Dressing for the cold

Keeping warm is more than a state of mind. It's the way you dress -- especially what you put next to your skin -- that determines how long you last in the subzero winter wonderland.

Long underwear

If you want to stay warm, you need to invest in the stuff worn beneath your shells. Layers that wick sweat away from your body keep you warmer.

The latest trend in this department is the "return" of wool. Patagonia is marketing its layered merino wool products as an alternative to its popular "capilene" fabric system, a thin polyester version of long underwear. Both capilene and wool keep heat in and perspiration off and are machine-washable. Patagonia's capilene tops and bottoms start at $34; the wool versions start at $80 (www.patagonia.com).

Socks

Feet are usually the first to feel the deep freeze, because those tiny toes are so far away from the beating heart. The past seven winters, I've worn Smartwool socks to ward off the cold. Knit with wool and a polyester blend, these socks wick perspiration away from the feet and keep them dry.

I've tried other brands of similar thermal socks, but I always come back to Smartwool. The socks comes in many styles, shapes and colors, including dressy. The crews cost about $16 (www.smartwool.com).

In winter, you want to protect your skin, and not just from UV damage. The New Hope-manufactured product WarmSkin helps hold in the body's warmth and minimizes moisture buildup. Rub it on feet, to reduce sweat that can bring on a chill, and on any skin exposed to the air. The product has been endorsed by folks familiar with bitter cold, including explorer Ann Bancroft, who used the lotion at the North Pole in 1986 and the South Pole in 1993. A 2.5-ounce tube costs $10; a 16-ounce jar costs $20 (www.warmskin.com).