Ebb & Flow Yoga

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6 Tips for Staying Warm & Dry in the Great Outdoors

Maeve Ferris

Six Top Tips for Staying Warm & Dry in the Outdoors

I wrote this blog with hiking and walking in mind, but my tips and recommendations apply to lots of outdoor activities, practicing Yoga in the rainn for example OHHHHH it’s been a wet month! ! I hope you find it useful :)

My first pair of hiking boots was from the middle isle of a German retailer, I only went in to buy carrots and instead bought a pair of boots for around €20. For my strolls around Phoenix Park at the time and the odd ramble around Marley Park’s they did the job! If it rained I threw on a huge old pair of plastic-y pants that my Dad had once used around the farm. They didn’t really withstand heavy rain but a bit of a shower and they were grand. My shorter rambles didn’t really warrant me needing better outdoor gear.

My boots fell apart pretty quickly, so less than 6 months later, I bought another pair from the middle isle and again the stitching gave way, water leaked in. I really wanted to buy a decent pair of boots but never seemed to have the money. Then about 6 years, I tried to be a grown up and sold my Electric Picnic ticket and used the money to buy a pair of hiking boots and merino wool hiking socks. I did loads of research and decided a pair of Merrell boots were for me. I also bought a Regatta jacket, which though not fully waterproof, is a good dog walking jacket and I still have it to this day. I’m on my second pair of Merrell boots now and I doubt I’ll ever buy another brand again I love them that much!

I met my partner Jason about 3 years ago and this outdoor gear Geek convinced me to make an investment in good waterproofs. There’s a saying when it comes to outdoor equipment – buy cheap, buy twice. So after a lot of persuasion I saved up and treated myself to a hardshell jacket fully waterproof and breathable, gortex pants that again are waterproof and so light that they only weigh about 100g. I also picked up a pair of waterproof hiking gloves on sale, there isn’t much heat in them but they help keep my poor finger tips for going blue! I use the word investment on purpose. It is exactly that, the jacket is in mint condition despite very regular use, I treat it with the proper spray to keep it waterproof. If you invest, you gotta look after it right?!

Things to consider……..

When deciding what sort of outdoor gear to buy, firstly consider how often you’ll wear the item, in what conditions, what season and what your budget can stretch to. If you only stroll the park a few times a week, then you won’t need the same sort of clothing as if you are hiking mountains or trails regularly in all sorts of weather. If you’re just starting to get active, then before diving right in, how about………….

  • Borrowing waterproofs from a friend

  • Check out the charity shops

  • Wait for the big sales like Black Friday, end of season or January

  • Sign up to outdoor retailer websites, they often give discount codes to save you some money

  • See you if you can swap items with friends and family

If you are still thinking you might like to invest, then here’s my top tips:

1.       Buy the best you can afford

If you’re hiking regularly, invest in a good hardshell jacket and pants – check they are fully waterproof & breathable. Buy good boots or shoes, they will support your ankle, keep your warm and dry and protect your feet. Comfort is key!

2.       Wear layers

The key to comfort outdoors is layers – avoid cotton if it gets wet, there’s no heat in it and it won’t dry, it’ll feel heavy.

Invest in a merino wool top as a base layer (against your skin) - they aren’t expensive, I got one in a kid’s size, it was even cheaper! It wicks moisture away from your skin, dries in no time and it’s 100% natural so it doesn’t smell no matter sweaty you get! Magic! They do need to be washed a little differently to other clothing so please check the care label before washing.

Please do NOT wear puffy jackets / down jackets as your only outer layer, they are not waterproof and will absorb rain like a sponge. You’ll be soaked to the skin in minutes. These types of jackets are perfect as a layer under the outer waterproofs

3.       Don’t spend a fortune on trousers!

By this I mean your actual trousers, not the waterproof outer ones. Go for the lightweight kind, do NOT wear jeans or cotton tracksuits. Sports wear is fine, leggings etc. Think comfortable, flexible, light and quick drying. There is a myriad of hiking pants available too if you prefer, even a pair for €20 will be fine. I just wear my yoga leggings. Dark colours are best, they won’t show up the mud!

4.       Decent Socks will change your life!

I highly recommend merino wool socks. They last for EVER and they are so comfy and warm, they wick away moisture, so your feet will stay dry. They do need to be washed a little differently to normal socks so please check the care label before washing.

5.       Pack a Bag  

If you’re bringing lunch and water, a light backpack is advised. One that has a waist strap too is great as it transfers the load to your hips and off your shoulders. You can get an inexpensive waterproof cover for it or put the contents into a dry bag or just a plastic bag to keep them dry inside the backpack.

Consider bringing the following along with you: A hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, food, water, a charged mobile phone, tissues, hot water flask, a head torch, map and a compass app on your phone that will work without internet signal (it doesn’t hurt to be prepared!) And remember to leave only your footprints, everything else needs to come back home with you.

6.       Take care of your stuff!

Wash off your shoes / boots when you get home – water from boggy areas is acidic and will eat away at the stitching of boots, saltwater damages the lace hooks of boots. Check out this video on how to care for your boots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s76odFdlfMc&ab_channel=GALZGONEWILDGALZGONEWILD Dry out everything properly, use the correct spray treatments for your gear and always follow the care label instructions.

What brands to buy?

It really depends on some of my points above – how often you’ll use it, budget, chosen activity etc. There are so many websites and reviews out there so here’s a selection of some good blogs and articles to guide you:

As for my own gear - my hardshell jacket by Mountain Equipment (it’s bombproof!), I layer a down jacket and merino top under it, waterproof pants by Montane, boots are Merrell and socks are Bridgedale merino wool, gloves are SealSkinz (for wet days) and as I have Raynauds in my hands (they lose circulation and get very painful) I also wear a pair of mittens from a Swedish family run business called Ojbro Vantfabrik https://ojbrovantfabrik.se/en/ , Ted Ojbro and his family are so lovely and I wear their four layer merino wool mittens every day of my life! Their gloves were recommended by the Raynauds Association and they have literally changed my life! I LOVE them! If you order, be sure and tell Ted I recommended them!

Where to buy?

I recommend visiting your local Outdoor Retailer. When you shop local you can get expert advice from those you can trust, try on the items, they will help you work with your budget, don’t forget to ask about aftercare and guarantees.

This Co. Kerry based list is not exhaustive, there may be several others, I just went with places I know personally 😊

  • Here in Tralee, we have Landers Outdoor World (highly recommended), Lyons and Mountain Warehouse, Walsh Brothers’ Shoes also offer hiking shoes and boots

  • In Killarney, there is Portwest and O’Sullivan’s Outdoor

  • In Dingle, Garvey’s Sport & Leisure

Or check out these online retailers:

 So I hope that helps! I can’t wait to see you on the mountain or on the trails very soon! I regularly offer outdoor events like yoga & hike / sup / surf days and forest bathing walks so visit www.ebbflowyoga.ie/events to see what’s happening and how to get involved.

Happy wandering,

Maeve x

PS. If you enjoyed this blog, you might also like to read my blog about The Joys of Wild Camping, check it out here