ericbx1500 said:
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!
