Help me . . . it's so frigggggggin Cold!

[gatordavisl]

Actually, it's not too unbearable, but I'm facing REAL cold temperatures (-18F tonight) for the first time. Grew up in Florida and recently moved (way) north from Hogtown. I walk to work and will be dealing with -20 tomorrow morning. The wife and I have wool socks, thermals, layers, insulated boots, etc. I'm not sure how that walk will go, but I will certainly cover up.

You can't stay outside in this stuff. It's seriously fuggin' cold. Did my first cross-country ski Saturday (about 0 degrees) and worked up one hell of a sweat. I will enjoy getting into skiing for the adventure and the workout.

How about you? Have any of you lived in real cold places? How do/did you cope? Got any stories? Tips?

[Gatorgal04]

Lived in Chicago for 5 years. Coldest I've experienced is -30 in New Hampshire. One tip, besides a warm hat make sure you have a scarf over your nose and mouth so you're not breathing freezing cold air. Hand and feet warmer packets from LLBean work wonders if you're outside for any length of time.

I did enjoy the cross country skiing while I was up there. Good use for golf courses in the winter. Good luck!

[StrangeGator]

Live in Chicago. Spent 15 winters here, plus five in St. Louis. You just gotta layer. I actually like it. It's invigorating. Came home and made chili tonight and drank some strong IPA.

[JaxLizard]

Grew up in the Northeast Kingdom in Vermont. It was brutal! I had to make a grocery run for my mom on one of those extreme blizzard days. I thought I was ok traveling the main road, but a huge snowdrift had formed and a couple of cars had piled up into it and I had no way of stopping on the black ice and went in with them. I was about 1/4 of a mile from the store and the nearest pay phone, so I decided to walk to it. It was so cold and windy that my eyes iced over immediately and I could barely see. The walk seemed like it took forever, but once I got to the store, I thawed out and called for a tow truck. My car had some fender damage and a broken headlight, but I came out pretty good compared to the others. That was my last year up there as I transferred to UF the following year.

[gatormoe1]

Khaki shorts, gator tee and flip flops today. Same could be said on Christmas day and New Years. Good ol' Florida. :)

[tacsh]

Grew up in florida. We moved out to Colorado some eight years ago. The minus 20 days can be tough. Just layer on, dress smart, and think about all the other seasons.

[TheGator]

Khaki shorts, gator tee and flip flops today. Same could be said on Christmas day and New Years. Good ol' Florida. :)

Yeah. Remind yourself of the brutal summers when it is 95 degrees and 100% humidity.

[malscott]

Grew up in Conn. but spent a lot of cold winters in Vermont. Coldest I remember was -35! With a 40 MPH wind that'll downright freeze your arse. So cold they shut down Okemo Ski resort. Down is your friend. I love the cold, ski a ton, hate being cold. Those hand-warmers mentioned that you cut open... when they hit the air chemical reaction takes place -they warm you up. I use them for skiing here in Cal when it's cold. Stick them in my boots before I ski. Use mittens. Screw gloves. Gloves suck-don't work. I ski with mittens that look like boxing gloves they're so huge! Cabelas catalogue, LL Bean, as mentioned...need decent boots, good mittens, ass warmers for your car, scarfs or turtlenecks. When I ski I use one of those muffler deals that go over your head, cover your neck and face. I use it under my helmet. At Mammoth when it's in the teens and windy-I'm warm the only thing I have to worry about is the chairlift snapping off the freaking cable. I've been on it with 60MPH gusts and scared the crap out of me. Down...you'll look like the sta-puff marshmallow dude...but who cares? Mountaineering shops have the best high end glove/mittens. Need to spend over 100 smackers for the kind. Cold is great...if you're warm :)

[gatormoe1]

Yeah. Remind yourself of the brutal summers when it is 95 degrees and 100% humidity.

Thats when I head to the beach for a tan and cool off in the water.

[JohnC1908]

That's way too much work to stay warm. I prefer to just roll out of bed, put on some shorts, brush my teeth, slide into some flip flops and head out the door.

