Posted by Phillip Noll on November 14, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Many of you are just as active (photographically) in the winter as in the summer. I read your stories about winter camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, etc. to get to remote places for pristine winter scenes, sunrises, and sunsets and I ask myself: How do you stay warm and dry? Considering the potential for disaster (hypothermia, frostbite, getting wet, etc.), having the proper equipment in these conditions is essential.
We’ve seen a recent beautiful photo posted by Marc Adamus where he tells of camping at -11F! Another recent photo shows Zach Schneph and Adrian Klein hunkered down in a windstorm at 8000ft. Looks bone-chillingly cold! I can’t imagine being out in these conditions. The coldest I’ve ever camped in a tent was +15F and I shivered all night (and slept little).
So, how do you all stay warm and dry in conditions like this? Would you be willing to let us know what types of clothes, equipment, etc. you use to not only survive in cold conditions but actually want to get out of your toasty sleeping bag and go take pictures? Perhaps someone would be willing to write an article?
For those of you who do winter photography, could you give specific advice regarding:
1.) Long Underwear. What’s best? Silk? Cotton? Polyester? Something else? What are good brands to consider? What does one need to know?
2.) Boots and socks. What makes for good winter hiking/snowshoeing boots? What kinds/brands of socks keep your feet warm? What types of boots? What materials?
3.) Pants. I doubt you wear blue jeans in these conditions. What types of pants do you wear? Are they Insulated? Waterproof?
4.) Torso/Chest. What types of shirts, pull-overs, jackets, coats do you use? Stay away from cotton? What brands and what materials? How do you layer?
5.) Head. What makes a good hat that keeps your heat in and is comfortable? What kinds of ear covering do you use? Scarfs? Do you wear goggles or sunglasses? If so, what do you recommend?
6.) Hands. What kinds of gloves do you find the best in cold conditions while shooting photos?
7.) What essentials do you bring with you? Hand/foot warmers? Lighter? Matches? What kind of sleeping bag? How do you keep your drinking water from freezing? What kinds of foods do you bring? GPS device? Maps? Chapstick? Anything else that is critical?
What other advice could you give to those of us who haven’t really ventured out into the great white of winter but would like to explore another aspect of photography (properly prepared)? Thanks in advance for sharing your insight and knowledge!
Posted by Dan Borzynski on November 14, 2008 at 10:37 AM
No cotton. Once the temperature drops to zero and Mother Nature is making a serious effort to kill you, cotton makes her job much easier. It doesn't wick moisture away, doesn't easily dry, and really isn't all that great of an insulator in the first place.
I'm a big fan of wool, but when it is really cold out, I am usually within safe walking distance of my car or buildings. I haven't done any serious winter camping or hiking in years, so there are others more knowledgable to handle most of your questions.
Hmm, as I think about it, I usually wear jeans through the winter. If I know I am going to be out, I'll usually wear a layer of my old winter cycling clothes below them. I still won't venture far from my car or heated buildings, simply because I know cotton jeans really are not a good idea.
Edit: one more thing. Don't forget your car in the winter. Make sure it is winterized, whatever that may mean for your area. If you are going to be driving backroads, throw some emergency gear in there. Shovel, food, sleeping bag, maybe another layer of clothes. Unless you are really in the middle of nowhere or conditions are really bad, someone will be through within a couple of hours, but
it can be a really cold couple of hours.
Posted by Steve Foss on November 14, 2008 at 11:08 AM
This is really about my perspectives on an extended day trip with a possibility of being forced to overnight, not about winter camping per se. Also, this is a boreal forest perspective rather than a climbing perspective. Of course, some of these tips will work well in all winter situations.
1.) Long Underwear. Brand: Helly Hansen. Next to the skin you should have a synthetic layer like polypropylene or a soft wool blend to wick moisture away from your skin. Most of us sweat to some degree during winter exertions, and even a little sweat clinging against the skin will chill you when you stop moving. Cotton holds moisture against the skin, and that's a very bad thing. Fleece, even micro fleece, also is bad as a skin layer, but makes a good second or third layer. I put on a tight upper and lower underwear layer of polypro against my skin, followed by a heavier wool blend underwear layer that's a little looser.
2.) Boots and socks. Same goes for socks as the above. Polypro liner, wool blend middle, pure wool outer. That's three layers, so the boots have to be big enough to allow your foot to move freely with those socks on. No foot movement means impeded circulation, and it's circulation that keeps your feet warm. In winter (there's really no climbing involved up here in the boreal forest), I'm always wearing Steger expedition mukluks, and they are two sizes larger than my foot size to accomodate the socks. If climbing is not involved, they are the very best. Lightweight, and since they are not pac boots with standard laces, your foot has plenty of freedom. Also perfect footwear for snowshoes.
3.) Pants. I sit for long periods of time, so I'm most interested in staying warm and still. I wear a set of camo bibs made by Cabela's that are GoreTex covered and insulated. I can keep them unzipped and loose on my way to a photo shoot to stay cool (or strap them to my backpack), then zip them up/put them on when I get where I'm going.
4.) Torso/Chest. No cotton ever goes on the first two layers closest to my skin for outdoor shooting, and when I'm seriously going to be out for a full day/overnight, the only cotton anywhere on my person is in some neckerchiefs I use to wipe moisture off cameras/gear. Cotton is bad for the reason already mentioned. If I'm sitting for very long periods, I have a Cabela's goose down expedition parka. Otherwise I use the heavy insulated GoreTex Cabela's parka that's the companion to my bibs, and if I'm going to be out and active all day and camo is not necessary, I use a Wintergreen two-layer anorak. So it's two layers of undies on top and bottom (no cotton briefs/boxers under the longies, either), then one or two layers of wool on my torso, then the parka/anorak. On legs it just depends, but it's still layered and non cotton.
5.) Head. Mostly, I use a simple camo knit stocking cap with face mask included. If it gets really windy, my windproof hood comes up to go over that. I also have neck gaiters that come along for when I'm sitting for long periods.
6.) Hands. I wear a pair of $1 synthetic knit one-size-fits-all gloves I get at the dollar store as the skin layer, and put them in Steger expedition mittens. When sitting and not shooting, my left hand always has both layers on, and my right hand either has both layers on or just the liner, and if just the liner, my hand is in the side pocket of my parka/anorak, along with a dry chemical hand warmer. There's enough room in the mitts for the handwarmers, too.
