With temps below freezing around here I cringe when I drive by a jobsite and see guys toughing it out in jeans, tennis shoes and hooded sweatshirts. Cotton is the worst in cold weather.
Here’s my system for staying warm, dry and somewhat bulk free during the cold months. This is redundant for you boy scouts out there. (Are there any left?)
The key is layers and wool. Here’s how I do it and it keeps me comfortable into the 20’s. Start with wool socks, wool sock liners too if you’re feet get gold.
Next, wool blend or poly long underwear. Stay away from the waffle weave cotton stuff, I think it’s near useless.
Whatever pants you work in will do. I Haven’t found lined pants to make much of a difference.
A wool sweater, thick or thin depending on the temps. Fleece is pretty good but it makes me clammy. Over the sweater I wear a durable sweatshirt to take the mess and abrasions of the job. If I’m not moving around a lot I’ll add a down vest. If it’s raining or snowing I’ll throw on a shell.
Boots should be waterproof, I’ve had luck with gortex lined, if temps get extreme I reach for boots with a (you guessed it) removable wool liners. Sorels, Kolfachs even better.
Most of your heat will escape through your head so a winter hat is a must. I start the day with a heavy fleece lined wool hat, once I’m moving I’ll switch to a lightweight knit cap, wool of coarse.
Gloves are a tough one. Too bulky and you can’t work, too thin and your fingers go numb. I do a mid-weight insulated leather work glove with a stretch cuff. I think the snug cuffs help hold the heat in. I spend a lot of time with my gloves clenched between my teeth while I work with my bare hands on the tricky stuff, but it seems to work. A generous smear of udder balm also seems to keep my hands warm, but his might be imagined. Seems like lanolin must have some insulating properties???
Did I leave anything out?
Replies
I agree about the waffle weave cotton long undies.
Pretty close to completely useless.
I do find though, that lined jeans do make a difference.
IF you find some that are a loose fit, and that are lined with a thick lining of flannel.
In fact, I was wishing for some, while I was outside working, today.
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"Did I leave anything out?"
The flask of JD.
I figured this thread would get a bunch of wise crackers.Was going to suggest inside work. ;o)Turtle Fur makes some warm hats that I like.
Actually having worked in Northern Alberta I agree with most of his tips. I remember my first day on a job site, I turned off my car and everybody thought I was nuts. Didn't start for a week. Everybody either plugged them in or on the really cold days, let them idle all day.I would add that the Hot Chilies used for skiing would be good too.
Wool makes me itch, then break out. So it starts with good cotton thermal pants under jeans. A cotton tee shirt, long sleeve heavy tee shirt. Sometimes a sweatshirt. Usually a hooded sweatshirt. A Duluth Traders "shirt jac" that really hold the heat in. The hood on the hoodie goes up if it is windy. Also if wet snow the shirt jac gets replaced by that extra sweatshirt and my hooded carhart jacket, which makes for two layers of hoods, one warm and one fairly weather proof.
That is good for down to 20. Below 20 I break out the insulated bibs to heat up the legs. That's good for down to 10. Around 15 or so the whole face gets covered. Around 5 the old pocket warmers get lit and stuffed inside. Also around below 20 a tossle hat goes on over the ears, under those hoods.
With the "shirt" layers on top and bibs connecting everything and covering the legs, I can still move just fine all bundeled up. Also, lower temps swap the jeans for heavy sweat pants which always get covered by the bibs.
And if the work suddenly turns dirty and muddy, I have an old pair of huge jean bibs that fit over the whole get up. Helps keep the insulated bibs in decent shape and ready for the next day. Vic
Silk underwear, dude!
Wool socks.
Layers and layers.
keep you warm in anything.
"Silk underwear, dude!"You forgot to attach the photo of you modeling it dudette.;)
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Yeah - I dig how it is in the cold.
Wintertime at work I put on a long-sleeved pin-point oxford over my crew-necked cotton t-shirt.
