Snowmobiling is great fun in the wintertime, but it’s also cold and wet. That might not be dangerous when you are moving at human speeds, but on a snowmobile the added wind chill and exposure increases your danger of hypothermia. That is why you wear protective snowmobile clothing that is deliberately intended to help you retain your heat and stay dry in the face of the effects of snow and perspiration. Protective gear really only functions as one layer of clothing, however. No matter how high tech it gets, it is unlikely to be able to keep you warm if you wear temperature or weather inappropriate clothing underneath. The prognosis gets even worse if your clothing gets wet or torn. That’s why you should always take care to dress in layers to build and conserve your body heat in the snow.
A Little About Layering
Even when you aren’t engaging in extreme winter sports you probably do a little layering when dress to face the day. It just makes sense to wear a coat over your short-sleeved shirt if the office is hot, but the weather is chilly. A proper foundation of clothing under your protective snowmobile gear helps you stay even warmer than you would without it. Practice sensible and safe layering by choosing the right kinds of clothing and materials to wear:
• Always make sure that your clothing is tight fitting so that it cannot catch on something and cause injury.
• Always wear fibers that wick moisture and stay warm even when wet. Avoid cotton at all costs.
• Always wear layers of underclothing that cover your entire body from a balaclava to keep your neck warm to multiple layers of socks in your boots.
• Try to pack extra clothing and gear in case something gets wet or torn. That way you can replace it