7.) What essentials do you bring with you? I always bring dry chemical handwarmers along, as well as matches, a butane survival lighter and a bunch of wood shavings stored in an old round plastic Ilford bulk film container with a strip of duct tape covering the screw-on lid seam for waterproofing. I also keep a head lantern in the camera backpack any time I'm in the woods. Hands-free light is GOOD light! I always have a handheld GPS and compass, and if it's unfamiliar country, a map, too. I've got plenty of rechargeable AA batteries along for my flash, and they work in the GPS, too.
So far, this all has worked down to -40 F.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on November 14, 2008 at 11:14 AM
1.) Long Underwear. What’s best? Silk? Cotton? Polyester? Something else? What are good brands to consider? What does one need to know?
2.) Boots and socks. What makes for good winter hiking/snowshoeing boots? What kinds/brands of socks keep your feet warm? What types of boots? What materials?
3.) Pants. I doubt you wear blue jeans in these conditions. What types of pants do you wear? Are they Insulated? Waterproof?
4.) Torso/Chest. What types of shirts, pull-overs, jackets, coats do you use? Stay away from cotton? What brands and what materials? How do you layer?
5.) Head. What makes a good hat that keeps your heat in and is comfortable? What kinds of ear covering do you use? Scarfs? Do you wear goggles or sunglasses? If so, what do you recommend?
6.) Hands. What kinds of gloves do you find the best in cold conditions while shooting photos?
7.) What essentials do you bring with you? Hand/foot warmers? Lighter? Matches? How do you keep your drinking water from freezing? What kinds of foods do you bring? GPS device? Maps? Chapstick? Anything else that is critical?
First off, in Colorado's mountains, layering is very important. I used to do quite a bit of winter climbing, but don't have as much time for it these days and don't have a reliable climbing partner. I used to think climbing fourteeners in January was great fun until I climbed one in 75mph sustained winds. That also kinda put a crimp on my winter climbing. One thing I learned when I started to do photography in the winter is that you have to stop and stand on the snow... and that makes it very cold. As a result I had to beef up my boot and pants layers.
1) I wear smartwool long underwear and I typically like a light base layer. I actually get very warm hiking in the winter and occasionally find myself down to just a t-shirt.
2) For boots I have several types. If I'm going to be out in severe cold, I have some -40F winter boots. If I'm going to be standing in that severe cold, I can place a felt pad in the bottom of the boot. If I'm just going out for snowshoe daytrip, I'll usually just wear regular hiking boots (Millet Bhutan is my current boot). For socks, again I tend to layer. I always wear a synthetic liner and in the winter I typically wear a wool main sock. I usually have a spare pair of socks with me.
3) I have a few different sets of pants. My favorite base pants are a ski pant which is waterproof and lightly insulated with a nice powder cuff. They happen to be made by spyder. In my winter pants, I always try to have a pant with full length side zippers, but these are not. If I happen to find the right pant, I will replace these. I also have synthetic down over-pants by mountain hardware and a goretex shell pant by mountain hardware to go over the whole thing. I bought those two items oversized so that they'll fit easily over whatever.
4) I for one don't worry that much about cotton shirts so long as I have other clothes. I find cotton t-shirts to be the most comfortable base layer. If it gets too sweaty, I can ditch it. My goal in layering is DO NOT SWEAT. If I start to sweat I shed layers immediately. If I know it will be very cold and stay that way though, I have a smartwool base layer that I will use instead. Then it goes into jackets. I carry three. I have a marmot soft shell (windstopper, light fleece and an outer shell fabric). Next I have a synthetic down quilted jacket. It doesn't weigh much, but it is VERY warm. Then I have a standard gore-tex mountaineering shell. Sometimes I'll also carry a down vest.
5) I wear a wool cap in winter and I use the hood of my shell. I have a few different wool caps. I don't use scarves. All of my jackets zip up tight around the neck.
6) For hiking I tend to wear a light glove all the time. Marker's spring glove is the perfect glove for me. When I stop to take photos I like to witch to a heavy mitten with a hand warmer inside. Then I just pull my hand out to adjust the camera and put it back in the mitten. I can fire the shutter with the remote release this way. I've shot 4X5 in -10F with this setup.
7) If your pants do not have good powdercuffs, then you'll need winter gaitors. I do bring hand and foot warmers, but be aware that they don't work if they don't get air. The ten essentials apply in winter too. First aid kit is still needed. I prefer paper maps over GPS. I bring plastic bags for my camera gear, but they can be used as vapor barrier liners if needed.
One thing you have not listed and it is critically important in Colorado/Utah/Wyoming/Montana and New Mexico... You need to have an avalanche beacon and you need to know how to use it and you need to be with someone who knows how to use it. Going out by yourself in winter is very dangerous in this part of the country, so its good to have a knowledgeable partner. You also need to make sure that someone at home knows your schedule and you need to stick to that schedule.
Posted by Jim Salge on November 14, 2008 at 11:30 AM
The most important thing that you bring into the backcountry with you is experience and judgement. Unfortunately, good judgement comes from much experience. But everyone has to start somewhere.
There are two ways I recommend to gain experience...
1) Take baby steps and build up confidence. Start with trails that parallel roads, and sleep near the car. Challenge your self with self sufficency, but have a safety net.
2) Join a group or bring a guide. People are usually more than willing to share their backcountry knowledge, and there are great sites all over the internet where outdoorspeople gather. As for guides, people are even more inclined to share if you pay them...
As for your specific questions, I'll explain what I do. My experience comes from living in the backcountry for four years, in some of the worst conditions imagionable, and now lead a high school outing club, who have many of the same questions and concens.
The best advice I can give you is to start at the trailhead cold. You will warm up quickly as you move. And always adjust about 5-10 minutes into your hike so you don't sweat. Try to keep sweat in the backcountry to a minimum in winter.
1.) Long Underwear. Layers are very important. Lightweight, breathable cloth is a must. I prefer polypro, but hear silk works well.
2.) Boots and socks. You want your feet to be comfortable, but not overdo it. Too many layers, or too tight a boot will constrict blood flow, and increase problems. I usually wear a poly liner sock, and a pair or two of wool socks, weather depending. Plastic mountaineering boots have replaced leather as a standard, but both work fine. Typically you aren't concerned about free water except at stream crossings, and both should have adequate repelency. Lastly, if a stream crossing looks particularly treacherous...it's better to take off the boots than over top them. Snow is a great water absorbing 'towel' on the other side.
3.) Pants. Again no cotton. Layers are important. Wool or synthetic soft shell/gore shell over a poly pro is my ticket. A windproof shell or snowpant can be important depending on conditions. The most important thing for me is ventilation. Side zippers of air flaps are very handy to regulate temperature.
