American MercenaryCold weather presents two main challenges for people doing anything in the outdoors. If you live in an area where long deep freezes are normal every winter, such as Alaska, Michigan, or up state New York, then you probably already have all the winter gear you need and laugh at people who have to deal with 35 and raining for months on end. But for everyone else, who generally experience a winter between 0 and 40 degrees F, these are my thoughts on the matter.
Staying comfortable while doing strenuous activities.
Staying comfortable while doing stationary activities.
Anyone who says being comfortable shouldn’t be a consideration is an idiot. Suffering doesn’t build character so much as distract you from everything else you should be doing. But the only difference between the two is “strenuous” verses “stationary.” The conventional wisdom is to wear layers that you put on and take off to adjust to the weather and your activity level and try to stay comfortable that way.
There is nothing wrong with the conventional wisdom, although there is something wrong with a lot of the conventional gear in that the stuff designed for “activity” isn’t actually very good at keeping you warm and dry when you are sweating heavily. Some people simply go light when they are working hard, and bundle up as soon as they stop moving. Others try to match their activity level to the clothing they chose. Both are viable options, but you should always have at least three layers available if you are going to be outdoors in the elements any distance from civilization.
Base layer.
Outer layer.
Over layer.
Beyond those, you need things to cover your head, neck, hands, wrists, and face. Fleece or wool hat, scarf or neck gator, winter gloves, and possibly a balaclava or face mask with wind/snow goggles (or other eye protection). Boots and socks alone would be worth another blog post.
Base layer. This is what touches your skin, you want this layer to provide some insulation but also breath and wick moisture away from your skin. Lightweight silk or synthetic long underwear are very good for when the temperature is between freezing and 60 degrees. You can get by with silkies and a middle outer layer as long as it isn’t raining or horribly windy. You can find real silk long underwear from such fine retailers as LL Bean and REI. You can find inexpensive synthetic long underwear at Walmart or military surplus stores.
Cotton long underwear is not something you should wear for light infantry style levels of activities. It is fine for vehicle crews where fire danger requires the use of natural fibers, but it should not be used by anyone doing any sort of real activity.
The Army solution solution for strenuous activity in cold weather is to not wear a base layer at all, or a silkweight top at the very most, then bundle up when you stop. It is a technique, but it generally falls under the “suffering builds character” level of thought.
Now if the temperature drops further, I don’t normally reach for the “poly pro” solution as long as my activity level is enough to make me sweat. And if you are sweating at below freezing temperatures, there is only one base layer that I recommend, fish net style underwear. You used to be able to find “Norse Net” brand, but now all I can find is “Wiggy’s” brand, and while haven’t used Wiggy’s version those who have give them excellent reviews. If you plan on serious strenuous activities such as cross country skiing, running, or rucking, in below freezing temperatures I highly recommend mesh underwear.
The outer layer is your “favorable weather” wear. Odds are that you wear this stuff on a regular basis. Jeans, jacket, windbreaker, etc. When I am hunting, I prefer wool pants (army surplus from a long time ago) as they keep me quite warm in the cold wet areas I often find myself. Anyone who has struggled through a Pacific Northwest alder thicket in a drizzle trying to get to a good vantage point understands the advantage of wool.
But, modern military uniforms are not made from wool. Cotton for a middle layer is acceptable, such as denim or milsurp uniform, if you don’t have any other alternatives and you have a good base layer. Just know that if you get wet, all that cotton will pose signifcant challenges. And if you find yourself going through unfavorable weather, your outer cotton garments will need to get covered by the over layer garments before they get soaked.
Your over layer has two functions. To keep the rain off you, and to keep the wind out. I prefer Gortex pants and parka for this, although walking through the woods with Gortex makes it hard to stay quiet. You can use plastic rain gear if you don’t have any other choice, but Gortex will generally stand up better to rough use. Tight weave (or plastic) will block the wind, and shed water. Hunting camouflage works every bit as good as military camouflage (and better than the ACU pattern except in a gravel pit).
So if you have a base layer of silkweight or mesh underwear, an outer layer of a military uniform, and an over layer of rain gear, you’ll generally be just fine when you are moving actively in nasty weather, even freezing weather. There is no thick layer of insulation to overheat you and trap your sweat.
But what about when you stop? I’ve not found a way to get around carrying extra stuff to put on when I transition to a stationary activity outside in the cold. There are expensive options like a Jerven bag or cheaper options like a Wiggy’s insulated poncho, or even a Hill People Mountain Serape.
If you want to go cheaper than that in really cold weather, get some “performance fleece” pajama pants and hooded sweatshirts. Wear the polyester fleece between your base layer and your over layer to stay warmer when stationary. Military polyester “waffle” long underwear works the same way. Anything that adds a bulky heat and convection trapping layer will work to keep you toasty in the deep cold. Obviously the colder it gets, the more insulation you’ll need, and eventually it will get so cold that you’ll need something better than fleece but that is really beyond the scope of this post.
My closing thoughts, I like bib overall style pants because it creates a double layer of fabric where top and bottom meet, giving heat less of a chance to escape, so if you have the choice of Gortex bib overalls and rain jacket verses pants and rain jacket, give the overalls the nod.
http://randomthoughtsandguns.blogspot.com/2014/12/winter-is-coming-thoughts-on-nasty.html