Your most valuable cold weather gear

tarsier

tarsier

Joined
Apr 6, 2002
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Over the last 20 years, I have lived in several cold climates, such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The most valuable piece of cold weather gear that I have found is the Power Stretch Union Bib that I got from Cabelas a few years ago. In the past, I usually bought wool and polyester blend two-piece long johns from Farm & Fleet or something similar that was on sale. So, I was a little hesitant to pay $90 for a pair of drawers. I have to say that the Union Bib is worth every penny, and I have since bought a second pair.

I haven't tried many high tech fabrics, so this product was a big step up in comfort and warmth for me. Because it is one piece, there is no annoyance from the upper part coming untucked or bunching up. Because it is a bib, not a full upper, the freedom of movement for the arms is excellent. The material that it is made from is warm, wind-resistant, wicks away sweat, and is comfortable against the skin. It is also light enough to wear indoors and will not cause overheating if you are in and out all day. I was very surprised to find a product that is wearable in three different conditions - outdoors stationary, outdoors active, and indoors. After extensive use, the material has not stretched out of shape, become baggy, or torn. It has remained form-fitting but stretchy.

There are only two downsides that I can think of. The first is the initial price. The second is that I have to wear a light pair of shorts underneath. The metal zipper ends right at the crotch, so chafing and scratching can occur...:eek:

I am interested in hearing about your most valuable cold weather gear. There is probably a lot of other stuff that I have missed out on.
 
My ears get cold easily and they give me a headache when they do. My most valuable cold weather gear are those headbands that have the ear flaps on them. Even when I wear a knit cap that'll pull over the ears, I still need those ear bands.
 
My Sorel Dominators are my most valued. Keep your feet, hands, and head warm and the rest should stay comfortable.

Paul
 
You guys should check out some of the icebreaker gear from New Zealand. Admittedly I hardly live in a cold climate, but I bought a couple of their tops on the way to the Bass Straight this year (Very bloody cold down there - the wind comes straight up from antarctica)It's amazing material. Ultra fine merino wool woven with some new process that creates a light, non itchy almost cotton like cloth. It is strangely both warm and cool. It can get below freezing out in the desert here and yet become very hot during the day. I wear my icebreaker thermal when I wake up in the morning and sometimes forget to take it off intil almost midday, when it's pushing 30 degC

I've tried all sorts of polypro and goretex combinations and this stuff is definetly a leap forward.

www.icebreakernz.com
 
Gore windstopper fleece gloves!!! These things are UNBELIEVABLE! I wear these skiing, unless its snowing or sleeting because they are not waterproof or even water resistant. But for warmth they are amazing, for such a small light pair of gloves, I have worn them at below 0 with windchills at probably -20 to -30, and they keep my hands warm.
 
Cabelas Irish Fisherman sweater and LL Bean Baxter St. parka. With a shirt jacket over the sweater, the combo is warm enough for the lower thirties. With the sweater and the parka you'll melt :). I also have a Mad Bomber hat, they look a little goofy but are extremely warm.

Matt
 
Columbia Sportswear Parka. Warm as the seventh layer of hell even when there's a below zero wind chill.:cool:
 
- My Cabelas Outfitter Boots with 1000 Gram Thinsulate. Only boots that ever kept my toes warm.

- My Lewis Creek Stockton Barn Jacket; gotta love the performance, look and features of Waxed Cotton outerwear. Bought the zip in fleece jacket for it also. Just about the only coat I need; warm, pretty much totally waterproof, looks cool as heck, lots of big pockets, etc.

- Some funky waxed cotton, fleece lined fisherman's hat with chin strap thingies that fasten with velcro. Don't know the brand name, but it's high quality and works the same way as the Lewis Creek Jacket. Plus, it has that funky, doofus, hunter chic look that all the chicks love.

- My Spot Brand Merino Wool bicycling jerseys.
If you've ever worn Merino Wool next to your skin for strenuous, sweaty activities, you'll know what I mean. And no, it doesn't itch, doesn't smell at all (I hardly ever wash it), and looks cool as heck on the trails in basic black. I be stylin'!!!!

- My Wigwam Merino wool socks.
Comments above apply
Does anyone see a patern emerging here?

- My Pendleton Wool wide brim hat. Stylish, wool, waterproof, and warm. What more could you want. Goes great with the Lewis Creek Jacket.

Sorry for the rambling, but these are a few of my favorite things.

Lenny
 
North Face clothing. I have other stuff from them, but the ones that I like the most are their Mountain Guide jacket, a funny little fleece hat that covers the ears tightly, and a fleece jacket. All are over five years old, and have very little or no signs of wear. These aren't cheap but the quality is something that professional mountain climbers would be happy with. I've used the clothes for long periods of hiking, skiing and camping in the forest, and often in city use also. Normal winter weather conditions in my hometown in Northern Finland are 1-1.5m of snow, about -15C, but extended periods of -30C are not uncommon.

- Gon
 
have to be my 4-1 hood thing. made of fleece, it can be: just a hood, a hood with a face piece, just a face piece/neckwarmer, or a cap.

also, my workmates boots(steel toe) are the best I've seen for keeping my toes warm. I have gel insoles in them, and wear a pair of Kodiak Arctic socks.
 
2 years ago, Eddie Bauer had a Spring closeout clearance sale on their Winter stuff. Unbelieveable prices! I walked out of there with 2 of their down parkas(rated to well under O) for about $100. Normally, these coats are $300 apiece. I would have to say they are my favs.
 
Good replies.

I found a useful combination of outerwear quite a few years ago, so I'm set there. I wear an anorak, either by itself, or with a wool/fleece vest, or with a synthetic liner.

For layers underneath, several folks mentioned Merino wool. For those who have this material, how do you wash it? Is it usually combined with a synthetic fiber, or does it have to be handwashed in cold water with Woolite?

Dcon67, I have seen the Windstopper fleece garments advertised, but haven't bought any. The sweater that I handled felt extremely heavy for its size, almost like a ballistic vest. I was really surprised. I could see it being ideal for gloves though, as you mentioned.
 
Originally posted by tarsier
For those who have this material, how do you wash it?
Click to expand...

My Icebreaker stuff can be used and abused like any other garment according to the manufacturers. However I acn't bring myself to do that and tend to cold hand wash it and dry it in the shade like regular wool. Funny thing is I tend to forget to wash it as it seems to never pick up and odour.
 
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