4.) Torso/Chest. All that you mentioned A light base layer of moisture wicking poly, followed by a wool layer. Fleece or down depending on the conditions over that, and a waterproof / windproof shell. Variations weather depending. A hood is a must. Access to your wrists is very important as well for ventilation.
5.) Head. is your key to temperature regulation. You always want your ears protected in my opinion, but the head can be layered. For the extreme cold, I have an outdoor research windproof fleace beany that I wear under a fur hat. A poly beany over the windproof layer in the warmer stuff. I alway have a balaclava, neck gaiter and head/earband with me. Goggles are only important in the wind or extreme cold. Sunglasses are otherwise fine.
6.) Hands. Again layers. Mittens over gloves over liners. Flexibility is important. Hand warmers are a nice luxury.
7.)
Hand/foot warmers? Yes...sodium acetate
Lighter? Always
Matches? Always
What kind of sleeping bag? I prefer down in winter, and I bring a -20 with a liner
How do you keep your drinking water from freezing? Store it upside down in a bottle cozy. keep in in the center of your bag.
What kinds of foods do you bring? Power bars and energy bars freeze. Prechop them into bitesize morsals. Tea is a must for me. I am a backcountry pasta fanatic, with an easy pesto mix. Meat keeps very well in the winter as well. I also like beans for protien.
GPS device? Compass...batteries have limited life
Maps? ALWAYS.
Chapstick? Yes
Anything else that is critical? Traction for feet. Treking poles. First aid kit. Asprin. Bivy sack or tent. Foam pad or mat. Rope. Dry sacks. Stove. Plastic whistle. Experience. Judgement...
And yes...I ALWAYS bring my sleeping bag, pad and bivy for a winter dayhike...incase something goes wrong with me or someone else...
Have fun!
Posted by Mel Ladewig on November 14, 2008 at 11:31 AM
You know there is one other thing that I've learned about winter travel in Colorado. Its usually much easier to gain altitude if you get up on the ridges. If you hike in the valleys you're usually faced with deeper snow and avalanche chutes. The ridges here tend to be windblown bare to the rocks, which usually makes them unpleasant places to camp.
The trouble is that you'll usually want to camp in the valley and then will want to get up on the ridges for photography. The faces between the ridge and the valley are usually prime avalanche chutes.
Posted by Jim Salge on November 14, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Mel mentions stopping and standing in the snow can cause you to loose feet heat due to conduction. Whenever you stop, if you lay out a foam sleeping mat, it really helps!
Posted by Phillip Noll on November 14, 2008 at 1:37 PM
This is excellent info so far! Thanks so much guys!!
Posted by Mel Ladewig on November 14, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Thanks for the reminder Jim. I've done the trick of setting out a piece of closed cell foam to stand or kneel on too. It makes a big difference.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on November 14, 2008 at 2:26 PM
You've gotten some great information; I want to underscore a few points.
Steger Mukluks are, beyond serious question, the ideal footwear if you are walking or snowshoeing. If your activity involves extended walking or carrying a heavy pack, buy the contoured insoles for arch support. I froze my feet fairly badly in my mis-spent youth, and as a result they are extremely susceptible to frostbite now. I've never had a problem when wearing Stegers. I wear a wicking base layer and a medium-weight wool sock.
Moisture, especially sweat, is your enemy. It's not enough to dress in layers. You must be disciplined about taking layers off as you warm up and putting them back on as you cool down. If you sweat a lot - and I do - you need a base layer that wicks the sweat away, and then layers you can take on and off to get the sweat to evaporate as needed. I like light fleece as my base layer - REI sells a fine selection. Polypro is also good although by the end of the second day your body odor can stun an ox at 50 feet. I don't know what it is about polypro...
You really have to pay attention to what your body is doing. If you let yourself get sweaty, you're going to have a bad time when you cool down. After a while, it gets to be a habit.
25% of your heat loss is through your head and neck. I use fleece hats with windstopper fabric on the outside. If it's seriously cold you will also want a neck gaiter. I'm a big fan of turtle fur, a very soft fleece neck gaiter that wicks water and adjust up over your chin as needed. REI sells a nice selection of turtle fur neck gaiters.
For photography, you need your fingers, but in really cold weather, gloves by themselves are pretty useless. I use light fleece gloves as liners in big shell mittens. I pull the mittens off when I need to take photos. By the way, if your hands are cold when you are moving, it often means that you don't have enough insulation on your torso. Hands get cold because your body is reducing blood flow to them to keep the core warm. It's an involuntary survival reflex. The solution is more insulation on the core. Old time trappers in Alaska say, "If your hands are cold, put on your hat."
Keeping yourself warm is half the struggle; the harder bit is keeping your gear functional. But that's a separate subject...
Posted by Steve Sieren on November 14, 2008 at 2:37 PM
I like to keep it pretty basic.
-Solomon -40 degree boots (wool hiking socks)
-Airforce Pilot gloves for dexterity combined w/ a pair of flip top gloves.
-Snowboarding pants and polyester bottoms
-polyester baselayer top, hooded fleece, and down jacket
Posted by Jay Ryser on November 14, 2008 at 3:21 PM
I like the lists so far. Let me also add a few items:
1. Stay hydrated. In the cold, it’s easy to forget to drink regularly. The more dehydrated I get, the slower I go and the more things I miss. Bring a couple of liters in Nalgene bottles (use the wide mouth bottles so you can easily refill with snow) and use the Outdoor Research or other water bottle parkas to keep it from freezing. A vacuum bottle full of your favorite hot beverage might be nice too.
2. Think traction in slippery conditions – nothing like a big fall carrying expensive and heavy camera gear. If the trail is packed, I wear a pair of Grivel G10 crampons that strap to whatever footwear I’m wearing. I also carry a pair of snowshoes on my pack in case the snow gets deep or I lose the trail (or need to do a little trail blazing.
3. Trekking poles can be a life saver while plowing through deep snow. Use the big baskets in the tips.
4. I used to carry a bivy sack in the winter, but now I usually carry a 5x8’ sil-nylon tarp for emergency shelter
5. Always – ALWAYS – let someone reliable know where you are, your anticipated route, back up plans, the time to hit the panic button, and the number for SAR if needed
Posted by Richard Ditch on November 14, 2008 at 4:53 PM
I find I can stay relatively dry in winter if I don't exert myself too much and start to sweat. But perhaps you're asking about somewhere other than Phoenix, AZ?
Posted by Steve Foss on November 14, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Heck, Richard, it might be -30 up here and I still sweat a bit out on the snowhoes! Too out of shape, I reckon.
