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Posted: 10/9/2006 1:27:58 PM EDT
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Not even sure if I am posting this topic in the right forum, but oh well, here it goes. Since winter is fast approaching, (supposed to be 35 and snow in WI on Thr) I was looking to see what you guys use for cold weather gear. I was in Fort Bragg last week and stopped by Sarge's store. I picked up some level 1 long underwear and some of the heavier weight stuff also. Just seeing what you guys use for extended missions in cold weather (ok for hunting too.....) for everything from the base layers all the way thru to your coats. While we are at it, what about gloves and boots. Thnx for any insight gentlemen........ |
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Polarmax make some good stuff. I'm a big fan of the silk underwear. Its really thin and lightweight, but it keeps you fairly warm. Its great for times when you know you will keep moving.. like on a patrol or something. Then when you stop just throw a goretex parka on over your gear so you can get it off easily when its time to move again. I'm sure you know that you don't want to over do the cold weather gear. If you are perfectly warm standing still, you have too much on. Once you start moving you'll sweat, then all your stuff gets wet and you're just fucked at that point. |
| I have been waiting to get a better job and I'm gonna start redoing my cold weather gear. I personally like to stick with the classics of cold weather gear. As far as bottom layers go, usually a set of thermal underwear. On top of that for my bottoms is usually a pair of sweat pants (will be looking for something better but they work) and on top of that usually some BDU pants. For the top I go with an Alpaca sweater and an M65 field jacket with liner but I will also be looking for a better extreme cold parka. I usually just stick a scarf around my neck to shield my face if I need it and wear a T-bog. I wear 2 pair of gloves, the first are fine wool lined leather and the top are the military issue snow mobile gloves with the alpaca on the backs. For boots, I don't really own any winter boots right now but will be looking to get a pair of genuine mukluks for this coming winter as they are some of the warmest boots ever (and somehow your feet don't sweat). On my feet I wear a pair of pure cotton socks with a pair of thermal socks on the outside. If my feet do sweat then the cotton absorbs it great. I like at least the principle of my setup because it's designed so you can easily take things off and put them back on but you aren't really carrying a lot of weight. The thing I always had a problem with before I used this setup was my feet and legs getting cold as hell but my torso sweating and with this I can easily go without my parka for extended periods of time without really feeling cold at all even in 10 degrees with wind. |
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base layer, mid weight polyester. check out sierratradingpost.com @$10. ecws polypro bottoms, polypro top or british surplus wool commando sweater. windstopper fleece top/bottoms, light or berber depending on climate. check out cabelas. goretex overalls for some things, fishing/climbing/wet. cabelas. for socks use a polypro liner with smartwool or wigwam -40'. goretex boots or goretex/ins for colder. those pac boots with 1000gr thinsulate would be good for still hunting. gatorneck/balaclava. i usually wear leather insulated work gloves, only goretex for climbing. always carry extra socks/gloves. layer, dont sweat. these are great and inexpensive for what they are www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0034004922637a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=windshear+pants&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=windshear+pants&noImage=0 |
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First, never wear cotton. Unless you like having hypothermia. cotton absorbs sweat very well, but it doesn't release moisture very well. By that I mean it never dries, and wet cotton sucks the heat away from your body. Water transfers heat much faster han air, so having water held against you... see where I'm going with that. Cotton kills. Base layer should be something moisture wicking. Polypropylene works for this as do the thin layers like REI's Moisture Transport System (MTS). Then a layer or two of insulation. Fleece is great for this layer. Thinsulate also works very well. Your top layer should be waterproof (and breathable) if in rainy weather. Water repellant/resistant is good for less wet weather such as snow. While heavier, wool is a decent choice for a top layer in the snow, and is also good as the middle or insulating layer. More thin layers are better than one or two thick ones as you can put on or remove layers to regulate your temperature. When you are walking around, you will want to drop some layers or you will sweat, then chill. The moisture wicking/fast drying can only do so much. Then when you get to someplace that you will be mostly stationary, add layers to keep from getting too cold when you body temp drops. |
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