Forrest
LOL.
And I forgo the linen perma-press slacks for a slightly heavier worsted wool.
I'm also a big fan of layers and opponent of cotton cold weather wear.Rather than wool, I opt for Marmot or Mountain Hardwear underlayers, 100 weight fleece pullover, heavier Windstopper fleece jackets or down of fleece insulated vests depending on the temperature and wind chillAll of us cowboys out in the Great Basin area wear a "wild-rag" or more plainly referred to - silk neck scarf in the winter months. It is nothing more than ~3'x3' piece of silk, folded diagonally into a two layer triangle, wrapped around your neck and tied with a square knot. Or a much fancier knot if you live in or closer to Oregon. It is like adding an extra layer of clothing without the added bulk or mobility issues.Manzella makes the best knit gloves, small rubber dimples on palm and fingers - the best! Cloudveil makes a great leather insulated glove - the 'Troller. For the best in winter clothing forget the hardware store or farm supply, you have to go to the local ski shop.When it gets really cold, like 5-10 degrees below zero, then I break out the White's pack boots, black Carhart overalls, and Filson canvas/wool coat. You get warm just putting all these layers on in morning and they hold that initial heat all day ;)
Haystax, no square knot. Triple wrap it and pull it tight, then tuck the ends in your shirt collar. I'm not a big fan of hanging myself.
Salmon, Idaho - you know about cold weather up there...I'm not surprised you're the only one who commented about the silk scarf, probably not many available much farther east than Colorado.Do you also wear a flat hat with a duck pond in the crown? We've got plenty of flat hats around here, doesn't rain enough to cause issue I suppose. Been T-shirt weather lately, could get used to this type of winter...
Yea, it's been unseasonably warm here too. Other than the foot of snow it dumped on the hills for opening day of deer season. Kind of messed up my hunt plan, as the road hunters that usually push the deer up onto the ridge lines I hunt weren't out there doing it.
I wear pretty flat wide, (5-inch), brimmed hat, with a crease in the crown. The brim is down in the front, and unstarched so it is kind of floppy, and will conform to a rifle scope it I shoot prone. The back, is starched with a bit of an uprise, so it will clear my shoulders if I shoot prone.
I actually started wearing the wide brims, when I lived in Vegas. Lots and lots of sun there, and a couple of the older guys I worked with had to have their ears bobbed due to skin cancer. My brothers and cousins jokingly refer to my hats as sombreros.
I spent a couple of summers near you. (At least as the term near works here in the west), Built hiways, (278 south of Carlin, and 227, 228 over by Spring Creek and Jiggs), for a couple of them, and cooked at a ranch near Beowawe when I was a kid.
Edited 11/21/2008 11:52 am ET by Jigs-n-fixtures
That's right in my back yard, we live off of 278 south of Carlin, run cows in Lamoille and Jiggs and have to deal with all the crazy people who now inhabit Beowawe and try to mess up local politics whenever they get the chance.Small world...
>Wintertime at work I put on a long-sleeved pin-point oxford over my crew-necked cotton t-shirt.<
but what are you protecting your pocket with? Does Gucci make pocket protectors?
<<You forgot to attach the photo of you modeling it dudette.>>
I'd hate to hurt anybody! =)
really, silk long johns are the greatest. I have two kinds - shorts and a tank top thing and then long pants and long shirt. With that combo and multiple layers, I can stay warm and dry in most anything.
I have silk socks and gloves to wear under wool for extra warmth and no itch.
Edited 11/20/2008 11:55 am ET by SquarePeg
I bought a silk quilt in China this year, getting ready to break it out.
I am one of those strange unfeeling individuals who doesn't get itchy about wool, unless it is really cheap raw stuff. I wear a lot of wool because it seems to take some of my pain away. I don't know if it ios the wrmth or something less obvious.but I have heard the forefathers favoured silk for cold weather undies because it is warm. I might have to try it sometime, if I can get all four fathers to give it up.
