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Cold Weather Gear

FortyTwoBlades

FortyTwoBlades

Baryonyx walkeri
Dealer / Materials Provider
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
26,043
I've got a birthday coming up, and I'm looking to pick up some more things to help out with what looks to be an especially cold season. What I want is to see all of your favorite cold weather gear. Can be anything having to do with making the fall and winter months easier. What cool things are you guys using and enjoying?
 
For the last few years, I've been really happy using Carhartt coats to make up my outer layer when it gets real cold
 
+1 on Carharrt coats. That's what I used to wear when I used to live in Iowa- and buddy, you'd better believe it gets cold there. It gets 40 below pretty regularly, and the wind is merciless. The farmers and construction guys all rock the Carharrt coats- they're pretty amazing. Carharrt overalls with a matching coat will keep you plenty warm. :thumbup:

I don't envy you this winter- Maine has got to be ridiculous in the off months. Brrr!
 
moonwilson said:
I don't envy you this winter- Maine has got to be ridiculous in the off months. Brrr!
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It's really looking like it'll be brutal this year. Some places around here have gotten snow already!:eek::grumpy:
 
Good old fashioned wool sweaters. The kind with the fishermans knit patternss.

Bulky knit sweaters are way warmer than the polyester fleece junk that they've pushing on us for the past several years. And wool was the original miracle fiber. If you don't like the itch of wool, then get the lambs wool or Merino wool, much softer and just as warm.

Once you have the underlayers right, any kind of shell outer coat will do.

I tried the fleece stuff for a few years, and went back to old school staying warm.
 
I prefer soft shell materials over hardshells, with the Schoeller materials being my favorite. But if I wear a hardshell I really prefer eVent over Goretex. It's harder to find, but breathes so much better.

For base layers check out the ultrafine merino wools from companies like Smartwool, Icebreakers, and Ibex. A little slower to dry than many sythetics, but amazingly versatile in a wide range of temperatures and they don't stink. Try 2 months wearing the same base layers while on an expedition and you'll see the value of merino wool.

Good gloves are expensive but worth it as it's hard to do anything with frozen hands. I prefer soft shell gloves, but I also have a few 3 layer Goretex gloves with removable liners.

Neck gaiters are wonderful during extreme cold and can be used in conjunction with your wool beanie to make a modular balaclava making them super versatile.

Fleece is nice, but bulky. Synthetic filled jackets are much warmer, windproof and pack down smaller.

Nothing beats high quality down (650+ fill power) for warmth. It outlasts sythetic fills and packs down much smaller, but you need to keep it dry.
 
carharts are great for working on the car, splitting wood at the house, etc- not the best choice for outdoor activities

^ as above think layers- base layer that can wick moisture (merino or syn- I've used Capliene for the last 10-12 years and don't see that changing anytime soon)- insulating layer (or two depending on activity/weather conditions- two thin layers are more effective than one thick layer) and a outer shell- something wind proof and water resistant

mix and match layers as activity/weather dictate- you want to think of your clothing as a system; for cold weather- avoid cotton like the plague
 
My favorite cold weather gear is my goretex BDU jacket, and my sisters space eater.


But if your looking for cold weather gear, I'd ook at carhartt, northface, military goretex jackets. I pair a baslayer jacket or long sleave button underneath my gortex or my carhartt. I don't own any, but my mom and dad both say wool rich is good.
 
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Living mostly in Texas, I don't have to put up with a lot of really cold winters -- however, I ride motorcycles, and a temperature in the mid-30's with a 60 mph wind blowing on you can get chilly.

The main factors to keep in mind when dressing for cold weather are (1) moisture; (2) heat retention; and (3) wind chill.

I usually wear a layer of silk longjohns next to my skin -- silk wicks away sweat. Then I put on an insulation layer, and finally something wind and or waterproof. For isulation, I like a wool shirt and a goose-down vest, then a leather jacket. Okay, a leather jackets not the best for the woods -- for that I have a goose-down jacket.
 
Josh K said:
A good pair of Sorel boots will last forever. :thumbup:
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+1

I've lived in Texas and Arizona for the past 8 years and haven't had to wear them so we've donated them. I have owned a pair of sorels before and they keep your boot very warm. Paired with a wool sock and your golden.
 
my favorite winter jacket is the old CDN FORCES ventile jacket with removable liner. (its the jacket with the angled radio/mag pockets on the chest, heavy ventile cotton. ) you can brush on Thompsons waterseal and it sheds off the worst wet snow and rain.

I have been wearing it the last few winters with a Underarmour short , then a thin micro fleece or merino wool sweater.
 
I live in upstate NY where the winters can be uncomfortable. ;)

My favorite cold weather clothing is polypro base layers (zip T-necks are my big favorites on top for the ability to open up and ventilate during activity), fleece or wool mid layers (goose down in very cold conditions) and Goretex shell outer layers.

On my feet I like thin polypro liner socks, then thick wool or wool blend outer socks. For nasty cold, the various Sorel boots are hard to beat.

Stay warm,
desmobob
 
Hey, fellow Mainer here... I've been wearing a down parka for the past couples winters, keeps me plenty warm.

Also, Wool Mittens>Gloves. Thin fleece gloves if you want use of your fingers, or it's not too cold.
 
Does anyone have experience with the TruSpec ECWS parka? It's got pretty mixed reviews, some awesome, some not so much. It seems like it's pretty good for the price. I'd like to pick up a relatively inexpensive jacket for beating around in winter, and this is a candidate.
 
I have a vintage Air Force snorkel parka at the moment that keeps me very warm but is also quite heavy. I also have some nice gloves already. Base layers, sweaters, and gadget-type gear are what I'm most in the market for right now.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, guys! A lot of cool stuff so far!
 
Lots of good stuff mentioned so far.

I'll throw in a recommendation for a good set of waterproof leg gaiters, particularly if you won't be wearing specialized snow pants. The last things you want to deal with when it's cold and snowy are a pair of wet pants caused by walking through the snow and wet, snow-filled boots and socks. A good set of gaiters can prevent this - and they pack up nice and compact, too.

All the best,

- Mike
 
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