Tricks and tips to handle the cold

[Woodeye]

I bought a pair of Muck boots, not the real heavy ones, went ice fishing last Saturday near Mercer Wisconsin. Temp was 0 F, feet stayed warm, I have been impressed, frankly would not have expected them to be warm enough for that. The Arctic models must be really warm.

 

[Bill Stecik]

Definitly Do not drink liquor that you left in your pickup box to cool off . The results can be disastrous .

 

[Industrial Toys]

That's why I keep it in the freezer!

I wish they made insulated bib overalls with a narrow leg that you could put into a pair of boots without having to carefully fold everything over to get into your boots. I thought the idea of wearing a high boot was to keep your pants out of the snow and muck.

 

[Bull Of The Woods]

Muck boots are AWESOME ! I have 2 pair. First I got the "arctic pro" which I think is the most insulation they have, or was at that time. Then I got the "chore" model with much less insulation. I use them for warmer weather when its really sloppy outside. And the others are for deeper snow and brutal cold. I love them both, wish I had found out about them years ago. FYI always wear at least a thin pair of socks, if you will have them on for more than 5-10 minutes. I will slip them on without socks sometimes just to go out and check the outdoor boiler, but if its gonna be longer you better have socks on. I did this once and ended up being outside for an hour or so and my feet got a little warm and I guess they began to sweat, Thought I was gonna have to cut them off!

 

[Woodeye]

Muck boots are AWESOME ! I have 2 pair. First I got the "arctic pro" which I think is the most insulation they have, or was at that time. Then I got the "chore" model with much less insulation. I use them for warmer weather when its really sloppy outside. And the others are for deeper snow and brutal cold. I love them both, wish I had found out about them years ago. FYI always wear at least a thin pair of socks, if you will have them on for more than 5-10 minutes. I will slip them on without socks sometimes just to go out and check the outdoor boiler, but if its gonna be longer you better have socks on. I did this once and ended up being outside for an hour or so and my feet got a little warm and I guess they began to sweat, Thought I was gonna have to cut them off!

My wife likes to slip my Mucks on for mailbox trips etc. She wants a pair now, I've never seen her wear anything but pretty kinda boots. Another 40 years and I will have her fully educated.

 

[Bull Of The Woods]

What's your plan if she drives your tractor? You might have to buy one for her.LOL

 

[newbury]

I think it made it up past zero yesterday, today it didn't quite get there. So far this has been a pretty warm winter. It's not that unusual to go a week or more never getting above zero. You learn to just limit your time outside. Not sure if there's any way of adjusting to the cold, some people just tolerate it better. Personally I keep waiting for Al Gore's promises to come true or when I retire I'm heading to a warmer climate.

Ah to complain about the cold.
Reminds me of last summer inside my workshop.

Just a mild 97 degrees in Mississippi.

-37 yesterday morning. Lots of layers and a Columbia BREATHEABLE jacket. Sat on the ATV and plowed no problem. Driving down to the next property, however, it was another matter. I should've had my full-face, heated helmet on. Had to drive very slow, or the tiny bits of my face that were exposed would have frozen.

I grew up in Northern Vermont, I always liked it when the temp was 40 below. It made the math easy.

-37.....that's degrees C, right ....computes to -34.6F........ nothing to it. Put on a sweater and head out

Man, that is toughing it. I'd also at least wear pants, socks, boots, and a toque or knit cap. Has anyone tried the DeWalt 20V Max heated jackets?

<snip>

The trick is to acclimatize yourself to the cold weather BEFORE it gets that cold.

Also let the indoor temps drop. I've got the heat set at 62F which keeps my workshop in the basement up to a toasty 55.

My wife likes to slip my Mucks on for mailbox trips etc. She wants a pair now, I've never seen her wear anything but pretty kinda boots. Another 40 years and I will have her fully educated.

Mucks are like that, he who has the biggest foot is the donor. SWMBO and all the children have always taken my size 13's by the back door as their "slip ons" for taking out the trash, getting the mail, letting the dog off the porch.

But the REAL trick to escape the cold is to move south. My first winter at where we are going to retire in Mississippi I don't think the temp got below freezing ALL winter. And the historical January AVERAGE LOW is 33 degrees F.

 

[dirt ditch]

During storms we have to put all the heat on the windshield in our trucks. For years my feet would get so cold during a 12 hour shift plowing snow that I tore my Achilles tendon twice. I finally got a pair of Muck boots. With heavy wool socks my feet stay warm. Even after the storm while outside cleaning equipment my feet stay warm.

 

[Looking4new]

When I plowed during storms after the windshield was clear I would put all the heat to the floor. Warm feet, warm body. Just open the windows 3" each and the windshield would stay clear and I could breathe cold air which kept me awake.
We didn't have to follow any log book rules in those days so 24 hour storm fighting was the norm.

 

[CobyRupert]

Went to college in northern new York (almost Canada). Moved back to Massachusetts. Didn't wear a winter coat for a decade.

Clarkson, Potsdam (Madstop) or Plattsburgh?
I went to both places. Tundra.