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Walk in the Cold

By Wendy Bumgardner, About.com

Updated May 08, 2003

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

How to Walk in the Cold
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 minutes

Here's How:

  1. Base layer: polypropylene (Capilene, Thermion, Thermax and Thermastat) or silk undershirt and longjohns.
  2. Insulating layer: shirt and pants of wool, fleece, pile, or down.
  3. Outer layer: Windproof and water-resistant jacket worn loosely.
  4. Avoid cotton as it does not wick sweat and will cool you rapidly if it gets wet.
  5. Hat to insulate head and retain heat.
  6. Gloves or mittens.
  7. Scarf or neck gaiter.
  8. Chapstick and sunscreen to protect skin and lips.
  9. Warm up longer at a moderate pace before switching to your fast pace.
  10. Remove layers as you warm up.
  11. Drink 8 oz. of water every 15-30 minutes while walking.

Tips:

  1. You will warm up more than you think you will while walking, plan how to carry your shed layers.
  2. If it is windy, try to arrange your route into the wind outbound and returning with the wind at your back.

What You Need:

  • wicking base layer
  • fleece or wool layer
  • jacket
  • gloves
  • hat

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