[jeffphillips21]

Actually, it's not too unbearable, but I'm facing REAL cold temperatures (-18F tonight) for the first time. Grew up in Florida and recently moved (way) north from Hogtown. I walk to work and will be dealing with -20 tomorrow morning. The wife and I have wool socks, thermals, layers, insulated boots, etc. I'm not sure how that walk will go, but I will certainly cover up.

You can't stay outside in this stuff. It's seriously fuggin' cold. Did my first cross-country ski Saturday (about 0 degrees) and worked up one hell of a sweat. I will enjoy getting into skiing for the adventure and the workout.

How about you? Have any of you lived in real cold places? How do/did you cope? Got any stories? Tips?

I'm from Canada so an expert in that area. Always keep your extremities warm, especially your head (they say you lose a high % of heat through your head), your hands and feet. Under your thermal socks wear a tight fitting sock underneath...and layer: under shirt, long sleeve shirt, pullover, whatever you can put on underneath your jacket. Remember to warm up your car, put the heat on, go back in your house and wait until it warms up before you go back in your car...and if it's snowing you need a scraper or brush to take care of the snow/ice on the windows/ windshield. Sounds fun, doesn't it.

The coldest I have ever been in is -50F without windchill and -86K with windchill. No, that's not a misprint. Now you know why I went to UF.

Good luck tomorrow. Think of it as an adventure!

[gatorknights]

I grew up in Minnesota, so I know all about what you are having to endure. I had to walk to my elementary school and on those mornings where it was below zero it was brutal. Cover all exposed skin and dress in layers.

Coldest I ever had was when it was 9 degrees in Gainesville. Colder than any 25 below I ever experienced in Minny.

[Gatorgal04]

ass warmers for your car

I was buying a new car here in Gainesville last December. I settled on the model I wanted, but they didn't have one on the lot with the package that included heated seats. The sales guy thought it was too funny that I demanded the heated seats! I said look, I drive north for a family event every November or December and I'll be danged if I'm going up there without heated seats. Once you've got them, hard to do without.

They found the car I wanted in Atlanta and had it brought down for me. Actually use them a couple times/year here in Gainesville - now that 35 seems real cold. :wink:

[IowaGator]

I was buying a new car here in Gainesville last December. I settled on the model I wanted, but they didn't have one on the lot with the package that included heated seats. The sales guy thought it was too funny that I demanded the heated seats! I said look, I drive north for a family event every November or December and I'll be danged if I'm going up there without heated seats. Once you've got them, hard to do without.

They found the car I wanted in Atlanta and had it brought down for me. Actually use them a couple times/year here in Gainesville - now that 35 seems real cold. :wink:

35 would be balmy!! Right now 7 outside with a windchill of -8! Great day to catch up on email and paperwork!

[GataBaitx3]

Live in Chicago. Spent 15 winters here, plus five in St. Louis. You just gotta layer. I actually like it. It's invigorating. Came home and made chili tonight and drank some strong IPA.

25 in Boston right now. Pretty terrible.

[LeafUF]

I'm from Minneapolis and survived snowmageddon 1 and 2 in DC. I think I know cold and I know I hate it. If it dips below 70 now I will complain about it. There is a high of 65 today I might break out a scarf and gloves.

[gator1986]

That sucks! My girlfriend wants me to move to Boston with her for at least a year to try it out, but there's a problem A. I won't get SEC network, B. can't watch the gators, rays, bucs, or lightning, and C. I hate the patriots, Red Sox, bruins, and celtics....

[LeafUF]

That sucks! My girlfriend wants me to move to Boston with her for at least a year to try it out, but there's a problem A. I won't get SEC network, B. can't watch the gators, rays, bucs, or lightning, and C. I hate the patriots, Red Sox, bruins, and celtics....

And Boston is terrible in winter.

[gator1986]

And Boston is terrible in winter.

Yes that's D, but I thought were only suppose to go up to C... But yes their winter sucks!

[TheGator]

That sucks! My girlfriend wants me to move to Boston with her for at least a year to try it out, but there's a problem A. I won't get SEC network, B. can't watch the gators, rays, bucs, or lightning, and C. I hate the patriots, Red Sox, bruins, and celtics....

I live in Utah.

