Here in Northwestern PA, we get the dreaded lake effect snow. Couple that with really cold temps recently, and I’m ready to move to some third world banana republic and take my chances.
I’ve got some pretty good cold weather outerwear, but while walking the dog after work, I realized that my fingers were freezing and that it’s time for new gloves. And then I thought, it might make for an interesting thread if Dopers chimed in with their favorite cold weather gear. FWIW, I’m particularly interested in what you do to keep your feet warm. I’m allergic to wool, so the classic wool socks are out. I’m also looking into getting a neck gaiter or a balaclava.
So, whaddya got that keeps you warm, besides your sweetie?
I recommend Sorel boots. The winter boot. Most models are good to -40C/F, but they have some that are good to -73C (-100F). Warm feet are especially important when one doesn’t have a sweetie.
Edit: they’re available at Gander Mountain in Erie, PA.
Generally speaking, 5-fingered gloves suck. At least for me. I have never found a glove that is able to keep my fingers warm. Standard mittens are *much *better at keeping my fingers warm, but I can’t manipulate anything with them. Solution? Shooting mittens!
The inserts can be used alone or with the shells. It’s the best of both worlds… the mittens allow you to manipulate things because there’s a sheath for the thumb and index finger. And you can put *all *your fingers in the large portion when your fingers are cold. I *love *these things.
My favorite thing to put on my head in the winter is a Gortex Watch Cap.
I like Duofold long underwear. Outer wool, lined with polypropelene. Probably wouldn’t work for the OP, but others may want to try it out. You can work up a sweat without chilling because the polypropelene wicks the moisture away from your skin.
One of my favorite layers is a good heavy duty hooded sweatshirt with a zippered front and pockets to put my hands in. It gives you more options than almost any other garment.
I live in rural Alberta on a farm. It’s cold. I second the sorels, I wear long-johns, then insulated overalls. On the top, I wear a T-shirt, a hoody, a vest, and a parka. I stay nice and warm outside, and I just take of the layers as needed in the barn. Since I am a girl, my clothes are all color coordinated, they are all brown.
All this stuff is on sale right now too, I could buy the pieces for $50.00 or less at my local farm store.
I pipelined through Buffalo and some of the surrounding counties, wrote a little song based on the music from “Galveston” about lake effect snow, sub zero temps, ten foot accumulations etc.- in April! Was a hit with the crew.
Polypropylene glove liners, union suit, socks and balaclava.
Regular jeans, shirt. Hooded sweatshirt, all cotton.
Arctic Carhartt coveralls. Leather gloves or mitts ( couple of welders)
Boots? Sorels, LaCrosse, and Bata Bunnys, the latter on some hands that had worked the Alyeska line.
Never cold, but if you weren’t quick with the zips it was easy to overheat.
Convertible Mittens (link goes to an example, not a particular brand). Have all the advantages of mittens, but can be flipped into glove when you need to have some dexterity.
A hat, of course. Best if it covers your ears.
Coats – down or Thinsulate are good, but even an old fashioned cloth insulated one is just fine.
Pants – whatever I’m wearing. I never have a problem with my legs getting cold. Yes, even in high winds and low temperatures.
I really had no idea that mittens were actually better for heat retention…ignorance fought.
Bowhunter, I think I’d buy everything on that Web Foots website if I could afford it. I actually pretty sure I’m going to buy the socks.
I wonder if I actually could wear the duofold long underwear. Since the inner layer isn’t wool, I might be ok. Hmmm. Probably not worth the potential rash though.
Since you’re allergic to wool, why not try alpacasocks? Alpaca is warmer than wool, and heavenly soft. It wicks moisture like wool, too.
I don’t have socks yet, but I’ve got an alpaca sweater. It’s a fairly loose knit and doesn’t seem like it would be warm, but it really is. (to the point that some people suggest avoiding alpaca for indoor wear)
My favorite cold-weather gear are gaiters. Only useful if I’m walking in snow deeper than a couple inches, but fabulous if I am. Never have to stoop over and use my finger to scoop the snow out of the tops of my boots. Never have to feel the lump of snow I couldn’t get to slowly melt its way down inside my boot, soaking my sock. Never have to deal with snowy, wet bootlaces. Plus, I get to feel all macho like I’m about to assault Everest.
