How to Choose Cross Training Clothing

Whether you inline skate during your off-season or run year-round on your local trails, your cross training clothing choices will affect your performance and comfort.

The Art of Layering

Layer your clothing to keep your core body temperature consistent as you work out. Layering involves three basic stages: an inner wicking layer, an insulating middle layer and a weatherproof outer layer. The amount you wear will be determined by your activity and external conditions. On very cold days, for example, you may wear more than one middle layer. The key is to stay comfortable by peeling off layers as you heat up, and adding them when you slow down and cool off.

First Layer: Moisture Management

• What It Does—Wicking fabrics pull moisture away from your skin, moving it to the surface of the fabric where it can evaporate.
• Why It's Important—Wicking fabrics keep your skin dry, which is important for maintaining a cool body temperature in the summer and avoiding hypothermia in the winter.
• Examples—Base layers can be anything from briefs and sports bras to long underwear tops and bottoms to tights and sport shirts. REI's MTS® polyester, CoolMax® polyester, Capilene® or Polartec® Power Stretch® are all examples of high-tech, wicking fabrics.
• Fit—Some garments are designed to fit very snugly for better range of motion and easier layering.

Learn how to choose sports bras.

Middle Layer: Insulation

• What It Does—The insulating layer helps you retain heat by trapping air next to your body.
• Why It's Important—In colder conditions, this layer keeps your body warm so you'll waste less energy on maintaining your body temperature, allowing you to focus more on your activities.
• Examples—Polyester fleece vests, jackets and tights are good examples of insulation suitable for outdoor activities, since they trap air for insulation and they're made with moisture-wicking fibers. For high-energy activities such as Nordic skiing, biking or running, choose lighter-weight fleece such as Polartec® 100 (such as REI Teton) or Polartec Power Dry® to avoid overheating. For very cold conditions, try thicker fleece such as Polartec 200 or 300.
• Fit—Some styles fit more snugly for better performance during activities; other styles have a looser design to provide plenty of room for layers underneath.

Outer Layer: Wind and Water Protection

• What It Does—Properly designed, the shell layer repels wind and rain, retains your body heat and allows water vapor to escape. If water is allowed to penetrate to the inner layers, or if perspiration collects on the inside of your shell, you begin to cool off.
• Why It's Important—The shell layer protects you from wind, rain or snow to keep you warm when it's cold and wet outside.
• Examples—For anything more than light activity, your shell needs to be breathable and/or well-vented to keep perspiration from collecting and chilling your body. One option is a water-resistant/breathable shell. Polyester microfiber or nylon ripstop with a water-repellent finish are examples of this type of fabric, which is well-suited for light rain and high-intensity activities such as running or inline skating. Or you could choose a waterproof/breathable shell made from materials such as REI Elements® or Gore-Tex®, which are designed for a variety of activities in harsh weather.
• Fit—The shell layer should be roomy enough to fit easily over other layers and should not restrict your movement.

Accessories

Layering is effective, but in some weather conditions you also need to pay attention to your head and extremities for overall comfort.

• Hats—The exposed surface area of your head tends to respond to changes in temperature more quickly than any other part of your body. It's easy to carry along a fleece or wool hat for winter workouts to cover your head when you feel chilly. A breathable, lightweight hat can also help you stay cool in summer.
• Gloves—When it's cold out, your body tries to preserve heat within vital organs by decreasing the amount of blood pumped to your extremities. For cold-weather exercise, a good pair of wicking, breathable gloves is a must. Thin liner gloves work fine for short workouts, but if you're out in wet weather or you're skiing or biking, you need a pair that offers wind and water resistance as well.
• Socks—Pay particular attention to your feet, whether you're exercising in cold or hot weather. When you exercise heavily, they can produce as much as a cup of perspiration. In winter, this can lead to cold feet. In summer, it often means blisters unless you wear wool, polyester or polypropylene socks that wick perspiration. Avoid cotton socks for all but light, indoor workouts.

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