How to find your own clothing's comfort zone
Introduction
When I go outdoors, I typically check the weather forecast and wear clothes that are most likely to keep me comfortable in the given conditions. But what does a specific temperature actually mean in terms of clothing? This question becomes more important as you travel to different climates or plan to sleep outdoors. For example, during an overnighter or a multi-day hike, you cannot easily change clothes or bring an extensive variety of options. In this post, I outline a method I currently use to better understand how different temperatures feel and how to dress appropriately.
Prerequisites
To get started, we need an accurate way to measure the outside temperature and humidity. I use the SwitchBot IP65 Hygrometer Thermometer. It is simple to set up, collects data via Bluetooth, and allows data export to a CSV file. However, any thermometer that shows the lowest recorded temperature will work.
You will also need one or two weather apps, which you should use consistently to avoid data variability. I use the native Apple Weather app and the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) app. It's important to stick to the same apps, regardless of their accuracy, because we want to calibrate our sense of temperature based on consistent data sources.
Process
Every time I go outdoors, I do the following:
- Record the outside temperature and humidity from the two weather apps and save the data (I typically take screenshots).
- Record the clothing I wore, including the exact models. To make this easier, I use the following template:
| Layer | Brand | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Base Layer | ||
| Leg Base Layer | ||
| Mid Layer | ||
| Additional Mid Layer | ||
| Pants | ||
| Shell | ||
| First Layer Socks | ||
| Second Layer Socks | ||
| First Layer Gloves | ||
| Second Layer Gloves | ||
| Headwear | ||
| Neckwear | ||
| Shoes |
For overnighters, I also record the sleeping equipment I used. For example:
| Sleeping Equipment | Brand | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Tent | ||
| Hammock | ||
| Sleeping Bag Liner | ||
| Sleeping Bag | ||
| Overquilt | ||
| Underquilt | ||
| Sleeping Pad |
Additionally, note down what clothes you wore while sleeping.
Example
Here is an example of what this could look like:
| Layer | Brand | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Base Layer | Woolpower | Tee 200 |
| Leg Base Layer | - | - |
| Mid Layer | Woolpower | Turtleneck 400 |
| Additional Mid Layer | Cumulus | Incredilite Endurance |
| Pants | SOLOGNAC | Jagdhose 900 |
| Shell | - | - |
| First Layer Socks | Woolpower | Active Socks 200 |
| Second Layer Socks | Woolpower | Socks 600 |
| First Layer Gloves | The Heat Company | Merino Liner Pro |
| Second Layer Gloves | - | - |
| Headwear | Buff | Merino Heavyweight |
| Neckwear | - | - |
| Shoes | - | Leather Shoes |
Apple's Weather app reported a low of -2°C and a high of 1°C, while the DWD app reported -4°C and -1°C.
Finally, I check the actual temperature and humidity using the SwitchBot Hygrometer Thermometer. It recorded a low of -0.7°C with 75% humidity, an important detail because high humidity makes temperatures feel more uncomfortable. For example, in winter, high humidity allows moisture to penetrate clothing more easily, making the air feel bone-chilling.
Afterwards, when I'm home or at camp, I note how I felt throughout the day—both when active and when stationary. For instance, during this outing, I stayed warm overall, but after standing still for 1–2 hours, my toes started to feel cold.
Conclusion
By repeating this process in different conditions, you'll build a personal database of how various temperatures feel and what clothing works best for you. The next time you head outdoors, you can refer to your notes, find a similar temperature, and pack accordingly to stay comfortable and warm.