Gun Dogs and Beyond – Episode 2: How to Stay Warm, Dry, and Comfortable in the Field
Podcast Overview
In Episode 2 of Gun Dogs and Beyond, host Nick Lambert is joined by Nigel Musto, an industry expert with decades of experience designing technical clothing for sailing, stalking, and field sports. Together, they break down what really matters when choosing clothing for shooting, stalking, beating, and working dogs in harsh UK conditions.
This episode strips away marketing noise and focuses on practical layering systems, fabric science, waterproofing, and real-world durability, explained by someone who has spent a lifetime designing kit for the world’s toughest environments.
Meet the Guest: Nigel Musto
Nigel Musto grew up immersed in technical clothing design through the Musto brand, which began in sailing before expanding into equestrian and field sports. With hands-on experience testing garments in extreme environments - from the Southern Ocean to the Scottish hills - Nigel brings rare credibility to the discussion.
His perspective is shaped by decades of failures, refinements, and hard-earned lessons about what keeps people warm, dry, and safe outdoors.
The Golden Rule: Stay Dry Next to Skin
The foundation of staying warm is surprisingly simple: trap dry air. Water, whether from rain or sweat, conducts heat roughly 30 times faster than air.
Key principles:
- Stay dry next to skin
- Trap multiple layers of air
- Prevent sweat build-up as aggressively as rain ingress
This is why some materials perform far better than others in cold, wet conditions.
Base Layers: Why Merino Beats Everything Else
Nigel is unequivocal: never wear cotton. Cotton absorbs large amounts of moisture, dries slowly, and dramatically increases heat loss.
Why Merino Wool Works
- Excellent temperature regulation
- Comfortable next to skin
- Antimicrobial (resists odour)
- Continues to insulate even when damp
Higher-quality, long-strand Merino, particularly New Zealand Merino, is softer, less itchy, and more comfortable over long days in the field.
Different weights allow fine-tuning for conditions, and in extreme cold, doubling up Merino layers is often better than adding bulky insulation.
Mid Layers: Managing Heat Output
The mid layer is where you “turn the heating up or down.”
Recommended options:
- Polartec fleece (200 or 300 weight) for most conditions
- Synthetic insulation (e.g. Primaloft) as an alternative to fleece
- Down insulation only if you can guarantee it stays dry
The goal is loft without weight. Fabric itself doesn’t keep you warm - trapped air does.
Why Wool Jumpers Often Fall Short
Traditional wool jumpers absorb large amounts of moisture, become heavy, and dry slowly. While they may still insulate when wet, modern fleece achieves the same goal with:
- Less weight
- Faster drying
- Better loft retention
Merino excels next to skin; fleece excels as insulation.
Outer Layers: Waterproofing Explained
The outer layer protects everything beneath it. Nigel draws a critical distinction between different waterproof constructions.
Drop Liner vs Laminated Shells
- Drop liners are comfortable and suitable for standing on a peg
- Three-layer laminated shells offer far superior durability and waterproofing for stalking, hill work, and rough shooting
Laminated shells protect the waterproof membrane between tough outer and inner fabrics, dramatically improving lifespan.
Understanding Gore-Tex and Alternatives
Waterproof membranes are not all created equal.
Key insights:
- Gore-Tex membranes are rigorously tested and licensed
- Gore-Tex Pro offers higher durability and performance
- Japanese membranes like Dermizax perform similarly, with different design trade-offs
Durability is often dictated as much by fabric choice and garment design as by the membrane itself.
Hydrostatic Head, Pressure, and Wetting Out
Hydrostatic head measures how much water pressure fabric can withstand, but real-world performance depends on more than numbers.
Important considerations:
- Pressure from sitting, leaning, or kneeling dramatically increases water ingress risk
- Trousers typically fail before jackets
- Seams, zips, cuffs, and collars are common failure points
Good design matters as much as good fabric.
DWR: What It Does (and What It Doesn’t)
Durable Water Repellency (DWR) causes water to bead and run off the outer fabric. It does not make a garment waterproof, that’s the membrane’s job.
Over time, DWR degrades due to:
- Abrasion
- Dirt
- Environmental regulations limiting fluorocarbons
When DWR fails, fabric “wets out,” making the garment heavier and colder, even if it’s not leaking.
How to Wash and Maintain Waterproof Clothing
Nigel recommends a simple, disciplined approach:
- Wash waterproof garments once a year
- Use non-biological detergent (no optical brighteners)
- Machine wash according to manufacturer guidance
- Tumble dry to reactivate DWR
- Reapply DWR using spray-on treatments, not wash-in products
Spray-on treatments preserve breathability by coating only the outer fabric.
Hats, Gloves, and Heat Loss
Up to 50% of body heat can be lost through the head.
Recommendations:
- Merino or insulated beanies
- Waterproof hats in extreme conditions
- Gloves are always a compromise, fingerless fleece mitts often work best
- Waterproof gloves rarely remain waterproof long-term
Keeping core warmth and circulation matters more than perfect hand insulation.
Matching Kit to the Job
There is no single “best” jacket, only the right kit for the task:
- Beating: heavy-duty wax cotton for abrasion resistance
- Stalking / hill work: three-layer laminated shells
- Standing on a peg: comfortable drop-liner jackets
- High seats: heavy insulation and minimal movement
Comfort, safety, and enjoyment should always trump tradition.
Key Takeaways
- Stay dry next to skin at all costs
- Merino is unbeatable for base layers
- Fleece offers the best warmth-to-weight insulation
- Laminated shells outperform drop liners in harsh conditions
- Garment design matters as much as fabric
- Proper maintenance dramatically extends lifespan
This article is adapted from Episode 2 of the Gun Dogs and Beyond podcast and has been edited for clarity, structure, and search visibility.