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If you want to buy yourself something nice (or perhaps cajole another into buying YOU something) look for the Smartwool brand of clothing.
Very$ but very comfy.
Sorry, I don't think thaey make anything for those ears. ;~)
I agree on the smartwool. Great stuff. They do make a bunch of hats, and a couple of head bands, balaclava, and my favorite the neck gaiter.
been in & out of this thread all day and pretty sure I've missed a few posts so if this is a repeat just ignore me.
Used to do a lot of glacier climbs/summits. Learned about th ebody's naturla radiaotrs of the head, lower back (obvious ones), and then the wrists, neck (like whoever mentioned turtle necks) and shins. For the whole body protect the head and lower back (lower back = kidneys and lots of blood flow). Protect the rists to keep the hands warm and the one that was a surprise to me was the shins. Most of the blood going to the feet passes very close to the surface of the flat part of your shin. Lose heat there and it never gets to your feet.
Cotton holds water and water is an awesome heat sink and it takes forever to dry. Silk, polypro or other synthetics works best next to the skin wicking away the water to the outer layers since it doesn't hold much if any water and dries very quickly on just body heat when it gets wet.
Wool wrist bands!
Not sure if you can buy them so I'm going to cut the tops off some old wool socks, maybe fashion a thumb hole. Thermometer says 15 and I've got a porch to finish. Will report back.
Thanks for the tip.what specifically is nice about Smartwool?
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I think it's Merino wool and fine spun.
Very comfy.
thanks - I wear merino socks a lot. Am waiting for the smartwool site to load nowfrom Wiki
"SmartWool is a company founded by ski instructors Peter and Patty Duke in New England in 1994 and acquired by the Timberland Company in 2005.[1][2] [3] The company makes eponymous products primarily from treated merino wool. [4] SmartWool claims that this proprietary treatment makes its products itch-free and resistant to shrinking.[5] SmartWool is also claimed to have moisture-wicking performance and odor-reducing, anti-microbial properties; it is thus marketed primarily as performance apparel.[6] Reviews for SmartWool products are typically found in the context of equipment for hiking and other outdoor activities.[7] [8]"
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The smart wool is good stuff. It really doesn''t itch, and so long as you don't do anything stupid, like use hot water, it machine washes and tumble dries just fine with my wool socks.
I'm guessing the proprietary treatment is some kind of Teflon coating of the yarns. Nobody is saying, but it would be my first guess. What ever it is, it does work. The next to skin stuff, the long johns and tops, has an almost silk like feel to it, rather than the slightly scratchy feel that most woolens have.
I'm in Salmon, Idaho, where we can expect as week or three, where the temperature doesn't get above zero. So, I have endured a bit of cold weather, and actually know how to thrive in it.
I started shifting to wool and silk, in lieu of the modern synthetics, after reading an article on the missile attack on the HMS Sheffield, during the Falklands war. 90%+ of the casualties were from the winter uniform components, fusing to the skin of the soldiers, from the flash heat. The Brits had just retired the old winter uniform, of silk long johns, and wool outers, for polypro underwear, with polyester uniforms.
My brother had a minor propane explosion in his camper this hunting season. It burned off his smart wool long johns, socks, and the belly of his t-shirt, and singed his hair, but he only had a small area of first degree burns. If he had been wearing polypro, we would have had to deal with real burns, over most of one leg, and his stomach.
I don't like the synthetics much either, but mostly because they don't offer me COMFORT.In CO, I worked down to minus thirty pretty regular, once down to minus 86 with wind chill.I had a snowmobile outfit once on a job that I caught on fire trying to get warm in front of a torpedo heater. That taught me about synthetics.Good time to stop, drop and roll!
Good thing I was standing in snow too!
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Just as an aside: The New Zealand Nature Company
http://www.nznature.co.nz/category/silk
has their silk long johns on sale for 25% off. All the prices include the shipping.
