Skip to main content
Environmental Health

The Right Way to Layer Clothes to Prevent Hypothermia

The experts recommend three distinct layers to protect yourself from getting too cold.

Lauren Smith, MAAlexandra Schwarz, MD
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Updated on May 31, 2024
Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD | May 31, 2024

While you can’t always avoid going outdoors in chilly winter weather, you can make sure to wear the proper clothing to protect yourself from the cold. One of the dangers of prolonged exposure to colder temperatures is hypothermia, which is when your body loses heat faster than it can be produced. Eventually, you can start to feel exhausted and confused, and if your body temperature gets low enough, hypothermia can even be fatal.

It is important to arm yourself with cold-weather clothes. Wearing more layers can help you stay warm, but how your clothing is layered makes all the difference. Layering up properly can protect your skin, your limbs, and even your life.

References

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

why trust our exports reliability shield

Why trust our experts?

Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

Was this page helpful?

Latest articles