5 Tips to Gear Up in Style This Winter
Winter is coming. You’ve probably already noticed the sun setting way too early, how much harder it is to get out of bed in the morning, and the air getting too cold to head out without a proper jacket. For us EDCers at least, having to wear a jacket has a silver lining — more pocket space! But with the changing demands of the colder conditions creeping in, you’ll have to think carefully not just about how you dress, but also how you EDC. In this guide, we’ll break down some tips and recommendations to keep in mind to help you get your winter setup down cold.
1. Layer up the right way.
You might feel warm and toasty piling on shirts and sweaters, but just like with assembling your EDC, the key to keeping warm is a proper system. Regular tee shirts made from cotton can soak with sweat when you’re trying to keep warm, and that dampness will do you more harm than good in the cold. Start with a proper base layer made from synthetic fabric or wool to manage moisture.
On top of that, you’ll want another layer to line your jacket for overall warmth. Our Torrenthorn Jacket, for example, features Thermore Eco 100gm insulation to keep heat in. It’s water repellant and can stand on its own as a jacket for when the temperatures haven’t dipped too low, but it’s compatible with our Modular Liner System to make layering under a dedicated coat literally a snap.
Your last line of defense against the harshest elements is your jacket or coat to protect you from wind, rain, and snow. Our Charmotane Hooded Jacket has a mid-thigh length, seam sealed interior, and a durable water repellant finish to keep you covered when navigating the city. Pair it with an insulated liner jacket (like the Torrenthorn) or vest for added warmth, then load up its four roomy external pockets with your essentials, and you’re ready to go.
2. Accessorize for warmth.
It’s important to keep your head, neck, and hands protected too. Don’t forget winter accessories like a warm hat, scarf or neck gaiter, and a pair of gloves. If you’re using touchscreen devices throughout the day, look for gloves with capacitive fingertips so you won’t have to use a stylus. But if you already have a favorite pair of warm gloves, you can swap out your EDC pen with a two-in-one stylus/pen as an efficient way to work on your phone or in your notebook.
3. Size up your gear.
A major drawback to wearing gloves is that they can really get in the way of using your gear. A pocketknife isn’t so useful if you can’t get it open or handle it securely with your gloves on. Opt for larger gear with ergonomics and usability in mind. Besides helping with gloved operation, larger tools often come with more functions and added durability too.
4. Carry a more powerful flashlight.
You don’t need to be spending most of your time outdoors for a high powered flashlight to be useful. With the sun setting so much earlier in the afternoon, you’re more likely to find yourself out in the dark. Wet conditions from rain, snow, and ice can make walking on unlit paths even more hazardous, so now’s a good time to upgrade from your phone LED or that tiny backup light you keep on your keychain. A high powered light using 2 CR123a batteries or a 18650-based light not only gives you the illumination you need, but also better runtime for the longer nights as well as a form factor that’s easier to hold and operate while wearing gloves. Lights that use these more advanced lithium ion batteries fare better in cold weather compared to your ordinary alkaline battery options (opt for NiMH rechargeable batteries if you want to go the AA or AAA route), so you’re less likely to get caught in the dark with a dead flashlight.
5. Round out your carry with supplemental gear.
With all that extra pocket space, you can move essentials you’d normally keep in your bag onto your person for quicker access. You can keep your notebook in a chest pocket to help against the wear and tear of backpocket carry, and have your pen ride alongside it if clipping it to your pants pockets is uncomfortable. But if you do manage to fit your core EDC nicely in your pants pockets alone, you can take advantage of your coat pockets for storing gear to keep you warmer (like a pocket hand warmer, for example). External jacket pockets also come in handy for storing backup batteries (for your flashlight or phone) and putting away your gloves or cap when you aren’t wearing them.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be ready when the cold really sets in. Check out Victorinox apparel and outerwear for a stylish, utilitarian jacket to keep you prepared and protected this winter.
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