Posted: 11/4/2011 8:49:23 AM EDT
Got on the snow removal crew at work.They don't hire outside contractors,just take volunteers.All overtime.triple time on holidays  .Doesn't effect our overtime for regular work.13 yrs of service was enough to get on the crew but not enough to secure a spot on a tractor.I'll be doing the manual shoveling.Any recomendations on dress? I'm a California boy originally and have a snowblower for home.When I do shovel I invariably end up being hot and sweaty as hell.I think i'm doing it wrong.So I come to you Native born Men of the Northlands.In all humility I ask for your wisdom.In return every cent will be spent on shiny brass idols and obscenely expensive magazine fed prayer sticks that I might frighten away heathen liberals and thus at peace,commune with the Higher Power and tell him of your good deeds. |
As you are already aware, shoveling is hard work and staying warm isn't usually a problem. Just wear stuff that wicks the sweat away (polypropylene and fleece, with windbreaker outer wear), and wear layers to take off as you get hot. Get a fleece hat, neoprene face mask for when the cold wind is blowing, boots with good traction, and some Gore-tex gloves. Have fun! 
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Long underwear, regular pants/jeans, t-shirt with otr without flannel. Most of all invest in a quality set of Carhart bibs and a good Carhart coat. Not the jacket, but the coat. The coat is the longer one. Buy the $10 Carhart hood, it snaps right to the coat. Carhart uses good tight woven duck cloth and if you like you can waterproof it with a spray, but in all honesty you won't need it. You will stay dry. That and a good set of hunting boots. I prefer Gortex lined full leather bottom half boots. They are warm and you don't have to wear huge socks and your feet will stay dry. This is what I always wore in the winter on outdoor jobs when I was pipe fitting.
Find a good set of gloves. Gortex are nice. Just make sure they are lined. With this configuration you will probably find you are far warmer than you want to be, but you should dress in layers and you can always strip layers off if needed. |
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Since you will probably be getting a good workout, I think dressing in good quality, lightweight layers with an outer waterproof shell would be the way to go.
Base layer per Flame, covered by a decent set of lightweight snow pants and a decent waterproof/windproof jacket. Spring for a good pair of boots with serious gription, I'd be more concerned with staying dry than staying warm. The shoveling will keep you warm. |
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i personally stay away from anything cotton. ill use synthetic under layers with wool outer layers. Goretex is fine for kicking around town but i despise it for any physical activity... It doesn't breath fast enough. For physical activity i wear just enough layers to stay warm while I'm working, then layer up when i stop moving.
Surplus wool pants work great and wear like iron, as do most of the current company's that still make them. if you want recommendations of outer layers let me know. malden mills fleece works in a pinch to, but i have this weird fear of synthetic outwear and fire. |
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Quoted:
... synthetic under layers ... Goretex ...doesn't breath fast enough. ... wear just enough layers to stay warm while I'm working, then layer up when i stop moving. This all mirrors my experience. Good advice. I've never found a really good answer for around my face when huffing and puffing outside. Scarves, balaclavas, or any other material in direct contact just ends up soaked from the moisture in your breath. A paper dust mask works pretty good at preheating the air and allowing fresh air exchange, but they're a pain in the ass to pull on and off to blow your nose; especially with gloves on. It usually works for a little while and then I get frustrated and ditch it. |
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When you get overheated, don't take off your hat. Remove a glove. Whatever you wear, it will be important to learn to regulate your temp, you arn't lost in the wilderness, you don't have to conserve body heat.
Carhart gear is A+, I sell Christmas trees and wear it. I only wear the black set however, I don't like the dark tan look. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Merino wool layer system (thin and effective) though not inexpensive. Smartwool for me. Icebreaker. This thread was a great read. He started Smartwool but ended Icebreaker. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_17/594775_My_cross_country_GHB.html&page=1 Me, I just like looking at hot women in thin wool.  
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For your particular situation, and this being WI, unless you are carrying a whole set of spare clothes in your vehicle you will get caught without whatever you buy for inner layers. Our weather is custom designed to trick you and get you unawares. So, here is what I suggest: - Get a good wool hat, or some kind of knit hat - A blaclava either neoprane or synthetic - thick "ski" or "snowmobile" gloves - mechanix or "thin" gloves - good boots with good insulation, Sorels or something. - fleece scarf For your non-extremities, layers. T-shirt, sweatshirt (zipper is best to avoid having to take off the hat) and a wind-resistant shell. Whatever you wear for bottom for bottom. (Unless you are doing the "dressy office" clothes, in which case the pants will be inadequate). Take off your core layer (i.e. jacket) and leave the outerwear on extremities. Do that as soon as you start to warm up. So figure, one standard house "sidewalk" an then take your jacket off. Continue in the sweatshirt, gloves, and hat only until you get warm again, then take off the sweatshirt. This will let you go for hours without getting to the point you sweat a lot. Don't be afraid to stop and cool off. Do that before you get sweaty. Drink a decent amount, but not a lot. If you come in soaked and tired you are going to need a shower (at work) or end up getting cold inside, or have to go out and shovel in wet clothing (because, it'll start snowing again as soon as you finish  ) |
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Me, I just like looking at hot women in thin wool.
http://i44.tinypic.com/2i0dima.jpg[/quote] She looks like a Zombie, 
Take your pick.
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I've been looking at Icebreaker and Smartwool,guess i'll go ahead and pick some up.Works great for me as I'm not a fan of synthetic materials,in my experience it's loud,tears easily and if an ember even touches it you have a hole.For many years my jacket was a Filson tin cloth packer gifted me by a wealthy and deranged Aunt.That was a fantastic jacket that just kicked the living shit out of all the North Face and such "technical" coats that were the rage... for my uses.I just picked up a replacement,a Filson knock off from Cabelas.Just couldn't bring myself to bring a $300+ coat to work in a metal stamping factory.I'm going with insulated Carhartt jeans,wool undershirt and midweight wool hoody with my pseudo Filson oilskin jacket and fine tune the set up from there. |
| The polartech fleece expedition weight thermal underwear, brand name work n sport you find at farm and fleet is an awesome base layer. Its usually on sale this time of year. If your doing shoveling or anything where youll be moving around the base layer and some thinsulate lined wranglers, a hoodie and a carhart jacket will be plenty. A stocking cap, some waterproof gloves and insulated waterproof boots. |
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Quoted: The polartech fleece expedition weight thermal underwear, brand name work n sport you find at farm and fleet is an awesome base layer. Its usually on sale this time of year. If your doing shoveling or anything where youll be moving around the base layer and some thinsulate lined wranglers, a hoodie and a carhart jacket will be plenty. A stocking cap, some waterproof gloves and insulated waterproof boots. I was there today and it was in fact on sale. I didn't notice until when though. |