Hunting is a great sport that can take place in the cold of the winter or the heat of the summer. Many hunters start out early in the day, before the sun has broken over the horizon, and stay out until the sun sets. Varied times of year out hunting, as well as long days outside, make the art of layering your clothing when you go hunting really important.

You want your clothing to work together to keep you cool or warm as the weather dictates and protect you from the elements. When layers, you have your base layer, mid-layer, and outer layer.

Base Layer

The base layer is the layer of clothing that is right up next to your skin. This layer is the key to wicking moisture and sweat away from your body, keeping you dry and either cool or warm, depending on the time of year.

When you choose a base layer, think about the time of year. In the summer, a lightweight base layer may be all you need to wick sweat off your skin.

In the fall or spring, you may want a mid-weight base layer that will help wick away moisture while also keeping you warm. In the winter or colder climates, you'll want a heavyweight base layer that is breathable and ventilated but provides you with a high level of insulation.

Synthetics, polypropylene, and silk are three common materials for base layers. Performance long-sleeve shirts, which are designed to keep you cool when working outside, make a great base layer. 

Mid-layer

The mid-layer is designed to work together with your base layer. You want your mid-layer to be capable of removing moisture from your body while keeping heat in place. You want to be able to easily remove a mid-layer if you get too hot, or add a second one if it is cold outside. In mild weather, your mid-layer may double as your base layer.

Materials such as nylon, merino wool, and polyester are ideal for mid layers.

Outer Layer

The outer layer is designed to protect you from the elements. The outer layer should be able to keep you dry if it is raining and warm if it is snowing or really windy outside. Your outer layer should also be strong so it is not easily damaged by brushing up against tree branches and bushes as you hike outside.

Your outer layer doesn't have to be really thick to accomplish this; it more than likely needs to be made of an insulated waterproof material. When hunting, it can be nice to have an outer layer that is easy to put into your bag if you get too hot.

Make sure that you have the right clothing so that you can layer up appropriately the next time you go hunting.