Posted by Phillip Noll on November 14, 2008 at 5:36 PM
I find I can stay relatively dry in winter if I don't exert myself too much and start to sweat. But perhaps you're asking about somewhere other than Phoenix, AZ?
Well, I was thinking 7,000 to 13,000 ft. up in the mountains mainly!
Posted by Lee Robinson on November 14, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Shorts, t-shirt, sandals. Shoot from the car!
Posted by Wayne Jones on November 14, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Phillip, you already have lots of great advice here, so I don't need to try to answer all your questions, but I can make a few points that may not have been mentioned (just skimmed the other comments), and reinforce a couple of points where you may have seen conflicting answers.
1. Layers -- YES! Just make sure you really use them, and for that to happen, you need someplace to put them. Chose a pack you can expand and compress, and attach things easily.
2. If you are tempted to make exceptions in winter clothing, remember two words:
Cotton Kills.
3. Where to Shop. The clothing you chose depends somewhat on the type of activity you do. If you are hiking all day in anything but extreme conditions and stopping briefly to shoot landscapes, you will be using much lighter clothing than you might imagine. However, If you are sitting around to shoot wildlife, that's a different story: Instead of just shopping at mountaineering shops, consider looking at top quality HUNTING gear for more sedentary activity.
4. Here’s some very general advice about shopping that I offer only because a couple of brands were mentioned. (This applies to camera gear as much as outdoor gear, and I mention this only partly with a wink of the eye to those who tell you to use some particular brand of anything). Brand Loyalty is a marketing tool that attempts to keep us from making logical, informed decisions. It plays on our psychological weaknesses related to tribal instincts. Look carefully at the features, materials and construction of any product, and don't assume anything is just what you need just because of the brand name. Long-established companies known for quality and reliability are usually good choices, but everything they make is not suited for every purpose, and many companies make some cheap stuff that they get to charge more for, just because SOME of their stuff is really good. Loyalty to your favorite sports team is fun, but getting tricked by the ad agency or an “expert” into thinking you are part of some company's team can lead to some stupid decisions
5. What you KNOW, and what you DO is more important than what you buy. Nothing you can buy is a substitute for learning, knowledgeable companions, and keeping your head. (Especially applies to hypothermia!) Being out – even being “lost” – in a difficult situation is not a life-threatening situation, but panicking is. So if you really take the time to learn what you are doing, you will be able to develop enough confidence to avoid panic, and enjoy one of Nature's most beautiful seasons.
Posted by Steve Foss on November 14, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Wayne, I agree. Brand loyalty is a two-edged sword, and in most cases there are many alternatives that are just as good as any brand mentioned.
I absolutely feel sorry for the head of the company of one of the products I mentioned (my mate used to work for the company owner, who is a certified psychological case in need of treatment), but because it's the very best product on the market for what it does, and because what it does is something I need very badly for my style of winter photography, I set aside my feelings for the person and uninhibitedly buy the product.
Lee, you suck. I mean that in the best possible way. Darn warm-weather hippies.
Late to chime in, and I haven't read all the posts, but I've got to pimp my two favorite products for winter or cold wet weather.
I keep several pairs of those cheap, disposable handwarmers on hand. They cost a little over a buck and if you keep them dry, they'll go for around 8 hours. The ultimate luxury when handling cold camera gear. Just slip one into each glove in the palm of your hand. They're small so you will hardly notice them. They die if you get them wet, so carry spares.
The second product is even cheaper and goes with the first. Disposable plastic gloves, the really thin ones you get at hardware stores- not the clear ones used by food service workers, BTW. Wear those as the first layer in your set of gloves, and they'll keep your hands dry even when the gloves get wet. Your hands stay a bunch warmer if you keep them dry. And in wet weather I just slip the handwarmer inside the plastic gloves. They may be "disposable" but I can get several weeks of use from a pair if I'm careful. And another BTW- They're so thin you won't even know they're there.
Posted by Steve Foss on November 14, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Hank, when you're out in the Alaskan winter (the brutally cold interior, not the relatively milder temps on Kodiak Island), I'm pretty interested to know what footwear you choose. I've been out regularly in my Steger mukluks with great results to -40F (and the mukluks went to the North Pole with Will Steger in 1986, though the company won't acknowledge publicly that they doubled the wool felt liners for the expedition), but I expect you've been there and done that in the interior.
So give. And does your sock regimen sing in tune with the chorus here?
It's been a few years since I was spending much time in -40 and lower, but when I was doing it in the 70's and 80's surplus military "bunny boots" were the hot item. In my normal temp range these days (almost never below 0), when I'm going to be mostly inactive I wear Sorel shoe packs with extra liners and one of those handwarmers taped to each sock on top of my toes. If I'm going to be active I've got a pair of boots that resemble "Maine Hunting Boots," but have two sets of liners- one felt and the other Thinsulate. You can wear them together or separately, and they're incredibly warm without being too bulky. I opt for them because they fit well for activity. I can't remember the brand- could have something to do with being in California at the moment rather than Alaska! If I was headed back into serious cold country, the hunt would be on for a modern replacement for bunny boots. Sounds like your Steger mukluks would be high on the list to investigate.
Posted by Steve Foss on November 14, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Yeah, the muks are perhaps the best commercially available options for truly lightweight extreme cold-weather footwear.
They were modeled after northern native mukluk designs, and while they've been adapted for fashion instead of function, there's plenty of function remaining.
As someone who wore pac boots in northern N.D. and Minn. for many years, I can swear an oath that the muks are much better for keeping feet warm in extreme conditions. The flexibility (which allows the foot to move within the muk and maintains circulation and thus warmth), is amazing. Very lightweight, too, and I've spent thousands of hours on them on and off snowshoes and XC skis. IMO, they are as good as it gets for extreme cold weather and weight vs insulation, as long as actual rock/mountain climbing is not involved.
Other than the flexible moosehide lower and canvas upper and rubber sole, there's nothing overly special about this footwear design-wise. The muks use the same wool felt liner that pac boots do, and come with a wool felt sole insert as well for added loft and insulation. Mine are now six years old, and for about $40 I can go into any outdoors store and buy Mens size 11 wool felt liners and a sole insert to replace those from the factory, and they'll have just the same insulating ability. I need to replace them because, over time, the liners/insoles get compacted and lose the loft and insulating ability.
One other point. While these mukluks are quite stylish, the soft rubber soles do not lend themselves to extended use on the concrete of city streets and sidewalks, and the company will no longer re-dip them in the liquid sole rubber once the original wears out, because they make a LOT more money selling new muks than servicing old ones.
The mukluk link has already been provided earlier in the thread.
