Outdoor adventurers push themselves to the limit. And today's wide range of high-performance active-wear fabrics are up to the test.
Whether you hunt, fish, bike, hike, run or climb, the appropriate apparel is as important as your sports equipment.Bulky, uncomfortable clothing has been replaced by clothing made of stylish, lightweight fabrics that provide the right amount of warmth and dryness without making you feeling stuffed and stiff.
Supplex nylon, for instance, is lightweight and wind- and water-resistant.
Layering is the best way to prepare for a variety of climates or exertion levels in outdoor activities, says Charma Whitehead, sales specialist with Salt Lake City's REI store.
"Weather conditions in Utah can change rapidly even on short day hikes," she said. "Hikers should always carry extra warm clothes and gear to stay dry if conditions do change. It's best to be prepared."
The popularity of quality outdoor gear and clothing is manifested by REI's success in Utah. In April, REI moved from its Brickyard Plaza location to a store nearly three times as large at 3285 E. 3300 South. REI is the nation's largest cooperative, with 3 million members worldwide and 65,000 members in Utah.
Multiple layers of clothing allow an outdoor enthusiastic to remove or add items as the whether changes. Three essential layers are involved - underwear, insulation and a shell - that can be combined to achieve maximum warmth when needed, said Whitehead.
Underwear for outdoor activity is available in synthetic and natural fibers. Synthetic fabrics are designed to transport moisture away from your body along the surface of the fibers. Natural fibers, such as silk, wool and cotton underwear, do not transport moisture as efficiently as synthetics, but are good choices for warmth in low-exertion activities, she said.
Insulating garments provide additional warmth. Two categories of fibers are available - natural fibers such as wool and down and synthetic fibers, which come as either batted fibers or pile fabrics.
Down is an excellent natural insulator, lightweight and extremely warm. Garments can be slightly bulky and can lose their insulating efficiency when wet, so a waterproof shell may be necessary if you wear down in a damp climate. Down's ability to compress - to be packed into a small space - is one advantage of this material.
Manmade synthetics provide good insulation even when wet. Some synthetics are manufactured in bats, or bundles, of fibers that provide a fill between an outer shell and inner lining (much like in a down jacket). Batted fibers come in thin or thick lofts. Thinner lofts allow a close fit to the body, while thicker lofts are generally used for extreme cold-weather garments, Whitehead said.
Pile fabrics are made of a plush, non-piling polyester fiber. They provide excellent insulation even when wet, great breathability and are quick-drying. They are not, however, windproof, so they may require a windproof shell in cold, windy conditions.
"Higher exertion activities usually require lighter insulating garments than low-exertion or those activities that alternate rest with activity," said Whitehead. "In purchasing outdoor clothing, consider how well the garment compresses to pack - you likely will not be wearing all your layers at one time.
"Not only is layering functional, it's fashionable, too," she said. "Bright colors, patterns and textures provide an interesting mixture in style and look great worn outdoors or in any casual setting."