I have a couple pair of their glove liners, and a long john top. The quality is as good as I have found anywhere.
slow loading still,
All I can say so far is that I can see myself with those models, but not wearing what they are modeling.;)
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Piffin
Not much mention of gloves in this thread. My hands, my ears and my feet are my weak spots in the cold.
I use the wool glove insets from Newberry Knitting. You can grab nails and do most functions with them. They wear out quickly if you are doing heavy work. But they work for either hand. I usually buy 20 pair to start the season and keep a pair in every coat, dress or work. When a pair gets wet and I have a dry pair in the van. They are reasonably warm even if wet.
When it get cold I double them up. They are not the best for very windy conditions.
I like them and they keep me warm. One of my son's told me yesterday that his hands were getting cold in them. I was a in a single pair and I was a long ways from getting cold hands. His feet were cold and I was wearing only tennis shoes. And he is the snowboarder in the family.
I used to get them from the Army/Navy surplus store, but the quality is much better at Newberry.
http://www.newberryknitting.com/detail.cfm?stylenum=N
Wool Glove Inserts - Cold protection work glove linings
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$5.00 - Wool Glove Inserts - Cold protection work glove linings
Use as a warm work glove by themselves, or may be used with leather glove shells for work or dress. Made of 70% wool, 30% nylon. According to U.S. Government Specifications. Military Sizes 3, 4, 5, 6. Cold protection work glove linings used in cold storage warehouses. Item: N
Couple of observations from up here.
Common theme is keep the core warm. Then the head. Then hands and then feet.
Working on roof top units at -40 is NOT on my list of most loved jobs, but it has to be done.
Long johns and jeans, t shirt and sweat shirt. Cover that with insulated bibs and a jacket with elastic wrists. Current jacket of choice is a Dickees canvas bomber style with hood.
Two knit caps, or as we call them, touques. One with a full face mask and the other one over top. The top one may also have thinsulate. If there is ANY wind, the jacket hood goes up.
Current glove is made by CLC, with thinsulate. Has a strap to tighten around the wrist. Only issue is a little bit of skin is exposed just above the wrist on the side of the hand. Easy to freeze it without knowing. I just hate breaking in a new pair, but once done are great. Just have to be careful, cause after a while, the thinsulate starts to break down and the hads start to get cold.
The biggest issue is not direct heat loss, but just like a house, infiltration. Gotta keep the wind from blowing through. As long as the core stays warm, blood gets to the hands and feet.
Dressed in the above, I can actually wear runners for quite awhile, as long as the feet stay dry. But I do have boots rated to -50.
Edited 11/23/2008 12:52 am ET by rich1
I have a question for the silkies out there before ordering some.with wool, I have noticed over the years, that worn over a daily changed cotton T-shirt or henley, I can wear a wool shirt for a week with no noticeable BO on it. But after a day wearing a cotton shirt, flannel or Chanois, or a poly synthetic shirt, it is time to put it in the laundry.So I have theorized that it must be something about the nature of wool that resists the bacterial growth that is feeding on my exudates and causes BO. Cotton seems to harbour and encourage BO, while wool almost totally eliminates it.So - any comments or observations about silk in that regards?
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I notice the same properties with silk. it breathes just like wool and wicks the moisture away, so no nasties can start their smell parade. I wear them three or four days. I always wash them in the washer and hang to dry. I think they last longer if you hand wash, but i'm lazy. Some of the newer silks can be dried in the dryer, but I'm just in the habit. Mustn't use bleach though - ever.
Thanks on that
just replied to your other Email.
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Also, since I usually have on a coat when outdoors and a heavier shirt, I often just wear a "tank top" made of silk. I find that the long sleeves are too hot unless I'm skiing or working without a coat.
What I'm actually thinking of trying for a first silk run is a nightshirt. My wife likes a cool bedroom, but I don't care for a draft on me sleeping. I don't do PJs so usually just a t-shirt or a henley
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I usually buy from this Wintersilks.