Anyway, don't mean to sidetrack this thread into footwear-only. Onward!
Posted by Brad Kargus on November 15, 2008 at 6:10 PM
I'd just like to say thanks to Phillip for starting this thread and to everyone for generously sharing their knowledge. As someone who likes to do a little winter photography, it is much appreciated.
Posted by Kent Staubus on November 16, 2008 at 12:38 AM
I don't see -11 F as all that cold. Unless the wind is blowing 30 miles per hour, of course. Last winter I did most of my photography at night, standing around for up to an hour waiting for a train to come. It was usually below zero but I think the coldest it got was -28 F. I've been getting careless lately and dressing a bit lightly. I do keep plenty of heavy warm stuff in my car though. I don't wear any cotton of course, since it gets wet with sweat and then it is miserable. I prefer goose down for insulation in my coat. For pants I've just been wearing my Cabelas duck hunting pants that are Thinsulate & GoreTex. This is all I need down to about --10. I rarely wear any long underpants at all any more. Everything I wear on my outer layers is GoreTex so snow won't stick and melt, and so my hot humid air can get out too. I try to not put many layers over my elbows and knees because that makes me work harder. I think the single most efficient bit of clothing I have is a 700-fill goose down vest. It's an incredible boost. Socks are next in importance, then a good stocking hat that is also a face mask. The cold here rarely exceeds --30, but the wind out here on the prairie is just a killer. I cover every inch of me when that is blowing. Sometimes when I'm standing around waiting for a train out in the open I will dig a small "cave" into a snow bank to get out of the wind. Or, I just lie down in the tall grass. Since my clothing is all waterproof I don't get wet doing that and it gets me out of the wind. For boots I just wear my lightweight Browning kangaroo uninsulated boots to about zero degrees, then switch to heavier winter hunting boots with 800 gm Thinsulate (Danner boots in my case.) They have a very good snow tread on them as a bonus.
I have two jackets. One is a Cabelas Thinsulate parka, and I wear it down to about zero degrees. I wore it this morning out duck hunting. The parka length sheds wind very well.
When it goes below zero I have a Columbia jacket that is goose down with a detachable GoreTex shell. I can boost it by wearing the goose down vest, but rarely need to. I usually wear 200 wt. (medium weight) Polar Fleece shirts under it, depending. It's done a good job for me for the past ten years, but I'm starting to think about buying a new winter coat. I plan on taking some night photos in North Dakota this winter and want to get something a little heavier, just in case it does hit 50 below some night. I've been looking at products from a company called Canada Goose, but I'm just not sure their products are any better than what I can get from Columbia or North Face. I do want either dark green or black color as that absorbs heat if it's sunny out. I don't want red, orange, or some other high visibility color because I don't always want to be easily seen. Canada Goose seems to use duck down instead of goose down, and I've always thought goose down was the way to go. What are some other high performance winter clothing companies? I'd spend up to $400 for a coat since I'll likely use it for at least the next ten years. One downside to down clothing is if it gets wet, it is useless. The time of year I'm likely to be wearing it though the lakes have about two feet of ice on them. http://www.canada-goose.com/6c_mens.htm
I used to go for the heaviest winter clothing I could find, but any more I just acclimate myself every winter by not wearing any coat at all during the week days, such as getting the mail, filling my car with gas, and walking from my car to a store etc. That has allowed me to dress about one level lighter than I used to. One winter when we went to Yellowstone, it was about 10 above and I was used to 20 below back home. I was running around without any coat on at all during the day. People from Kentucky and Texas were astounded by that. I let one of the older guys borrow my goose down coat while he was there. I didn't need it at all.
The mukluks sound interesting, but I'm not sure how well they'd work with my thick Cabelas Thinsulate duck hunting pants. Can't really stuff those inside the boots, and the mukluks might be too thick for the pant legs to fit over. I sometimes wear gaiters when the snow is deep and I am snowshoeing.
Kent in SD
Posted by Roger Rouch on November 16, 2008 at 9:09 AM
From some recommendations on our regional forum, I got some Merino wool long underwear last year. It's great and I now prefer it to synthetic. It's less "clamy" and feels more like soft cotton and no itch like regular wool. Unfortunately, it's not cheap. Smart Wool is the brand I have and it's availible in different weights.
Discussion
24 repliesWe’ve seen a recent beautiful photo posted by Marc Adamus where he tells of camping at -11F!
So, how do you all stay warm and dry in conditions like this? Would you be willing to let us know what types of clothes, equipment, etc. you use to not only survive in cold conditions but actually want to get out of your toasty sleeping bag and go take pictures? Perhaps someone would be willing to write an article?
For those of you who do winter photography, could you give specific advice regarding:
1.) Long Underwear. What’s best? Silk? Cotton? Polyester? Something else? What are good brands to consider? What does one need to know?
2.) Boots and socks. What makes for good winter hiking/snowshoeing boots? What kinds/brands of socks keep your feet warm? What types of boots? What materials?
3.) Pants. I doubt you wear blue jeans in these conditions. What types of pants do you wear? Are they Insulated? Waterproof?
4.) Torso/Chest. What types of shirts, pull-overs, jackets, coats do you use? Stay away from cotton? What brands and what materials? How do you layer?
5.) Head. What makes a good hat that keeps your heat in and is comfortable? What kinds of ear covering do you use? Scarfs? Do you wear goggles or sunglasses? If so, what do you recommend?
6.) Hands. What kinds of gloves do you find the best in cold conditions while shooting photos?
7.) What essentials do you bring with you? Hand/foot warmers? Lighter? Matches? What kind of sleeping bag? How do you keep your drinking water from freezing? What kinds of foods do you bring? GPS device? Maps? Chapstick? Anything else that is critical?
What other advice could you give to those of us who haven’t really ventured out into the great white of winter but would like to explore another aspect of photography (properly prepared)? Thanks in advance for sharing your insight and knowledge!
I'm a big fan of wool, but when it is really cold out, I am usually within safe walking distance of my car or buildings. I haven't done any serious winter camping or hiking in years, so there are others more knowledgable to handle most of your questions.
Hmm, as I think about it, I usually wear jeans through the winter. If I know I am going to be out, I'll usually wear a layer of my old winter cycling clothes below them. I still won't venture far from my car or heated buildings, simply because I know cotton jeans really are not a good idea.
Edit: one more thing. Don't forget your car in the winter. Make sure it is winterized, whatever that may mean for your area. If you are going to be driving backroads, throw some emergency gear in there. Shovel, food, sleeping bag, maybe another layer of clothes. Unless you are really in the middle of nowhere or conditions are really bad, someone will be through within a couple of hours, but
it can be a really cold couple of hours.
