Choosing The Best Anorak

When choosing the best anorak for your climbing excursions, it's important to first know, that the main reason for buying such a garment is to protect your vital organs. It is critical to keep the upper half of your body warm when exposed to the elements. Proper dressing gear will ensure your health and safety and make your climbing experience more memorable.

Before buying your anorak, you first need to learn how to dress from the inside out. It is best to wear several layers of clothes which include a knit undershirt followed by a wool shirt and two light, long-sleeved wool jerseys. This will give you complete protection. Not only do the fibers of the material keep the warm air in, but the air between these layers will become trapped providing insulation. It is these air-pockets which will keep you warm.

If you rely on one massive sweater, even if it is heavier than two lighter ones together, you will not maintain the warmth your body needs. Dressing in layers also allows you to strip down a bit at a time as needed.

Wool is the best material to use as it stays fairly fluffy even when wet and so retains that valuable layer of air. Nylon fiber pile in its 'furry' form is also used for jerseys and is well liked by mountaineers.

Once you've garnered the proper layers, you will need some form of 'anorak'. This is a smock-like garment made of very close-weave material which will keep out the wind.

Do not expect your anorak to be rain-proof, for nothing short of rubber or plastic will keep out driving mountain rain for more than a few minutes. In any case, if the anorak is completely impermeable to air, like rubber or plastic would be, then you would soon be wet from condensation inside your clothes, even on fine days.

Rain is all part of the fun of climbing, and you must expect to get wet, but as long as you stay warm you will come to little harm even if you are dripping. So regard your anorak as a wind-proof garment only and don't be disappointed if it leaks. If it is essential that you keep dry, then the best thing to wear would be a large-size plastic raincoat big enough to go over your pack. Depending on your needs, the costs will range between a simple lightweight, nylon version to a more robust, expensive anorak. Generally speaking, the lighter the material, the less use you will get out of it.

Good anoraks range in prices, needless to say, cost is not always an indicator of quality or usefulness. Rather than concentrating on the price tag, look for a jacket that will offer you the best protection. Choose a strong, tight-weave or proofed material, i.e. cotton duck, bri-nylon, P.V.C.-coated cotton or gaberdine. Make sure that you have plenty of space in the arms and body to accommodate several layers of jerseys. Also ensure that the anorak reaches well down the thighs; nearly to the knees is fine. Look for double-thickness material at the points of wear - elbows, cuffs and shoulders.

Good sensible Pockets need flaps to keep out the rain; even better are those with a zip or ‘velcro’ fastening. The chest pocket should be large enough to fit an O.S. map, compass and whistle (11 in x 8 in/28 cm x 20 cm). Well-stitched seams all over the garment. There is more than one way of fastening two pieces of material together, and a 'plain' seam is not recommended for this vital piece of equipment. The best seams are 'taped' seams, but 'rolled' seams are good enough, especially if the garment is made so that no seams occur at potential leaky points, e.g. the shoulder tops.

An efficient hood is also handy during wet weather. These can be bought with wire in the seam so that the hood can be moulded like a peak. Sometimes you can push some malleable wire into the seam yourself to improve the structure. Strong nylon zips with overlaps are recommended. Draw-cord at the waist and skirt is also useful in keeping the wind at bay as well as inner-cuffs or closures at the sleeves. A distinctive colour - bright colours such as orange and yellow do stand out better in mist and poor light.

Of course your anorak is not the only essential item needed for climbing and hiking. A well-equipped rambler in the hills needs a woollen hat and woollen gloves or mitts to battle any kind of mountain weather.