I can watch all of the Gator Football games on either CBS or ESPN. The smaller games I can catch on ESPN Gameplan.

The other sports are more of a challenge.

[jsc28]

That sucks! My girlfriend wants me to move to Boston with her for at least a year to try it out, but there's a problem A. I won't get SEC network, B. can't watch the gators, rays, bucs, or lightning, and C. I hate the patriots, Red Sox, bruins, and celtics....

You could always attach a sling box to a cable box located in Gainesville/Florida, if you have any friends or family in state.

[gatorman_07732]

That sucks! My girlfriend wants me to move to Boston with her for at least a year to try it out, but there's a problem A. I won't get SEC network, B. can't watch the gators, rays, bucs, or lightning, and C. I hate the patriots, Red Sox, bruins, and celtics....

Learn to drop r's out of you vocabulary

[fredsanford]

I was buying a new car here in Gainesville last December. I settled on the model I wanted, but they didn't have one on the lot with the package that included heated seats. The sales guy thought it was too funny that I demanded the heated seats! I said look, I drive north for a family event every November or December and I'll be danged if I'm going up there without heated seats. Once you've got them, hard to do without.

They found the car I wanted in Atlanta and had it brought down for me. Actually use them a couple times/year here in Gainesville - now that 35 seems real cold. :wink:

I would never buy a car without heated seats again.

1. My wife is always cold, and loves them.
2. They are very nice for any golfer or athlete with a sore lower back.

[Wuerffel5220]

Yup lived in NY and Boston before moving down to Nashville and then Florida.

Wearing a nice warm hat and something to cover ears makes a big difference.

I also would very often wear a pair of sweatpants under my jeans. Comfy and warm.

[Jaggator]

Makes you wonder how they play a sport called football outdoors in 0 degrees and below 0 degrees. Imagine kicking the ball or catching a hard pass thrown at you.

[wygator]

Your feet are key. Make sure you have a really good pair of pac boots or Sorels.

When we moved to Wyoming from Florida, I didn't even know what Sorels were.

What everyone else said about layers. Your body will adjust and before you know it, you won't even being wearing a jacket until it's down to 40.

[wygator]

The Dish Network offers a sports package that includes pretty much every regional sports network in the nation for an extra few dollars a month. I get three networks from Florida and get lots of UF sports of all kinds...baseball, softball, gymnastics, volleyball, etc. Football and basketball you have to get from the networks or ESPN. I do get the coaches shows on my regional package.

[manigordo]

I lived in central New Hampshire for a time. It was gorgeous, but the 2 seasons there were Winter and July. I did a lot of CC skiing. My experienced friends had Peppermint Schnapps stashed at various spots in the woods where we would travel. That made the adventures a lot of fun.

Learning how to dress for the cold was the most important help to me. I missed Florida too much and came home. Did love the area though and still have great friends there.

[ufrulz2]

Davis, sadly, you've got at least 6 more weeks of it. But trust me, the summers in Duluth are lovely -- they just last from July 1 to July 15. :-)

My first year here in Minnesota I had a trial in Duluth. (I work for a judge.) The first morning of the trial I went to my car -- which had been brought here from Florida -- in the hotel parking lot. The outside temperature was -30 with a wind chill nearly -50. I inserted the key, said a quick "Please let it start, please let it start," and turned it. The engine groaned for about a second or two but then finally turned over. In my car's own private way of rebellion, however, EVERY SINGLE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS ON. I think it was its way of saying, "You brought me from Florida to this sh!t?!" When the trial ended later that week and I drove home, I was never so happy to see temperatures in the single digits -- more than 30 degrees warmer!

[Welshgator]

Makes you wonder how they play a sport called football outdoors in 0 degrees and below 0 degrees. Imagine kicking the ball or catching a hard pass thrown at you.

I played some rugby games in Wales in freezing conditions. I remember a few times the ground being like concrete due to a hard frost. Fun with no pads or helmet. Playing in a few inches of snow was much more fun.
Pretty much universally used was an analgesic heat rub, it was called Deep Heat in UK but pretty much the same as Bengay over here. Apply liberally to back of hands, arms and legs and you never really noticed the cold at the start of the game. After running around a while you were warm enough anyway. You smelt like a Turkish wrestler's jockstrap but it's better to be warm. You, of course, had to make sure not to scratch your nuts after you got it on your hands.

