Need Advise on Cold Weather Gear

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CM_Rick

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Jan 10, 2011
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My cousin wants to get out and do some winter hiking, maybe backpacking, but he is really picky about the amount of clothes he wears while hiking. He doesn't like anything restrictive, he like to free-run in the woods. I would like some advice on certain shirts, pants, thermals, head&face wear, shoes/boots, gloves etc. for a temp of about 20* F. I've tried giving him my advice, but he wants some more opinions on the matter.

Thanks all
 
If he's actually moving, he won't need much clothing. A couple of merino layers on top, a fleece, a wool watch cap, maybe longjohns under pants, two layers of wool socks. Carry another windproof insulated layer for pauses.

Hands will get cold. I have some merino glove liners that help a lot. Mittens are a good choice: warmer than gloves.

I like Icebreaker for merino layers, and there are dozens of good socks: Smartwool et al, but I also like Cabela's own brand.

Boots: ankle support, decent grip for snow, about 400g of Thinsulate, and breathable leather rather than Gore Tex. Meindl, Lowa, other boots sold at places that sell those!

Face/neck: a buff/chute is better than a scarf, and more flexible than a balaclava. I prefer the feel of merino, but the micro fleece ones will do just fine too.
 
Layering is the real key - I prefer natural fabrics in the cold and snythetics when it is hot. The main concern is not sweating while you are moving around, because when you stop you will freeze.

Wool keeps you warm when wet. Most other things don't. You can't have enough dry wool socks in the winter.
 
holygoat said:
If he's actually moving, he won't need much clothing. A couple of merino layers on top, a fleece, a wool watch cap, maybe longjohns under pants, two layers of wool socks. Carry another windproof insulated layer for pauses.

Hands will get cold. I have some merino glove liners that help a lot. Mittens are a good choice: warmer than gloves.

I like Icebreaker for merino layers, and there are dozens of good socks: Smartwool et al, but I also like Cabela's own brand.

Boots: ankle support, decent grip for snow, about 400g of Thinsulate, and breathable leather rather than Gore Tex. Meindl, Lowa, other boots sold at places that sell those!

Face/neck: a buff/chute is better than a scarf, and more flexible than a balaclava. I prefer the feel of merino, but the micro fleece ones will do just fine too.
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The HolyGoat speaks truth! Pretty much everything I would recommend. I prefer wool for almost all my outdoor excursions. I recently got a Mackinaw wool pullover from www.gfredasbell.com that is an absolutely amazing piece of kit. I find myself quite comfortable into the teens with just a wicking t-shirt, light insulating layer (I've been using a super light fleece from Columbia... thinner than "100" weight), and the pull-over. Top it off with a wool watch cap and leather insulated mittens. I wear a "mid-weight" merino longjohns from Cabela's. They seem more "light-weight" to me, but they do the job quite well. I stay perfectly warm while hiking.
 
To me the underlayer and versatility of outerlayers are the key. The last thing you want to do is dress for 20 degree weather then break a sweat going up your first hill. There are a lots of options for active thermals (Under Armour for example) that help manage heat and perspiration. Ideally, I would start with a lightweight set of these followed by a medium weight quality zip fleece, covered on the outside by a medium weight coat (wool or whatever).
 
CM_Rick said:
he is really picky about the amount of clothes he wears while hiking. He doesn't like anything restrictive, he like to free-run in the woods.
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Wool outerwear is heavy and somewhat restrictive. He won't like it. Fleece is light and will allow him to run free in the woods.
 
thanks guys. He is way too picky about stuff in my opinion, but he will value all the advice. If anyone has a few links to some store sites or pics, I'm sure he would appreciate it. Thanks again all, and please keep it coming.
 
two very worthwhile reads on winter clothing

http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/physed/research/people/giesbrecht/Cold_Weather_Clothing.pdf

http://www.andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/view/the_art_of_not_suffering

you can make mistakes w/ clothing choice in the summer, in the winter it could kill you :(

for active winter endeavors (read skiing, snowshoeing, hiking) I prefer thin base layers top/bottom (thin merino or capilene 1 or equivalent)

for bottoms a lightweight softshell pant

for top a mid layer of R1 (Powerdry fleece) if needed (this is often in the pack if it's high exertion or milder temps)

over that a windshirt- breathable, light, cuts the wind and has a good dwr finish to shed winter precip

for stops a insulating layer (down or syn parka)

on my head a light syn or merino beanie (in the pack a heavier balaclava)

on my hands a light merino or syn liner glove (in the pack 400 weight fleece mitts and goretex overmitts)

feet- thick merino socks, over that depends on the activity

my best advice for winter clothing is don't get wet from sweat- ventilate, shed clothing, slow your exertion, whatever it takes- wet clothing kills!
 
