Winter clothes

[Egon]

Hudley:

Perhaps try a climbing helmet with three or so different polypro liners. One for warmer weather, one that will cover your ears and a heavy one that also covers ears for those really cold days.

The helmets usully have ventilation holes in them to aid in allowing sweat to evaporate.

You should also be able to find hardhats with liners that will work.

Egon

 

[Egon]

Winter clothing - actually a very perplexing choice.

One must consider the working enviroment in which the clothes are worn, length of time spent in the cold, amount of physical activity, access to warmth if required, wind, wet or dry and freedom of movement.

Working in a hydro carbon processing facility natural fibers and cotton may be all that is allowed. Nylons create static electricity and are definete burn hazards. Hard hats will be required. Many times FRC may be required for an outer layer.

At home its again different. Jobs that require getting dirty may require different clothing than those jobs which could be considered clean.

Recreation such as skiing is again different. There is even a very great difference between Downhill and Cross Country.

Cycling in cold weather also has specific clothing requirements.

Going to town in a heated vehicle presents different parameters.

Going to town in a horse drawn sleigh also presents a unique set of circumstances. This used to be the only mode of transportation when I was much much younger.

There is no one proper way to dress for cold weather. One must consider the situation and then choose suitable attire.

Just for interest sake I'll attach a back country ski trip picture. Think there is roughly $ 3500 or better in clothing and gear.

I like attaching pictures or has anyone noticed.

Egon

 

[PineRidge]

Hudley you might try getting a few inexpensive stocking caps. You can pull them down over your ears when its really cold. Most of them stretch to fit and then snap back to original size. I know that I have more than a few here for winter work wear.

 

[bczoom]

Lots of choices coming out.

I'll further clarify that I'm looking for. I need something for below zero only (with or without wind chill factor), relatively clean work and probably little movement or activity. Above zero I'm perfectly fine.

Getting firewood would probably be the most active thing but would normally take care of that when warmer.

Most likely either doing little (I just like being outdoors) or getting some seat time on a tractor, ATV or RTV. (the latter 2 can generate a pretty decent wind chill.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Pete is on the money with the idea of going with layers. Of course, he didn't mention that he has the added benefit being able to huddle in layers of Golden Retriever if he gets too chilly outdoors. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As was said just above, your level of activity and anticipated time exposed are big factors, too. I dress rather differently for working at my place (I'll be rather active generating my own heat) than I do for going to an outdoor auction (no windbreak, blowing snow and very limited activity).

In the latter case I'll start with a set of thermals and build up with a turtleneck, sweatpants, flannel shirt, heavy jeans, Carhartt hooded zip front sweatshirt, Carhartt heavy insulated bib overalls, Carhartt heavy insulated coat with hood, JW Smith Workwear house brand Thinsulate lined gloves and hat with fold down ear flaps, both from Tractor Supply Co., Columbia waterproof Thisulate lined winter boots over heavy Thorlo winter weight hiking sox and a good scarf.

The brands I recommend are those I listed above. With that outfit I haven't been driven inside yet. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[beenthere]

For winter cold and working outside (I sweat at 20 below when cutting trees or splitting firewood), I have done the poly underwear layers under wool, and found them partially satisfying. I don't like the cold chill when I stop for a breather and the wet under clothes make me cold. My latest (last 15 years) has been silk underwear (long or short sleeve) under a layer of wool. A wool vest over the wool shirt if its windy. This combination lets me stop to rest, without the discomfort I used to have. Still somewhat damp, but not cold. (My boys now think they know why I never used to stop to rest when cutting, and I think they are right).

If I am sitting on a deer stand, then I put on layers of silk underwear, down underwear, heavy wool shirt and pants, and cotton jacket (orange). Feet when sitting are silk socks, wool socks, felt boots with rubber boots over them.

For plowing snow on the tractor, I have found that a snow mobile helmet with face shield is great to fight off the wind.

Good reminder that some of that weather is coming up.

 

[RichZ]

I live in upstate New York, near the Vermont border. Our temps sometimes go to -20 in the winter. When it's coldest outside, and I'm not generating much body heat, such as plowing snow in one of my cabless tractors (someday, I aspire to have just one tractor with a heated cab), I wear a teeshirt, flannel shirt, hooded sweatshirt, and a Carhart Insulated Jacket, jeans, Schmidts (TSC's house brand-they're great!)insulated overalls and a Carhart ski cap. And for boots, I buy insulated slip on rubber boots that I get at Walmart for $29. I'm toasty warm even at -20. And I actually use the same boots all year long on the farm as chore boots. I get my money's worth out of 'em.

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm in central Michigan and am a layer wearer.

My head is roughly the size of a watermelon and I find that normal winter hats stretch out on my head. Literally, the "one size fits all" hats are unwearable after three or four wearings.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me (that don't include surgery)?

Thanks,

Alan )</font>

Alan, one of the catalogs I get now and then is Sovietski.com, and one of the things I noticed in that catalog is they still have hats in sizes. The sizes are in Euro, but they appear to have the range from tennis ball to melons covered. So..if you don't mind wearing a fur cap with Soviet era military symbols, you might find something to fit.

Good hunting.

Pete

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Pete is on the money with the idea of going with layers. Of course, he didn't mention that he has the added benefit being able to huddle in layers of Golden Retriever if he gets too chilly outdoors. )</font>

The funny thing about that is it works the other way! When the dogs' paws start icing up they all try to climb on top of me to keep their feet warm! Ever try getting anything done with five golden retrievers sitting or standing on you? And if you ask them to move, they all lean over and cover me with kisses which, of course, freeze. Sometimes my moustache looks like someone applied mousse and spiked it! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Pete

 

[johnday]

Boondox; Those Red Army hats might look dorky, but they sure are nice in keeping your head warm. My MIL brought one of the fur ones back from Russia for me. Other than my wife, it's the best thing she ever gave me! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif