The Winter BOB thread got me to thinking about cold weather and cold weather gear. I put together an article on cold weather gear for another forum and figured I'd share it here as well.
Whether you're out hunting, camping or just going for a walk outdoors, keeping warm and dry in cold weather is a challenge. There are a number of "systems" for keeping war and dry. In the Army, we were taught COLD:
Keep Clean.
Avoid Overdressing.
Wear Loose Layers.
Stay Dry.
All good advice ... in a generic sense. Keeping your body clean will allow it to optimally warm itself. Avoiding overdressing will keep perspiration to a minimum. Wearing loose layers allows pockets of air to form to aid in insulation. Staying dry helps avoid heat loss which is accelerated when the wind or cold air hits moist skin.
But what about more specifics? At 47 years of age, I've been working, hunting, camping and a hundred other things in temperatures as low as -30° to -40° for more than four decades. As stubborn and bull-headed as I am, I've learned a few things in that time.
Layering
In cold weather attire, there are three basic layers - the Base Layer, the Insulating Layer and the Environmental Layer. There may be other names for these layers, but most "systems" will be based on three layers.
Base Layer
The Base Layer is intended to "wick" moisture away from your body, keeping you dry. Cotton is one of the worst fabrics when it comes to wicking. Cotton is absorbent; it draws in moisture and holds it. Unfortunately, a lot of Base Layer-type clothing like underwear, T-shirts and the like are made of cotton. Many people end up wearing cotton base layers simply because it's what's in their dresser drawers.
Wool is perhaps the best natural fabric when it comes to maintaining its insulatory capabilities even when wet. However, wool also tends to hold moisture making it a less-than-optimal base layer. The moisture created by one's perspiration still rests against the skin when wearing wool.
Synthetic Base Layers, for the most part, wick moisture away from the body and into the Insulating Layer. While I'm something of a traditionalist, I've really grown to like some of the new synthetic Base Layers like Under Armour's Cold Gear and Basemap products. They're lightweight and do a fantastic job of wiking perspiration moisture away from the body. I like Cold Gear for times when I won't be particularly active - sitting in a deer stand, for instance - and Basemap for times when I will be more active - hunting upland game birds or hiking, for example.
Insulating Layer
The Insulating Layer, surprisingly enough, is meant to insulate the body from the cold. In extreme cold, it may make sense to wear two Insulaing Layers. It's also important to keep in mind that the Insulating Layer may well absorb the moisture wicked away from the body by the Base Layer.
While there are a number of synthetic fabrics intended as Insulating Layers, it's hard to beat good, old-fashioned wool. As mentioned earilier, wool retains nearly 100% of its insulating capabilities even when wet. As moisture is wicked away from the body, wool absorbs the moisture but continues to provide insulation.
Most synthetic insulating fabrics will resist absorbtion. This traps the moisture wicked away from the body between the Base Layer and the Insulating Layer. Trapped moisture tests the resiliancy of the Base Layer fabric. How long will it hold out against a layer of moisture sitting against it? Once most Base Layers are soaked through, they lose much of their wicking ability.
Environmental Layer
The Environmental Layer is meant to protect you against wind and precipitation. Both wind and moisture can cool your body very quickly. In a windy environment, windchill can drive down "felt" temperature by several degrees. The felt temperature will eventually rob your body of its natural warmth. This will hasten the onset of hypothermia.
Moisture, of course, can also accelerate the body's loss of natural warmth. The combination of wind and moisture can turn deadly in very short order.
Gore-Tex fabric does an excellent job of keeping moisture out. Outer shells made of Gore-Tex fabric do an excellent job of keeping moisture out. Typically, these may be marketed as "hard shells" or "soft shells". A hard shell is made of a fabric that does not fold as easily as that of a soft shell. Soft shells feel more like Neoprene (think wet suit) whereas hard shells feel more like a tarp. Hard shells generally have a greater resistance to wind and precipitation than soft shells. Soft shells generally allow for more flexibility and eash of movement.
Another important quality of outer shells, or Environmental Layers, is their ability to "breathe". A good Environmental Layer will prevent wind and water from getting in and also allow moisture to escape. Cold weather usually equates to lower atmospheric humidity. That means that cold weather can evaporate the moisture in your Insulating Layer relatively quickly - unless, of course, it's raining or snowing or the relative humidity is above the normal range.
So, if you're wearing a good Environmental Layer and your Insulating Layer has absorbed moisture it may evaporate if you stop producing moisture (avoid overdressing). If, on the other hand, your perspiration is trapped between your Base Layer and your Insulating Layer it will be more difficult for it to evaporate.
As something of a traditionalist, I'm not big on $800 hard shells as my outer layer. When I'm outside in the cold, I'm usually working hard around machinery or busting through the brush. Snagging an $800 coat and having to replace it is not in my budget. I've found that much of the more "advanced" Environmental Layer gear is a bit fragile for my taste. As a result, I tend to wear more "traditional" outer layer clothing. I sacrifice a bit of wind and water resistance as well as a bit of breathability but it tends to hold up to hard use a bit better.
If I start to perspire, I can shed my outer layer and allow the perspiration to evaporate. If it's raining or snowing, most of my outer layer gear is somewhat water resistant. I know when it's time to come in out of the rain.
Specific Gear
Now, let's talk about some specifics. Following, is a sampling of the cold weather gear that I use on a regular basis. In some cases, I'll mention specific brands - where I think it's important. In other cases, I'll be more generic.
Head Gear
It's been proven that we DON'T lose 90% of our body heat through our head - provided we cover our head as well as the rest of our body. However, many people head out into the cold with relatively lightweight head gear. Big mistake.
