Available Layers: Sweaters, Pants, Hats, and Gloves
Season: Year-Round
One-Day Price: $3 per piece
Each Additional Day: $1.00 per piece

Synthetic (non-cotton) clothing layers are essential protection from hypothemia in any outdoor pursuit, but especially in canyons, which feature the dangerous combination of low temperatures and wet environments. Because our bodies lose heat 6 -10 times faster when wet, it helps to stay as dry as possible in the canyons. Since synthetic materials (such as wool, fleece, and polypropylene) dry much more quickly than cotton, they help keep us warmer. In addition, synthetic materials trap warm air molecules and insulate EVEN WHEN WET, while cotton loses all insulating ability when wet. The downfalls of cotton have caused outdoor enthusiasts to throw out their waffled long underwear in exchange for more versatile sythetic clothing.

During colder months, most Narrows hikers wear fleece layers under drysuits for insulation from the cold waters they wade through. In summer and autumn, waters are usually warm enough to wear shorts, but extra fleece layers guard against late-afternoon chills when the sun drops behind the high canyon walls. Even during summer, it is common for hikers to don fleece jackets and hats for the last miles of the hike.

When you pack for your vacation, include any synthetic layers you already have to use in the Narrows. If you do not already own synthetic clothing, we offer a full size range of fleece jackets, pants, hats, and gloves for rent.