Sub Zero Winter wear & gear

I worked a few winters in the Arctic as a field mechanic (to support my trucking habit!). We lived on cat trains and since we moved 3 to 5 miles a day pretty much everything was done outside in the cold-the only shop we had was at base camp in Prudhoe Bay. Sometimes you have to strike a balance between warmth and mobility-I would layer as has been mentioned. They used to make insulated suits called "Refridgerware" (or something like that)-very warm, but also very expensive. In extreme conditions I would wear them under insulated Carharts-being less expensive and more durable. I looked pretty much like the Michelin Man, but I did stay warm. Gloves were always a problem-as a mechanic-what worked the best for me was a pair of liners that looked something like silk under regular old monkey-faced work gloves. For boots I wore Sorels-many sizes too big with removable insoles, liners and about three layers of socks.
x1Heavy-good point about hydration-it is an easy thing to overlook in cold weather.

 

I know steel to protect my toes and plastic to protect my head..... I've never figured that one out.


And gloves I wear 2 pair a thin pair (cotton or silky type) under a heavier water resistant pair...

Pants I wear blue jeans with sweat pants over them. And then a thin wind shell over the sweats.... Can't stand long underwear...

 

Cotton holds moisture. Wool is better.

First layer, silk long underwear. Bit pricey, but worth every penny as it's light. Doesn't get stinky like polypropylene either.

Long time Minnesota deer hunter, btw. Rest of your advice is spot on.

 

Gloves seem to be one of the most difficult things to balance when you need both dexterity and warmth. Eventually heavy leather gloves will break in but you're gonna go a long time with hand cramps and lowered mobility until they do.

 

Merino wool is great as base layer. Not itchy and it breaths. Army/Navy surplus stores are great places to pick up cheap cold weather gear esspecially underwear long wool OD in color.

 

Mittens are warmer. Get a set of woodsman's choppers with a slit in the inner mitten liner so you can stick your fingers out for fine work. Outer leather layer goes on a string around your neck, that way you can shake them off without dropping them in the snow.

 

Not an Ice Road trucker, but I survived the WY negative temps in a few layers, and got layed over in La Grande a few days. Still learning, so I couldn't pack my Sorels & other heavy winter gear as I shall when I'm in my own rig.

 

Good info but the weight of all those clothes would weigh me down as a girl..oh well Ill stick wit my way as I have for several years...lol

 

It's been mentioned that moisture is your enemy. That's an absolute truth and the reason why you need to be able to quickly add or shed layers.

Another absolute truth is circulation is your friend. This is often why trying to add socks results in colder feet. If extra socks restrict circulation the extra insulation is worthless. This is why I have a thing about making sure my gloves don't fit tight, but most glove companies seem to think gloves should fit tight. I am constantly on the lookout for good cold weather gloves. The best are expensive, made for snowboarding, with Kevlar reinforcement and precurved fingers.