E-Mail 'Cold Weather Considerations - Part 3, by JM' To A Friend

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1. 30 plus years working outdoors in the winter,
   –One piece long underwear with the trap door,the difference between one piece and two piece is incredible. +10 Celsius for a day time high or colder and the light weight version is worn, heavyweight synthetic version for the worst days. I wear a short sleeve t-shirt over that and may end up with just that on in the afternoons.
   –Cotton turtleneck, every day. It’s the third layer and rarely needs washing which is good as the neck getting loose is the first thing to go. Over that is a synthetic long underwear top, next a cotton hoodie and finally a light windbreaker.
   Expensive merino wool socks are worth the money, when needed wear a cheaper wool pair over top of those in your half size too big boots.
   –Don’t get a one piece snowmobile suit or winter coveralls as you need to take the coat off when you warm up.

2. Angora (from rabbits as opposed to goats) is eight times warmer than wool, much softer, much lighter, and very water repellent.

   This Survivalblog article shares a lot more info on raising angora rabbits, spinning the fiber into yarn, and a whole lot more.

   https://survivalblog.com/raising-angora-rabbits-as-part-of-a-well-prepared-homestead-by-j-r/

3. One of my favorite YouTube channels is Megawoodswalker. He goes out in all kinds of weather, and he does product reviews that are quite detailed. Lately he’s been using a tepee-style tent that he purchased for around $100. Although very thin and lightweight, it’s been holding up well. I recommend checking out his channel if you want to learn more about winter camping. BTW, he also has a great sense of humor.

4. Perhaps the best article ever from this blog was back in 2011:

   https://survivalblog.com/paretos-law-and-how-i-survived/

5. Wish I had more time today, but really liked link. In addition, I would want these bibs:
   https://asbellwool.com/products/gray-wool-bibs

   What ever is closest to the ground is more important and will wear out quicker. Best to put the money into gear from the ground up.

   As an aside, one can also have over sized snow mobile suit, or bib pants that can easily put on or taken off out in the field, over one’s regular clothing. A one piece allows for warm air to travel around to all parts. It can also be ventilated. For example, if I get stuck in the snow and have to dig out or walk out unexpectedly, and the clothes I have on are not the best, a one piece over sized snow mobile can save the day. I always have that in the truck along with Bunny boots….. Snowmobilers use this cause it works. Don’t forget the gloves….

   1. Okay. Read the entire article before shooting off my mouth. Excellent stuff, includes important detail seldom, if ever mentioned elsewhere, that is only known by those who I would consider are experts. 2 pounds in a 1 pound bag.

      Colemans and other places like it, have the snow stakes and tents mentioned. Gotta go…

6. “Having clear or yellow lenses lets you use them in low light conditions where wearing your sunglasses is contraindicated (don’t be that guy that wears dark sunglasses at night).” But if I don’t have dark, mirrored sunglasses on at night how are they going to know that I’m a high-speed low-drag operator, operating operationally. LOL

   I’m in a better mood today. Cold-snap finally broke and we’re back to a reasonable -30 C this morning. Lots of good points in the article. I’m really enjoying this, as this is one article on here that hits close to home. Needless to say, a review of the best CCW handguns doesn’t do me a lot of good up here in Canada. We may not have the same brand names up here (some we do with Cabela’s, etc.) but I find that a lot of the things you’ve covered are the same things that I carry in my truck, or have in storage at the house. Also a lot of good background info, and the little things that a guy doesn’t always think of.

7. Try looking at what the people who are out in the weather every day no matter what,freezer workers,steel mill(2500F one side -20F other),open dock(loading/unloading trucks),utility linemen,commercial sailors.

   1. This is good advice, VT. I appreciate those who fit your description adding their wisdom to this fine article. Having bicycled through eight tough winters in my younger days, I am still learning from my peers.

      Carry on

8. Wool long johns, top and bottom, along with wool socks as the base layer is great. The Army used to issue those, along with wool shirts and pants for troops in Alaska during the winter.

   On top of that we had a nylon liner inside an Artic parka, nylon liner inside Artic field pants and then Artic overwhites for camo. Wool glove inserts, leather gloves and Artic mittens and a wool hat under your parka hood kept us warm and dry even while ski-marching or standing guard. You could unzip the parka, the liner, and even open your shirt if doing strenuous work.

   Extended Cold Weather gear utilizing Gore-Tex may have replaced the nylon and Artic field pants.

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