OG Cold Weather Layering Guide

Introduction

The OG cold weather layering guide is your fast, field-proven system for staying warm without overheating. This guide breaks layering into three simple jobs you can scale to the day’s weather and workload: base to move sweat off skin, mid to trap heat, and shell to block wind and precipitation. We’ll show real use cases—from wet, stop-and-go patrols around 38–45°F to sub-zero static glassing—so you know exactly what to wear, when, and why.

What each layer does (at a glance):

• Base: Keeps skin dry so you don’t chill when you slow down.

• Mid: Adds adjustable warmth with fleece or synthetic insulation.

• Shell: Shields from wind/rain/snow; choose waterproof hard shell for “wet + windy,” wind shirt for “dry + moving.”

Quick recipes you can copy:

• Wet 40s + gusts (stop-and-go): lightweight synthetic base + 100g synthetic mid + waterproof hard shell.

• Dry 20s (high output): grid-fleece base + light puffy or fleece mid + breathable wind layer.

• Sub-15°F (low output/static): mid-weight merino base + 200g insulated mid; add a hard shell if it’s snowing or blowing.

Fit and flow:

• Start cooler than comfortable—warm up on the move.

• Vent early (zips, cuffs, hem) to dump heat before you sweat.

• Protect legs and feet too; lower-body shells and gaiters keep the whole system working.

How to use this guide:

• Pick the scenario that matches your day.

• Build your base-mid-shell stack from the examples.

• Adjust one piece at a time as conditions change.

Bottom line: Dry skin, smart insulation, and the lightest shell that handles the weather. Master that sequence and you’ll be comfortable from drizzle to deep cold, on the move or on the glass.

Expert insight: Layering picks below reflect the design intent and specs of key OTTE pieces—Patrol Parka (3‑layer eVent® hard shell), LV Insulated Hoody (100g PrimaLoft® Gold), and HT Insulated Parka (200g PrimaLoft® Gold)—paired to real weather and workload. The Patrol Parka’s waterproof/breathable construction and seam‑taping make it our go‑to in wet, windy cold. LV and HT provide scalable warmth without bulk.

Layering, Defined (Mission in One Line)

Base-Layer moves sweat off skin. Mid-Layer traps warm air. Shell blocks wind and water. Stack only what the weather and workload demand—nothing extra.

Base Layer: Dry Skin = Warm Body

What it does: Wicks sweat so your insulation stays dry and efficient.

• Active (high output): Lightweight synthetic or grid fleece top/bottom; snug but not compression‑tight.

• Static (low output): Mid‑weight merino or lofted synthetic for comfort between movements.

• Mild shoulder season: A UPF long‑sleeve like the Shade Shirt can stand in as a base (add mid/shell as temps drop).

Mid Layer: Your Heat Engine

What it does: Traps warm air with synthetic insulation or fleece. Choose warmth by grams of insulation and face fabric.

• LV Insulated Hooded Jacket (100g)—high warmth‑to‑weight, quiet Patriot Lite shell with DWR; great while moving in cold or as town‑to‑range daily wear. 

• HT Insulated Parka (200g)—deep cold insurance when static (deer stand, long glass, stadium seat); relaxed fit and drop‑tail for layering. 

• Tip: If you run hot, use a light puffy mid and carry a spare dry base in a zip bag—swap at halts to keep the system dry.

Shell Layer: Weather Shield (Hard vs Soft vs Wind)

• Hard Shell (waterproof/breathable): Patrol Parka—3‑layer eVent® with seam‑taping and quiet face fabric for wet, windy cold; regulate with pit/hem adjustments. 

• Wind Layer (highly breathable): Rambler—Pertex Equilibrium windbreaker that punches above weight for dry, windy days.

• Featherweight Shell: Super L Windshirt V3—packable, water‑resistant 70D ripstop; lives in a cargo pocket for “just in case.”

Lower‑body shells: Pair the Patrol Parka with Patrol Trouser for full storm protection or keep Super L Windpants in the ruck for fast, over‑boot coverage. 

