Cold Weather gear

I am always grateful to live in Florida, where cold weather gear is more of an afterthought, than a necessity.
 
Trying to pick up a Manitoba from Canada Goose this season-there's a good chance I'll be in the arctic doing research in the next year or so. For Bushcrafting, I'll be sticking to my TAD SAS sweater (It started falling apart almost instantly, so I might as well get it dirty and beat up anyway... grr. Waste of 250 bones) and my Dale of Norway Storebjorn, with some Swisslink sirplus leather trigger gloves and USGI wool liners. For a hat, Eddie Bauer's wool packhat, or a Swix wool beenie if it gets really cold. Sticking with my Asolo Echos and some good ol' Fox River and Wigwam wool socks. They seem to hold up the best to winter conditions. Outdoor Research Bivy, Kelty -20 degree Mistral bag, and a sweet little Bushcraft Outfitters ultralight tarp. For tools, Fletcher's Hatchula 2 which I had designed specifically for winter bushcrafting, and my Wetterlings 26 inch SFA.
 
Well I found a carhartt coat in a tall size for dirt cheap. It's a 'traditional coat' item number C03. It's got the warmest lining (arctic quilt) that they offer, I also picked up a pair of wolverine water proof hunting boots with 600 grams of insulation. I figure that with a pair wool socks and a knit cap or two I should do alright.
 
Old school stuff, I know but... if there is a military surplus store around, look at some of the quilted insulated USAF flyer's pants and tops. They are light weight and warm as all getout. Some fleece pants and tops are also available. Wool flyers mit liners are great. All of this stuff is cheap. My pants are marked: Liners, Flyers, CWU-9/P Trousers MIL-L-27546 USAF. I can wear these under any type pants and be toasty without having to also wear long johns.
 
Anyone have a good recommendation for a light cheap warm closed cell sleeping pad? I'm not worried about comfort, I don't care if it's stiff as a board-I'm just looking for insulation.
 
just layer a couple of the cheap blue ones (sold at Walmart and elsewhere), r values are additive- the cheap blue ccf pads are ~ r 3.1/inch; for winter camping you probably want a minimum of r 5
 
mtwarden said:
just layer a couple of the cheap blue ones (sold at Walmart and elsewhere), r values are additive- the cheap blue ccf pads are ~ r 3.1/inch; for winter camping you probably want a minimum of r 5
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I just happen to have one of those NIP. It is 20"x72"x 1/2" thick. Crosslinked polyolefin - flexible to -35F. NIP it is rolled to 6.5" diameter by 20" long. Weight on my digital scales is 12 ounces. IIRC, I gave $6 for it this fall.
 
I use the stuff for lots of things including camp seats. A 12x16 inch square is great for keeping my butt dry during a rest stop in snow or on a damp rock, a makeshift clean tabletop, keeping my gear from rattling, canoe seat pad, etc., etc. My local Wal-Mart takes spells of having them and not, so I pick one up whenever I see them. I use them yearround in my work as kneeling pads when working on pools and as padding on the bottom plates of my work ladders. FYI, they will also keep your water bottles from freezing between camps and make a good cozy for coffee cups.
 
I've decided another thing to add to my winter kit is one of those little dripper nalgene bottles full of linseed oil. That way I can keep my wood handles maintained, my steel rust-proof and have some sort of extremely flamable source of fire starter as well.
 
Here's my favorite all weather system; first layer, synthetic wicking T shirt, med or lightweight synthetic or wool wicking underwear, tops and bottoms; next layer windproof (and bugproof) breathable nylon windshirt; use or remove as needed. Pile (pile is warm when wet and still lightweight, drys really fast) jacket and cap (I got the Patagucci version-on sale but Helly Hansen makes a good one too), heavyweight long johns. Windproof, breathable, nylon or nylon blend or wool whipcord pants w/ full separating side zips, big enough to fit over both pairs of long johns if needed. Waterproof/breathable hooded parka, big enough to fit over the 2 pr long johns and pile jacket. Wool or pile Balaclava hat (like a removable hood). Thin wool or synthetic glove liners, Mittens w/ windproof shell and thick removable liners. Mittens should be roomy to allow for good circulation in your fingers. Warm wool or synthetic socks and footwear appropriate to the temp (insulated boots in winter). In very cold weather or if winter camping or standing around a lot, add a lightweight (1 1/2- 2 lb) hooded down or syn filled parka big enough to fit comfortably over everything else. No cotton anything except possibly your outer shell. This kit works (adding or subtracting layers as needed) in all weather from 70 to -10. If it's colder than that I'd add insulated overpants or bibs as well. If you are doing heavy, rough work like farming make the outer layer something tough like filson or Carhart, add or subtract layers underneath as needed. I've never been cold using this system, even at -40. Have fun in the Arctic, sounds like a great adventure!
 
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