What should be done to clothing layers to maintain warmth?

To maintain warmth while being active or exposed to cold environments, maximizing dead air spaces in clothing layers is essential. The concept of dead air space refers to the pockets of air trapped between layers of clothing. This air acts as an insulator, reducing heat loss from the body. When layers of clothing are properly constructed, they allow for insulation that helps retain body heat by preventing cold air from reaching the skin.

In contrast, minimizing layering can reduce insulation effectiveness, as fewer layers lead to less trapped air. Encouraging airflow through the layers can be counterproductive in cold conditions, as it can allow heat to escape rather than being retained. Keeping layers damp is also detrimental, as moisture conducts heat away from the body, increasing the risk of hypothermia, which is the opposite of the goal when trying to maintain warmth. Hence, maximizing dead air spaces is the correct approach to ensuring adequate insulation and warmth.