[amangator08]

I'll second those who recommend down. I'm an avid backpacker who loves winter camping in the snow. My down keeps me so warm that I can't wear it while hiking without overheating.

[fredsanford]

That sucks! My girlfriend wants me to move to Boston with her for at least a year to try it out, but there's a problem A. I won't get SEC network, B. can't watch the gators, rays, bucs, or lightning, and C. I hate the patriots, Red Sox, bruins, and celtics....

1. Satellite TV (Direct or Dish) w/regional sports package for hoops, spring sports.
2.. ESPN Gameplan for the junk football games.
3. The big football games are on CBS, ESPN, etc....

[Sylez_G_Koolaid]

I was out at the club last weekend and they had the AC turned way down. It was way too cold, bruh.

[gatorknights]

Duluth MN is possibly the coldest place on planet earth. When the wind comes whipping off Lake Superior up the hill, my god.

[toon66]

I grew up in Minnesota, so I know all about what you are having to endure. I had to walk to my elementary school and on those mornings where it was below zero it was brutal. Cover all exposed skin and dress in layers.

Coldest I ever had was when it was 9 degrees in Gainesville. Colder than any 25 below I ever experienced in Minny.

40 degrees in Florida is colder than 40 degrees most anywhere else I believe.

[toon66]

That sucks! My girlfriend wants me to move to Boston with her for at least a year to try it out, but there's a problem A. I won't get SEC network, B. can't watch the gators, rays, bucs, or lightning, and C. I hate the patriots, Red Sox, bruins, and celtics....

A buddy living in Managua never misses a Gator game. You'll be alright.

[LeafUF]

40 degrees in Florida is colder than 40 degrees most anywhere else I believe.

I actually think there is something to this. Maybe the humidity just makes it feel worse or something?

[Dreamliner]

The only thing I know to tell you is to pack on weight. I'm so skinny that when the thermostat drops to 64 I get uncontrollable shivers. :laugh:

[exiledgator]

2. They are very nice for any golfer or athlete with a sore lower back.

Bwahaha. Golfer OR athlete.

[GolphinGator]

I would never buy a car without heated seats again.

1. My wife is always cold, and loves them.
2. They are very nice for any golfer or athlete with a sore lower back.

I agree and my wfe loves them as well. My truck has heated and cooled seats and a heated steering wheel. The wifes car has heated seats and she uses them all the time. If you have leather it is a nice option even here in Floirda.

[toon66]

I actually think there is something to this. Maybe the humidity just makes it feel worse or something?

I believe so. The cold here is to the bone. Friends from NC commented on it one Gasparilla when it was high 50s. They felt that it was much colder than that.

[gatordavisl]

Hey thanks so much for all the responses! I've been at work all day and not able to read. Gotta head back out but will check in again later on. Thanks again and to Moe - GLOATER! Yep - I miss Florida. Gotta go see if the car will start. :cry:

[WyoGator]

Was -17 with -35 wind chill last week out here in Wyoming...just another day in paradise

[gtr2x]

Always recall my first time driving on ice in Colorado, almost got the family taken out by a garbage truck. Second time I made the mistake of turning on the windshield wipers, big mistake. Didn't matter, couldn't see much in white out conditions anyway. Good memories! Cold weather is good for skiing, not driving. And wind just makes it much worse.

[gatormoe1]

I actually think there is something to this. Maybe the humidity just makes it feel worse or something?

It's true, I know a ton of northerners that come down here and freeze and complain its cold when its around 40. It's a wet humid cold.

[gatordavisl]

I'm from Canada so an expert in that area. Always keep your extremities warm, especially your head (they say you lose a high % of heat through your head), your hands and feet. Under your thermal socks wear a tight fitting sock underneath...and layer: under shirt, long sleeve shirt, pullover, whatever you can put on underneath your jacket. Remember to warm up your car, put the heat on, go back in your house and wait until it warms up before you go back in your car...and if it's snowing you need a scraper or brush to take care of the snow/ice on the windows/ windshield. Sounds fun, doesn't it.

