n order to have an enjoyable hike, an important factor is proper layering to regulating body temperature. The more layers you have the more comfortable you will be on you're hike. The more layers you have the more ability you have to tweak your clothes to the temperature around you.

Bottom Layer: The bottom layer is your fisrt defense for stopping body heat loss. The best material for the bottom layer is Polypropylene or "Poly Pro". Poly Pro wicks sweat away from your body while insulating you from cold. It also drys very quickly. If poly pro is not available the cotton is another possible choice, but try to avoid it at all costs. Cotton soaks up water and holds it, which decreases it's insulating value. Cotton also keeps water next to you're skin and doesn't dry very fast.

Middle Layer: The middle layer is you're next defense in stopping body heat loss. The best thing to wear for the middle layer is fleece. Fleece has very good insulating properties and like poly pro can wick sweat and dry very quickly. Cotton will work for the middle layer but does not insulate as well and stays wet for a long time which reduces insulation even more.

Top Layer: The Top layer is you're first defense for the elements but you're final defense for stopping body heat loss. The best material for the top layer is Gor-tex. Gor-tex fabric has unique properties not like any other frabric. The amazing thing about Gor-text is that it is completely waterproof but also breathable to allow sweat to escape. The only drawback to Gor-text is it's cost, another cheaper alternative is Nylon. Nylon fabrics can have the waterproofing of Gor-tex but lacks the breathability.