Tahoe-based snowboarder Tim Humphreys says he has the same plan every winter: try to ride all the snow. Tim loves to explore and find new lines, but like most prolific skiers, the snow dictates his schedule. Whether he’s riding deep backcountry powder or catching hangtime off mountain features, Tim relies on his Merino wool layers to keep him warm, dry and comfortable in all conditions.
The Layers Tim Relies On
Spending countless hours out in the cold and far from any place to warm up, Tim prioritizes reliability when it comes to layering. From freezing mornings to spring shred sessions, Ridge gear plays a crucial role in his kit.
Here’s what Tim usually wears for a full winter day in the mountains:
Aspect Base Layer Shirt or Aspect Base Layer Balaclava Hood — Versatile long sleeve base layers perfect for cold mornings in the backcountry.
Full Length Aspect Bottoms or Inversion Bottoms — "I run the Aspect full length bottoms 24/7 once it starts getting cold out."
Convict Canyon Hoodie and/or a micro puffy — Depending on how cold it is, Tim will layer either one or both of these as mid layers for extra warmth.
Merino Wool Boxers — Tim prefers longer boxers for extra warmth when snowboarding.
Banked Ski Socks — Thicker Merino wool socks are a must for Tim to keep his feet warm on long snowboarding days.
Cliffside Beanie — "This thing is so soft and warm, not itchy like your grandpa's wool cap. It feels so good on my head while snowboarding."
For spring snowboarding days, when temps are warmer, his go-to layers are:
3/4 Length Aspect Base Layer Bottoms — "I’m one of those weirdos who still wears thermal bottoms when it’s hot out."
Solstice Sun Hoodie — Tim wears his Ridge sun hoodie year-round.
Tim skinning up a slope in his Solstice Sun Hoodie.
Why Merino Wool?
The choice to wear Merino wool is a no-brainer for Tim. His long, cold winter ski days require gear that won’t fail when he needs it most.
"It’s a different game when you’re potentially hours away from any sort of civilization. Hypothermia happens fast when you sweat through a cotton t-shirt in the cold, and I prefer to avoid being in life-threatening situations," Tim said.
For Tim, Merino wool’s ability to wick moisture, regulate temperature (whether it’s hot or cold) and keep him warm is key. "It does everything better than any other fabric," he said.
The Freedom of Snowboarding
Growing up in a densely populated area far from any mountains, snowboarding opened up a whole new world for Tim.
"The freedom and exploration had me hooked from day one," he said. "Snowboarding was so different from any other sport I had played. The field isn’t specified, and you can snowboard down anything if you’re brave enough."
Tim’s love for the sport is rooted in the challenge of finding new lines and pushing himself to get the most out of every run. His perfect day snowboarding? A two-foot dump of fresh pow, bluebird skies, riding backcountry lines with friends – all while staying warm and dry thanks to Merino wool layers.
His perfect run is all about freedom, too. In his words: "some rogue top-to-bottom mountain line where I’m going all over the place, zig-zagging around, catching lots of hangtime and never having to scrub any speed."
The Mental Game
Like all good athletes, Tim knows that success is often as much about mental strength as it is physical ability. Snowboarding, especially in the backcountry, requires sharp decision-making and a good understanding of the conditions.
"For me, the biggest mental factor is how much information I have about what I’m trying to ride. Confidence is huge, and it’s harder to be fully confident if I lack certain information," he said. "Once I know everything I can—like snow stability, conditions in the landing, or whether there are rocks underneath—I can make an informed decision. If I’m not 100 percent confident about my safety, I’ll just go find something else to ride."
Tim is careful to avoid letting emotion drive his decisions. In the unpredictable world of backcountry snowboarding, staying level-headed is critical to staying safe.
"The mind will eat you alive out there if you let it," he said. "Everything boils down to good decision-making and not so much my riding abilities."
Follow Tim’s adventures this winter on Instagram.
