extreme cold weather clothing

[bigray03]

This question is for my extreme northern xser's. Please remember that I am from south Louisiana while you are reading this and that I am not used of cold temps. I just got a job where I will be doing lots of international traveling, with a fair amount of outdoor worrk involved starting in December, mid winter. It could be Korea one week, Canada one week, Brazil one week, Siberia the next week. What I am trying to figure out is the best subzero work clothing to buy for some of these conditions I am bound to find myself in this winter. Mainly footwear and outerwear. I need something warm and durable that wont snag, rip, or melt like nylon material.
Is the best parka simply the most expensive one out there or is the $300. one just as good as the $600 one. I don't mean to sound stupid here but understand they don't even seel this kind of clothing where I live.

[D. P. Larmee]

It definitely depends on what kind of work you'll be doing. If you are active, you need much less than if you are idle. I would suggest simple layering; a coat, over a down vest, over a sweater, over a polypro long underwear shirt, over a t shirt, you get the idea. This way, you can always shed or add a layer when needed. For the coldest weather, I find that a good set of insulated coveralls work great. With long underwear and a sweater underneath, I can spend a good 8-10 hours out in sub-zero temps and remain pretty comfortable. For footwear, a good pair of work boots is fine, just make sure to buy them big enough that you can fit warm socks without overcrowding; I recommend a thin inner sock made of something that will wick the sweat away and a thick wool sock over that. Also, my grandma always used to say that if your feet are cold, put on a hat. She was right; your feet never really get cold if the rest of you is kept warm enough.

[slow mo]

hello ray

you might want to buy a good quality snowmobile suit 2 piece;; some sorel boots and bob,s yer uncle you,r set;;ride safe ,,slow mo!! welcome to the great white north ,,eh

[wa407mpp]

Having grown up in the high mountains of North Idaho and spent a winter in Korea, I along with anyone else who has ever wintered there, can tell you that you won't stay warm there, it is the coldest place in the world. However I would go with wool and or a wool blend all the way to the skin. They will keep you warmer then any of the new stuff even if it gets wet, and will out wear anything else.

[crazy steve]

The clothing info you've gotten is good. For boots, if you're going to be on extremely cold ground, get a pair of boots with felt liners/booties. If it's really cold, all the socks in the world won't help, but these will.

There's also electrically heated clothing, but a power source can be a hassle; battery life isn't too good.

'78E original owner

[mro]

Winter is Steelhead time
Standing in a river at daylight, having to stick your rod in the water every few minuets to get the line un-frozen from the guides ... could be considered cold.

I layer, but first over long johns is a pair of corduroys then a pair of jeans. When it’s really cold I add a set of bib overalls made for the cold.

Good idea to try out all the gear you want to wear before you ever go out.
Some things you want to fit just right and others a little loose to allow good movement and ease of getting em on and off.

If your paying check out this site

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...lothing*103009


mro

[mro]

Btw

You'll also want something full length or a top and bottom outer that can block the wind. (I use light weight rain gear)

It might be only 10 degrees out but if the wind is blowing 10/15 mph it will feel a lot colder.

mro

[madmax-im]

There are boots that have an inner bootie like has been mentioned that are good to -100*...I had a pair of these a while back along with wool socks and my feet were never cold no matter how bad the winters were. Layering with a base layer of long underwear of a polypropylene type is advisable. A bacalava made out of Turtle fur (name brand)...which is headgear that covers your head and goes down to cover your neck...and is only open around your eyes...your nose and mouth are also covered.

[CatatonicBug]

I don't have a ton of experience working in the cold, but the 2 winters I spent on an open truck dock loading/unloading freight and tires taught me a few things.

For the feet, you want 2 layers of socks, as mentioned, with the 2nd pair being 100% wool. The scratchier the better. Shoes should be water-proof, oil-coated, insulated leather or gore-tex boots, preferably without steel-toes (the metal will wick heat away from your toes).

Always wear a good-quality pair of long underwear, and layer over them gradually. A long-sleeved t-shirt, then a pull-over hooded sweatshirt, then a sweater. Sweatpants under denim jeans are normally good for the bottom, and they even make felt-lined jeans for more insulation. A one-piece insulated cover-all is crucial too. Use the hood from the sweatshirt to cover over a balaclava, and you can even add a knitted beenie if you want over that.

Gloves are important too. Much like motorcycling in the cold, start with a thin pair of liners, then a good pair of insulated gloves. It depends on how you will be working, but you can either use leather, wool-lined ones, or the nylon gauntlet type. Adding a chemical heat-pack in the gloves (between the liner and the gloves) helps when you get really cold.

You'll feel like the Michelin Man for a while, but once you get used to it, and the clothes are broken in, you won't notice it anymore. Remember that your body generates it's own heat. It naturally protects the core of the body, so as long as your torso is protected and warm, it will have extra heat send to the extremities. Once your torso starts to get cold, your body will shut down the protection for the extremities (fingers and toes, then arms and legs) to protect the the core.

Here's a good article about the myth regarding the high percentage of body heat lost through the head. It's important to protect the head from the cold, but just as important as any other part of the body.

Have fun in the cold! I don't envy you...

[MeatTooth]

My service manager had to go to Prudo Bay Alaska during -60F weather to service a oil rig crane, and he bought the cheapest cold weather clothing he could find ( about 150 dollar coveralls) and he about died! I would invest in some nice clothing and definetly listen to the people from the North since they know how to survive.

[bigray03]

I can't thank you all enough.

I been surfing the web for cold weather gear just getting more and more confused. Every brand promotes the products to the max and to me it's been all the same crap. I was wondering what the hell is really good and what is just good marketing, and then it hit me that so many if you live in really really cold climates.
Thanks.

[jjwaller]

Genuine Carhart Arctic wear.
Tax deductible too seeing it is a work tool.

[bigray03]

nan

I have been using carhart for years and while sufficiant for low temps and being durable as hell I do not think it would be worth a crap in really cold temps for extended periods of time. I actually think that the warmth factor sucks even here in the Gulf of Mexico with 40 degree temps in winter but then the wind is usually blowing 60mph tool. Thanks for the input.

[Ivan]

I spent a couple weeks in Aniak AK during November a few years back. -30 and working on airplane doors was a real...kick.

One thing I can tell you is seal skin is the way to go. Expensive as hell, but there is nothing like it for cold weather. Dad let me borrow his hat and in that -30 weather, just sitting there handing him screwdrivers and such, my head would sweat, and I would have to take it off for a few seconds, until the sweat froze.
From what I remember, the locals seemed to all have a seal skin hat with ear flaps, and a pair of mukluks (big heavy boots). Most had a decent parka and some sort of insulated pants. Dad always wore a set of insulated coveralls with a parka.

I would suggest that you call ahead as ask any of the locals what works, and they will guide you better than anyone selling the stuff.

[red bandit]

Carhart makes several different "weights" and types of insulation. Like he said, I think "Artic wear" is their good stuff. It would be way to hot to wear in 40 Deg. Cabelas is a very good source. You can talk to one of their very knowledgable techs and they will be able to make some very experienced suggestions. Don't forget good gloves also. Good luck.