Many hikers wear 2 pairs of socks. Next to the skin, a smooth Polyester or Polypropylene or Thermax sock (liner) which will draw the sweat away from the foot to the outer sock (heavier, rougher sock made of wool or synthetics), leaving your feet pretty dry.

Do not purchase cotton liners, which will absorb your sweat and then rub, causing blisters.

Bring a pair of Sport sandals, which can come into rescue if boot problems or blisters arise. Another advantage is wet sandals dry almost immediately.

Core - Containing the contents of the skull, chest and abdomen.

Shell - Comprising the rest of the body.

The main function of clothing is to maintain the temperature of the body core by regulating heat loss and heat gain.

You will find that having a warm torso will help to keep the extremities warm. This is simply a function of the blood flow between the core and the shell. If core temperature is satisfactory, blood will flow freely to the shell, thus carrying warmth to the extremities.

The old adage say : "If your feet are cold, put on a hat". As the head and trunk get cold, the body reduces blood flow to the extremities in an attempt to warm the vital area.

When there is an overall heat loss, the capillaries will begin to constrict, reducing both the blood flow and the heat loss. This process is known as Vaso-constriction.

The basic outfit consists of a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, a hat, a bandanna, socks, and liners.

Never bring 1 heavy item of clothing when 2 lighter layers can be combined to do the same job.

Your hat is your personal thermostat : Feel cold, add a hat. Feel hot, take it off.

Keeping you head warm is more important in cold weather, you lose more heat through your head more than through any other part of your body.

4 words about cotton : 'Leave it at home'. This goes to sweat suits, union suits, blue jeans, and socks.

When cotton gets wet, it losses 100% of its insulation. Wet clothes wick heat away from your skin - you are better off going naked in a cold rain than wearing wet cotton.

Instead, look for fabrics that wick away moisture (like Capilene), or fabrics that retain their insulating capacity when wet (like wool, or synthetic pile or fleece). Read every single fabric label.

Rain gear such as Gore-Tex is the best available currently, but also most costly. The microscopic holes in the Gore-Tex laminate allow tiny perspiration droplets to escape, yet are so small they keep raindrops out.

Other alternatives like coated nylon and poncho which goes over you and your pack are cheaper.

Bring a rain jacket and a pair of rain pants if you are going anywhere where hypothermia could be a problem.

Clothing should be composed of a series of insulating layers covered by a windproof outer layer. A waterproof shell is also needed in order to keep these layers dry.

There should be no restriction of body movement or blood flow, and there should be a good overlap at junctions (i.e. at the waist).

Protection of the extremities (head, hands and feet) completes the picture.

Firstly, air is an extremely effective insulator and the more layers of clothing you wear, the more layers of airs you trap. 2 thin sweaters are therefore warmer than one thick sweater.

Secondly, you can control the amount of ventilation simply by removing or adding layers, thus avoiding being always either too hot or too cold.

Waterproof is usually windproof. However, windproof need not be totally waterproof.

A waterproof garment can therefore serve 2 functions, albeit uncomfortably (for although you will get damp from condensation, the waterproof shell will prevent evaporation, so there will only be a small amount of heat loss through conduction and convection).

Nowadays modern technology is coming to rescue with breathable fabrics like Gore-Tex.

Outdoor clothing no longer strictly necessary to separate windproof and waterproof. A breathable fabric will allow water vapor to pass through, but not water droplets.