As the old poem says….. Whether the weather be fine, Or whether the weather be not, Whether the weather be cold, Or whether the weather be hot, We’ll weather the weather Whatever the weather, Whether we like it or not!

That’s the motto of our groups and to be honest it’s a good job because in the last few weeks they have endured arctic temperatures followed by a LOT of rain and then enjoyed an unseasonably warm start to the New year! Their secret is simple – have the right clothing and attitude!

Layering up ( and down) has become a much needed skill. In the run up to Christmas the big freeze set in and groups all over the UK were wrapped up against the elements as they enjoyed their festive themed walks.

Many reported their coldest walks ever so we thought we would explore the best way to dress for the cold.

Rule one is to have a thermal base layer on the upper body – ideally one that is a natural material (not cotton) or at least breathable so it does not just become cold and clammy as you become active. Technical base layers should be close fitting and able to wick the sweat away from the body. Synthetic base layers will be cheaper but they might get a bit smelly after a while so choose those with added to microbial qualities to keep stinky bacteria at bay. However, for base layers that really perform and last longer, the WALX team always opt for merino, bamboo or even silk. This long sleeved merino base layer from Rohan is durable and comfortable and on sale too! There are sleeveless and short sleeved base layers in their store too so grab your WALX membership card to save as you build your walking wardrobe! For bamboo clothing our go to store is BAM who also specialise in other other sustainable clothing choices.

Chilly legs are no fun either and you can get leggings which are lightweight enough to go under your usual walking trousers – our Friends at Flanci have a brilliant range but you want want to cover up the designs! Popping a pair of Ladies tights on as a base layer is a great idea –  you will be glad you did.

Rule 2 is to wear at least one  mid layer under your main coat. Layers trap heat and in the unlikely event that you feel too hot, you can remove these and not the coat. In extreme cold, you might want o use a longer coat than you might normally walk with too, it’s vital to keep the back warm so those which also cover the backside will help.

When using poles, it’s important to not restrict movement too much so go for thermal coats which are lightweight and allow for comfortable layering underneath.

Rule 3 is to think extremities! Cover your head to avoid heat loss and frozen ears, Use a neck buff to block the chill from your throat and chest but also to pull up over your face if the wind is biting cold.

Make sure you have thermal socks and a solid pair of shoes, ideally waterproof as wetness and cold are bad news! Finally, make sure your hands stay warm – Read our glove guide here to discover the best gloves for use with poles.

Finally, the best thing about managing your layers is that you can peel them off if the temperatures climb. This group in Dorset certainly had to undo their zips, remove hats and in some cases their Jackets on their NEW YEARS walk due to the unseasonably warm temperatures.

So, back to the poem above, invest in some layers and you too will be ready to weather the weather whether it be fine or not!