Free running is a pretty high intensity activity. And twenty degrees isn't very cold. I'm thinking a light fleece on top and some decent warm up pants would be plenty. Add a warm hat and thin gloves and he'll be gtg!
 
I want him to realize that free-running isn't really possible in the ice and snow. I'm thinking he will have to go all synthetics and/or wool, because of sweating. And you're right, 20 isn't that cold. I grew up with colder weather.

All great advice, please keep it coming.

Thanks guys
 
Think in terms of WWW (no not the internet)

W - Wicking - the layer closest to the body (in spite of conventional wisdom) is solely for wicking away heat robbing moisture and not for warmth. The more he is active the less you'll want in terms of weight on your wicking. Wear microweight type of a wicking layer. Don't jump in early and use your wicking layer as a warmth layer which is a common mistake.

W - Warm - as has been stated, you'll want several layers to be able to put on/off. I generally recommend to those who go with me to always be just a notch below comfortable on warm so one doesn't break out into sweat which is a killer.

W - Wind & Weather Resistant - always need an outer layer that can block the wind and can shed some outer moisture. No real true "Rain Proof" anything except for solid non-breathable materials sold to Alaskan Crab Fisherman. But remember if it keeps the rain out then it most likely keeps sweat in. (no perfect solution unfortunately). Pit zips and ability to slowly or rapidly vent is critical.

Stay away from anything cotton including undies.

The wool shirt from gfbell does indeed ROCK! One of my favorite woods garments.

Wool is great because it is very bondfire/campfire/stove resistant. Yet, fleece is very abundant and inexpensive but is very susceptable to flame/sparks. Everything is a trade off!

Gloves are critical - and I'd recommend having two or more pair - get a bundle at an army surplus store (the black or green wool liners) they're cheap, lightweight and work good for active work. When you need something heavier then go with something that can go over the top of the wool liner.

Have a change of Wicking so when he stops for the night and just before bed, can switch out wicking layers and dry the set he wore during the day because it will be built up with moisture and sleep in a dry set including socks, undies, and wicking layer.
 
I love wool, I used to resist it and be a patagonis whore. I wore wool socks all the time though. I am now 100% wool summer and winter. Best stuff on earth, IMO.
 
Quirt speaks the truth for the win!

If he can't figure that out, he'll just be cold or stay home.

What are you guy's thoughts on 5.11 tactlight pants/shirts? or any other 5.11 gear?
 
Ice breaker merino baselayer, midweight polartech fleece mid layer, and a gore-tex shell. As you heat up lose the mid layer.
 
CM_Rick said:
Quirt speaks the truth for the win!

If he can't figure that out, he'll just be cold or stay home.

What are you guy's thoughts on 5.11 tactlight pants/shirts? or any other 5.11 gear?
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Garbage IMO. I have had both their standard tactical pants and the "tac-lite pro" pants, and neither of them were very durable. We used to wear those at work and they do not hold up well to frequent use.
 
oguruma said:
Garbage IMO. I have had both their standard tactical pants and the "tac-lite pro" pants, and neither of them were very durable. We used to wear those at work and they do not hold up well to frequent use.
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That shocks me... what kind of work do you do?
 
Good thread with lots of interesting recommendations. I'll have to check out more of these also.
I've heard good things about the Cabela's Over-Under WindShear Fatigue Sweater and the Cabela's Over-Under WindShear Zip-Front Sweater . Last time I checked a couple months ago they were on sale for about $69US. This thread reminded me to check them out again and pick up one of them.
 
Crap, just checked the Cabela's site and now they're on "sale" for $99 to $149!! I should have ordered one when they were $69!
 
Get Ice Breaker Merino tops and bottoms and bring something warm and windproof for when you stop moving.
 
CM_Rick said:
Quirt speaks the truth for the win!

If he can't figure that out, he'll just be cold or stay home.

What are you guy's thoughts on 5.11 tactlight pants/shirts? or any other 5.11 gear?
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I vastly prefer the Tru-Spec 24/7 "tactical" (god, I HATE that term) pants. VERY well thought out pockets and very durable thus far.

NaturalMystic said:
Good thread with lots of interesting recommendations. I'll have to check out more of these also.
I've heard good things about the Cabela's Over-Under WindShear Fatigue Sweater and the Cabela's Over-Under WindShear Zip-Front Sweater . Last time I checked a couple months ago they were on sale for about $69US. This thread reminded me to check them out again and pick up one of them.
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I hate to say it, because I have TWO of their WindShear lined wool sweaters, but they are not good for exertional activities for me. I sweat too much, and they seem to trap the moisture. However, they are great for much less active outdoor activities, i.e. sitting in a deer stand etc.
 
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