Need some help with clothing for the winter

C

choltzapple

Joined
Apr 17, 2007
Messages
181
My soon to be wife and I will be going to Gatlinburg, TN for a week in January and we need to prepare for the cold weather. We live in Florida so we don't get too much ACTUAL cold here so we are under-prepared. I need good ideas on what to get to keep our legs and feet warm mostly. Hats, jackets, and gloves are covered (or will be shortly). Pants I have no clue about so I'm open to suggestions, but boots are going to be tough I think. First off, we won't be using them very often so I really don't want to spend a bunch of money on insulated boots for this one trip. I would prefer to buy a decent and inexpensive leather boot and make that work. I'm thinking waterproofing it somehow (suggestions?) and then letting socks take care of insulation. Is this viable? If so, how many pairs of socks? This approach worries me because I would like to be able to wear these boots in the Florida wilderness also to get my money's worth, so that means buying boots in my normal size and forgoing the extra pair of socks. What's the best solution for a cash-strapped couple who are very likely to only wear these clothes in one real week of winter?
 
What sort of activities are you going to be doing? How long will you be outside?
If your just walking around town and not hiking through the snow all day then a heavy hiking boot with sythetic socks would be fine, and a pair if base layer pants. If your gonna be in the snow for extended period, you are going to need insulated boots and snow pants or carharts.
 
If your just going to be running around doing the tourist thing, you don't need boots man. A good pair of wool socks and whatever shoes you normally wear will suffice. Sweatpants, pj bottoms, thermals, or ANYTHING under your pants will help. Just layer up and you'll be fine. I moved from Lakeland back to East Tennessee about 4 years ago. It won't be the Central Florida winter you're accustom to, but it's not brutal by any means, as far as winters go.
Just use commonsense, don't sweat the small stuff and have fun while you're here.
 
I have 2 words for you. Under Armor. http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/mens If you are really cold sensitive Under armor will out a lot. Make sure you get the Cold Gear if you buy any of the Under armor stuff. They also have heat gear for summer time as well. I have Under armor socks for winter here in NC and they are awesome best socks I have ever had. Under Armor isn't cheap but it is worth it if it keeps you warm. Their underwear top and bottoms are a good first layer then you can build on that.
 
Go to your local Army Navy store & get a pair of Rothco Jungle Boots. I got a pair a few days ago for 30 bucks brand new & they're pretty nice. They also have cold weather socks & thermals that work very well. Can't really get better quality at the prices they have. Hope this helps. :)
 
Wow. If I was going to Gatlinburg this winter, I'd consider shorts. It's 6 degrees here today, blowing snow and 40 mph wind gusts.

If you're going to spend a good deal of time outside, I'd look at a cheap pair of insulated dickies jeans or something like that. Sounds like you want a pair of leather boots--look at Merrills or Asolo's waterproof versions. Or Keen's for low tops.

If you're not going to be sleeping outside, I'd just wear a pair of regular jeans, smartwool socks and whatever boots or sneakers you've got now. If it were me, I'd probably wear a pair of wool socks with my keen sandals. I wear that here down into the 20's.
 
Does it even snow in TN? :D

Underarmor cold gear is amazing, depending on what you guys will be doing I'd go with that and jeans and a a hoodie, maybe pick up a wind proof jacket (leather works if you have one, USN Pea coats or O coats are the best IMO)

Surplus stores also usually have at least one pair of wool pants, which are pretty much amazing if you're heading into the very cold outdoors camping, and are cheap.


Expatriated said:
If it were me, I'd probably wear a pair of wool socks with my keen sandals. I wear that here down into the 20's.
Click to expand...

Hell yeah :thumbup: was rocking that look yesterday!
 
I'm a big fan of ExOfficio underwear.

Get a couple pairs of Wigwam or Smartwool socks (merino wool).
I would not get jungle boots - no insulation, and if they have a metal plate in the sole that will get cold and chill your feet further.