The coldest I have ever been in is -50F without windchill and -86K with windchill. No, that's not a misprint. Now you know why I went to UF.

Good luck tomorrow. Think of it as an adventure! Thanks Jeff and thanks to malscott. Great and interesting advice. -50?! Holy snitzy bitz.

[gatordavisl]

Coldest I ever had was when it was 9 degrees in Gainesville. Colder than any 25 below I ever experienced in Minny. True that the wet cold can be more difficult and the MN cold, as I understand it is much more of a dry cold. We were in Marietta for the holidays and 30s with rain felt pretty darn cold there.

[gatordavisl]

Your feet are key. Make sure you have a really good pair of pac boots or Sorels.

When we moved to Wyoming from Florida, I didn't even know what Sorels were.

What everyone else said about layers. Your body will adjust and before you know it, you won't even being wearing a jacket until it's down to 40. Just bought my Sorels last weekend. They make a huge diff and I'm not sliding all over the place anymore. BTW - I've heard some places in WY are really dry. Stay hydrated out there! (as if you need me to tell ya)

[gatordavisl]

The engine groaned for about a second or two but then finally turned over. In my car's own private way of rebellion, however, EVERY SINGLE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS ON. I think it was its way of saying, "You brought me from Florida to this sh!t?!" Funny rulz. My car said the same thing to me tonight! It's NOT happy.

[chicagogator94]

It was -4 in Chicago when I went to work. Let's just say my chestnuts was frozen to my Yule log it was so damn cold!

[IowaGator]

I was out at the club last weekend and they had the AC turned way down. It was way too cold, bruh.

Even I know they want you to have the ladies keep you warm!!! LOL :devil:

[AzCatFan]

I absolutely hate the cold. Three Seattle winters were torture enough for me, and temps rarely dropped below 40. Had a cold snap in Phoenix last week with highs in the 40's/50's and lows below freezing. But now it's back to normal and 80 degrees.

And yes, it gets real hot here in summer, but there is always a/c and the swimming pool. Besides, Flagstaff and Show Low are both two hours away, at 7000+ feet elevation, and 30 degrees cooler. And San Diego is only 6 hours away.

[ufrulz2]

Duluth MN is possibly the coldest place on planet earth. When the wind comes whipping off Lake Superior up the hill, my god.

Come on, Knights, you know it's worse in Warroad or Ely or Hibbing or Virginia or International Falls or Tower (where it once hit -60). It's nasty when the wind blows off the lake, for sure, but I think it's worse in those little towns way, way up north.

[G8trGr8t]

80 and 65 in Naples today. Had to put on a sweater at sons soccer practice after the sun went down....

[gnvgator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKy2lLNQYrI

Never seen heat break a wrist.:tongue:

[exiledgator]

It was -4 in Chicago when I went to work. Let's just say my chestnuts was frozen to my Yule log it was so damn cold!

More like a Yule twig. I know; it was 1.5 here today.

[wygator]

Just bought my Sorels last weekend. They make a huge diff and I'm not sliding all over the place anymore. BTW - I've heard some places in WY are really dry. Stay hydrated out there! (as if you need me to tell ya)

That's what I tell people when they ask me how I handle the cold weather.

"Oh, it's not that bad...it's a DRY cold!!!"

[gatordavisl]

80 and 65 in Naples today. Had to put on a sweater at sons soccer practice after the sun went down....Lived in three areas in Fla: Naples/Ft. Myers/Cape Coral (my folks moved alot), Brandon/Apollo Beach, Hogtown.

-13 (-21 windchill) when I walk to work tomorrow.

[phatGator]

Here's how the Army is dealing with cold. Last time skiing in CO I used the long johns, fleece, and Goretex shell overtop. Worked great. Use the layers as appropriate for conditions.

http://nsrdec.natick.army.mil/APBI/Cold%20Weather%20Clothing%20and%20Equipment/Army_-_ECWCS_APBI_Castro.pdf

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ecwsiii-dressed-for-the-cold-02941/

Generation III ECWCS system incorporates 7 layers of clothing:

--light-weight Powerdry moisture wicking shirt and briefs

--mid-weight Polartec Powerdry moisture wicking shirt and briefs

--Polartec Thermal Pro fleece jacket

--nylon/ spandex wind jacket

--soft shell jacket and trousers using Nextec fabric

--Gore-Tex wet weather jacket and trousers

--Primaloft insulated loft parka and trousers for extreme cold weather conditions.


