“My Jacket Isn’t Breathable Enough!”

Frustrated that your jacket isn’t keeping you dry and comfortable as promised? Wondering why breathable gear still leaves you sweaty and cold on the trail? Let’s break down the realities behind breathability and how to manage your layers for the best comfort.

In SHORT…

Why isn’t my jacket truly “breathable”? Understand the limitations of breathable fabrics and why no gear is a magic fix for moisture management.
How can you avoid getting soaked from sweat? Learn why starting your hike feeling slightly cold and adjusting layers as you go is key to staying dry.
What’s the best strategy to stay comfortable in changing conditions? Discover how proactive layering and timely adjustments prevent overheating and chill on the move.

My Jacket Isn’t Breathable Enough! Marketing is a blessing and a curse. It allows us to communicate this very blog to you, after all. But on the flip side, it can be detrimental when trying to make an informed decision. If everything is breathable, soft, comfortable, quiet and *insert more hyperbole here*, the words lose their meaning. Manufacturers are quite rightly trying to sell their gear, but this can, and does, convince the humble purchaser that the item they are purchasing will solve all their issues. 

“If I purchase X, I shouldn’t feel soggy and cold next time I attempt Y”, thinks the outdoor enthusiast. This is completely understandable, but also unrealistic. Let me explain.

Jackets, trousers, baselayers, et al, have become more breathable, let’s not get that wrong, but they’re not miracle workers. If I stuck on all of my favourite walking gear and began to stride enthusiastically up the nearest mountain I could find, I’d be a soggy, miserable mess in no time. How is this solved?

‘Be bold, start cold.’

Before you say “My Jacket Isn’t Breathable Enough!” remove a number of layers until you’re ever-so-slightly too cold. As you begin to ascend, you’ll warm to the correct temperature, thus avoiding the profuse sweating and swearing. If you need to stop for a few minutes to catch your breath, have a snack or take a photo, pop a layer back on. Without this method, your baselayer won’t be able to cope with the sheer quantity of moisture and will become soaked. A sweat-logged baselayer will happily tag team with the frigid wind to ensure you’re as cold and uncomfortable as possible.

This does mean you’ll need to factor in a few minutes here and there to add and subtract layers. There aren’t any garments, no matter how bold their claims, that you can wear all day, no matter what the terrain, without needing some form of thermal regulation, whether that’s removing entirely, unzipping or simply rolling up the sleeves. To summarise all of this, the key to staying comfortable is to preemptively cool yourself off before your body kicks in to do it for you.

“If you don’t want to get cold, don’t get too hot.”