Tricks and tips to handle the cold

[Howling]

Went to college in northern new York (almost Canada). Moved back to Massachusetts. Didn't wear a winter coat for a decade.

 

[Looking4new]

Went to college in northern new York (almost Canada). Moved back to Massachusetts. Didn't wear a winter coat for a decade.

Are you implying that it is cold in southern Ontario,Canada?

 

[Howling]

Are you implying that it is cold in southern Ontario,Canada?

Not sure if was cold but the beer was stronger. How much you could bring back across the border w/o duties depended on how many guys you piled in to the car.

Oh the college days with 18 year old drinking age.

 

[Budweiser John]

I'll let you young bucks brag about being immune to the cold bu t at 73, these ole bones need to stay warm.
My 'go to' winter work wear is Carhart ( black lined) bibs and hooded jacket which by the end of the season, have usually taken on a petina similar to fine antiques and an essence of diesel fuel, chain saw oil, wood smoke, and horse poop. Thankfully, the wife's heavy duty washing machine does it's thing and the outfit endures from one winter to the next.
For more social engagements, an assortment of Eddie Bauer parkas and jackets fill the bill depending on the activity and dresseyness of the occasion.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I seem to tolerate the cold better as I get older. At 70, I'm outside more than I was just a few years ago.

It's heat that has always bothered me. I can work up a sweat just thinking about working up a sweat.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Now, if for some really stupid reason, its necessary to go out when its below zero....
.

Many of us don't have a choice but to go out when it's below 0 deg F. Last winter I wouldn't have left my house for over 5 weeks straight when factoring in the wind if I had that luxury. The odd day here or there possibly but for many those temps go for weeks on end. It's all what you get used to. Life doesn't stop just because it's cold, nor does it stop when it's stupid hot and humid in the summer (yes we have both here in the Ottawa Valley)

 

[bigtiller]

I think one of the worst things about the cold is........... when your mustache freezes to your beard and someone tells a joke. When you laugh, it pulls a lot of hair.

 

[jfh28]

I think your body gets use to it.....20 in oct/nov and I'm freaking freezing........20 in jan and I've only got a light coat on......it was -6 the other night and that was cold.......in general when I'm out in cold I worry most about hands...feet....head.........down mittens are best for hands as you can ball your hands up inside them and take advantage of the body heat....learned that one back when I was a skier........for feet it's double layers of woolly socks and boots with insulate....head it's a knitted cap and then a tankers face mask I picked up at a military exhibition........also remember to drink a lot of water as the cold will dehydrate you.......but as others have said if you don't have to be out in it then stay inside and throw another log on the fire.......Jack

 

[hawkeye08]

I used to have a heavy duty pair of wool pants for when it got really cold, but have lost track of them..

 

[DrRod]

Thinsulate bib overalls -- I like those from Aramark [longer zippers especially on the legs where you out on boots, thinner denser quilting, better pocket placement, etc.].

A Woolrich vest. Vests add layers without binding your arms.

Korean war paratrooper boots -- the white Mickey Mouse boots with an inflator valve on the side [no downside limit on them].

If wearing regular boots, fold some tinfoil over your toes -- reflects heat and really works.

Below 0 -- all I need is a pair of warm fuzzy slippers.

 

[Woodeye]

I bought a pair of Muck boots, not the real heavy ones, went ice fishing last Saturday near Mercer Wisconsin. Temp was 0 F, feet stayed warm, I have been impressed, frankly would not have expected them to be warm enough for that. The Arctic models must be really warm.

 

[Bill Stecik]

Definitly Do not drink liquor that you left in your pickup box to cool off . The results can be disastrous .

 

[Industrial Toys]

That's why I keep it in the freezer!

I wish they made insulated bib overalls with a narrow leg that you could put into a pair of boots without having to carefully fold everything over to get into your boots. I thought the idea of wearing a high boot was to keep your pants out of the snow and muck.