In very cold weather, I like a synthetic balaclava as my Base Layer. Wool beanies or stocking hats are a good Insulating Layer. I especially like the Army's wool Jeep Cap. Make sure it's made of wool. There are a lot of Acrylic knock-offs out there that don't work nearly as well. If precipitation is involved, I'll wear a Filson Upland Game hat. It's water-repellent and lined with Mackinaw Wool.
Torso Gear
As I mentioned, I like Under Armour Base Layers. Their Cold Gear is excellent for periods of relative inactivity. Their Basemap is good for periods of relatively high activity. If you're not familiar with either of these products, I recommend checking out the Under Armour website to understand the differences. Either way, they should be worn directly against the skin and fit snugly.
For my money, wool is the way to go for an Insulating Layer. For light insulation, I like Merino Wool. For heavier insulation, Ragg Wool is great. When I was in the Army, we were issued brown wool sweaters as a part of our cold weather gear. They had a collar and five buttons that ran halfway down the front of the sweater. You can find them at Army surplus stores for as little as $10.00. For that kind of money than can't be beat. Be sure you're getting the wool version, however. At some point, the Army replaced the wool issue sweater with an Acrylic sweater. The Acrylic is nowhere near as good.
For my outer layer, I like what I would call "hard use" gear (not Maxpedition). Last winter I bought my first Filson coat. If there was a "hard use" entry in the dictionary, Filson's Tin Cloth coats should be next to it. I bought the Filson Tin Cloth Field Coat. It is a shell with no lining. A good Insulating Layer is required for cold weather. The Tin Cloth is treated with Oil Finish Wax to increase its water-repelling qualities. The retail price on this coat was $350. If you spend time out in the elements in cold weather, it's worth every penny.
Prior to the Filson coat, I had a Carhartt coat. It had some water-repelling qualities but had nowhere near the ability to repell precipitation as the Filson coat or a synthetic hard shell.
Leg Gear
I use the Under Armour Base Layers on my legs as well as my torso. Occasionally, I'll add an under-base layer rather than wearing the Under Armour gear "commando". When I do wear an under-base layer, I've found nothing better than Ex Officio's underwear. Typically, I'll wear their boxer briefs under my Under Armour leggings. I like their underwear so much for outdoor use that I've gone to the boxers for every day use. They're truly an amazing product.
As an Insulating Layer, I like wool pants. There are any number of military surplus options if you're looking to save money. Just make sure that they are 100% wool and follow the care instructions. If money is no object, you can find some pretty pricey non-milsurp options out there. I have no experience with those.
My hard use philosophy extends to the outer layer for my lower half. I'm on my second pair of Carhartt bibs in 30+ years. They wear like iron, have a little bit of water-repelling ability and a good amount of insulation as well. As with my Carhartt coat, they won't repel as much water as hard shell pants; nor will they breath as much as the ultra-high dollar "tech" pants. They will, however, outlast several pairs of the tech pants in all likelihood.
Hand Gear
Fingers and toes, for most people, are the two parts of the body most susceptible to cold. Keeping them warm, especially during periods of low activity, is truly a challenge.
Almost without exception, my Base Layer is Manzella Max50 glove liners. Unfortunately, they seem to be getting harder and harder to find so I'm going to have to come up with a replacement. Until then, they are available a few places on the Web. I don't know all the details on these glove liners, but they flat out work.
Once again, Army surplus comes to the rescue with wool gloves that make a great Insulating Layer. Make sure they're 100% wool. There are other wool gloves on the market, but few as inexpensive as the OD green surplus "liners" from the U.S. Army.
Depending on the conditions, I may simply wear lined work gloves over my Manzella liners. If I'm cutting wood, or doing something else that's likely to destroy my gloves, the high-dollar stuff stays home and the inexpensive Tractor Supply stuff comes out.
On the other hand, if I'm sitting in a deer stand, keeping my hands warm and dry is near the top of my list of priorities. If your shooting hand is cold, numb and slippery, you're not likely to take home a deer. I've found that mittens with a Gore-Tex outer fabric and Thinsulate lining work well with the Manzella liners and the Army surplus wool gloves, if the weater's cold enough, to keep my hands warm and dry. I especially like the mittens with the tip that peels back to reveal a fingerless glove. That way I can free up the fingers of my shooting hand only when necessary and keep them toasty warm until they're needed.
Foot Gear
Feet, like hands, are hard to keep warm unless you're moving and keeping the blood circulating. However, the warmer you keep the rest of your body, the warmer your hands and feet will be.
Beyond that, I follow the same principles with my feet as with the rest of my body. I use synthetic sock liners, wool socks and sturdy boots. Fortunately, someone figured out that even people who treat their boots roughly need Gore-Tex. For cool to cold weather, I have a pair of Danner 452's. For colder weather, I have a pair of Sorel Conquests. If I know I'll be wading through creeks or streams, I'll occasionally throw on a pair of gaiters.
Summary
Layers are the single best way to keep warm in very cold weather. Keep yourself dry by wearing a Base (Inner) Layer that wicks away perspiration and an Environmental (Outer) Layer that keeps out precipitation. The layer in-between - the Insulating (Mid) Layer - should be sufficient to keep you warm and allow the wicked-out perspiration to evaporate.
My preferences include a synthetic Base Layer, wool Insulating Layer and a "hard use" Environmental Layer. I'll sacrifice a bit of water-repelling and breathability performance for durability given the nature of my outdoor activities. To each their own. Feel free to chime in with comments or questions.
Stay warm!