1.) Long Underwear. Brand: Helly Hansen. Next to the skin you should have a synthetic layer like polypropylene or a soft wool blend to wick moisture away from your skin. Most of us sweat to some degree during winter exertions, and even a little sweat clinging against the skin will chill you when you stop moving. Cotton holds moisture against the skin, and that's a very bad thing. Fleece, even micro fleece, also is bad as a skin layer, but makes a good second or third layer. I put on a tight upper and lower underwear layer of polypro against my skin, followed by a heavier wool blend underwear layer that's a little looser.
2.) Boots and socks. Same goes for socks as the above. Polypro liner, wool blend middle, pure wool outer. That's three layers, so the boots have to be big enough to allow your foot to move freely with those socks on. No foot movement means impeded circulation, and it's circulation that keeps your feet warm. In winter (there's really no climbing involved up here in the boreal forest), I'm always wearing Steger expedition mukluks, and they are two sizes larger than my foot size to accomodate the socks. If climbing is not involved, they are the very best. Lightweight, and since they are not pac boots with standard laces, your foot has plenty of freedom. Also perfect footwear for snowshoes.
3.) Pants. I sit for long periods of time, so I'm most interested in staying warm and still. I wear a set of camo bibs made by Cabela's that are GoreTex covered and insulated. I can keep them unzipped and loose on my way to a photo shoot to stay cool (or strap them to my backpack), then zip them up/put them on when I get where I'm going.
4.) Torso/Chest. No cotton ever goes on the first two layers closest to my skin for outdoor shooting, and when I'm seriously going to be out for a full day/overnight, the only cotton anywhere on my person is in some neckerchiefs I use to wipe moisture off cameras/gear. Cotton is bad for the reason already mentioned. If I'm sitting for very long periods, I have a Cabela's goose down expedition parka. Otherwise I use the heavy insulated GoreTex Cabela's parka that's the companion to my bibs, and if I'm going to be out and active all day and camo is not necessary, I use a Wintergreen two-layer anorak. So it's two layers of undies on top and bottom (no cotton briefs/boxers under the longies, either), then one or two layers of wool on my torso, then the parka/anorak. On legs it just depends, but it's still layered and non cotton.
5.) Head. Mostly, I use a simple camo knit stocking cap with face mask included. If it gets really windy, my windproof hood comes up to go over that. I also have neck gaiters that come along for when I'm sitting for long periods.
6.) Hands. I wear a pair of $1 synthetic knit one-size-fits-all gloves I get at the dollar store as the skin layer, and put them in Steger expedition mittens. When sitting and not shooting, my left hand always has both layers on, and my right hand either has both layers on or just the liner, and if just the liner, my hand is in the side pocket of my parka/anorak, along with a dry chemical hand warmer. There's enough room in the mitts for the handwarmers, too.
7.) What essentials do you bring with you? I always bring dry chemical handwarmers along, as well as matches, a butane survival lighter and a bunch of wood shavings stored in an old round plastic Ilford bulk film container with a strip of duct tape covering the screw-on lid seam for waterproofing. I also keep a head lantern in the camera backpack any time I'm in the woods. Hands-free light is GOOD light! I always have a handheld GPS and compass, and if it's unfamiliar country, a map, too. I've got plenty of rechargeable AA batteries along for my flash, and they work in the GPS, too.
So far, this all has worked down to -40 F.
First off, in Colorado's mountains, layering is very important. I used to do quite a bit of winter climbing, but don't have as much time for it these days and don't have a reliable climbing partner. I used to think climbing fourteeners in January was great fun until I climbed one in 75mph sustained winds. That also kinda put a crimp on my winter climbing. One thing I learned when I started to do photography in the winter is that you have to stop and stand on the snow... and that makes it very cold. As a result I had to beef up my boot and pants layers.
1) I wear smartwool long underwear and I typically like a light base layer. I actually get very warm hiking in the winter and occasionally find myself down to just a t-shirt.
2) For boots I have several types. If I'm going to be out in severe cold, I have some -40F winter boots. If I'm going to be standing in that severe cold, I can place a felt pad in the bottom of the boot. If I'm just going out for snowshoe daytrip, I'll usually just wear regular hiking boots (Millet Bhutan is my current boot). For socks, again I tend to layer. I always wear a synthetic liner and in the winter I typically wear a wool main sock. I usually have a spare pair of socks with me.
3) I have a few different sets of pants. My favorite base pants are a ski pant which is waterproof and lightly insulated with a nice powder cuff. They happen to be made by spyder. In my winter pants, I always try to have a pant with full length side zippers, but these are not. If I happen to find the right pant, I will replace these. I also have synthetic down over-pants by mountain hardware and a goretex shell pant by mountain hardware to go over the whole thing. I bought those two items oversized so that they'll fit easily over whatever.
4) I for one don't worry that much about cotton shirts so long as I have other clothes. I find cotton t-shirts to be the most comfortable base layer. If it gets too sweaty, I can ditch it. My goal in layering is DO NOT SWEAT. If I start to sweat I shed layers immediately. If I know it will be very cold and stay that way though, I have a smartwool base layer that I will use instead. Then it goes into jackets. I carry three. I have a marmot soft shell (windstopper, light fleece and an outer shell fabric). Next I have a synthetic down quilted jacket. It doesn't weigh much, but it is VERY warm. Then I have a standard gore-tex mountaineering shell. Sometimes I'll also carry a down vest.
5) I wear a wool cap in winter and I use the hood of my shell. I have a few different wool caps. I don't use scarves. All of my jackets zip up tight around the neck.
6) For hiking I tend to wear a light glove all the time. Marker's spring glove is the perfect glove for me. When I stop to take photos I like to witch to a heavy mitten with a hand warmer inside. Then I just pull my hand out to adjust the camera and put it back in the mitten. I can fire the shutter with the remote release this way. I've shot 4X5 in -10F with this setup.
7) If your pants do not have good powdercuffs, then you'll need winter gaitors. I do bring hand and foot warmers, but be aware that they don't work if they don't get air. The ten essentials apply in winter too. First aid kit is still needed. I prefer paper maps over GPS. I bring plastic bags for my camera gear, but they can be used as vapor barrier liners if needed.
One thing you have not listed and it is critically important in Colorado/Utah/Wyoming/Montana and New Mexico... You need to have an avalanche beacon and you need to know how to use it and you need to be with someone who knows how to use it. Going out by yourself in winter is very dangerous in this part of the country, so its good to have a knowledgeable partner. You also need to make sure that someone at home knows your schedule and you need to stick to that schedule.
