For the northern tier, what’s your most effective cold weather gear?

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gpsman

gpsman

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I’ve got my Uniqlo thermals, my wool sweater, my wool hat and 3 finger Hestra xc ski mittens and wool hat. My hands get very cold so I recently invested in some hand warmers. ( a god send) and sorrels or Merrill’s for the feet. Here in New England, morning shoots can get down to 15 degrees. You gotta love it.

Does anybody have any great winter products or recommendations? Other than moving south of course. Lol.

I am always looking for cool winter gear that works.

Stay warm.
 
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I got some ski pants that work well. I need hand warmers though, and better gloves.

Free soldier brand, but fleece lined inside and whatever material ourside, and I wear them over my jeans. Probably the same as any others.

I also have a scottevest coat (tons of pockets which is handy) which is super warm. I also wear that over shirt and sweater.
 
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I would recommend something like the Oboz Bridger insulated boot. I have a pair and they are very warm and much lighter than Sorels, and not as bulky. They are therefore much easier to use with snowshoes, when you head out into the snowy Lamar Valley to see the bison up close.
 
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Cameron T said:
I got some ski pants that work well. I need hand warmers though, and better gloves.

Free soldier brand, but fleece lined inside and whatever material ourside, and I wear them over my jeans. Probably the same as any others.

I also have a scottevest coat (tons of pockets which is handy) which is super warm. I also wear that over shirt and sweater.
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Ski pants , of course! Thanks. Being 70 years old, I’m just starting to forget some of most simple things.
 
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I use Arctic Muck Boots and wool socks, toe warmers if needed, they are not bulky or heavy but keep my feet warm in the cold Canadian north. Gloves are a problem; I have tried a few different options and am back to wool liners inside lined leather or those flip up gloves but I have to take them on and off, I use hand warmers inside them. When it is brutally cold (-35F) I use a body warmer on my low back. A good silk scarf, a good wool base layer, a fleece mid layer, lined work wear pants and coat rather than ski wear, fur lined hat or a thick toque and sometimes I add a balaclava to the mix.
 
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I live in Minnesota. It gets cold here too. The coldest photography I have done is -15F ambient air temperature with -35F windchill (Hudson Bay). A few thoughts:

Boots: Muck Boot Arctic Sport and Arctic Pro (warm and waterproof); Baffin Impact boots (the warmest boots I’ve ever had — there are other similar Baffin models). Generally use with knee high warm wool socks, usually Darn Tough

Merino wool base layers: various weights, mostly from Icebreaker. Some Smartwool

Merino and goretex neck gaiter: Buff and other. blocks wind and adds warmth

Balaclava and/or face mask if windy: Outdoor Research and other. Fogging of glasses can be an issue

Icelandic wool sweaters: best warmth to weight ratio of any sweaters I have. Adds warmth under parkas and jackets

Patagonia lighter puff jackets: nano puff; macro puff — adds a warm layer under other jackets. I like to use ones with a hood, which often is more protective than a stocking cap

Good gloves and mittens: various weights, depending on conditions. Outdoor Research, the Heat Company, and Manzella (for lighter gloves). Like some with an inner glove and outer mitten — leave outer mitten on for warmth. Take off and shoot with inner glove on.

Chemical and electric handwarmers

Synthetic parka: Arc’teryx Dually Belay jacket. Synthetic means good performance in wetter conditions. Can wear under goretex jacket if wet out or add sweater to add warmth

Insulated pants — Patagonia puff insulated pants. Designed for use under waders for fly fishing. But very warm under goretex pants or other pants for winter use. Have worn without other pants too.

Down parka and pants — Mountain Hardware Absolute Zero parka and bib pants. Warmest I have ever owned. And pretty light, considering the warmth. (There are other very warm parkas and pants. Canada Goose has some that are much more expensive and quite heavy.)

Kahtoola micro-spikes: put on boots for better traction in snow and ice
 
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And one reason for such a long list is that mixing layers (rather than just one warm layer) allows you to adjust to various and changing conditions.
 
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I ran trapline in Montana for quite a few years, not photography but relevant. I lived in LL Bean cold weather boots. They were much lighter than Sorrels. The key for me was to have several pairs of dry liners in the jeep and change them regularly. My feet sweat and wet feet get cold! Wool will keep you warm in wet weather, pants and outer shirt. I didn't use handwarmers much then but can't live without them now that I'm older.
 
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Another vote for Kuiu. They’re a little on the expensive side but great quality and really good gear. They cater to the hunter but we photographers are similar to hunters, we just shoot for killer shots. I’m getting ready for a Yellowstone trip in a couple of weeks and I have a lot of the equipment already mentioned. I might be able to let you know how it performs and what did and didn’t work in mid January.
 
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I'm not in the far north but it does still get pretty cold here in SW Ohio, SE Indiana, and Northern Kentucky where I spend most of my time. I have nothing to add to specific gear mentioned above but I will add the importance of dressing in layers. Not only does this allow you the flexibility to remove a layer as the day warms up, the multiple layers are very effective at breaking wind and holding in your body heat.
 
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For me, I mostly just use layers, electric socks (well, ordered them they haven’t gotten here), gloves, and chemical hand warmers. It generally doesn’t get <25F here so that seems to do the trick. I don’t go out often enough in the cold to justify more.
 
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Lined Carhartt pants, over wool long Johns in real cold weather. Merino wool or synthetic top layers. Down coat, wool hat, Kinko insulated work gloves over thin liner gloves and Sorrell or Lacrosse insulated boots over wool socks. That gets me out shooting in cold Wyoming winters.
 