Wool socks and a fleece cap.

[exiledgator]

davisl: Down. And when it's really cold: down with a shell over it.

Down under a shell is like wearing a furnace. That down traps your body heat very effectively and the shell keeps it from seeping out of the down coat, and keeps the wind from cutting into the down and sweeping that heat away.

Two more keys I haven't seen mentioned:

Scarf. Seal off the collar. Heat rises and you don't want any escaping out between collar and neck.

Tuck. Be sure you tuck top and bottom layers together. This keeps heat in as well. Even better is a union suit.

I've been ice fishing all day in ~0* wearing from inside out:

- red union suit w/ drop (a$$ drops down for pooping)
- fleece pants/fleece jacket
- heavy overalls
- down coat
- sturdy shell
- add warm shoes / warm hat / warm gloves / flask of whiskey

[Sylez_G_Koolaid]

Even I know they want you to have the ladies keep you warm!!! LOL :devil:

For real on that, bro. One of them strippers was asking me to feel how hard her nips were! #RunTellDat!

[Gatorrick22]

Actually, it's not too unbearable, but I'm facing REAL cold temperatures (-18F tonight) for the first time. Grew up in Florida and recently moved (way) north from Hogtown. I walk to work and will be dealing with -20 tomorrow morning. The wife and I have wool socks, thermals, layers, insulated boots, etc. I'm not sure how that walk will go, but I will certainly cover up.

You can't stay outside in this stuff. It's seriously fuggin' cold. Did my first cross-country ski Saturday (about 0 degrees) and worked up one hell of a sweat. I will enjoy getting into skiing for the adventure and the workout.

How about you? Have any of you lived in real cold places? How do/did you cope? Got any stories? Tips?

What? No Global Warming happenin' up there. Stay warm friend.

[gatorman_07732]

It's in the teens here in NJ and snow coming tomorrow

[Gatorrick22]

It's in the teens here in NJ and snow coming tomorrow

How do you get around in that?

[ValdostaGatorFan]

http://omgwtfroflmao.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/431189_532667183433345_98841379_n.jpg

[oxymoron]

I went to a Notre Dame game in mid Octoberyears ago. It got down to 45 degrees, with a northern breeze, overcast sky and light rain. Being a red neck from Fla I didn't have anywhere near the necessary clothes. I thought I was going to freeze to death so I ended up buying two overpriced Notre Dame sweat shirts which I wore for two hours. I gave them away when I got back to Fla as I'm not an ND fan. Unless I'm in a plane crash in South Bend I'll never go to ND again.

[jack]

I'm a southerner who grew up in the Virginia Appalachians and remember the cold weather. Its good to be retired and living in Florida. Its crazy but I feel better in sultry weather even though it can be overwhelming at times.

[Gatorgal04]

"sultry" weather. I like it!

As we ladies in the South say, "We don't sweat . . . we glisten."

[ufrulz2]

"The night was sultry." Best movie ever.

[gatorman_07732]

How do you get around in that?

3/4 ton Dodge 2500 with a Cummings diesel :yes:

[northgagator]

40 degrees in Florida is colder than 40 degrees most anywhere else I believe.

Back in the 1983 I was working a car detailing company on Blount Island in Jacksonville. This Island is located in the St Johns River about six miles to the Atlantic Ocean.

The job was outdoors out on the riverfront. In the winter temps in the high 30's was not uncommon. On the nice calm sunny days it was toasty as long as you dressed warm. However it was bone chilling when a northeastern blew in off the Atlantic. The combination of the overcast skies, the intermitted ran, and the gust winds could make 45 degrees feel like 0 degrees. That damn wind and cold could cut through my Goretex winter/rain gear.

Christmas a year ago I was in Chicago. The temps were in the teens and lower, the wind was blowing, and it was snowing. I was wearing similar winter gear and I swear that I was warmer in Chicago than I was on Blount Island.

