while outside, but that are comfortable while inside.

Epilogue:

There you go. Each item is versatile and comfortable. Together, they work in symbiosis to ensure a warm and dry Fall. Now, all I have to do is close my eyes and breathe in the change of seasons.

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