At‑a‑Glance: Fast Layering Recipes (Real Use Cases)

1. 38–45°F, wet + windy patrol (stop‑and‑go)

• Base: lightweight synthetic

• Mid: LV 100g (zip to vent on the move) 

• Shell: Patrol Parka + Patrol Trouser (hard‑shell head‑to‑toe) 

2. 20–30°F, dry ruck or range day (high output)

• Base: synthetic grid

• Mid: light fleece or LV 100g 

• Shell: Rambler or Super L Windshirt (wind protection without steam‑bath) 

3. 0–15°F, static glassing or stand (very low output)

• Base: mid‑weight merino

• Mid: HT 200g (primary insulation) 

• Shell: add Patrol Parka if it’s snowing or blowing hard 

4. Shoulder season EDC: 45–55°F, variable

• Base: light synthetic or UPF tee

• Mid/Shell: LV 100g rides solo; keep a Super L Windshirt in the glove box for surprise wind/rain.

5. Snow on the move: add lower‑body protection

• Super L Windpants pull on fast over boots; stash in rear pocket when skies clear. 

Hard‑Shell vs Wind Layer vs Insulated Shell (When to Choose What)

• Wet + Windy: Pick a quiet waterproof hard shell—Patrol Parka—to keep rain/snow off your mid layer; unzip/loosen to dump heat during movement. 

• Dry + Windy: A wind shirt like Super L or Rambler blocks convective heat loss with far less moisture buildup. 

• Very Cold + Static: Run the insulation outside only if it’s dry; otherwise put your puffy under a hard shell to protect it from precipitation and abrasion.

Fit & Staging: Make the System Fast

• Sizing for stack: Shells with a relaxed cut (e.g., HT’s drop‑tail, LV’s low‑viz profile) are built to accept insulation underneath; if you’re between sizes and planning thick mid layers, favor the larger shell. 

• Pack “peel” layers on top: Wind layer or hard shell should sit near the top of your pack for fast don/doff as conditions swing.

• Protect entry points: Snow up the cuffs kills warmth; add OG Boot Gaiters and cold‑pro gloves for hands‑to‑feet coverage. 

Care & Longevity (Performance Depends on Maintenance)

• Wash hard shells and insulated pieces per the OTTE Gear Care Guide; revive DWR as needed so water beads instead of soaking in (which preserves breathability and loft). 

Common Layering Mistakes (and Fast Fixes)

1. Over‑insulating while moving. Fix: Go lighter on the mid; add the hard shell only when wind or precip demand it.

2. Letting sweat soak the base. Fix: Carry a spare top; swap at halts.

3. Ignoring legs. Fix: Pack storm pants (e.g., Super L Windpants) or step up to Patrol Trousers when the forecast turns to slop.

Field‑Proven OTTE Combos (Shop the System)

• Wet‑Cold Patrol Kit: LV 100g + Patrol Parka + Patrol Trouser. 

• Arctic Static Kit: Heavy merino base + HT 200g + Patrol Parka when it pukes snow. Light & Fast Kit: Wicking base + LV 100g + Super L Windshirt in the pocket. 

Quick Answers (FAQ‑style “answer atoms”)

What is cold‑weather layering?
A three‑part system—base to wick, mid to insulate, shell to block wind/precip—that you scale to workload and weather.

Hard shell or wind shell?
If it’s wet/windy, go hard shell (e.g., Patrol Parka). If it’s dry and you’re moving, a wind layer (Super L or Rambler) breathes better. 

How warm is 100g vs 200g insulation?
100g (LV) suits most moving scenarios in cold; 200g (HT) shines when static or in deeper cold. 

Which OTTE pieces are packable “just‑in‑case” shells?
Super L Windshirt V3 and Rambler. 

Do I need to maintain DWR?
Yes—clean and revive per Gear Care Guide to keep shells beading water and breathing.

Bottom line: Start with dry skin, scale insulation to your output, and add the lightest shell that handles the weather. OTTE’s LV and HT insulated layers pair cleanly with the Patrol Parka and featherweight shells to cover anything from wet‑cold patrols to arctic stillness.