[wygator]

One other brand name to remember is Carhartt. They make heavy duty workwear
that's great for casual wear for cold weather or if you have to work outside.
Sort of like wearing a really heavy quilt...definitely stops the wind.

You wear these bib overalls:

http://i.stpost.com/carhartt-duck-bib-overalls-for-men-in-carhartt-brown~p~50410_04~1500.jpg

With this hooded jacket:

http://www.farmandhomesupply.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/j/1/j130211-carhartt-jacket-brown.jpg

[wygator]

Always thought these would be interesting to own out here in Wyoming

Cabela's Trans-Alaska™ III Pac Boot

From the Iditarod trail to the treestand, these boots have proven they are true cold-weather performers. A 13mm Texel® removable liner reflects heat inward to minimize loss. Beneath that, the Moisture Trap footbed wicks away perspiration and condensation. A 1/2" layer of EVA foam, coupled with the nylon-covered Phylon midsole, puts 3" of cold-blocking material between your feet and the ground. The tough, flexible vamps are protected by a triple-layer, abrasion-resistant toe guard, and the rubber toe cap ensures longer wear. These boots have a reflective, lightweight waterproof shell with lightweight, reflective nylon shafts. Radiantex™ reflective coating. The 8" liner allows for pants inside the boots, and the rip-stop nylon gaiter has a cord-locked drawcord to keep out snow. They're easy to tighten, thanks to a one-pull ball bearing lacing system. Inside, a heat pack pocket allows you to insert toe warmer heat packs.

http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_830531_999_01?rgn=0,0,1366,2000&scl=3.8095238095238093&fmt=jpeg&id=2YikN5kTrZqBSgP_9RNxED

link (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-Pac-Winter-Boots%7C/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/103959180/Cabelas-Trans-Alaska8482-III-Pac-Boot/749505.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2F_%2FN-1107989%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104797980&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104797980%3Bcat103959180)

[gatordavisl]

davisl: Down. And when it's really cold: down with a shell over it.

Down under a shell is like wearing a furnace. That down traps your body heat very effectively and the shell keeps it from seeping out of the down coat, and keeps the wind from cutting into the down and sweeping that heat away.

Two more keys I haven't seen mentioned:

Scarf. Seal off the collar. Heat rises and you don't want any escaping out between collar and neck.

Tuck. Be sure you tuck top and bottom layers together. This keeps heat in as well. Even better is a union suit.

I've been ice fishing all day in ~0* wearing from inside out:

- red union suit w/ drop (a$$ drops down for pooping)
- fleece pants/fleece jacket
- heavy overalls
- down coat
- sturdy shell
- add warm shoes / warm hat / warm gloves / flask of whiskey Ok Thanks. But, I'm from Florida. I don't even know what "down" is. Is it that light-weight soft material like on the Northface jackets? Also - what is a shell?

[toon66]

davisl: Down. And when it's really cold: down with a shell over it.

Down under a shell is like wearing a furnace. That down traps your body heat very effectively and the shell keeps it from seeping out of the down coat, and keeps the wind from cutting into the down and sweeping that heat away.

Two more keys I haven't seen mentioned:

Scarf. Seal off the collar. Heat rises and you don't want any escaping out between collar and neck.

Tuck. Be sure you tuck top and bottom layers together. This keeps heat in as well. Even better is a union suit.

I've been ice fishing all day in ~0* wearing from inside out:

- red union suit w/ drop (a$$ drops down for pooping)
- fleece pants/fleece jacket
- heavy overalls
- down coat
- sturdy shell
- add warm shoes / warm hat / warm gloves / flask of whiskey

How was ice fishing?

Folks from up that way tell me it is fun but that makes me wonder what they consider boring.

[amangator08]

Ok Thanks. But, I'm from Florida. I don't even know what "down" is. Is it that light-weight soft material like on the Northface jackets? Also - what is a shell?

