To answer some of the questions and comments: I already have a good set of bib overalls, $270 pair from Cabela's Bargain Cave that I got for $60, they work very well. As do my 800 gram Thinsulite Danner boots and wools socks. My daughter got me one of those Russian/Alaskan State Trooper fur hats last year, the one with the ear flaps: it's very warm when the weather is cold. I have a very good pair of insulated work gloves, I think they're train gloves, not sure.
As far as layering: a jacket (with liner if it's the M-65), polarfleece jacket under that, then a long sleeved shirt, under shirt, the a poly under shirt. That's five layers for the upper body (6 with the liner) and 4 for the arms. The polarfleece is warm, dry and light. But it absolutely sucks for wind resistance. So if the jackets aren't up to snuff, then the wind comes right through all the layering doesn't work as well as it should.
A nylon covered parka or ski jacket would work except that I'm worried about robustness and toughness. I'm pretty hard on my work clothes, especially the upper body, I just tear the crap out of stuff, so it needs to be tough.
So the jacket is the missing link hear, not layering, not bibs, not anything else, just the jacket. It needs to be tough, warm and wind resistant. Whatcha got?
