Need Advise on Cold Weather Gear

[obsessis]

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.

What type of wicking t-shirt (undershirt) do you wear?

I think I can find a decent regular shirt to go over it, but what type of material would you recommend? A Merino Wool-type of long sleeve shirt underneath your jacket/coat?

Do you wear underwear under your longjohns? I always do, so I'd like to get some good underwear for cold, outdoor weather along with undershirts. I think I have a handle on socks....super thin wool-type sock liner and then a wool outer-sock.

 

[obsessis]

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.

What would you recommend for underwear and an undershirt (t-shirt style?)?

 

[Mongo]

What type of wicking t-shirt (undershirt) do you wear?

I think I can find a decent regular shirt to go over it, but what type of material would you recommend? A Merino Wool-type of long sleeve shirt underneath your jacket/coat?

Do you wear underwear under your longjohns? I always do, so I'd like to get some good underwear for cold, outdoor weather along with undershirts. I think I have a handle on socks....super thin wool-type sock liner and then a wool outer-sock.

As of yet... I don't have any merino t-shirts or briefs, but they would be best. I make do with a variety of wicking t-shirts. You can find inexpensive stuff at Walmart even! I see NO need to buy Northface etc. when you can get the same darn thing for 1/3 the price. I do wear "performance" briefs from Cabela's under my merino long johns. The problem with "performance" and various wicking type underwear, is that they get stinky quick. Merino stays pretty stink free even for a few days. I am always keeping my eye out for deals there... may have to wait for summer.

 

[obsessis]

Thanks for the tips.

I need to find some good basic t-shirts to wear for a basic layer for every-day use. I have had some that are 100% polyester, but they seemed to make me sweat more and have it not evaporate.....trapped it in instead of removed it.

I ordered some basic 'performance' 'moisture wicking' t-shirts from the big box store and they should arrive later this week. They are made by Starter and around $10 for long or short sleeve. If they work well, I may buy more. They were rated pretty high by some people so I hope it works out and I can buy more. If not, I'll still wear them around but not for anything serious.

 

[CM_Rick]

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.


I have some TRUSPEC products and like them a lot. I still wonder about the 5.11, they seemed so nice in the store. Just don't want to drop the coin on something that could suck. And, I do not like the fact that they're mad in China.

 

[oguruma]

That shocks me... what kind of work do you do?

It's not that they were put through hard use, but rather that they didn't stand up to repeated used. Most guys had only maybe 1 or two pair, and would alternate between those and docker style khakis 5 days+ a week. On the pairs I have had, during the first 5 washings or so the colors seem to fade at an outrageous pace.

 

[CM_Rick]

It's not that they were put through hard use, but rather that they didn't stand up to repeated used. Most guys had only maybe 1 or two pair, and would alternate between those and docker style khakis 5 days+ a week. On the pairs I have had, during the first 5 washings or so the colors seem to fade at an outrageous pace.

That's just crazy. You'd expect better for the price. I was going to get the darker colors too, not any more. (poop sound and thumbs down)

 

[Kirk_Ferentz]

As many say, layering is key. Not only because many layers are warmer than any one big layer, but also because you need to remove layers when you start sweating so that you don't end up wet from sweat when your body temp drops back down.

I have found that layering is even great with gloves ... I throw some of the little black gloves below my main gloves, and they are a lot warmer.

The best piece clothing that I have found for keeping warm is a good scarf. It is easily adjustable and can gover ears, face, head, etc. or just the neck. And it is like a plug that keeps all of the heat from under your coat and shirts from escaping out from your collar. It makes whatever upper body layers you have on work much, much better.

I bought an under layer pants and shirt combo from REI (REI brand too), and it works very well. I was very wary of merino, as I have suspected that I have an allergy to wool. It works great and dries very quickly.