Here's a henley nightshirt:
http://www.wintersilks.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=2~18~&ProductDisplayID=109&dept=Silk+for+Men-sleepwear&prod=silk+cotton+henley+nightshirt
I've also had really good luck at Campmor. They are overstocks and usually really cheap
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/campmor/search/main.jsp?command=text&ip_text=silk
I think it is most probably a matter of how much water they retain, and the need of the bacteria for a moist environment to grow in.
Wool, and silk are both pretty good about not absorbing the moisture, and thus don't get funky as quickly.
I can usually wear the smart wool long john tops as a first layer for two days with out the BO getting too bad. My cotton t-shirts make it a day.
water retention - good theory!
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" can usually wear the smart wool long john tops as a first layer for two days with out the BO getting too bad. My cotton t-shirts make it a day. "Too bad for you sweat hogs ;-)I'm native american so I don't sweat as easily as most, not as much BO problem either. Regardless, I change my cotton under shirt daily but everything else can be worn for a week in the winter (I go two days per outer shirt in the summer). I usually just hang a few shirts on the door and switch around henleys and outer shirts.I often work with a guy who is the worst sweater I have ever seen...his whole family sweats like crazy. He'll show up to work in the summer dripping with sweat. He has to keep deodorant in his glovebox to put on at lunch and after work. Now that is really a sweat hog.gk
I was wondering about your handle, bought a few 'dreamcatchers' this sumer on Vancouver Island.
Also my company name: Dreamcatcher Design&Build
Wool Socks and good boots. I prefer Red Wings, but I haven't tried them all, yet.My FIL got me a set of silk long johns from Whitman AFB and they keep me toasty. They're thin, and you don't notice them once you get going. Flannel lined jeans are certainly a plus. I don't wear sweaters, I prefer fleece and turtle neck shirts are a must. Now that I've got less hair than I admit to, a fleece hat is a bonus. And when the wind is up, I like a hood.--
James Kidd
http://www.carpenterconfidential.com
I'm a layer-er too. I have always been proud of my clothing systems, and often get to give out "told ya so"s. I had a coworker awhile back who constantly complained about being too hot and too cold. I gave advice but he never listened...instead he'd make fun of how many layers I wore.
Heres my late fall system:
Cotton underwear and undershirt
Wigwam "comfort hiker" merino wool socks....everyday, all year (they work in summer too)
Hot Chillies underpant
EddieBauer cotton henley shirt
LLBean cotton oxford knit outer shirt
American Eagle work dungarees
Carhartt uninsulated brown duck bibs
Irish Setter #847 boots with 400gram thinsulate (#844 is my 3 season boot)
Big Smith waffle insulated hooded jacket
ball cap and earwrap headband (I have to wear a ball cap to hold my pencil)
for gloves, I start in the morning with a pair of AtlasFit gloves so I don't get my hands wet from frost, then as I get moving and the sun starts heating some, I switch to a pair of cheap woven cotton gloves that I clip the thumb and forefinger off.
Also in the morning, I have an insulated flannel coat I wear until I get moving.
When weather gets in the teens and below I switch to insulated carhartt bibs and insulated leather gloves.
I have found that the most important aspects are the socks and the boots. If your feet sweat, you will be cold. If your boots get wet, you will be cold. Wigwam "comfort hiker" socks are the best, try a pair and you will thank me. The IrishSetter boots are also the best (for me) with the quality an 877 but the comfort of a running shoe. They made of flexible oiled leather, are completely waterproof (I actually flipped a conoe, swam 100 ft. to shore and my socks and feet stayed completely dry) and no "break in" period. Again, try them and thank me.
GK
Jeeze, you bunch of sissies.... lol.
