Winter Gear

I get some flannel lined jeans and shirt. With a warm sweater the combo is good to below zero temps.
Gloves help when it gets that cold.

People look at me funny when I'm walking around all warm and cozy through the snow. They are all bundled up with cap and big coat and gloves, and still shivering.

Smart clothing is much better than simple bulk, any day.

 

That is so true.
I have what Carhartt calls; Extreme Wear. Used to call it Arctic Wear. This stuff has a cordura nylon shell. It's black. Have both jacket and bib overalls. When I first got this stuff. I stood with my back to a 30 below wind chill and laughed at it. It's a winter gauntlet. Doesn't allow the cold air through it. It isn't all that thick. Will surprise you how well it works.
You can wear the jacket as high as about the 50's before you just have to take it off. The overalls. You can unzip the sides when too warm.
Get a good pair of insulated boots that you can walk in. I have what Cabela's calls their White Tail boots. 1200 grms insulation. They walk good. Work good. I also have a pair of Pac Boots and have never needed them yet.
A good knit cap. Goes under the hood of the jacket easily. I also have a balaclava. It's a good one. Rather handy. Can just wear it as a cap, or more.
Either polypropolyene underwear or wool. They will keep you warm when wet. I'd suggest wool sweater or lined jacket around the gulf coast in winter. Because it's so humid there (wet).
Always have a good pair of gloves that are insulated, and coated. Coating for liquids. Don't need gloved getting wet in winter.
In bad winter cold and wind. You will cover everything. Anything exposed will 'burn'. That's frost bite that happens quick when it's very cold. Althought I normally wouldn't need such... I have an extra long jacket. To make sure it doesn't ever ride up and expose anything. Like my wrist.
Don't take the cold lightly. It is just plain dangerous.

 

With all due respect, people don't get sick from cold temps or even cold & wet otherwise everyone up North would be sick half of the year. Sickness is from virus or bacteria which spreads in Winter when people are indoors to avoid the cold. Children in kindergarten are constantly trading germs, they aren't left out in the cold.

 

Might I ask what your experience is, working in extreme cold?

I have worked outdoors, year-round, for a while. I’m talking about being outside in all weather conditions from first-light to dusk...

There are certain things you CAN do to stimulate your body to be more cold tolerant (taking cold showers, and taking cayenne pepper daily) but, walking around dressed poorly is not how to do it.

Exposure plays a role in sickness.

When your body is cold, for extended periods of time, your immune system is reduced.

I’m not sure where you are from, or what your experience is, but as I live ‘up north’ and have experience working and playing in cold climates...

 

While germs and bacteria don't come from the cold temperatures, the body being exposed to cold temperatures make you more vulnerable, making it more difficult for your immune system to resist whatever may be out there to get you sick.

 

I'm nit suggesting you spend all winter in a t-shirt. I said don't bundle up the instant it drops to 60. Be a little cool while you open/clise trailer doors or walk to/from the office. You are INSIDE a heated truck all day, every day except when opening doors or walking to offices. Delay the eskimo wear until its very cold. That's how Northeners get used to cold.

 

You can get a cootie-free sleeping bag at Walmart for $10.

 

That's why Minnesotans run out in t-shirts & jeans in the Winter to celebrate their first day above 32 since late September. The yankees that move to The South walk around wearing cargo shorts half of our winter because they/us can adapt to hot ir cold weather. Just like you can train to run a marathon instead of ride a scooter until the starting gun goes off. Work up to it is all I'm saying.