Posted: 7/25/2010 5:24:05 AM EDT
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I am from the south west and cold weather is a new one on me. Should I stick with military clothing and if so what to get for survival? |
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couple quick things dress in layers- allows you to strip off layers as you exert yourself and start to overheat and sweat. sweat is bad when you start to cool down again cotton kills try to avoid wearing cotton at all, but do NOT use it as a base layer. you need something that will wick away moisture and also still keep you warm if it is wet. Wool is the best for this, but some people dont like it. synthetic materials are really good nowadays too. everything else really depends on how cold, how much snow, what you will be doing, etc. the only military items I wear in cold weather are the finger mittens - http://store.colemans.com/cart/gloves-cold-weather-us-gi-p-924.html (get extra inserts, they are cheap) the extreme cold weather mittens if its really cold and im sitting - http://store.colemans.com/cart/gloves-extreme-cold-weather-arctic-m1949-p-925.html extreme cold weather boots if its really cold and again only if I am sitting, I do not find them comfortable to walk long distances - http://store.colemans.com/cart/extreme-cold-temperature-boots-unissued-p-748.html these are the black boots, the white ones have a better temperature rating, but I try and avoid white anything when I am deer hunting |
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Quoted:
This will mostly be for hunting and camping hiked in camping trips. I winter backpack. It's tough dressing for that sort of thing as you really won't want to wear much when you're humping a pack even if it's cold. So that pretty much leaves you humping extra layers to put on once you camp and cool off. I wear a thin synthetic wicking base layer and dress fairly light when moving. Getting sweaty and then stopping for the night is bad. Don't push yourself hard enough to break a sweat. I usually pack a bunch of fleece layers and a nice wool watch cap. Smartwool socks and put on a dry (heavier) pair after you make camp. They come in different thicknesses. I usually walk in the summer weight ones to minimize feet sweating and change to a dry, heavier pair later. Big, clunky winter boots are a PITA to hike in. I usually just wear normal hiking boots and carry a pair of light boot covers to put on after I make camp. They sell them for ice fishing and for use in deer blinds. You can't walk in them much, but they really work sitting around camp. Take lots of high calorie foods and snacks. Eat a good meal before you turn in for the night. Winter camping is no place for diet foods. It's also a lot harder to stay warm in the transitional freezing temp range due to the humidity levels. You'll actually be more comfortable in a dry 20* than you will be in the 30-40 degree range. I have no qualms about bailing on a winter trip if it "warms" up to those temps and starts raining. You'll eventually get wet/damp and it will kill you. 
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Quoted:
Quoted:
This will mostly be for hunting and camping hiked in camping trips. I winter backpack. It's tough dressing for that sort of thing as you really won't want to wear much when you're humping a pack even if it's cold. So that pretty much leaves you humping extra layers to put on once you camp and cool off. I wear a thin synthetic wicking base layer and dress fairly light when moving. Getting sweaty and then stopping for the night is bad. Don't push yourself hard enough to break a sweat. I usually pack a bunch of fleece layers and a nice wool watch cap. Smartwool socks and put on a dry (heavier) pair after you make camp. They come in different thicknesses. I usually walk in the summer weight ones to minimize feet sweating and change to a dry, heavier pair later. Big, clunky winter boots are a PITA to hike in. I usually just wear normal hiking boots and carry a pair of light boot covers to put on after I make camp. They sell them for ice fishing and for use in deer blinds. You can't walk in them much, but they really work sitting around camp. Take lots of high calorie foods and snacks. Eat a good meal before you turn in for the night. Winter camping is no place for diet foods. It's also a lot harder to stay warm in the transitional freezing temp range due to the humidity levels. You'll actually be more comfortable in a dry 20* than you will be in the 30-40 degree range. I have no qualms about bailing on a winter trip if it "warms" up to those temps and starts raining. You'll eventually get wet/damp and it will kill you.
Just one thing to add. When starting out on a hike in cold weather; wear the least amt. of clothing you think you can get away with. You can always add layers if you get cold. I went hunting in Alaska last year and dressed in layers. The problem is, by the time you realize you need to strip some layers off, it's generally too late. I got hot and sweaty and ended up wet. Then when I slowed down I got cold and had a heck of a time warming back up. Cold is easy to fix. Wet and cold is not. I guess my point is not to dress in layers, but to bring extra layers with you. |
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I am from the south west and cold weather is a new one on me. Should I stick with military clothing and if so what to get for survival? Military gear is trendy with the survival crowd but not necessarily the best choice. You can get stuff at WalMart or your local farm supply place that may well serve you as well or better. A lot depends on just what you want, what you expect out of it, and how much you are willing to spend. I am sure someone will point out that you can go layered pretty cheap and it is a very effective means of staying warm. The biggest thing really seems to be water resistance and breath-ability between less expensive and more expensive solutions. |
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I may get flamed for this but here it goes anyway.
For value, construction quality, and performance, I like TAD Gear. The softshells fit tighter to your body allowing better range of motion and have pockets on the sleeves to allow access when your chest is covered by a plate carrier or chest rig. The material itself is breathable and warm and sheds water like a duck. Even if they cost a lot, you do get what you pay for. Layer these softshells with a fleece jacket and pants and some type of moisture-wicking, skin tight, underwear like underarmor next to your skin. Take off clothes as you are moving about, even if you still feel cold, because having sweat soak your clothes will freeze you when you stop. |
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I would like to add that in addition to any wool that Alpaca wool is by far the warmest animal product available. I have alaska winter socks made from alpaca and wick dry... they are supremely warm for active wear and great for sitting as well. I wore sheep wool on the left foot and alpaca on the right foot for two different test alternating each day. Single digit days with a5 - 10 MPH winds. Alpaca carried the day on both feet.
Raven Wear if you have the coin. Sherpa fleece with layers has ridiculous warming abilities. It would be the best $700 you could spend to stay warm in the extreme winter. |
| All of the above is good, but I feel the need to add, when you're choosing your layers, if it fits, it's too small. The whole concept of layering is dead air space between the layers. Five tight layers will freeze you where two or three loose ones will keep you toasty. |