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Best place to find clothing for the cold is on websites that cater to hunters who are most affected when sitting in a blind or ice hut.

Something I learned from scuba diving in 45 degree water is that if my body trunk gets cold it will reduce blood flow to my hands and feet and eventually to my head. When I switch from a wetsuit to a dry suit my core was warmer and so were my feet and hands as a side benefit. Now when I feel cold I add a layer to my torso as this is the most effective approach.

Layers work well and there are many options for undergarments and shirts and jackets and vests. I so 100% with synthetic materials that breathes better and allows body moisture to escape. The worst material by far is cotton as it absorbs perspiration (and rain) quickly and dries out very slowly.
 
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gpsman said:
I’ve got my Uniqlo thermals, my wool sweater, my wool hat and 3 finger Hestra xc ski mittens and wool hat. My hands get very cold so I recently invested in some hand warmers. ( a god send) and sorrels or Merrill’s for the feet. Here in New England, morning shoots can get down to 15 degrees. You gotta love it.

Does anybody have any great winter products or recommendations? Other than moving south of course. Lol.

I am always looking for cool winter gear that works.

Stay warm.
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A really good website for warm clothing is normally a hunters clothing store as they also go out in all weathers & also benefit from clothes that don’t rustle or make any noise when you move.
I’ve been using a website called bushwear.co.uk as they carry several brands & cover all types of clothing for the different seasons.
They send worldwide & some of their winter/snow stuff is incredible.
My favourite brands are swedteam & Harkila but they have many more.
 
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Going to Northerm Canada next month to shoot the snowy owl on open farmland did I invest in serious outdoor clothing:
It starts with socks and bought me these:
https://woolpower.se/en/shop/produkt/socks-600-2/?wcpbc-manual-country=US

And I will be wearing Muck boots:
https://www.muckbootcompany.com/muck-woody-max-tall-realtree-edge-mens-waterproof/WDMRTE.html

Long Johns from Woolpower:
https://woolpower.se/en/shop/produkt/long-johns-w-fly-400/

And over these a SprayWay;
https://www.sprayway.com/products/hydrolite-mens-rainpant


Moving up and as a base layer a Woolpower:
https://woolpower.se/en/shop/produkt/crewneck-200/

Mid layer from Woolpower:
https://woolpower.se/en/shop/produkt/zip-turtleneck-400/

Wind stopper from Mammut:
https://www.mammut.com/eu/en/products/1011-01800/ultimate-vii-so-hooded-jacket-men

A RAB waterproof jacket:
https://rab.equipment/eu/firewall-jacket-qwh-32#

And last but not least the RAB down jacket:
https://rab.equipment/eu/infinity-jacket

Keeping those hands warm is that done by these from Hestra:
https://www.hestragloves.eu/highland-glove-5-finger-dark-forest

Or these from Valleret:
https://photographygloves.com/colle...ove/products/markhof-pro-v3-photography-glove

And should it get really cold do I have a pair of oversized mittens that can go over the above gloves from Valleret:
photographygloves.com

Alta Arctic Mitt Photography Glove

The Arctic is no joke, and this glove takes your warmth seriously. Like a sleeping bag for your hand, the (UNISEX) Alta Over-Mitt slips over any of the Vallerret gloves models adding that extra warmth and keeping your hands heated when you need it most. Inspired by the Vallerret founders’ days...
photographygloves.com photographygloves.com

Moving up and a buff from Buff:
https://www.buff.com/safety/product-family/polar-neckwarmer/

And a beanie from Woolpower:
https://woolpower.se/en/shop/produkt/beanie-classic/

And if it gets extreme will I wear this Fjälräven Nordic heater:
https://www.fjallraven.com/nl/nl-nl/vrouwen/accessoires/petten-en-hoeden-en-beanies/nordic-heater

Hope this can help.
 
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Walking is usually no problem even in the very low temperatures. No matter the clothing, if I walk its alright. The temps we have are usually not that low, but at very damp and humid conditions the -10 feels much colder. We rarely see -20 and if we do its dry and sunny.

However, the real issue is sitting still in a hide in such conditions. And I have not found a good way to do so. At the moment I am testing heated socks and vest. Just waiting for cold weather. The other try is Snugpack and military synthetic dawn layers. In terms of keeping hands warm, I would opt for chemical heaters. Also managing layers is super important.
 
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Wrogu said:
Walking is usually no problem even in the very low temperatures. No matter the clothing, if I walk its alright. The temps we have are usually not that low, but at very damp and humid conditions the -10 feels much colder. We rarely see -20 and if we do its dry and sunny.

However, the real issue is sitting still in a hide in such conditions. And I have not found a good way to do so. At the moment I am testing heated socks and vest. Just waiting for cold weather. The other try is Snugpack and military synthetic dawn layers. In terms of keeping hands warm, I would opt for chemical heaters. Also managing layers is super important.
Click to expand...
At -20, I think the most effective cold weather gear would be a wood stove or fireplace, a rocking chair, a cup of coffee and a good book. :D
 
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I have all kinds of cold weather jackets, from Arcteryx down to Mountain Hardware Goretex and Klim Badlands (for my motorcycling..), but I reached a new level with the Mackage parka I bought in Toronto last month. I can wear just a t-shirt below. As @Calson observed earlier, keep your core warm and you have more blood to spare for your extremities. Now I just need to get the cold gods back in action here in DC…
 
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