There are two ways I recommend to gain experience...
1) Take baby steps and build up confidence. Start with trails that parallel roads, and sleep near the car. Challenge your self with self sufficency, but have a safety net.
2) Join a group or bring a guide. People are usually more than willing to share their backcountry knowledge, and there are great sites all over the internet where outdoorspeople gather. As for guides, people are even more inclined to share if you pay them...
As for your specific questions, I'll explain what I do. My experience comes from living in the backcountry for four years, in some of the worst conditions imagionable, and now lead a high school outing club, who have many of the same questions and concens.
The best advice I can give you is to start at the trailhead cold. You will warm up quickly as you move. And always adjust about 5-10 minutes into your hike so you don't sweat. Try to keep sweat in the backcountry to a minimum in winter.
1.) Long Underwear. Layers are very important. Lightweight, breathable cloth is a must. I prefer polypro, but hear silk works well.
2.) Boots and socks. You want your feet to be comfortable, but not overdo it. Too many layers, or too tight a boot will constrict blood flow, and increase problems. I usually wear a poly liner sock, and a pair or two of wool socks, weather depending. Plastic mountaineering boots have replaced leather as a standard, but both work fine. Typically you aren't concerned about free water except at stream crossings, and both should have adequate repelency. Lastly, if a stream crossing looks particularly treacherous...it's better to take off the boots than over top them. Snow is a great water absorbing 'towel' on the other side.
3.) Pants. Again no cotton. Layers are important. Wool or synthetic soft shell/gore shell over a poly pro is my ticket. A windproof shell or snowpant can be important depending on conditions. The most important thing for me is ventilation. Side zippers of air flaps are very handy to regulate temperature.
4.) Torso/Chest. All that you mentioned A light base layer of moisture wicking poly, followed by a wool layer. Fleece or down depending on the conditions over that, and a waterproof / windproof shell. Variations weather depending. A hood is a must. Access to your wrists is very important as well for ventilation.
5.) Head. is your key to temperature regulation. You always want your ears protected in my opinion, but the head can be layered. For the extreme cold, I have an outdoor research windproof fleace beany that I wear under a fur hat. A poly beany over the windproof layer in the warmer stuff. I alway have a balaclava, neck gaiter and head/earband with me. Goggles are only important in the wind or extreme cold. Sunglasses are otherwise fine.
6.) Hands. Again layers. Mittens over gloves over liners. Flexibility is important. Hand warmers are a nice luxury.
7.)
Hand/foot warmers? Yes...sodium acetate
Lighter? Always
Matches? Always
What kind of sleeping bag? I prefer down in winter, and I bring a -20 with a liner
How do you keep your drinking water from freezing? Store it upside down in a bottle cozy. keep in in the center of your bag.
What kinds of foods do you bring? Power bars and energy bars freeze. Prechop them into bitesize morsals. Tea is a must for me. I am a backcountry pasta fanatic, with an easy pesto mix. Meat keeps very well in the winter as well. I also like beans for protien.
GPS device? Compass...batteries have limited life
Maps? ALWAYS.
Chapstick? Yes
Anything else that is critical? Traction for feet. Treking poles. First aid kit. Asprin. Bivy sack or tent. Foam pad or mat. Rope. Dry sacks. Stove. Plastic whistle. Experience. Judgement...
And yes...I ALWAYS bring my sleeping bag, pad and bivy for a winter dayhike...incase something goes wrong with me or someone else...
Have fun!
The trouble is that you'll usually want to camp in the valley and then will want to get up on the ridges for photography. The faces between the ridge and the valley are usually prime avalanche chutes.
Steger Mukluks are, beyond serious question, the ideal footwear if you are walking or snowshoeing. If your activity involves extended walking or carrying a heavy pack, buy the contoured insoles for arch support. I froze my feet fairly badly in my mis-spent youth, and as a result they are extremely susceptible to frostbite now. I've never had a problem when wearing Stegers. I wear a wicking base layer and a medium-weight wool sock.
Moisture, especially sweat, is your enemy. It's not enough to dress in layers. You must be disciplined about taking layers off as you warm up and putting them back on as you cool down. If you sweat a lot - and I do - you need a base layer that wicks the sweat away, and then layers you can take on and off to get the sweat to evaporate as needed. I like light fleece as my base layer - REI sells a fine selection. Polypro is also good although by the end of the second day your body odor can stun an ox at 50 feet. I don't know what it is about polypro...
You really have to pay attention to what your body is doing. If you let yourself get sweaty, you're going to have a bad time when you cool down. After a while, it gets to be a habit.
25% of your heat loss is through your head and neck. I use fleece hats with windstopper fabric on the outside. If it's seriously cold you will also want a neck gaiter. I'm a big fan of turtle fur, a very soft fleece neck gaiter that wicks water and adjust up over your chin as needed. REI sells a nice selection of turtle fur neck gaiters.
For photography, you need your fingers, but in really cold weather, gloves by themselves are pretty useless. I use light fleece gloves as liners in big shell mittens. I pull the mittens off when I need to take photos. By the way, if your hands are cold when you are moving, it often means that you don't have enough insulation on your torso. Hands get cold because your body is reducing blood flow to them to keep the core warm. It's an involuntary survival reflex. The solution is more insulation on the core. Old time trappers in Alaska say, "If your hands are cold, put on your hat."
Keeping yourself warm is half the struggle; the harder bit is keeping your gear functional. But that's a separate subject...
-Solomon -40 degree boots (wool hiking socks)
-Airforce Pilot gloves for dexterity combined w/ a pair of flip top gloves.
-Snowboarding pants and polyester bottoms
-polyester baselayer top, hooded fleece, and down jacket
1. Stay hydrated. In the cold, it’s easy to forget to drink regularly. The more dehydrated I get, the slower I go and the more things I miss. Bring a couple of liters in Nalgene bottles (use the wide mouth bottles so you can easily refill with snow) and use the Outdoor Research or other water bottle parkas to keep it from freezing. A vacuum bottle full of your favorite hot beverage might be nice too.
2. Think traction in slippery conditions – nothing like a big fall carrying expensive and heavy camera gear. If the trail is packed, I wear a pair of Grivel G10 crampons that strap to whatever footwear I’m wearing. I also carry a pair of snowshoes on my pack in case the snow gets deep or I lose the trail (or need to do a little trail blazing.
