Why staying warm feels so hard in cold weather usually has very little to do with how many layers you are wearing. Most of us assume the answer is simply “wear more,” but staying warm actually comes down to what you are wearing and how those layers work together.
If you are someone who is constantly cold once the weather turns chilly, trust me, I have been there. I used to bundle up in the biggest, bulkiest sweater I owned and still wonder why I was cold all day. Like… how is it possible to be wearing so much and still feel chilled?
Here is what I wish someone told me sooner. Staying warm is not actually about piling on random layers. It is about wearing the right layers, in the right order. Once I figured that out, winter felt completely different.
If you have been shivering your way through the season, it's not you. It's your layers. Here is what is really going on, and the small changes that make a big difference.
Base layer → Mid layer → Outer layer
When your outfit is built in that order, each layer has a job. Your base layer manages heat and moisture, your mid layer traps warmth close, and your outer layer blocks wind and weather. Once you do it this way, you can wear less while actually feeling warmer.
| What’s happening | Why it makes you cold | Simple fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton next to skin | It holds moisture and pulls heat away once it is even slightly damp. | Switch to a moisture wicking base layer. Merino makes a huge difference. |
| Skipping the mid layer | You are missing the warmth trapping buffer between your base and jacket. | Add a breathable, light but insulating mid layer. |
| Bulky outerwear only | Bulk does not fix a failing base layer. | Build warmth from the inside out. |
1. Your base layer matters more than you think
For the longest time, I did not realize how important the first layer really is. I would grab a thick hoodie and hope for the best. But hoodies are meant to be mid layers, and if the layer touching your skin is not helping keep your natural warmth in, nothing on top of it will work the way you want it to.
A great base layer does three things. It holds onto heat, pulls moisture away so you do not get cold and clammy, and keeps insulating even if you sweat a little or get damp.
A great base layer should:
- Hold onto your body heat
- Pull moisture away so you do not get cold and clammy
- Keep insulating even if you sweat or get a little damp
That is why in the dead of winter, I live in the Hannah Top and Piper Leggings. They are heavier weight merino designed specifically for cold weather.
Once your base layer is doing the heavy lifting, everything else works better.
2. Cotton might be making you colder
Cotton is great in a lot of situations, but in cold weather, it is honestly kind of the enemy. It holds onto moisture, even the tiniest bit of sweat, and once it is damp, it can actually pull heat away from your body.
That is why cotton long sleeves feel freezing the second you step outside. Swapping that first layer from cotton to merino is one of those small changes that feels massive.
3. You might be missing a mid layer
Once your base is right, the next step is adding a mid layer that traps warmth without making you feel stuffed into your clothes.
Think a cozy merino hoodie, a soft quarter zip, or even a sweatshirt. The goal is warmth, not bulk. This layer helps trap warm air close to your body so your outerwear can actually do its job.
4. More bulk does not equal more warmth
Warmth is not about size. It is about how your fabrics work with your body. Merino wool traps heat while still letting your skin breathe, which is why you feel warm but not sweaty.
When you build your outfit with smart layers, you stay comfortable, not overstuffed.
5. Your simple winter warmth checklist
- Merino base layer, this is the game changer
- A breathable mid layer
- A weather ready outer layer
- Merino socks, do not skip these
- Accessories that insulate without feeling heavy
If you have been shivering your way through cold weather, it is not you. It is your layers. Once you fix your base layer, everything changes.
And if you have never tried a temperature regulating merino base layer before, it might just be your winter miracle. ❤️
