Advice on Cold Weather Clothing

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Advice on Cold Weather Clothing
15
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 10:59am

DH and I are surprising children with a 'snow trip' after Christmas. It involves very cold temps (Wyoming) and snowmobiles. We are NOT accustom to temps in this range. The snowmobile company will supply snowsuits and gloves for all of us as part of the package, but for in between snow jaunts, I don't want anyone to be cold -- especially me. I am seriously wimpy in cold weather. However, I don't want to spend huge amounts of money on anything because it simply won't be worn again outside this trip.

We all have Lands' End Marinac jackets which are very toasty for our SoCal winters and I thought that by layering underneath that we will stay warm. We need boots, glove liners and gloves, hats, sock liners and socks, etc. We have been advised to wear thermals and sweatpants under the snowsuit. What sort of thermals work best? I remember those yukky waffle things that were bulky, not all that warm and had a crotch that always seemed to end up on the ground. Surely things have improved significantly in this area? I would also like advice on glove and sock liners.

I have looked through the current Lands' End catalog and found some things that seem both reasponably priced and claim to be warm, (their sock liners are priced at $25 and THAT seems much too expensive to me!) but I would appreciate anyone sharing their experiences and expertise.

Thanks much!

Julie

Pages

Avatar for elc11
Community Leader
Registered: 06-16-1998
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 11:28am

I can't give much advice on what works best to stay warm but I can suggest where to get some warm things once the other members tell you what you need!

When ds went on a school trip to Yosemite we went to an Army Surplus store and found sock liners and other stuff for pretty cheap. They had thermals too, they seemed to be the old kind that you mentioned.

An idea for thermals is to go to American Apparel. Their "thermals" are very thin (as are most of their shirts, I think they are intended for layering) but dd insists that they are warm. They come in a rainbow of colors. They are not cheap but since they are fashionable right now your dd anyway would probably wear her's as a t-shirt for the rest of our so-called winter.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 11:43am

It's currently 3 degrees here on beautiful Lake Minnetonka!

You're on the right track here Jules.
I'd get polypropylene thermals. Amazingly thin and warm. Some people prefer wool, but I don't like the feel on my skin.
Layering is the key, but don't over do it. Excessive sweat is uncomfortable and leaves you very cold.
Sock liners are worthless. With a good quality lined boot and wool socks, you'll be fine.
Longer winter gloves that go partially up the forearm, and also cinch at the wrist work best, especially if used with a liner. Keeps your body heat in the glove.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 11:57am
I hadn't thought of the Army Surplus store. I'm sure there's one here around somewhere! Soon as DS gets back to school, I'm there. Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 12:06pm

THREE DEGREES! Lord ... I'm pretty sure I would not do well in your neck of the woods. I get cranky when the temps drop below 70 :).

I think I'm going to have to go with sock liners. Hubby and son have those bodies that break out in a bumpy red rash around waists, under arms, calves, feet, etc. if the fabric up against doesn't have a cotton content of at least 98% or has any sort of dye or chemical in it. (All our laundry has to go through an extra rinse cycle.) Wool just won't work by itself, but I think DH has worn polypropylene in the past so that sounds like a good idea.

Anyhoo, is there a particular brand of wool socks you'd recommend? That aren't too bulky, itchy, etc.?

Thanks for your advice!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 12:27pm
Yikes! Sorry to hear of the skin sensitivity. Cotton is not the greatest for wicking but should be OK. Hopefully the poly as the first layer will work for you.
There is a very nice wool blend sock on the market now.
I think it's called "smart wool". Can be used alone or as a liner.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 12:52pm

Sorry to be a pest, Daddio, but you are well qualified to speak on this subject and I have another question.

Glove liners? I've seen lightweight cotton ones at places like Wal-Mart and Target, but after reading your advice, these don't sound like the best things to use. Do glove liners come in the polyprop fabric as well? Should they be long like the gloves?

I think I am most worried about hands and feet getting cold. Once that's happens, you're done -- at least I am anyway. The snowmobiles are said to have hand warming handles, but the kids won't be driving -- they'll be hanging on the back.

Oh! And what about hats? The package includes helmets for snowmobiling but we need hats when we're not riding them.

Land's End has some baseball style caps with flaps that are made of the same stuff their squall jackets are made of. Do you think those will be warm enough?

I'll bet it's pretty obvious by this post that I'm a native Californian and that my snow experience is rather limited ...

Many thanks for your help!

Avatar for scoutnut
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-06-2010
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 2:07pm

Do not layer with cotton in very cold weather.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 2:36pm
Julie,
I haven't read any of the OP's, but I have bought snow stuff in the past at Target, believe it or not. We usually go to the Sierras at least once a year for the snow. I say it's good enough for us Californians (the cheap Targer stuff that is) and especially if you are not ever going to use it again.....
Maria

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 3:20pm
lol.. Thanks for the vote of confidence Jules, but I don't have all the answers. And you KNOW your not a pest.. lol....
Scoutnut has some good points. I agree it's a good idea to talk to an outdoor clothing store, tell them what you'll be doing and get suggestions.
A lot of what you need depends on the level of physical activity.
I am not a snowmobiler; I snowboard in the Rockies, so I am working up quite a sweat (trying to keep up with my children and their friends)... What works for me may not be the best way to go. I really need wicking fabric and ventilation with layers.
Feet tend to sweat way more than hands, so a wicking sock is more important than a wicking glove liner. I've always used a regular thin cotton glove inside a larger glove that will accomodate it.
I have some friends who ski that use those battery operated foot warmers. I've never used these but may be of value sitting on a snowmobile.
A baseball style hat with flaps just doesn't appear to cut it in extreme weather. I think knit or fleece stocking cap would be a good idea. Keep in mind function over fashion .. :-)
The place you'll be renting the sleds may give you some good specifics on what to wear too. Since they provide the entire outer suit, you may not need quite as much underneath.
If the primary concern is walking around the streets of town after a great day of riding, you may not need quite as much layering, just good boots, hat scarf and gloves.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2005
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 3:26pm

Wot a bunch of wusses. I was in Fairbanks in the mid-1960s and up there, we defined the beginning of winter as the day we found the first bum frozen *to* the sidewalk (a phenomenon we called a "speed bum" - not a PC thing to say today of course).

The definition of spring was when they dug the first dead family of four out of a ditch (mummified in a Ford stationwagon or some other such thing that they'd been stuck in since the previous September).

Layers.

That's the secret. You can wear summerwear as long as all your skin is covered and you have lots of layers.

Also, counsel your kids not to exert themselves. Below a certain temperature, sweating equals death.

I did kindergarden and first grade in Fairbanks and just about the only thing they taught was how not to die at recess. We played outdoors unless it was more than 40 below zero (at which point we played in the gym).

Good luck with it. That sort of weather is an adventure all by itself. They'll love it.

ILR

Pages