 

[Bull Of The Woods]

Muck boots are AWESOME ! I have 2 pair. First I got the "arctic pro" which I think is the most insulation they have, or was at that time. Then I got the "chore" model with much less insulation. I use them for warmer weather when its really sloppy outside. And the others are for deeper snow and brutal cold. I love them both, wish I had found out about them years ago. FYI always wear at least a thin pair of socks, if you will have them on for more than 5-10 minutes. I will slip them on without socks sometimes just to go out and check the outdoor boiler, but if its gonna be longer you better have socks on. I did this once and ended up being outside for an hour or so and my feet got a little warm and I guess they began to sweat, Thought I was gonna have to cut them off!

 

[Woodeye]

Muck boots are AWESOME ! I have 2 pair. First I got the "arctic pro" which I think is the most insulation they have, or was at that time. Then I got the "chore" model with much less insulation. I use them for warmer weather when its really sloppy outside. And the others are for deeper snow and brutal cold. I love them both, wish I had found out about them years ago. FYI always wear at least a thin pair of socks, if you will have them on for more than 5-10 minutes. I will slip them on without socks sometimes just to go out and check the outdoor boiler, but if its gonna be longer you better have socks on. I did this once and ended up being outside for an hour or so and my feet got a little warm and I guess they began to sweat, Thought I was gonna have to cut them off!

My wife likes to slip my Mucks on for mailbox trips etc. She wants a pair now, I've never seen her wear anything but pretty kinda boots. Another 40 years and I will have her fully educated.

 

[Bull Of The Woods]

What's your plan if she drives your tractor? You might have to buy one for her.LOL

 

[newbury]

I think it made it up past zero yesterday, today it didn't quite get there. So far this has been a pretty warm winter. It's not that unusual to go a week or more never getting above zero. You learn to just limit your time outside. Not sure if there's any way of adjusting to the cold, some people just tolerate it better. Personally I keep waiting for Al Gore's promises to come true or when I retire I'm heading to a warmer climate.

Ah to complain about the cold.
Reminds me of last summer inside my workshop.

Just a mild 97 degrees in Mississippi.

-37 yesterday morning. Lots of layers and a Columbia BREATHEABLE jacket. Sat on the ATV and plowed no problem. Driving down to the next property, however, it was another matter. I should've had my full-face, heated helmet on. Had to drive very slow, or the tiny bits of my face that were exposed would have frozen.

I grew up in Northern Vermont, I always liked it when the temp was 40 below. It made the math easy.

-37.....that's degrees C, right ....computes to -34.6F........ nothing to it. Put on a sweater and head out

Man, that is toughing it. I'd also at least wear pants, socks, boots, and a toque or knit cap. Has anyone tried the DeWalt 20V Max heated jackets?

<snip>

The trick is to acclimatize yourself to the cold weather BEFORE it gets that cold.

Also let the indoor temps drop. I've got the heat set at 62F which keeps my workshop in the basement up to a toasty 55.

My wife likes to slip my Mucks on for mailbox trips etc. She wants a pair now, I've never seen her wear anything but pretty kinda boots. Another 40 years and I will have her fully educated.

Mucks are like that, he who has the biggest foot is the donor. SWMBO and all the children have always taken my size 13's by the back door as their "slip ons" for taking out the trash, getting the mail, letting the dog off the porch.

But the REAL trick to escape the cold is to move south. My first winter at where we are going to retire in Mississippi I don't think the temp got below freezing ALL winter. And the historical January AVERAGE LOW is 33 degrees F.

 

[dirt ditch]

During storms we have to put all the heat on the windshield in our trucks. For years my feet would get so cold during a 12 hour shift plowing snow that I tore my Achilles tendon twice. I finally got a pair of Muck boots. With heavy wool socks my feet stay warm. Even after the storm while outside cleaning equipment my feet stay warm.

 

[Looking4new]

When I plowed during storms after the windshield was clear I would put all the heat to the floor. Warm feet, warm body. Just open the windows 3" each and the windshield would stay clear and I could breathe cold air which kept me awake.
We didn't have to follow any log book rules in those days so 24 hour storm fighting was the norm.

 

[CobyRupert]

Went to college in northern new York (almost Canada). Moved back to Massachusetts. Didn't wear a winter coat for a decade.

Clarkson, Potsdam (Madstop) or Plattsburgh?
I went to both places. Tundra.