Cold Weather Gear

[Jim1348]

I am in Minnesota and a group of us went ATVing in Wisconsin this past weekend. I thought that I was dressed pretty warm, but the wind cut right through what I was wearing. We had an air temp of about 30 degrees F, but some wind. Anyway, can I find decent cold weather gear without spending an arm and a leg? Is Goretex the way to go for wind resistance? Also, I gather poly-pro for long underwear?

[GPC]

Merino wool buy once cry once.

[MountainBum]

Originally Posted by Jim1348

I am in Minnesota and a group of us went ATVing in Wisconsin this past weekend. I thought that I was dressed pretty warm, but the wind cut right through what I was wearing. We had an air temp of about 30 degrees F, but some wind. Anyway, can I find decent cold weather gear without spending an arm and a leg? Is Goretex the way to go for wind resistance? Also, I gather poly-pro for long underwear?

Yup - go to REI (or whatever the Wisconsin equivalent is) and get a hardshell jacket for 100 bucks or so. This will protect you from the wind and rain, but not the cold - it will conduct through to your skin - so wear mid and base layers. Wool or fleece for mids, capilene or polyester for base. Avoid cotton. If it's going to get super cold, consider a mid layer with a thin down lining as well (aka a light puffy jacket).

[ET1/ss nuke]

Don't forget the importance of keeping your head warm, especially when it is very cold. For extended outdoor exposure with temps and/or wind chill well below freezing, wrap a towel around your neck so that the upper end covers your ears, nose and mouth with the lower end of the towel tucked between the mid and base layers of clothing. A wool ski mask will hold the towel in place. You will breathe through the towel at the mask's mouth hole to keep your lips from getting frostbite. A wool beanie / watch cap is easy to pull over the top of the ski mask for an extra layer on the crown of the head, and if there will be moisture your hard outer shell jacket probably has a hood. The hood and beanie are easy to remove and reinstall to keep your head from overheating due to exercise.

[wowzers]

My cold weather gear varies greatly on how cold. The stuff I wear at 28 degrees is quite a bit different from the stuff I wear in the negatives.

[Gray Rhyno]

Gore-Tex, poly-pro, wool, etc., are good general purpose answers, but if you have a specific need for warmth in Minnesota while ATVing, I'd look into snowmobile suits.

http://www.upnorthsports.com/snowmob...wmobile-suits/

[JAFO]

Just remember "cotton kills". Cotton loves to retain moisture, and as the air temp drops, so does temp of the moisture next to the body thereby dropping core temps.

A good fleece balaclava works well for keeping the dome warm. Most heat escapes through the head, armpits and groin.

[crapstash]

Originally Posted by GPC

Merino wool buy once cry once.

Yep. Darn Tough socks will make you very happy. And they have a lifetime warranty.
Windblockers, Wool and layers. Can't go wrong.

[RGR.Montcalm]

If you don't mind wearing camouflage and want to spend less money for the same stuff REI sells-

http://www.unclesamsretailoutlet.com/


You have to do a little searching on the site but you can buy the ECWCS system and polypro pretty cheap...

[hawkdrver]

Originally Posted by JAFO

Just remember "cotton kills".

"Smart Cotton" has given us a lot of work over the years

[Stretch]

Columbia 3-in-1:

https://www.sierratradingpost.com/co...5284-prod100NK

I have something similar. Gortex type outer, fleece zip-in.

Great deals at Sierra trading post.

[ET1/ss nuke]

Originally Posted by Stretch

Great deals at Sierra trading post.

They have excellent customer service, too. My wife bought some boots from them, guessed wrong on the size, and had no problems at all swapping them out for the correct size even though she waited an inordinately long time to do so. Because of that, we've bought more stuff there since.

[Gsniper]

I have a BassPro 100mph gor tex set. Bibs and jacket. Cuts the wind better than anything I've ever had. I do a lot of winter boating and it's the bomb. I think they only come in red and blue, but sometimes you just have to embrace the rainbow.

[JAFO]

Originally Posted by hawkdrver

"Smart Cotton" has given us a lot of work over the years

LOL. Hypo much?

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by crapstash

...Darn Tough socks will make you very happy. And they have a lifetime warranty... .

Three new pair arrived yesterday.

I had two pair that were replaced with out question.

My dumbass bought two pair of their thinnest and wore them daily.

[GPC]

Originally Posted by Gray Rhyno

Gore-Tex, poly-pro, wool, etc., are good general purpose answers, but if you have a specific need for warmth in Minnesota while ATVing, I'd look into snowmobile suits.

http://www.upnorthsports.com/snowmob...wmobile-suits/

Most sled heads I know go that route.

[Armitage12]

Takes notes on what you wear when. Then you'll be sure not to over dress or underdress. You'll also be confident in the future because you'll know you can trust yourself.

[diverescue]

Darn tough and Lorpen wool socks are good to go.

Merino wool from Black Ovis is similar in quality to the pricy hunting brands, at about half the price. You can find some smartwool at Sierra Trading Post as mentioned above at steep discounts if you aren't picky on color.

A bit of merino for a base, a good insulating layer like down or a synthetic equivalent, and a wind proof shell should meet most of your needs.

Often overlooked are float coats or survival suits like the Mustang ones. They act as a life jacket if you go through the ice, but the foam also makes them super warm.

[wowzers]

Originally Posted by Stretch

I had two pair that were replaced with out question.

Is this the norm? I'm in the market for new ones. I'm tired of going through 8 pairs a year. I don't expect them to last forever but I shouldn't see my heel inside of 3 months.

[IronCross]

I can honestly say I don't think I've ever worn out a pair of Darn Tough socks. I still wear the same ones I was issued regularly. Granted, I have maybe 30 pairs.

Watching this thread with great interest. My Florida-raised self is going to attempt some winter hiking/camping at 9-10k in Colorado with a friend in January. I intend to stay warm.