Cold Weather Gear Best and Worst - Page 1

 Hi Everyone,

We had SAR HRD training this morning. It was 10 degrees out.

I felt like an arctic explorer when I left my house. Nothing visible but my sunglasses and still my fingers and toes got cold.

After training I went directly to REI to look at cold weather gear and promptly went into sticker shock over $100 gloves and $500 jackets.

I thought I would ask you guys what you like for cold weather gear before I spend that much money.

What are your favorite brands for cold weather gear?

Gloves vs. Mittens? Which brand and style is the warmest, most waterproof and toughest?

Do you like wool, wool blends, or silk glove and sock liners?

Gators??

Soft shell jacket?

I currently layer with a Smartwool base, a wool mid, and a heavy (weight) outer jacket, gloves, and wool cap. Any other suggestions or tips for additional gear?

Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

C

For footwear and gloves, I prefer something with Comfortemp as the insulating product.  It's not easy to find (though strangely enough, QVC always seems to have several items featuring it), but I've even got fleece socks with Comfortemp soles, and I swear by them when I have to spend ten hours working in a cow pasture in NE Michigan with leather sneakers inside of latex rubber boots--my nose gets cold, but never my feet.  Same goes for the gloves with Comfortemp.

 If you are into the style of items at REI check out sierratradingpost. You can get some good deals on later models. Last years $500 shell for $200. Plenty of coupon codes to be found through searching google which will bring the cost down even more.

Good wool blend socks with good wicking sock liners and Toasty toes.   I usually have hand warmers in my pants pockets as well as coat pockets, sometimes tucked into the palm of my hand inside my gloves too. Having them in pants pockets seems to help keep my core temperature up more.  Under Armour cold gear for the base layer.  I like the convertable ragwool mitten/gloves also for some things, don't know if they would be feasible for SAR though.

Before a back injury I used to rock climb and do a fair bit of mountaineering. These are my recommendations for optimal comfort. Layering is the key, it's easy to add or remove layers based on your activity level or changing weather conditions.

I like synthetic blends for my socks and I wear two pair. light inner and heavy outer.

Long johns I prefer high quality wool (not itchy and a tight fit), but expensive. In relay cold weather I have fleece long johns that I put on over top.

Pants and sweaters fleece, Taiga Works has good quality fleece products reasonably priced.

I like fleece inner gloves and Gore-tex over mitts. Taiga works has both at a good price.

Outer shell should be Gore-tex. Other products have come on the market that claim to be as good, but there not. Many aren't as breathable (which is very important) but are just as water tight and other that are as breathable seem to soak through in heavy rain.

My jacket and pants are North Face Summit Series, purchased at their outlet shop in Oakland, Ca for a fraction of the retail price. I like their higher end shells because of the durable nylon layer over the gore-tex (it resist wear extremely well). Make sure the pants have zippers that run the entire length of the legs on the pants and get a jacket that has zippers in the armpits. (both are great for cooling off).

Gore-tex gators are really good for wet days or deep snow.


Good places to look:

North Face

Mountain Equipment Co-op

Taiga Works

 Hexe,
Thanks for the Comfortemp tip. Looks like a great layering product.

Mtndawg,
REI is the only available store in my area that sells performance outdoor gear. I usually go there to try on items and check out styles then go on line and price shop. I have ordered stuff from Sierra trading post, Campmore and Base Gear. Always find deals with them. Thanks for the google coupon tip.

animules,
I thought about using toasty toes but was not sure if they would be to thick for my boots. Love the hand warmers in the pockets idea. Will have to try that. Ragwool would not work for SAR. Thanks for ideas.

C

Don't rule out ebay. You can get amazing deals sometimes on name brand items.

Also check out military supply websites or local army surplus stores. My hubby-to-be buys me stuff on base sometimes and holy cow, does Uncle Sam give their guys some nice all weather gear. Nice and lightweight, too.

 I love my Patagonia undergear. I have the level 3 which is very toasty. I just got a new coat from Land's End. Not a brand I would normally get but they had an online deal and I decided I needed one long coat (past my knees) for those cold nights standing around at Schutzhund practice. I got it just before Christmas and have worn it constantly, finally I am toasty warm. 

Hi,
I am sort of an expert on this topic as i go hunting and its mostly below zero.
After trying many diffrent things i picked up stuff from CABELAS they usually have sales.
BUT my outter jacket is from NORTH FACE went for a Himalayan Ibex hunt it was
- 16 there but still remained comfortable. Got the inner layers from cabelas aswell.
Shoes have to insulated a size bigger to fit in the insulated socks.
Good luck

KCzaja, you too?? I wear all the military issue cold weather gear hubby brings home. The marshmallow suits are particularly comfy and warm :)

While not pretty, It's toasty warm.

Melissa