Lately I mostly stay home, go on short walks or take the kids to the park. I have a broken footBut generally when I'm healthy and whole I'm out helping my brother in his shop (especially in winter), fabrication, machine work, wrenching on my truck, fence building and general random projects. In the milder weather I like to spend time hiking, swimming, shooting etc.
Years ago I heard that 'cotton kills', and since then I've been meaning to look into non-cotton pants, now with a broken foot I have a lot of free time to look into things. But, I've sort of come to the realization that it don't matter much. We've all been getting along just fine with cotton pants. While I am driving around the middle of nowhere a lot, it's pretty unlikely that I'll be out driving in a rain storm and lose my truck, or drive into the river. I'd have bigger problems then cold legs at that point anyway.
No recommendations. But trying to understand the "what" so I can answer what I use for the same "what" :^).
I make a distinction between a) working outdoors and b) backcountry travel.
Both involve being outdoors for prolonged periods and physical activity. But I find they present very different needs on the clothing I choose.
For outdoor work, I need more abrasion resistance. I need more bulk warmth as, while I may work up a sweat, it's not the same as hiking up a mountain (real sweat hog stuff). And I can deal with more weight and bulk and less weather resistance as I don't need to carry it in my pack and I will be home at the end of the day.
For working outdoors in the winter, my choice is to wear long johns under Dickies work pants. On top of this, I will wear one of several pair of side zip pants. I have a pair of beater heavy duty Supplex nylon GoreTex pants (add a lot of windproofing) and a pair of thick insulated pants. Typically I wear these with suspenders for better mobility. Another trick is to moderate temperature by zipping them down from the top, venting off a lot of extra heat while still keeping them on.
Side zip pants come on and off easy without needing to remove boots. If I were working in a high abrasion setting (I don't do much beyond being a home owner), I would look at the Carhartt Double Front insulated pants. They aren't full side zips but I *think* they unzip enough to put on over boots. I would use them them same, as over pants over Dickies and long johns. This allows me to shed the layer and just wear the water/snow shedding Dickies.
"Cotton Kills" does matter in the backcountry of the north-east. For me, it's a factor for working out of doors for the day. Cotton means I need to change pants earlier. Synthetics are always better (unless it's a horribly abrasive envirnoment).
I'm meh about wool pants. Very warm but they attract snow and are the worst in terms of abrasion.
