What's better, styling the hair outwards or inwards?

Excellent question for a survival scenario! The orientation of an animal's hide when used as a coat can make a huge difference to your comfort and survival.

The short answer is that it depends on several factors:

• Temperature:

  • Cold: If the temperature is very low, it's best to curl your hair inwards. This creates a layer of warm air between your body and skin, improving insulation.
  • Heat: If the temperature is more moderate or even warm, you can consider curling your hair outwards. This will help moisture evaporate more easily and prevent you from sweating too much.

• Humidity:

  • High Humidity: In humid environments, turning your hair outwards can help repel water and keep you drier.
  • Low Humidity: In dry environments, hair direction may be less important.

• Skin type:

  • Dense, thick coats: These usually offer better insulation with the fur facing inwards.
  • Fine, soft coats: These can be more comfortable with the fur facing outwards, especially in warm climates.

Additional Considerations:

• Wind: If it's windy, flipping your hair outwards can help create an extra barrier against the cold.
• Protection: If your skin is wet, flipping your hair outwards can help it dry faster.
• Comfort: Ultimately, the choice will also depend on your personal comfort. Experiment with both options to see which one you find more comfortable.

In summary:

• For maximum warmth in cold conditions: Fur inwards.
• For greater breathability in warm conditions: Fur outwards.
• In variable conditions: Consider a combination of both, such as wearing a fur underlayer with the fur inwards and an outer layer with the fur outwards.

Important: Remember that survival depends on multiple factors, and the orientation of an animal hide is only one of them. It is essential to have basic survival skills, such as how to start a fire, find water, and build a suitable shelter.