Hello Friends!
If you do not like the weather in the Colorado Rockies, wait 15 minutes! In fact, one part of town can be sunny and the other stormy!
It has been flurrying all morning and I figured today would be as good as any to give a brief overview about how I dress in cold weather.
This is not a post about surviving a snowstorm and most assuredly not a fashion statement.
Most heat is lost from the head, hands and feet. It is important to stay as dry as possible and dress in layers to avoid exposure and prevent overheating as well.
First of all, I want to let you know, I aquired everything pictured second hand or homemade.
Head Gear
When it is really cold, I pull out the Peruvian Alpaca head covering. It is warm and covers the ears. If it gets wet, I will still be able to stay relatively warm. A con to this piece of gear is that it does not protect the back of my neck very well. What can I say? It’s a hat.
A Buff, or Neck Gaitor made from Nylon,Lycra, and Spandex has multiple uses and drys quickly. I wear this around my neck and there is enough fabric to completely cover my head with it. It is also nicknamed, “the dirty girl” as you can carry one as a means to clean yourself in the woods. That is a blog post in itself.
When I was growing up, I despised sunglasses. I did not want to be thought of as too cool or look like I was hiding behind them. In snowy conditions, eye protection will reduce the chances of becoming snow blind.
When I am put together, I look ridiculously warm!
Your Hands
When I was a youngster, I did my best to stay warm with dollar store knit gloves. I got smart quick and put newspaper sleeves and mittens on to stay toasty and dry. I use the same approach outside when sledding, hiking or snowball fighting.
From the dollar store, I purchase vinyl medical type gloves and put them under my work gloves. Provided you are a little cautious about things, Your hands will be dexterous long after your friends are nursing hot chocolate.
Your Feet
Keeping your feet warm and dry is important. If you plan on being outside for a while, wear wool socks. Your feet will eventually get wet, but wool will regulate your temperature and draw water away from your feet.
Your shoes may vary. If you have wool socks on, your options increase. I prefer these water resistant Merrels. Mink oil is good to prolong their durability.
Layers
Cotton retains moisture and is a poor choice for staying warm. My first layer is a polyester T-Shirt.
Nylon is an excellent insulator and I prefer button down so I can roll my sleeves and vent the buttons as necessary. Especially after eating!
I am on the fence about sweaters. I like when all of my layers can be compression into a small area for easy carry. This Peruvian Alpaca sweater fits the bill. It is lightweight and wicks moisture away quickly.
Jackets
In the interest of staying warm, I do not care if I match. Sometimes others believe I am making a fashion statement because I can pull it off.
Down jackets hold heat in very well, but they cannot get wet. If it is rainy or wet, ensure this layer is underneath a water resistant layer.
My outer layer is my polyester/elastane North Face Jacket. Water seems to avoid this garment.
Pants.
As stated earlier, this gear is meant for cold weather, but not a snowstorm. It will keep you warm if you are moderately active and a little wet, but not soaked.
I prefer 60 percent polyester cargo pants. They do not stick and freeze to you easily and they do not restrict movement. With nylon undergarments to include hosen, and wool socks, you can function a good while outside.
Dressing this way, I comfortably backpacked in the Maroon Bells area for nearly a week in below freezing temperatures.
What’s that? …. Oh.. You want to see it all together.
Well, that is how I dress to stay warm in this Chinook Wind April weather.What are some ways you stay warm outside?
Author: Benjamin
Benjamin Thiel is a community leader, urban farmer, and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire. He might know a guy...
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Don’t cry! You can make ice cubes!
But I have to cry!
Oh… Well don’t waste all the tissue!
I already told you I won’t! That’s what the shirt you’re wearing is for. The one I’m wearing that is. I’m not that girly.
Looks at shirt 👕 notices that a snotty nosed little sister used it as a snot rag. Shrugs and moves on.
Hey now!!! Don’t take it that way!
If you look at my winter clothing post, … Oh, wait… This one… You can use my “dirty girl” for your snotty nose!😜
Yes this one! I thought it was cool but to tearful to say anything about it.
DIRTY GIRL?