I used to absolutely hate the cold but now that I am older and a bit heavier I don't really mind it.
even in subfreezing weather I find myself comfortable enough with a couple of t shirts and a hooded heavy sweater. if it gets too cold I will add my carhart jacket over the sweater and that is the most I've worn. It gets down into the single digits here for a brief time each year.
And as silly as this may sound, state of mind makes a difference. dreading the cold will make you feel colder.
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
Ever heard of Under Armour? Sport gear, I got my first from my kids. Seriously for the cold, its the best.
If you find you have a problem with sweat against the skin, there are new 'foundation' layers from the athletic companies that use a waffle weave but not cotton. Moves moisture away from the skin.
For really high end stuff, try competitive cyclist ($200 for a t-shirt!?). But also Performance Bicycle, etc.
Absolutely HATE hooded sweatshirts.....I find they really limit my range of motion. Maybe it's more a perception than reality, but I just don't feel comfortable on a ladder/scaffolding with limited peripheral vision.
I always start with a snug fitting (not tight) T-shirt...on top of that (and I can't believe no one has mentioned so far) a turtle neck. I can't stand a breeze anywhere on my neck. I actually DO like the extra heavy waffle knit cotton henleys....slightly oversized. Typically, all I need after that is a heavy sweatshirt.
A good knit ski cap for my bald dome.
I have a pair of Carhart flannel lined jeans that I pull out on colder days. I find they do make a difference.
As I'm they guy with the tape measure and pencil, the only gloves I can wear and work comfortably in are the "Ironclad" framers. Not the warmest in the world....but anything else and I'm usually pulling them off every two seconds.
Gets down too cold and I have a "union suit" that I'll wear under it all.
If that don't do the trick, I'll decide it's a better day for paperwork than manual labor.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
But after all that you don't wear socks......
Sandals look silly with socks.
OK.....I forgot footwear....
Cotton socks are usually just fine on most days....really cold, I'll breal out the wool.
Pair of Timberlands and I'm good.
Just don't ask me to remove them when I enter your house. ; )
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
you need a smart foreman. When working as a Union carpenter on schools a few years ago it was a cold wet miserable day. The foreman asked if anyone wanted to go home. I said the science lecture room still needed 2 x 6 studs and 5/8 rock between the glulams above where the t bar ceiling will be to meet fire code.. He said if I didn't want to work outside I could go home. MY co-worker said we worked overtime last saturday, lets go for a second breakfast. 3 months later when it was warm outside I spent 5 days working around fire sprinkler pipes, t bar grid. hvac ducts, light fixrures doing what we could have finished in less that one shift.
I also dislike hooded sweatshirts. However I am quite comfortable wearing a "snood" , fleece hood and neck covering.Usually wear it down but when it gets really nasty I will put the hood up. Since it isn't a part of or attached to the sweatshirt it moves independently and is less restraining. http://www.sports-warehouse.net/fleece-snood-neckwarmer-for-hunting-and-fishing-1068-p.asp
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
I forgot you were a bankrobber.
Howz buisness with the bailout and all?
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Here is how I dress when it gets cold.
25-35degrees knit hat, carhart bibs(insulated), t shirt, hooded sweatshirt. Sweatshirt comes off at about 10 am., jeans and sneakers with cotton socks and a pr of woolies over(allergic to wool), pair of rubber overboots(we call them slush boots)
This is how I dress down to about 0, then I take most of it off and drive to nearest diner and home after>G<
It was below 20 this AM and windy. doubt it got over 35 all day. I put on my quilted hooded sweatshirt, baseball cap and for gloves, those things that are dipped in blue rubber, and went off to work.When it actually gets cold, I wear duofold longjohns under the pants or wear flannel lined pants, and add a henley and maybe a wool shirt over my regular shirt, and a hat with flaps down over ears, or pull a knit hat over my ball cap to tuck my ears in.
Ears are the biggest problem for me. They stick out half a mile, so there is too much cooling fin for winter
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Paul, when I got up it was the high for the day31. Of course, I didn't get up until 9am!
