I learned to love Oregon winter weather. It was the time to be really active. Sadly, not so active any more, but I still love it and love to be outside in it. You just have to dress for the weather.
Winter togs are already serving well. From the bottom up:
Boot socks. My mother always asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I always told her socks. She's been gone 5 years, but I still have a drawer of thick, warm, boot socks. Thanks, Mom.
Boots. I have a 25 year old pair of Danners and a pair of custom made Clemons Boots. If one pair gets wet, I can let it dry and wear the other.
Long johns. I have several pair, thanks to
Susan. She hit a $5 sale at Bi-Mart.
Heavy pants. My favorites right now are Carhartt bib overalls, AKA "Farmer Johns." No bare back when I bend over. I also have several other pair of work pants, and two pair of cords just showed up.
Heavy T-shirts. Heavy sweatshirts. Hoodie sweatshirts. Layer upon layer, depending on condition. Top layer is a hooded Carhartt work jacket, treated with silicone waterproofing spray. If it's really wet, I have a Carhartt nylon rain coat, also waterproofed. It breathes. I spent years working in rubber rain gear, and got wetter inside from sweat than if I had just left it off.
Gloves. Lots of gloves, because they get wet. Everything from thin cotton knit to heavy leather fleece or thinsulate lined. Traction finger work gloves. Lots of different kinds.
Everyone needs a hat. My favorite is a Filson duck hunter's bill cap with ear flaps and a quilted liner. If it's cold I can flip the sweatshirt and work coat hood over my head. If it's really, really cold, I have a thinsulate stocking cap that I wear on top of the Filson, and still add hoods. If it's that cold, I probably add another layer on my legs too.
Understand this is PNW winter gear. This is how to dress comfortably on days when it is windy and raining ice water all day long. The key is staying dry, avoiding wet clothing against your skin, and lots of layers you can put on or take off. A single heavy coat is only good if you sit in one spot. If you are active outdoors, layers are the way to go.
It's nice to live in a mild climate. I don't want to dis the real killer weather. I was stuck in Kearney, NE once at 40 degrees below zero and a 40 mph wind straight out of the north pole. A young woman tried to walk 6 blocks to buy milk for her baby, and didn't make it.
