winter packing advice for newbie

just a cotton hat for your head. what every they're called. a hoodie of some sort keeps the snow off your neck. and a warm jacket. and waterproof gloves. the thick wooly kind to keep your hard warm and dry. and some thick socks. and waterproof boots. basically, anything that'll keep you dry and warm.

a floor mat of some type or plastic blanket if you don't want to be in the snow directly.

 

Dress in layers like your mom always told you...and make sure you have another pair of boots or shoes if the first pair gets wet. Couple pairs of gloves too. Doesn't hurt to carry a set of long johns as well...preferably a synthetic material.

 

you will want to get a pair of insulated rubber boots, a heavy winter coat, some good heavy gloves. boots and winter coats. insulated rubber boots can be bought at wal-mart in the northern states for around $50. they are the green and yellowish ones. very warn and keep your feet dry. a heavy winter coat. you will want to go to an out door store like bass pro. or a sports shop and get a nfl team coat. very warm coat. the winter coats at wal-mart. are not very warm. you will also want to buy a few pair of long under wear tops and bottoms. you will want to take a heavy quilt or conforter with you. and when you get a little money. buy a 12 volt electric blanket from the truck stop. they are about $20. in some truckstops and $30. in other truck stops. plus you need to get a tabougen hat. plus make sure you have a hood on the heavy winter coat you buy.

 

I agree with everything he said, and I'll add that you should make sure to carry a bag of rock salt and one of those folding camping shovels. You can find the salt at any minute market, and the shovel wherever camping supplies are sold, such as Walmart or Tractor Supply. A 25 pound bag of salt is small enough to easily fit in the side box. I recommend putting it in a good trash bag first, in case the bag rips.
Also, when on an icy parking lot whenever you need to pull close to a curb on a packed snow covered lot, never go all the way to the curb. Always leave at least 5 feet of room, if possible. If your wheels spin when backing up, your not going to be able to rock yourself loose if you're tight against a curb or embankment. The same with backing into a spot. Make sure you leave some room. If you break traction, a little salt in front of and behind the drives will usually get you moving quickly.

 

Don't go overboard with too many winter clothes, especially being a trainee. Get a 3 in 1 winter jacket. It has zip out inner liner and a nylon shell. A zip up hoody, beanie hat that will fold down over your ears, Work boots with good quality socks like the Gold Tip brand calf socks at JC Penny (not too heavy or your feet will sweat), and a 3 pack of those cheap leather work gloves you can buy at Loves. A rain coat(I like my Frogtogg from bass pro). And you may want a pair of regular cotton thermal underwear bottoms only. I wear a tshirt, hoodie, and nylon shell(to block wind)winter jacket up top. Don't need any thermal underwear top(gets too hot in truck.

Most of the time you'll be in a warm truck and it's convenient to quickly take the jacket and/or hoodie off quickly. If you get a little cold while outside, just drink hot coffee and move around faster, or stand in sun. I hate being dressed so bulky I can't move around easily when working. And your trainer will appreciate a trainee who travels light.

 

^^^I like this post.

I don't like and I don't think its wise to carry a bunch of gear with you. You have to carry your gear from the bus station (or airport) to orientation, THEN figure out where to put everything. Travel light...don't carry everything you own, theres absolutely no need.
I carried 1 duffle with 3 pairs of jeans, a 5 pack of tees, a hoodie sweatshirt, toboggan, and my Carhardt coat (emergencies or extremely long idle periods outside). Still had room to put stuff like a little shower kit, my CB and the Garmin in the duffle. The only other thing I carried was a rolled up sleeping bag. Rolled up in the middle of the sleeping bag was my pillow, the Carhardt and a couple towels. I could easily manage carrying these (that was a 30 hour bus ride) and still had everything I needed to get busy and go straight to work after orientation. I feel its a mistake when people show up for orientation not being ready to work.

 

Inexpensive cotton undershirts (layers) help a lot for many. (I'm more comfortable in a few layers then in a heavy coat) plus have the added benefit of allowing you to wear your heavier outer shirts longer and keeping them better protected from "body wear". As was mentioned, until you go solo, be frugal and be efficient. A huge 20 pound coat may not be efficient unless you're training north of I-70 a lot this coming winter. Heavy cotton long-sleeve pull-over wash-fold-wear easily and comfortably. Just worry about personal warmth and comfort and don't concern yourself with items related to keeping the truck moving. That's the trainers responsibility.

Footwear is a personal choice but tennis shoes are probably not a good idea

 

A three piece winter coat that covers your butt, pull on wind pants, insulated leather palmed gloves and a pair of insulated boots also a hat that will cover your ears. I have a coat and pants that fits in a small bag when not needed