"Ears are the biggest problem for me. They stick out half a mile, so there is too much cooling fin for winter"Have you ever seen Gorgonz ear grips? http://www.amazon.com/Gorgonz-Muffbk-Contractor-Warmers-Black/dp/B000W3T2QS/ref=pd_sbs_a_njs_2I wear a fleece cap with ear flaps and then I clamp a pair of Gorgonz over the flaps. I say clamp because they do have quite a grip. Works pretty well for me (and so stylish, eh?), and might be just the thing to pin those cooling fins! ;^)soj
(A little late to the posting, but hey, it's not getting any warmer!)
Looks interesting, but I wonder if that would cut down on hearing enough to be a concern on jobsites?
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"Looks interesting, but I wonder if that would cut down on hearing enough to be a concern on jobsites?"That's a good point. Though the ones I have aren't exactly the same model, the earflappy-part (technical term there) is just fleece doubled over the plastic frame. When I'm wearing just the grips, I haven't really noticed much sound loss. With the grips over hat flaps, I do notice some loss when someone's not speaking up, but it's not complete suppression. In that case, I just partially flip up a flap (they articulate separately). But I certainly can see where that could be at best awkward and at worst dangerous on a jobsite. soj
I do fairly well with flaps down but not tied, and the hood of the sweatshirt up. That way, the wing ears are covered and enjoying the heat that rises from around my neck/body without being shut off from the world around, hearing-wise. When it is extremely cold, and I tie the flaps, I do notice the loss of hearing
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I like the framers myself but I wish mine had a thicker back. I asked my wife to make me a quilted patch w/ velcro so I can add an insulated blanket to the back of them.
I haven't tried it yet but I have been tempted to try a tyvek bunny suit I have somewhere in the layers. I wore it as part of a Halloween costume and it worked great at stopping the wind; light and not limiting either. For the feet, I have insulated Chippewas and 2 sets of insoles so I can swap them and let them dry out between uses. Sweat = cold.
Holy smokes, man. I just read through this thread. We seldom see freezing temperatures here in the Great Northwet. I feel for you folks. Seriously.
Working in the rain has it's own challenges, but NOTHING like the picture you paint of the conditions you work in.
(planning on staying here for the rest of my career and smiling a lot)
Jim,I've been out in the Frasier Valley, Colorado (one of the ice boxes of the nation) in -60*F... too cold to work so we went back country skiing instead. :o) Keeps the crowds off the slopes.So cold that duct tape would not stick to itself--really.I've played hockey on outdoor rinks at -40*F a few times... we were nuts but had a great time.
Edited 11/22/2008 12:04 pm ET by basswood
My first boss had a great response whenever we were on break, and someone ####'ed about the cold
"The heat's in the tools."
Bing
yeah, a shovel has a built in heater.But far enough below zero and all the heat goes out of one particular tool. That's when a guy has to learn to talk big to impress the girls.
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It was right up from Fraser in Winter Park that I had that cold day at 86 below with wind chill. I lived west of there in Kremmling about '76 to '85
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I spent winters in Fraser Valley in 84-87. Ski Bum working all sorts of odd jobs.Used to volunteer at the ski area as a gate keeper for races for the comp. lift tickets. Got cold officiating those races though. Stand out on a wind swept mountain, looking to DQ racers that missed a gate. Got to watch some awesome races though.Hitchhiked up Berthoud Pass and "tree skied" down the Pass.Also used to put skins on the telemark skis and climbed up the peaks above Berthoud and skied down to Mary Jane, then rode the upper lifts for the day (where they don't check for lift tickets). Great adventures of the young, crazy and poor. Ever fall into a 10' deep "tree well" in the snow, upside down, with your skis spanning the rim of the well... hanging there till you could disengage the boot binding, thereby dropping yourself on your head at the bottom of the well. Meanwhile all your buddies have finished the run... good times.