Yep. It's the insulating material in duck/goose feathers. It uses your body heat to warm up, and it's ridiculously efficient. The synthetic stuff like Primaloft is pretty good, but it's nowhere near as efficient as down.
Patagonia, Marmot, North Face, Mountain Hardwear all make excellent down jackets.
You'd wear a shell, because most down jackets aren't water/wind proof. Shells are jackets made of goretex, event fabric, etc.

[Gatorrick22]

3/4 ton Dodge 2500 with a Cummings diesel :yes:

Yeah, It's hard to justify a hybrid car/truck in that kind of weather. :wink:

[ufrulz2]

Yep. It's the insulating material in duck/goose feathers. It uses your body heat to warm up, and it's ridiculously efficient. The synthetic stuff like Primaloft is pretty good, but it's nowhere near as efficient as down.
Patagonia, Marmot, North Face, Mountain Hardwear all make excellent down jackets.
You'd wear a shell, because most down jackets aren't water/wind proof. Shells are jackets made of goretex, event fabric, etc.

Good advice here. You might want to check out some of the North Face Tri-climate jackets. They are made with a waterproof/windproof outer shell, and then a good inside liner (which can be worn separately when it warms up a bit) with a Primaloft (or Primaloft-like) insulation. Only caveat: they ain't cheap.

[secgator]

How about you? Have any of you lived in real cold places? How do/did you cope? Got any stories? Tips?

Have you considered the option called..."moving south"??

[exiledgator]

Ok Thanks. But, I'm from Florida. I don't even know what "down" is. Is it that light-weight soft material like on the Northface jackets? Also - what is a shell?

As mentioned, down is feathers. Coats come big and puffy:

http://www.northfacediscounted.net/images/Noth%20Face/mens-North-Face-Nuptse-Goose-Down-Jacket-black.jpg

These are super warm, but kinda bulky w/ a shell on top. (super comfy w/ no shell.) These are like wearing a sleeping bag.

They also come with less fill:

http://www.trailblaze.de/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Patagonia-Mens-Down-Sweater.jpg

Not quite as warm, but very easy to use as a layer.

Shells, as described, block water and wind. I'm a big fan of uninsulated shells - as it's all about layering. The layering allows you to easily adjust to different temps. An insulated shell is warm, but what happens when it's 40*? You sweat....

Here's an uninsulated shell. Simple, lightweight, versatile, and in this case, attractive:

http://iris.backcountry.com/image/view/26128/440/440

[exiledgator]

How was ice fishing?

Folks from up that way tell me it is fun but that makes me wonder what they consider boring.

Ha!

Ice fishing isn't my favorite winter activity. I much prefer downhill skiing, xc skiing, snow shoeing, winter camping, and not least: hot drinks by the fire followed by warm romps in the bed.

I don't always go ice fishing, but when I do, I rarely remember it. :laugh:

It's basically an excuse to have a winter excursion with lots of gear and lots of beer. Drill some holes, set some tip-ups, drop some bait, and start chugging.

I also do it w/ the fam (we have two young kids) once or twice a winter. That's a completely different type of ice fishing - usually with many families. The kid mayhem on top of the ice often ensures we catch no fish.

[ufrulz2]

Here's an uninsulated shell. Simple, lightweight, versatile, and in this case, attractive:

http://iris.backcountry.com/image/view/26128/440/440

It's not the jacket that's the attractive thing in this photo. :grin:

[exiledgator]

It's not the jacket that's the attractive thing in this photo. :grin:

Indeed, rulz. Indeed.

[gatordavisl]

Have you considered the option called..."moving south"?? Ha. Spent 30 years in Fla/TX. When job opportunities in a particular field are so scarce, you tend to go where the best opportunity is. Fact is, UF paid like crap and offered no long term commitment. The exact opposite is true in this position.

[Gatorgal04]

All I know is that it's 74 today and I just got back from a nice 4 mile hike on the Prairie. Life is good!

[gatorknights]

I'm in a T shirt and shorts. Life is good in NoFla.

[urbangirl]

This morning I talked to my sister in North Carolina . Snow and ice were the conditions . I told her it was a balmy 72 here in North east Florida . She wanted to negotiate a weather trade.

[phatGator]

Used the snow blade on the front of my lawn tractor to plow the driveway last night. It's like playing with grown up Tonka toys!