Posted: 1/15/2008 12:23:22 PM EDT
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Coming up to Ft. McCoy for a few days. I know I will freeze my ass off, any tips for making "not so bad"? |
| FYI: here is a good thread on what to do to keep from getting cold (I know it is in GD but it does contain some really good info). |
QFT! For anyone not experienced with cold weather, Layers are very important. Gloves, Boots and a good hat are just as important. For cold weather this is how I generally dress from inside out. Can vary depending on activity, but you can always remove clothing if your hot. 1x Tight fitting t-shirt (longsleeve T if really cold) (tucked in pants) 1x Loose Fitting long sleeve T (optional) (tucked in pants) 1x Thin Turtle neck (tucked in pants) 1x oversized Sweatshirt or hoodie 1x winter Jacket with a tall collar or hood Lower 1x Skivvies 1x Long Johns 1x Pants 1x Overpants with zipper sides 1x thin dress socks 1x Wool Socks 1x Insulated boots I cannot stress the importance of warm feet, cold feet will make you miserable. Gloves are your preference but I like the gauntlet style covered by the coat, keeps the snow and wind out. Fleece Neck warmer and a good hat that covers your whole ear. I also like to wear sunglasses or some clear eye protection if I'm going to be outside, nighttime is yellow shooting glasses. Hope this helps -JTP ETA- you want to top layer to be as windproof and waterproof as possible. If it's cotton and you can't keep it dry, don't wear it. Some will say no cotton at all, but I can't stand synthetics on my skin. If you dress right you can actually be quite comfortable outside in the cold. |
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#1 rule, "Cotton next to skin is a SIN!!" If you wear cotton against the skin and sweat, it's equal to wrapping yourself in a wet towel. Wear a quality base layer (long-johns) Best base layers are made from polypropolyene sp? or capalene sp? These fabrics are warm and will wick moisture away from the skin keeping you warm and dry. Layers of wool (I prefer wool) and synthetics like fleece and thinsulate are best. For socks, I like to wear a quality synthetic next to my skin and then a good wool on the outside. Synthetic for comfort and moisture wicking, wool for warmth even when wet. Also, wear a waterproof shell to keep the moisture out. Wool is wonderful for an outerlayer too, stays warm when wet and as long as you are not going inside at all the moisture never makes it in toward you. Waterproof and warm boots are a must. Gore-Tex is worth the $ if you are going to use it a lot. I spend my winters outside in up to -30 F weather near the Canadian boarder and have learned about proper dress the hard way. IF you plan on doing this often, invest in good gear- you won't regret it. When it is that cold I have about $1k worth of clothes on, and they are worth every penny. Good luck My extreme cold weather -30F get-up: Polypro. base layer and thin liner socks Synthetic/merino wool boot socks Wool socks Military wool pants Fleece top Fleece windstopper vest Whitewater fleece and thinsulate jacket. Columbia Gallatian Range Wool jacket with hood Columbia Gallatian Range wool Bibs Whitewater thisulate and Gore-Tex Bibs Whitewater Gore-tex shell jacket Carhartt knit hat, hoods from wool and shell jacket (thinsulate in this one) Fleece Bavaclava sp? Thin wool gloves Heavy Jokatherm sp? rubber coated wool insulated mittens Rocky 1200gr thinsulate boots. Hope this helps out! |
You HAVE to post a picture of that get-up. I feel like the Michelin in my down parka from LL Bean, you must look like a walking, tuskless walrus. |
Hehe, Yes, any more and I'd feel like the Michelin man, it just gets a little snug in the arms but not bad at all. Definately a manageable compromise, -30F is a whole new level of cold. Another size larger on the shell would solve that issue though. Leg setup works just fine, carefull plannng about sizes and combinations when buying gear helps a lot. Layers as has been said by many, are definately key. If I am active and need less insulation and a bit more mobility, I'll drop layers as needed. |
