The same techniques that keep a house warm also keep our bodies warm. You will learn about this aspect in this activity.   

Dressing for the Cold

On cold days, it's best to wear several layers — clothing like a T-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, sweater, pants, and jacket. Choose clothing for the inner layers with open weaves and thickness. Air trapped in the material will serve as insulation. A windproof outer layer will keep warm air from escaping.

Some of the warmest winter clothes contain down. Birds grow fluffy down feathers under the feathers that can be seen. These feathers keep birds warm. Down is often quilted between the outer shell and inner lining of a vest or jacket. When down is fluffed, it holds air in place. The jacket material keeps air from blowing through the down and changing cold air for warm.

 

Remember that a dry body is a warm body. If you are engaging in any vigorous activity, you will sweat. When working or playing outside, you want to protect yourself from getting and staying damp. When you start to sweat, remove one layer, then possibly another. This will allow heat to transfer out and your body to stay at the right temperature. Then as soon as you stop moving, replace those layers of clothing.

The Inuit peoples who live in northern Canada wear clothes like the ones in the images below and on the right. On very cold days, two complete suits are worn. The inner set is worn with fur next to the body. Body moisture is transferred through the fur and through the leather skin.

Caribou fur is dense and the individual hairs are hollow. Air trapped between and inside the hair provides insulation. The outer parka is worn with the fur outside. This is very important on very cold days. The parka hood traps air in front of the wearer’s face. Frigid air is warmed before being breathed, and this protects the wearer’s lungs.

During extreme cold weather, water vapour from the lungs might condense and freeze on people’s faces and clothing. Inuit hoods are designed to prevent condensation. The edge of the hood, where ice might form, is trimmed with wolverine, wolf, or some dog fur, which ice does not stick to.