LOL, I remember CCxing and seeing a whorl hole in the snow over there in a field. so I off the trail to see what it was. I got to the edge and looking down a hole on the roof of an outhouse for summer visitors in that park! I'd had no idea how deep the snow was there - probably 14-15 feet, where I had imagined 4-5'
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The wind swirling around obstacles can create some interesting features in the snow... some of them are like the traps that Antlions make in fine sand. Some days I felt like I was the ant. ;o)
I don't even work outside when it gets below 40 degrees.
I don't go out anymore either when it gets to be forty below.
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No, I meant below 40.
you ever get up to packwood ? i helped remodel the inn at mt rainier in jan,feb,march you talk about cold i wish i could of read these threads then,but i was learning quick though
i find that a turtel neck long sleevs undershirt works well ror me
I prefer the lined jeans over the long johns because I dont like the clingy feel of the long johns.
The lined jeans vary on the material used. The flannel are OK in the 20- 30 degree range, fleece lined are warmer, and when it gets colder and windy the quilted thinsulate jeans or coveralls. I use all three, depending on the conditions.
Wool socks, merino wool doesnt itch, fleece lined wool hat. Poly/cotton t-shirt, flannel shirt, hooded sweat shirt because I hate the wind on the back of my neck. Duluth Trading fleece lined vest (fire hose) and if its real cold I have a Carhart hooded jacket with quilted lining called X-tremes.
I have some Redwing boots that are lined with thinsulate and waterproof or the Sorels if its colder. Just basic gloves like the brown jersey with the dots or fleece lined or thinsulate deerhide or pigskin if its colder.
"A generous smear of udder balm also seems to keep my hands warm, but his might be imagined."
A friend of mine who is a surgeon told me that oil helps to keep one warm.It also softens the skin. I would assume that it locks in the heat and keeps the moisture in the skin from leaving and evaporating causing the skin to cool.
Yep, the early Channel-Swimmers greased up bigtime to conserve heat. I don't know what they used... and when was that, anyway, 1930ish?Don't know many details, but that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.AitchKay
Early on it was vaseline. They probably have something more high tech now.But water is something like thirty times as effective as air in conducting heat away from the body, so the grease film is much more effective in water than in air.If anybody doubts this, have them spend time in thirty degree water nude for as long as they can take it ( with medical assistance handy) and then after recovering, they should spend as much time as they can stand it nude in thirty degree air. The healthy person can tolerate a good half hour to a couple hours decently in the air, but will be showing distress after a few minutes in the water.
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9*F here this morning... wind chill -6*F.
I'm layering up.
Additions...
Loose clothing! If it's tight, it doesn't insulate.
For really cold, poly fleece track pants with nylon wind pants over them is a good combo.
Waterproof boots are good when it's wet. When it's cold, I want my feet to be able to breath and get rid of that sweat.
Goretex doesn't work at really cold temps. Ice forms in the pores, and you have a rain jacket. Use a plain nylon shell.
If it's windy a parka with a hood is nice. Preferably one that doesn't detach from the jacket.
My head sweats a lot. I bring several toques and change them when one gets frosted. -- cheap acrylic dollar store ones work well. On really cold days I'll wear a balaclava over a toque.
The lanolin/grease trick works. So does vaseline. It blocks the pores so you don't sweat as much. The sweat reduces the ability of the insulation to keep heat in. Even better is anti-persperant. Use it on your feet too, esp. the soles, and your feet stay drier.
Try using light to mid weight gloves inside nylon mittens. You can still use a hammer or a pipe wrench with mittens on. If they are sloppy fit, you can sometimes use trigger tools like drills. If not then just remove the outer one.
Reusable heat packs can help in a cold boot.
At night when you get home, pull the liners from your boots and park them where they will be bone dry by morning. Or get double sets, and alternate.
If you're a foreman, having some spare gear to loan to newbies will get more done, and likely make a friend for life. (or at least this week.)
Good stuff to know, given that it hit 101F today.