warm preformance clothing?

Thanks for the encouragement. When I get back from the expo I'm buying an e cig. That should help me stay warm through the winter.
 
When I first saw this thread I promised myself to stay away because I am far too obsessed with staying dry and warm (but not too warm) while being active in temps that are below zero degrees. I could write a book and still not feel content that I have fully conveyed my opinion on the subject!

But I decided that if you are a winter climber and you haven't read this article you are missing out BIG TIME. It revolutionized my joy for winter adventures!

I feel that the most knowledgable people on the subject are alpinists because they dont have anything but their clothing to protect them from insane winds and frostbite.

Here is the article: http://andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/view/the_best_softshell_in_the_world

Read it! And then if you are curious about how to stay warm when you arent being active read his article on belay jackets. Last winter a friend and I spent a week in northern MN ice climbing and sleeping in tents when night temps dropped to MINUS 40! I wouldnt be alive if it wasnt for the clothing articles on that page.

I hope this helps!
 
I've been a fan of Duluth Trading for a while. Their fleece lined Dry on the Fly Cargo Pants and their Black Hills Water Repellent Cargo Pants are what I've been wearing lately. Good materials, well made, comfortable, functional, and $79.00. Take a look!
 
QUOTE="sherwood7, post: 402898, member: 7142"]Sorry Levi just saw the post. Yea I worked. It was unpleasant. Have a good time at the expo, n good luck with the e-cig.[/QUOTE]
True. Thanks man!
 
Merino wool is the ultimate insulator for outdoor clothing. From working outside to hunting season I rely on merino wool. Go to sierra trading post for incredible prices on several great brands.
 
The new under armor base layers are nice. I have a 3.0 and a 4.0. For outer shell Cory from limbwalker tuned me into North Face bionic jacket. Make sure you get a tall size though. I am on year 2 with mine.
 
One of my greatest discoveries was ski goggles. As a die hard skier I'm embarrassed to admit how many years it took me to figure it out, but they make winter climbing sooooooo much better. Keeps the eyes and upper cheeks warm, no watering eyes from the blowing wind, no sawdust in the eyes and nice and secure on the head. Nothing fancy either, just my old ones that I usually throw away because the foam is rotting or they're scratched. Pull them down over head first, then put the Petzl Vertex on, then slide goggles up into position - fits perfectly.
 
Jeff said:
One of my greatest discoveries was ski goggles. As a die hard skier I'm embarrassed to admit how many years it took me to figure it out, but they make winter climbing sooooooo much better. Keeps the eyes and upper cheeks warm, no watering eyes from the blowing wind, no sawdust in the eyes and nice and secure on the head. Nothing fancy either, just my old ones that I usually throw away because the foam is rotting or they're scratched. Pull them down over head first, then put the Petzl Vertex on, then slide goggles up into position - fits perfectly.
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I might try them . Just seems like no matter what I put over my eyes like that ,unless its mesh , its fogging up . Any anti fog ideas out there?
 
Aaron, that's the other thing. I regularly fog safety glasses, but ski goggles, with their double lens, are by design virtually fog proof.
 
Trick with ski goggles is to never take them off once you start. Adjust everything else for heat but leave the goggles on.
 
Cool thanks for info.. you'd think I would know since I snowboarded in Colorado regularly for years ,but its been years and I think I fogged them up too if I remember correctly ,but now that I think of it that was only when I took off and put back on again. Any decent priced goggles recommended?
 
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From the little bit of skiing I've done (BigSky Montana - can I get a whoop whoop!)....it was made pretty clear as Tom said, underarmor style wicking stuff against the skin and then layer the other stuff on the outer shell. Don't want sweat staying against your skin in cold temps.
 
Aaron Cipolletti said:
Any decent priced goggles recommended?
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You're going to beat them up doing tree work, so I'm thinking cheapest is best. Used, tag sale or Play it Again Sports type places. Like I said, I'm using ones that I retired from skiing because they were worn out (know how the foam on the vents rots away?) but they're still perfect for tree work.
 
When the weather gets too cold and/or snowy for tree work I go work as a ski patroller at the biggest, badass mountain on the east coast. Whiteface Mountain in Willmington NY, near Lake Placid. I offer... any expert skiers/riders want some let me know, I will be stoked to guide to the goods! Check out the slides on youtube. Anyways last year I worked in -26F first chair to summit. Never got above -10F all day! I also have been Ice climbing and backcountry skiing for over 20years.

My tricks. Must be fed and hydrated to start. When its cold start off the bat with all your layers, start to sweat out the door and you know your core is ready.
Layers:
2 base layers:a light weight one next to skin the a mid weight, on top and bottom. By the best stuff the cheapest. Most alpine wear is tough enough for tree work. TJ max has the best deals in town for leftover seasons, around october. I find marmot, cloudveil, northface all the time wicked cheap. Otherwise go online to like sierra trading post type sites.
Final layers: Soft shell, down jacket, and storm shell (all 3) on top. On the bottom storm bibs. All ways on the out side high performance, wind proof, water proof and BREATHABLE!

So here is the deal. You have to work. I over heat my core so that I can take my hands out of my gloves all the time when need be, I only wear kinkos with open gantlets! They are the best glove for your money hands up or down! Most patrollers use them, $20 at local hardware stores. Make sure you sno seal them twice over heat the night before the first day of use. Make sure you put your name on them first time some one else uses, them watch them. If it is 15F or colder I might throw a set of heat pads in them on the back side of the hand, perfect spot. With regards to my head, I hate hats, that said I am in an insulated helmet skiing. I will employ a fleece neck/face warmer when cold. For tree work I find the thinnest balaclavas I can to fit under my helmet, yes ski goggles from time to time when doing tree work in windy cold.

The secret is to feed and hydrate, over dress, regulate the core by removing layers as you get warm, re layer before you get cold when you slow down or stop for a while. There are also little tricks to get heat back into your hands and feet. I was a ski racer in high school, had to stand top of course in line wearing not much. Swing the arms and legs (not all at the same time)free from obstructions use momentum with the weight of your appendages not your muscles. You want the muscles relaxed at bottom of swing, you will feel warm blood being pumped into your hand when done right. The worst thing I see people do is hunch up their shoulders and blow into their hands, gonna lose that fight. I love the cold better then the heat any day...cause you can not escape the heat. You can work your body harder in the cold and barely sweat if you dress properly and regulate.
 
For me and winter work (Minnesota) its gotta be a moisture-wicking base layer. I buy a brand of long johns (bottom and tops) called Take Five off Ebay. They come straight from the manufacturer in Korea, so you will have to wait 10 days or so for them to arrive. But they are gold, and only cost $18.00 a piece! They are awesome!!
 
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