3. Trekking poles can be a life saver while plowing through deep snow. Use the big baskets in the tips.
4. I used to carry a bivy sack in the winter, but now I usually carry a 5x8’ sil-nylon tarp for emergency shelter
5. Always – ALWAYS – let someone reliable know where you are, your anticipated route, back up plans, the time to hit the panic button, and the number for SAR if needed
1. Layers -- YES! Just make sure you really use them, and for that to happen, you need someplace to put them. Chose a pack you can expand and compress, and attach things easily.
2. If you are tempted to make exceptions in winter clothing, remember two words:
Cotton Kills.
3. Where to Shop. The clothing you chose depends somewhat on the type of activity you do. If you are hiking all day in anything but extreme conditions and stopping briefly to shoot landscapes, you will be using much lighter clothing than you might imagine. However, If you are sitting around to shoot wildlife, that's a different story: Instead of just shopping at mountaineering shops, consider looking at top quality HUNTING gear for more sedentary activity.
4. Here’s some very general advice about shopping that I offer only because a couple of brands were mentioned. (This applies to camera gear as much as outdoor gear, and I mention this only partly with a wink of the eye to those who tell you to use some particular brand of anything). Brand Loyalty is a marketing tool that attempts to keep us from making logical, informed decisions. It plays on our psychological weaknesses related to tribal instincts. Look carefully at the features, materials and construction of any product, and don't assume anything is just what you need just because of the brand name. Long-established companies known for quality and reliability are usually good choices, but everything they make is not suited for every purpose, and many companies make some cheap stuff that they get to charge more for, just because SOME of their stuff is really good. Loyalty to your favorite sports team is fun, but getting tricked by the ad agency or an “expert” into thinking you are part of some company's team can lead to some stupid decisions
5. What you KNOW, and what you DO is more important than what you buy. Nothing you can buy is a substitute for learning, knowledgeable companions, and keeping your head. (Especially applies to hypothermia!) Being out – even being “lost” – in a difficult situation is not a life-threatening situation, but panicking is. So if you really take the time to learn what you are doing, you will be able to develop enough confidence to avoid panic, and enjoy one of Nature's most beautiful seasons.
I absolutely feel sorry for the head of the company of one of the products I mentioned (my mate used to work for the company owner, who is a certified psychological case in need of treatment), but because it's the very best product on the market for what it does, and because what it does is something I need very badly for my style of winter photography, I set aside my feelings for the person and uninhibitedly buy the product.
Lee, you suck. I mean that in the best possible way. Darn warm-weather hippies.
I keep several pairs of those cheap, disposable handwarmers on hand. They cost a little over a buck and if you keep them dry, they'll go for around 8 hours. The ultimate luxury when handling cold camera gear. Just slip one into each glove in the palm of your hand. They're small so you will hardly notice them. They die if you get them wet, so carry spares.
The second product is even cheaper and goes with the first. Disposable plastic gloves, the really thin ones you get at hardware stores- not the clear ones used by food service workers, BTW. Wear those as the first layer in your set of gloves, and they'll keep your hands dry even when the gloves get wet. Your hands stay a bunch warmer if you keep them dry. And in wet weather I just slip the handwarmer inside the plastic gloves. They may be "disposable" but I can get several weeks of use from a pair if I'm careful. And another BTW- They're so thin you won't even know they're there.
So give. And does your sock regimen sing in tune with the chorus here?
They were modeled after northern native mukluk designs, and while they've been adapted for fashion instead of function, there's plenty of function remaining.
As someone who wore pac boots in northern N.D. and Minn. for many years, I can swear an oath that the muks are much better for keeping feet warm in extreme conditions. The flexibility (which allows the foot to move within the muk and maintains circulation and thus warmth), is amazing. Very lightweight, too, and I've spent thousands of hours on them on and off snowshoes and XC skis. IMO, they are as good as it gets for extreme cold weather and weight vs insulation, as long as actual rock/mountain climbing is not involved.
Other than the flexible moosehide lower and canvas upper and rubber sole, there's nothing overly special about this footwear design-wise. The muks use the same wool felt liner that pac boots do, and come with a wool felt sole insert as well for added loft and insulation. Mine are now six years old, and for about $40 I can go into any outdoors store and buy Mens size 11 wool felt liners and a sole insert to replace those from the factory, and they'll have just the same insulating ability. I need to replace them because, over time, the liners/insoles get compacted and lose the loft and insulating ability.
One other point. While these mukluks are quite stylish, the soft rubber soles do not lend themselves to extended use on the concrete of city streets and sidewalks, and the company will no longer re-dip them in the liquid sole rubber once the original wears out, because they make a LOT more money selling new muks than servicing old ones.
The mukluk link has already been provided earlier in the thread.
Anyway, don't mean to sidetrack this thread into footwear-only. Onward!
I have two jackets. One is a Cabelas Thinsulate parka, and I wear it down to about zero degrees. I wore it this morning out duck hunting. The parka length sheds wind very well.
When it goes below zero I have a Columbia jacket that is goose down with a detachable GoreTex shell. I can boost it by wearing the goose down vest, but rarely need to. I usually wear 200 wt. (medium weight) Polar Fleece shirts under it, depending. It's done a good job for me for the past ten years, but I'm starting to think about buying a new winter coat. I plan on taking some night photos in North Dakota this winter and want to get something a little heavier, just in case it does hit 50 below some night. I've been looking at products from a company called Canada Goose, but I'm just not sure their products are any better than what I can get from Columbia or North Face. I do want either dark green or black color as that absorbs heat if it's sunny out. I don't want red, orange, or some other high visibility color because I don't always want to be easily seen. Canada Goose seems to use duck down instead of goose down, and I've always thought goose down was the way to go. What are some other high performance winter clothing companies? I'd spend up to $400 for a coat since I'll likely use it for at least the next ten years. One downside to down clothing is if it gets wet, it is useless. The time of year I'm likely to be wearing it though the lakes have about two feet of ice on them. http://www.canada-goose.com/6c_mens.htm
I used to go for the heaviest winter clothing I could find, but any more I just acclimate myself every winter by not wearing any coat at all during the week days, such as getting the mail, filling my car with gas, and walking from my car to a store etc. That has allowed me to dress about one level lighter than I used to. One winter when we went to Yellowstone, it was about 10 above and I was used to 20 below back home. I was running around without any coat on at all during the day. People from Kentucky and Texas were astounded by that.
The mukluks sound interesting, but I'm not sure how well they'd work with my thick Cabelas Thinsulate duck hunting pants. Can't really stuff those inside the boots, and the mukluks might be too thick for the pant legs to fit over. I sometimes wear gaiters when the snow is deep and I am snowshoeing.
Kent in SD