cold weather gear

[Phishnoob]

I have heard a lot of opinions about what to buy to survive working outside this winter and there is not a lot available for boots, jackets, gloves and work pants around here for way minus temps all day long outside.

Any of you have any good ideas on extreme clothing. I have been to www.sportsmansguide.com for camping gear but don't see much for winter. I pretty much need goretex outer liners and -40 degree boots.

Cheap is better than fancy and if I can get by without a 400 dollar north face parka that is best. The stuff needs to be rugged as well as my new job tears up typical ski wear.

It is 20 in the morning and got up to 36 today on this mountain so I need to start thinking about this soon.

[Loverotties]

Sorel make great boots!

[Phishnoob]

Yep Rottie,

I asked the folks here and they swear by them. They are 80 bucks at a ranch store and that looks like a starter.

No clue on jackets, pants, a hat or gloves though yet. On those the opinions seem to go all over the map.

If there is a good mail order place I can balance opinions against the info sheets and hope I can throw out some lucky darts ordering decent stuff.

[Doug1]

Good extreme cold weather gear in not going to be cheap, LLBean, Cabellos, etc have good stuff but it costs. No way around that unless you live in a large area with stores that have competition for business.
All of them offer Goretex based shells and liners, layer systems, thats what you are looking for

Something else you might consider is getting a set of the personal radio service radios, these are not too pricy and I have seen them at Walmart, Name brand, 7-10 mile range for around $60 with charger base and VOX accessory. THere are even some that have some GPS feature that shows you where the sender is on the recieving side, but I bet they are a lot more. Anyway I thought I would mention the radios, in limited daylight and killer temps, it might be a lifesaver to be able to call the redhead if something goes awry. Below 0º is a killer bro

[Doug1]

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...feat=ssdpb8518

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...gId=-1&feat=hp

[Big Fish]

You've got to have gloves, boots, jackets etc lined with Gortex. Gortex is a water and wind proof breathable membrane that is priceless in extreme cold weather. It let's your outerwear breath so you don't get wet from the perspiration ad it wicks away water should it come in contact with your gear.


check out
www.campmor.com
www.rei.com
www.fogdog.com

[Twitterbait]

I spent 2 years in western siberia and can swear by a few things:

1. The number 1 item is your hat. It is no joke that 90% of your body heat goes out your head. Make sure it is thick and windproof. if possable you want it to also go down the back of your neck. I have a few fur hats that are good to -80.

2. Gortex is great... but IMO fur is better. there is a reason that the good lord gave our animal friends furry hides. It traps heat better and with a leather backing it is water proof. unlike gortex it actually creates a pillow of heat around the wearer. I saw some other guys come out with their gortex and neoprene and within 2 weeks they were all in fur.

3. If your working conditions permit, use mittens instead of gloves on the really cold days. they will keep your hands much warmer. If you can't wear them all the time, try to keep them on hand so if you start to feel a chill you can switch out.

4. go to www.cheaperthandirt.com and get a good supply of hand warmers. they also sell army surplus at good prices so it wouldn't hurt to look at some of the other stuff. Army surplus is rugged so it should be able to last.

5. always keep blankets/sleeping bag in the car and with you (if you can) so in a crunch you can get warm, stay warm, or administer first aid to someone else.

6. If you ever get too hot, NEVER remove your hat. always undo your coat to cool down. removing your hat can be a shock and can be much harder to warm up from.

7. Lastly, avoid denim (jeans). it soaks up the water and does not dry out very fast. slacks, military camo would be better. Nylon is awsome as a liner or a face mask and in the end... putting on a pair of nylons under you pants will keep you much warmer (just ask the ladies)... Just don't tell anyone or you will lose a few masculinity points!

I hope this short list might help. go to the site i mentioned and you should be able to get some good boots (if sorels are too much), socks, and a face mask. They also sell military parkas at a good price. LMK if you have any more questions.

[motorslave]

When I was the oiler at a lumber mill I worked gravryard. The mill was situated where three major canyons dropped into the valley and it was -15 regularly. I wore regular clothes and a pair of Carhart (sp?) overalls. I have also tried the battery powered socks. They work great but get too hot sometimes. Check out Cabellas.

Robert

[motorslave]

I mentioned the location of the mill because it was ALWAYS windy.

R

[Loverotties]

Yes Cabellas and I was going to say North Face but not durable.

[Phishnoob]

Thanks for all the info. I saw fur hats at Cal Ranch and they looked goofy and expensive but I think I am going to buy one.

The Carhart's are what we get issued but they get soaked and heavy. Looks like a combo of Goretex and fur. Also, snow removal is hard work so blocking out the moisture and wind is the most important thing.

[Twitterbait]

Another option for your feet, Just get a nice pair of sturdy boots and then some neoprene socks (wetsuit). then wear regular socks over the top of them. the neoprene will cause your feet to sweat and then it uses the layer of moisture to keep your feet warm. I used them instead of heavy boots and they kept my feet really warm. just remember to rinse the socks out every night and clean and dry your feet every night.

[tdwyatt]

Cabela's online store


Rather than nylons, yuu might want to consider polypropylene undergarmets ( see examples at BikeNashbar ), works when it's wet, wicksaway perspiration at the skin level, and helps build layers that help deal with fluctuations in temps.


...and none of it is inexpensive. Although there are some cheapos out there, this is an area where you definitely get what you pay for. Check out some MO military surplus stuff (see link above), you can always use some fabric paint to make you stand out rather than cammo in.

[Phishnoob]

People wear cammo to breakfast here Tom.

[Whale4]

Hey Now I also work outside all winter long fixing other peopls heat. Being that i live in upstate NY it gets pretty chilly. I wear the Sorel winter pac boots and Carhartt antartic coveralls with of course some layers underneath but by mid Jan I find im starting to get used to the cold and wearless layers. Heres where I get most of my stuff from www.gemplers.com