It is a term that some hikers use for them. You can tie soap inside and get a lather. They clean easy and are not hard on sensitive areas like the nose.
That’s sick – plain sick!
No. It is business. When you are on the trail, these tools are helpful.
Yuck
Oh ok. You can wash it in a stream or boil it.
If you say so.
A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship.
Perhaps. It’s definitely the perfect beginning of a snowball fight.
I really enjoyed reading this. It reminds me of my 1st Christmas in NY! I got to experience similar to what you described. But here In California its always cold or chilly but we dont really need layers of clothing. We do wear head covering when its really cold and we always hv our jackets. Stay warm my frriend and be safe. Blessings
Thanks for the insight on California! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Very thorough. That would work well.
Thank you. I have put these ideas together over the course of several decades. I may elaborate on parts of this post down the road.
Stay warm, tornadoes in the South, wet and cold here in the big TX, feels like winter.
Most of the snow has already melted! Thanks for the info about the weather!
The temperature dropped about 20 degrees this afternoon. I am WFH so at least I do not need to go outside. Stay warm!
Brrr. It is snowing hard here.
Ouch! Too late for snow. We have high winds but no snow. Hopefully this is the last of the snow. ❄️ ❄️
No doubt, friend! Stay warm!
I’m in SoCal… pretty much the most I wear is nylons or leggings under loose pants, an extra shirt under a jacket, and an extra pair of socks. If that’s not enough, I don’t go outside!!
Oh… and maaaaybe a scarf or something to cover my ears. But that’s rare (I did it a year ago but it was special circumstances that caused me to go outside in temps below 55).
I like the buff or Neck Gaitor
Makes perfect sense.
Who is that social distanced masked man indeed? 😀
Ha ha!
Haha
When does summer start?
June 21st apparently.
Hmm.
Here summer starts in May. And ends in first week july.
Into fall? Or a different season?
After summer we have monsoon. (Rainy season) heavy rains throughout nation till september.
From November winter starts and goes till february last week.
Is it a good time for fishing?
I am far from sea.
Also, I am veg.
Also, I don’t think Indians fish as a hobby. But I can’t speak for 1.3 Billion people.
It is quite uncommon compared to in the US.
I did not think of that when I asked.
I wonder: do you eat the fish you fish, or do you release them again or do you just leave them outside?
I eat fish.
Okay.
What animals do you eat? Just curious.
I eat chicken, beef, and fish mostly. Sometimes pork.
Okay.
Yup! I am a Colorado girl and these items look familiar. 🙂
Ha ha, many of them are common here!
Cleveland is the same, but once it hits 35 degrees all bets are off on apparel!
Less or more apparel?
Oh, less for sure!
In the last week, we got another foot of snow with -30 temperatures and high winds. I’m more than ready for our 4 months of summer weather!!!
Wow! That is a lot of snow!
Proper clothing will save your hide!
That is why I wear pants!
Same.
Really enjoyed reading. Where I live, it’s doesn’t snow so I get to miss all those fun stuff you do in winter❄️❄️❄️ Sounds like you are having fun😀 we still have a month n half before actual winter starts here😊
Thank You Sanjana Singh! I cannot imagine having no snow! Where you live seems like an adventure every day where you can play Minecraft outside!
NICE WINTER WEAR!
Thanks! How is your weather?
Mine is also a bit chilly but sometimes a little of the sun’s warmth melts it down!
It melts pretty fast here as well!
YEP! It’s sunny mostly these days here!
I am happy it did snow. We need all the moisture we can get!
YEAH! I love snow!
I like snow in season!
YEAH!
🤣🤣
Did you like the post?
yes ⛄
I would look silly in India dressed that way! I bet I would be very hot with a jacket!
👌👌
In southern Alberta that’s warm weather wear!
Hello up there! Years ago, a man from Alberta brought a T Rex hot air baloon to Colorado Springs. It made a nis impression on us!
We also had snow today and yesterday was t-shirt weather!
Do you have a post on your adventuring apparel?
Haha no, I haven’t really been outside in a month except for our terrace, we’re on lockdown
We are as well. We are permitted to distance ourselves outside a bit.