apparel layering for shoulder season

By: Kelly Wolf

A few months into winter, my skin just absolutely craves the sunshine. It’s not just mental, it’s physical. Our skin is like a solar panel, transforming the sun’s rays into Vitamin D, essential to health and also, I swear, for all around feel-good vibes. I get so excited when warmer, sunnier days of springtime start to outnumber the frigid ones… when the sleeves start to come off!

With warmer temps come dry roads and the beginnings of dry trails! I always feel like a mermaid who has grown legs when I first start to transition to more running than skiing. I’m also aware of the impact on my legs so much more than the soft and snowy world. It’s a transition for sure, but here are some favorite gear pieces to ease the shift.

Spring weather is fickle, and some days of shoulder season may still require leggings, where I prefer the Triumph Tight Pant. These offer warmth, but are still light enough to be a go-to option. I love the side mesh pockets along with the bigger zipper pocket in the back. The side pockets are perfect for a doggie trash bag, a gel, or even for stashing a thin glove on each side, great for when your hands warm up on the run or if you want to be prepared in case the temp drops. The zipper pocket in the back is ideal for a phone with even more room to spare.

The Triumph Pant is available in ¾ length and also shorts, so it’s the same upper fit with the versatility to show more skin as it warms up out there. These ease the transformation into spring beautifully, although I need sunglasses just to look at my own legs when they finally come out of hiding from ski pants and leggings.

Living at high elevations, whether its winter or the height of summer, the waterproof Pocketshell JKT is always in my pack. But in spring, where it’s breezy and cool rather than cold, the Briza Windbreaker JKT does the trick while being so small to stash away.

My shirt-of-shirts for the changing seasons is the Tour Long Sleeve. In winter I use this shirt as a baselayer on warmer days, but it’s all you need for spring running. It’s super breathable and the lightest long sleeve shirt from La Sportiva. In spring when weather can still change rapidly, sometimes a long sleeve still makes sense. If it’s truly suns-out guns-out temps, the Sunfire T-shirt is the same cozy, breathable material but in a T-shirt option.

Beanies slim down to headbands in the spring, and the Artis Headband is a favorite, (I have multiple colors)!

In the mountains, springtime can feel like the time of seasonal confusion where you start in a long sleeve, strip down to a sports bra, then end up in a jacket - OR the complete opposite! You never know what it’s going to be out there so make sure you’re headed out with the right layers. Check out these lightweight layering options from La Sportiva!