A good windbreaker jacket with a fleece pullover underneath should keep you comfy.
Try to avoid cotton - when it's wet it makes you feel colder.
 
+1 on letting us know what you will be doing. Gattlinburg runs quite a range out there. If you are hitting up Dolly World and the Dixie Stampede you've little to worry about other than staying warm between buildings. (Ok, so more so if Dolly World is still open this time of year, but you get the idea.) Now if you're going to be romping around the Smokies, that changes things.

God bless,
Adam

Remember for winter activewear, as Adaman so loves to say, cotton Kills.
 
Im in southern ontario and to be honest if your just walking around you could get away with running shoes but im also young and stupid, i wear work boots year round most of the time and they work great, but anything like trekking through snow or reindeer games you will need something more
 
tarditi said:
I'm a big fan of ExOfficio underwear.

Get a couple pairs of Wigwam or Smartwool socks (merino wool).
I would not get jungle boots - no insulation, and if they have a metal plate in the sole that will get cold and chill your feet further.

A good windbreaker jacket with a fleece pullover underneath should keep you comfy.
Try to avoid cotton - when it's wet it makes you feel colder.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly on the jungle boots....
 
Last time I was in TN I slept on the ground with no tent on New Year's eve. And it wasn't from being passed out drunk either. I only had 2 beers. It's not that cold there.

Cotton is rotten. Sythetics stink. Wool rules.
 
choltzapple said:
My soon to be wife and I will be going to Gatlinburg, TN for a week in January and we need to prepare for the cold weather. We live in Florida so we don't get too much ACTUAL cold here so we are under-prepared. I need good ideas on what to get to keep our legs and feet warm mostly. Hats, jackets, and gloves are covered (or will be shortly). Pants I have no clue about so I'm open to suggestions, but boots are going to be tough I think. First off, we won't be using them very often so I really don't want to spend a bunch of money on insulated boots for this one trip. I would prefer to buy a decent and inexpensive leather boot and make that work. I'm thinking waterproofing it somehow (suggestions?) and then letting socks take care of insulation. Is this viable? If so, how many pairs of socks? This approach worries me because I would like to be able to wear these boots in the Florida wilderness also to get my money's worth, so that means buying boots in my normal size and forgoing the extra pair of socks. What's the best solution for a cash-strapped couple who are very likely to only wear these clothes in one real week of winter?
Click to expand...
Wal-Mart is your friend in this case IMO.

Get some good wool socks and a lite liner sock if you wish. Don't wear more than one pair and the liner though... it can most likely do more harm than good.

Get some fleece.
Stay away from cotton.
Wool is great.

There are many high priced items that you could buy that work great, but you have said they will rarely be worn... so don't waste your money.

Get some Starter - Dry Wear [Wal-Mart]to wear next to your skin and go from there.

Your can get some boots at Wally World that will fill the bill also. I got some the other day to work & knock around in.
Heck, most of the time I've got to where I just wear my Crocs.. although the last couple of days.... I have added a par of wool socks. :D

Enjoy your trip and have fun, it is a beautiful area..... :thumbup: ... :)
 
I guess I should have said what we're doing. Sorry guys. We're going to be skiing for a couple days for sure, and I would like to have a day to just hang out in the mountains. It's only the second time I will be seeing snow and her first, so I'm sure we'll want to make the most of it. We really haven't planned out the trip because we want to make it a seat of the pants kinda thing, it's our honeymoon after all.

I started to lean towards pac boots when I saw them on basspro.com this evening, but after reading these replies I'm back to the leather boots. We really won't be out on an expedition or anything. The last time I was in the snow I think I only had leather boots and cotton (ugh) socks and I was fine. In fact I remember skiing in a t-shirt, so I'll probably be ok. I'm really just worried about her, she grabs a hoodie when it's 70 degrees out. I don't want her to be miserable for her first time in the snow, especially during our honeymoon.
 
Again I recommend Under Armour UA base underwear. They might be expensive but I rather be warm than cheap. I do have Under Armour hoodies and I swear by them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top