Clothing advice for -40 degrees
:: Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 @ 1:08:52 am
:: Tags: General
Hey, does anyone out there have advice for what I should be wearing if I am to be standing around in temperatures of -40°F -48°F or colder (without windchill) for hours, at night? I have some warm fleecy things that have kept me warm-ish to around -30 (effective, with wind-chill), but I was only out for 15-20 minutes at a time. This time around, I’ll be standing around at night for what will potentially be long periods of time.
For my torso, I was thinking of using the thickest wool base layer I can find, along with warm fleece and a shell. I also have a down vest that I can try to stuff in there.
I have no idea what to do for my legs. Wool base layer, plus… some kind of track pants / guide pants, like what Patagonia offers? Or… full-out down pants, with a shell?
Help me! :)
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Hi Eric,
in my opinion one of the best suits for those low temperatures is the North Face Himalayan Suit.
http://www.thenorthface.com/op.....anguage=en
The expedition guides to the Mount Everest are wearing those as well. Not cheap but you’ll get very good quality for the money.
Best regards, Tobias
Also … i has always heard and so always done the method of lots of thin layers as a base.
I am guessing in that temperature the other key thing is to not have ANY skin exposed. My brothers trained in Some mountain in Quebec where it got to -50 and he did the layers and the no skin. Then he just topped it off with good pants and jacket and fleecy things.
I usually go ice fishing a couple times a year in weather like that. I wear a bunch of layers, with absolutely no cotton (all wool or synthetic), and then a parka and snowpants/bibs to keep the moisture and wind out. A snowsuit would work, too, but in my situation the parka makes it easier to take layers off if I get too warm due to activity. Sweating is a fast way to being cold.
Feet and hands are the hardest. A good pair of boots coupled with layers of socks works, but not so many layers that you impede circulation. Hands are harder, since you’ll need them out once in a while. I wear a lightweight set of synthetic gloves inside heavy mittens, and also have one of those NFL-style QB handwarmer tubes. I usually have a chemical handwarmer or four on me that I can shove in that tube or in my mittens if I get desperate.
I’m told that the Black Diamond Mercury mitts are good: http://www.rei.com/product/726069
… and a friend from Canada recommended Vetements Alaska gear, but I can’t seem to find a good way to look at them here in the States.
Talk to some hunters up North!
Hey Eric, As everyone has suggested, layering is the key. Basically you need a next-to-skin layer that wicks moisture and keeps you dry, while at the same time does not retain moisture. I swear by wool (ie IceBreaker, SmartWool) but other swear by something that is 100% polypropylene. Secondly you need an insulating layer. Down works well here, so does polyester or polypropylene fleece … the thicker the better (or rather the more air you can trap the better). And just because the insulating layer is one layer, you can have more then one layer here … like fleece and down. Thirdly, a shell layer. This needs to stop wind and water from entering the previous two layers. A little breath-ability in for this layer is a little nice as. A good option for you would be a hard shell made with Gore-tex (or similar).
I frequently am out in these temperatures, although I am usually active (cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, etc) so I would be more concerned with the first layers wicking ability, less concerned with the insulating layer (not as thick). The third layer would just depend if it is windy or snowing.
For me, the effectiveness of this layering on my hands and feet will make or break it (as they are always the areas that get cold for me first). Unfortunately, I don’t have specific recommendations for these areas, as my footwear/handwear is sport specific … keep them dry and keep them insulated (and to restate what Bob said, don’t restrict circulation).
On a side note, I have often dived in almost 0 C water for hours at a time, and besides the importance of the same three layers, a heat source can really help. I have used a heating pad that you just recharge by boiling and secure it near your body’s core. Friends of mine have also worn underwear used initially for cold weather motorcycling and powered it with an external battery. This might be too much, but just thought I would suggest it.
I just noticed that there is a thread on vienna teng’s forums about clothing suggestions for me. How nice of them to brainstorm over there! :)
Just thought of something else while I was driving around today: if it’s feasible, make yourself a windblock. A piece of material and three poles might do the trick, depending on what type of surface you’ll be on. You could even set it up ahead of time if you know where you’re going to be standing. There are commercial versions to use as examples…
lol “mr cheng”