davwil Posted January 10, 2004 Share Posted January 10, 2004 My old *Parka extreme cold weather combat* is kinda getting old. I live near Base (ie: CFB Gagetown) and have seen some of the new gear coming out. I know the basic rules about dressing warm... but as a civilian I do not have the great training (?!?) that the Army has. Can you give advice about dressing for extreme cold weather and what should I purchase and where (specially around Freddy Beach). TKS, Dave Quote Link to comment
+Bzzliteyr Posted January 10, 2004 Share Posted January 10, 2004 Hey Dave.. it's all about layering.. I have all of us dressed in 3 in 1 jackets and with winter boots (mukluks). It's nice to have long johns and warm socks on. Don't forget a hat as that is where most of any heat escapes. I am investing in some snowshoes for the family that I hope are going to make winter caching that much more fun.. I believe www.mec.ca has sections on winter dressing.. you could also try www.clubtread.com but that's a western Canada site.. still lots of info there. Good luck! Quote Link to comment
gm100guy Posted January 10, 2004 Share Posted January 10, 2004 I still wear the old army cold weather gear that I have. But my kids the fashion police won't be seen with me in public sometimes. The above post is right though it is all in the layering that you do. Quote Link to comment
+eroyd Posted January 10, 2004 Share Posted January 10, 2004 I still find a good dense wool better than fleece, especially when there's moisture involved. One of the best deals in pants are the old Germain Army pants. They are dense preshrunk wool re-enforced in the right places plus a water resistant inner liner on front of the legs, just the place we scoop up a lot of moisture. These pants are pretty snazzy if your into the Fred Astaire look. If your active it is well worth spending money on hi-tech underware that wick's chilling moisture away from the skin. They really work a lot better than the old cotton crap. Polypropolene and Chlorofibre I think are a couple of the materials. Quote Link to comment
Spud_Potato_Head Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 MEC definitely has some great stuff. Doing ice climbing and mountaineering has taught me a few lessons in staying warm. Layering is the way to go, but also consider venting, that is the ability to cool off the clothes without removing them. The pants I don't leave home without are MEC's Callisto Polartecs: (copy the whole link) http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail....D=1074008800577 These have 3/4 zips on the legs to cool off the legs while moving quickly. When you're taking a break, you do the zips up and you're toasty warm. MEC has a great polar fleece top that does a great job of breaking the wind, as well as providing flexibility in the arms where most polar fleece fall short. http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail....D=1074009117677 I also have a North Face Karakoram shell. It's a 3/4 length sehll that is completely water and wind proof. It has a massive hood, generous pockets and is denier rip stop nylon. It also has large pit zips for venting. This coat is about 8 years old, but looks like I bought it yesterdaty. Not sure what the current model is, but if you look for those features, you'll get a great product. Sure, they may cost a little more, but they'll work exceptionally well and last you a long long time. Quote Link to comment
+Halden Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 I have: North Face Micro Fibre shell Sierra Designs Fleece Liner A MEC Down Vest Burton Nylon/cotton lined snow pants Mec Cotton liner gloves leather outer Mitts Sorel -40 rated boots Various Toques and scarves All of which are used in various combinations depending on current conditions. Quote Link to comment
+Ducky Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 Hey Dave.. it's all about layering.. I have all of us dressed in 3 in 1 jackets and with winter boots (mukluks). It's nice to have long johns and warm socks on. Don't forget a hat as that is where most of any heat escapes. I am investing in some snowshoes for the family that I hope are going to make winter caching that much more fun.. I believe www.mec.ca has sections on winter dressing.. you could also try www.clubtread.com but that's a western Canada site.. still lots of info there. Good luck! A good way to improve the warmth of your 3-1 jacket is to seperate the fleece from the jacket and zip it up seperately. It will allow you keep warmer and vent without freezing yourself. If you have a waist strap in the coat use it. it keeps the warm air in the jacket. Quote Link to comment
+Ducky Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 My old *Parka extreme cold weather combat* is kinda getting old. I live near Base (ie: CFB Gagetown) and have seen some of the new gear coming out. I know the basic rules about dressing warm... but as a civilian I do not have the great training (?!?) that the Army has. Can you give advice about dressing for extreme cold weather and what should I purchase and where (specially around Freddy Beach). TKS, Dave The new kit is a vast improvement over the old stuff which is of the 1960,s design. I was posted to petawawa and it got a lot of use but I found I could use the combat coat with proper layering for most of the winter as the extreme cold parka was way to warm, I could only wear a t shirt under it! funny it took 40 years to get new stuff, sound like the Seaking and [gm100guy] is right about the fashion police , I have both the airforce and the army kit. I don't care what my scouts and family think I'm warm and dry and that's what counts in the end Quote Link to comment
Fire Eater Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 (edited) Dissregard Edited January 17, 2004 by Fire Eater Quote Link to comment
+Fish Posted January 19, 2004 Share Posted January 19, 2004 And if the wind is going through the zipper..... You can use Duct tape to seal it! Quote Link to comment
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