I spent a few hours each day in some REALLY cold temps (for Utah anyway) and I've found some real weaknesses in my gold weather gear. The temps I was working in last week was -13 (the other guys were working in -23, but I managed to miss most of that day in the cold), but we were working under a helicopter with approx 60mph rotor wash, making a wind chill of about -51. I'm guessing on the rotor wash, but it's a super-Huey with a 3500lb load that will push a guy over if he's not set against it.
Let's compare and discuss cold weather gear.
Here is my top inside layers. Columbia baselayer, heavy cotton FR shirt (required, but in an almost gov't-like intelligence we can wear it under a coat) and a Columbia jacket. The jacket has the Columbia Omni-heat, which is a reflective layer that is REALLY warm without any bulk.
Bottom inside layers. Columbia base with the Omni-Heat, Carhart jeans, wool socks and poly sock liners. The boots are uninsulated because I need safety toe, but I'm getting some insulated safety toe ASAP.
Here is my outside layer. Generic jacket, poorly insulated but has the company logo, generic gloves and Columbia (again, they have a factory outlet here...) snowboard pants with the Omni-Heat. Carhart beanie with hard-hat on top. Shemagh was used as a scarf.
RESULTS-
Inner layers-The Omni-Heat is incredible. With a single layer I am good for pretty cold temps, about 20F without wind I'd say. Combined with the outer shell my legs were very warm every day I doubled them up. I really need to get some Omni-Heat tops/shirts. My chest and back stayed cold far too often.
My jacket sucks, the beanie sucks and the shemagh is awesome.
Gloves are terrible, my hands were warm but my wrists get so cold that it takes hours to get good use and dexterity out of them.
Boots need to be replaced,
A face mask would be VERY nice, I used to have a neoprene one but can't find it.
Here is a pic of some of my other cold weather stuff. I live at just a shade under 6,000ft and we have some pretty cold months. Here are a few things I wear around the woods when not at work. Gaiters from the army surplus (I think Swedish), Swedish wool pants, two different weights of thermals, one is just a pair of nylon pants, and the old school mil-surp gloves with wool liners. I really like these gloves for staying warm, but not so much for using. When it's this cold it's tough to be much use for long anyway.
Any favorite CW headgear? Good gloves?
Thanks-