Insulation Recommendations

Insulation is warmth insurance. Layering beats “one big thing.”

• Primary
• Alternate
• Contingency
• Emergency

Primary

Your normal warmth layer for expected conditions.

• Primary Insulation Pick #1 (Base Layer)
• Primary Insulation Pick #2 (Mid Layer)
• Primary Insulation Pick #3 (Packable Insulation)

• What to look for: warmth-to-weight, comfort, packability.

Alternate

Backup warmth layer stored separately.

• Alternate Insulation Pick #1 (Backup Layer)
• Alternate Insulation Pick #2 (Warm Hat/Gloves)
• Alternate Insulation Pick #3 (Dry Socks)

• What to look for: different material/strategy, quick access.

Contingency

Extra warmth for colder-than-expected conditions.

• Contingency Insulation Pick #1 (Warmth-to-weight Upgrade)
• Contingency Insulation Pick #2 (Wet-weather Warmth)
• Contingency Insulation Pick #3 (Sleep Warmth Boost)

• What to look for: works damp, compresses well, durable.

Emergency

Emergency warmth to stabilize a survival situation.

• Emergency Insulation Pick #1 (Emergency Bivy/Blanket)
• Emergency Insulation Pick #2 (Heat Retention Layer)
• Emergency Insulation Pick #3 (Hands/Feet Warmers)

• What to look for: fast deployment, high reliability.