The invention of the 3-layer system
Many outdoor clothing manufacturers today rely on the 3-layer system and have quite individual interpretations. The origin of all variants lies in the "dry layer system", which Bernd-Michael Schröder (BMS) introduced at Helly Hansen in the 1980s. The layering principle was already recognised by wilderness hikers at the time. Changing temperatures and different activities can be countered with different layers of clothing. This traditional layering principle has been further developed by Bernd-Michael Schröder at Helly Hansen (the inventor of oil gear) into today's 3-layer system. In the book "Wilderness of the North - Hiking Guide Scandinavia" published in 1986 by Schettler Travel Publications, the "dry layer system" was introduced for the first time in a travel guide.
The first use of the 3-layer system in 1980 on Shisha Pangma
Manfred Abelein organised the first German mountain climbing expedition (DAV) to China's highest mountain, Shisha Pangma, in 1980. The expedition was sponsored by Helly Hansen GmbH. The "dry-layer system", consisting of LIFA underwear, fibre fur (known as the Shisha Pangma jacket) and the outer layer of Helly-Tech Comfort, was developed especially for this expedition.
