Keeping your legs warm

[ericbx1500]

I am trying to find a cheap way to keep my legs warmer while plowing snow. Every time I'm out there plowing my legs start to get cold from sitting. I wear a pair of long johns and the wind after a while bites right threw them. I'm looking for a cheap supplement to my long johns and I have read on other forms that some wear nylons as a first layer. Has anybody tried this before? Definitely would be cost effective.

[RobS]

I suit up with Carhartt insulated bibs under a Carhartt jacket. What I wear underneath depends on the temps but I can often just wear shorts and I'm fine. I prefer the Carhartts to nylon/windshell as the fabric can take the abuse of tractoring and not tear.

[MikeD74T]

Look for snowmobile bib overalls. I wear Reima, got from Dennis Kirk. Expensive but very warm, waterproof, & tough. Long zippers on legs for easy on/off with boots on. Had many "cheap" skiing coveralls before but couldn't keep my knees warm. Worth the extra money to always be warm.
Somehow I see a conflict between your question & your motto??? MikeD74T

[MrJimi]

Nylons is an old biker trick they will never admit to but it's usually only good for breaking wind. And NO I don't wear them
How about a good pair of LL Bean insulated long jons or the electrically heated ones, kinda like an electric blanket in the shape of long jons

[DreaminGreen]

LL.Bean cold weather Hiking Pants work awesome. I will still be warm after being outside for about 3-4 hours clearing snow with the tractor (above zero degrees). They are like a winter coat for your legs.

[davitk]

I have an old pair of Carhartt insulated coveralls, they wear like iron, break the wind and stay remarkably dry. Don't remember what I paid for them 15 years ago, and I've thought considered tossing them out over the years but when the going gets tough, that's what I reach for.

[Wayne County Hose]

Cheapest way? Run back inside when you get cold. Next cheapest? Sell your equipment and use that money to pay someone to plow. Cheap way to stay warm is like a cheap way to go to the moon. If it existed, Carhartt would go belly up.
I just bought a pair of Carhartt bib overalls. $89. See the post above and do the math. $6 a year. If that ain't cheap, I don't know what is.

[RonMar]

Originally Posted by ericbx1500

I am trying to find a cheap way to keep my legs warmer while plowing snow. Every time I'm out there plowing my legs start to get cold from sitting. I wear a pair of long johns and the wind after a while bites right threw them. I'm looking for a cheap supplement to my long johns and I have read on other forms that some wear nylons as a first layer. Has anybody tried this before? Definitely would be cost effective.

What are you wearing over the longjohns? If you are wearing longjohns under bluejeans, that is probably your problem.

First layer = longjohns
Second layer = regular pants(loose fitting so as not to compress the longjohns(they insulate by trapping air). Bluejeans will by their weight compress the longjohns at the knees when bent.
Thrd Layer = Rainpants. They keep the first two layers dry and break the wind so the first two layers can do their job of trapping air and providing insulation.

Boots should not fit too tight and restrict circulation, same goes for the waistline/belt on the pants. One combination that has worked well for me is longjohns(thinner polypro type), sweatpants and rainpants.

[MossRoad]

Originally Posted by ericbx1500

I am trying to find a cheap way to keep my legs warmer while plowing snow. Every time I'm out there plowing my legs start to get cold from sitting. I wear a pair of long johns and the wind after a while bites right threw them. I'm looking for a cheap supplement to my long johns and I have read on other forms that some wear nylons as a first layer. Has anybody tried this before? Definitely would be cost effective.

I spend a lot of time sitting on a bucket in the middle of frozen lakes. Not much activity, so your circulation slows down. The most important thing to do to keep any part of your body warm is to keep your head warm first. Most of your body heat is lost through your head. Here's how I dress for 5 or 6 hours of 20 below temps.

Thin long underwear. I wear silk, but it can retain moisture if you sweat. Polypropolene underwear, like Body Armor brand works well because is wicks moisture away from your body.

Thin socks well up over the calf.

Over that, I wear thin flannel pajamas, top and bottom.

A set of thin sweat pants and sweat shirt.

Wool socks.

Zip up hoody sweat shirt.

Long socks with finger holes pulled on up to my elbows. Keeps out any drafts around cuffs.

Carhart or Walls coveralls, the heaviest they sell. I opt for the full coveralls instead of the bibs because air can get up under a jacket and cool your lower back and kidney areas when you sit for long periods.

Heavy Carhart jacket with hood.

A good pair of snowmobile boots with dry, wool liners.

Now the fun part.

A silk balaclava over my head. It covers my nose and mouth and goes down to my neck.

A wool balaclava over that.

My hoody hood over that.

A thick wool hat over that.

My Carhart hood over that.

Fingerless gloves over the socks on my hands and arms.

Huge heavy insulated mittens over that.

I step out of the van and walk onto the ice. God help me if I fall down!

But seriously, I can sit in high winds at 20 below for about 5 or 6 hours like that and be warm and toasty. Many layers of thin loose fitting clothes that do not restrict you are best. If you wear too tight of socks or shirts, your circulation gets restricted and you get cold. And the head gear that goes over your mouth and nose does two things. First, it keeps the wind off your cheeks, nose and chin. Second, your outgoing breath warms the face mask so that the incoming cold air is pre-warmed for you to breath. It does wonders. I would try full face masks first, before anything else.

Keep warm!

[davitk]

Do you wear glasses, MossRoad? I used to ski in the days before glasses, no problem with goggles and mask. Now that I need them they constantly fog with any type of face mask. If you have this figured out, let me know. I am either blind and warm, or cold with 20/20.