Tech Tip #1

Our first tech tip! This one is about sizing hardshell layers.

Tech Tip #1
I'm the one with the tight hardshell, on the left. My puffy sticks out the bottom of my hardshell, since I sized the shell without my insulating layer on. You can see my two friends on the right have looser jackets, which better accommodate their underlayers.

When buying outerwear like hardshell jackets or mittens, it's important to consider the layers you'll wear underneath. Don't just go with your usual jacket size; instead, measure yourself while wearing the layers you'll have on underneath the shell.

If you make the mistake of using your regular jacket size or measuring yourself without the additional layers (like a puffy jacket), your hardshell layers might end up too tight. This can be problematic if the non-waterproof layers stick out from the waterproof shell.

In the photo above, you can see that my puffy jacket is peeking out from underneath my hardshell. While inconvenient, it might not seem like a big deal on a day at the resort. However, it can become dangerous during a remote, multi-day backcountry trip.