Cold Weather Clothing

[johnnytheboy]

Now here is a thing, I am allergic to wool, it's a right nuisance but I need some ideas for cold weather clothing.

I think I have top layer sorted as I wear a primaloft Northface jacket as my mid layer and a waterproof goose down jacket as my outer layer.

My problem is I need top and bottom base layers non wool, possibly even a one piece.
I also need insulation for legs, this year I lost allot of heat through my legs in the real cold and it started to affect my core temperature.

Ideas please?

 

[tiger stacker]

Pop into leckies above the car park at Grahamston. silk is used by those who ski, worth trying out.

 

[sunndog]

any old micro fleece base layers and Buffalo or snugpak mid and outer spring to mind

 

[Harvestman]

Another vote for silk. I use silk glove liners as a very handy thin glove that gives surprising warmth with little loss of dexterity. Their only downside is they are prone to ripping if you handle anything coarse textured like wood.

 

[johnnytheboy]

Gloves and headwear I'm ok!

sunndog, that's perfect, snugpak do trousers and salopettes, I could wear them under a Goretex thinsulate bib and brace! Super!

 

[ADz-1983]

Montane Prism pants also use Primaloft so you should be ok with those as well if you're ok with a Primaloft top.

 

[Old Bones]

Trusty HH Lifa's, Cotswold have a twin pack for £40 - http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/helly-hansen-mens-lifa-twin-pack-19110267?id_colour=124

They do warm (as in really warm) as well. TKmaxx sometimes has stuff in.

Insulation for legs - I use the Aldi Thermal trousers I've had for the past couple of years (which I much prefer to the Craghopper lined ones), and they've got some fishing trousers which look cheap enough to give it a go, but a look on Outdoor Magic will probably bring up some ideas.

I know what you mean about wool - even merino can be a bit dodgy for me, although I've just about got away with some Saloman socks, and possibly a scarf. And the Endicotts half wool Italian top lasted 15 seconds before it when to the charity shop.

 

[santaman2000]

How are the prices at UK surplus stores? I fitted out my oldest grandson in military surplus cold weather polyester thermals for $1.75 per each top and bottom.

 

[tiger stacker]

How are the prices at UK surplus stores? I fitted out my oldest grandson in military surplus cold weather polyester thermals for $1.75 per each top and bottom.

Depends where you look.....most tops n bottoms retail from under a fiver to tenner max. Yet walk into a big asda/tesco/sainburies, to see their clothing range around the same price.
I picked up a pair of black thermals from M&S which are still going strong five years on.

 

[santaman2000]

Depends where you look.....most tops n bottoms retail from under a fiver to tenner max. Yet walk into a big asda/tesco/sainburies, to see their clothing range around the same price.
I picked up a pair of black thermals from M&S which are still going strong five years on.

So it would seem that you have quite a few inexpensive options.

 

[baggins]

Depending on how cold it's going to be. you could have a look at the Swedteam pile underwear. very reasonably priced, and seems to be designed for hunters waiting in blinds etc. have a look at bushwear.co.uk.

 

[johnnytheboy]

Thanks everyone, Santaman, money is no option on this front, I hate being cold. The last time we were out the cold came through my feet and legs I ended up with uncontrollable shivering, came home had a warm bath and still couldn't stop the shivering, went right to bed and couldn't get it under control. My upper body insulation was fine couldn't feel the cold coming through or any heat loss through cold spots in the jackets.

Baggins im in bushwear allot, they aren't far from me, I'll have a look next time I'm in but this could be a base layer option under the snugpak trousers! It is blind hunting we are doing and its a cold hole to be in when the weather closes in.

 

[rik_uk3]

John,

I don't want to worry you but before you explore new kit you should without doubt, and as quick as you can get to your GP; explain your symptoms and ask for a full set of blood tests to be taken together with whatever else he or she wants. Don't ignore this post, I'm not out to worry you but lets rule out physical problems before you splash out on new kit.



I'm a retired nurse with my 'worry hat' on.

Richard

 

[johnnytheboy]

Rik, I'm fine now! At the time it was abit of a worry! It's just a really cold place it's like the cold settles in the area we hunt and the thing about blind hunting is when the weather comes in your staying put as your there for a purpose, just about any other activity you'd walk out or head home sharpish! The worse the weather the better!

I'll be cruising Lidl and Aldi to see what they have! Hopefully get to a moutain shop and get a look at the Helly Hansen Gear, as well as bushwear and hopefully pick up a summer deal on the snugpak trousers, that A-Tac colour is superb!

Thanks everyone one for the ideas!

 

[Toddy]

Not being cheeky, but see when you're sitting getting a chill right through you like that, and you can't move around to ease any warmth into you ? A couple of those wee clicker gel pads are awfully useful
They slip into your pocket and don't get in the way of anything, click one and hold it between your wrists or tuck it down inside your socks…they only heat up to 54C so they won't burn you, but that little extra warmth is a blessing and I find it can be just enough to head off the shivers.

Back home and put them into a pan with hot water and bring up to the boil, switch off after a few minutes and let them finish re-setting and cooling down in the water.
Ready to go again.
I have some I've been using for ten years and they're still brilliant.
The small ones are good, but the larger ones are worth the price difference. I don't think I've paid more than a fiver for a set of two large ones, and I know that some of the little ones were two for a £.

cheers,
M

 

[santaman2000]

....The last time we were out the cold came through my feet and legs I ended up with uncontrollable shivering, came home had a warm bath and still couldn't stop the shivering, went right to bed and couldn't get it under control. My upper body insulation was fine couldn't feel the cold coming through or any heat loss through cold spots in the jackets.

Baggins im in bushwear allot, they aren't far from me, I'll have a look next time I'm in but this could be a base layer option under the snugpak trousers! It is blind hunting we are doing and its a cold hole to be in when the weather closes in.

John,

I don't want to worry you but before you explore new kit you should without doubt, and as quick as you can get to your GP; explain your symptoms and ask for a full set of blood tests to be taken together with whatever else he or she wants. Don't ignore this post, I'm not out to worry you but lets rule out physical problems before you splash out on new kit.



I'm a retired nurse with my 'worry hat' on.

Richard

+1 on this one. Sounds more like a physiological problem than a clothing problem. Could be wrong of course but seems better to get it checked and ruled out if nothing else.

If indeed it was/is a clothing problem then the mil surplus underwear is still one of the better options for that layer (not just a cost thing, it's actually good stuff)

 

[johnnytheboy]

Toddy, I use the zippo hand warmers, they seem to burn allot warmer and longer than the click type ones, you just need to remember to light them before you go as they are a bugger to light with any kind of wind.

I have hunted since since with no issues so I'm sure im fine! This one particular night I watched the pond in front of me freeze over, never seen that happen before! I could feel the heat soaking out of my thigh muscles. My gun started seizing up with the cold as well!

 

[johnnytheboy]

An update on this is Cabelas sell off all their cold weather clothing come the end of the season, so I got the Goretex insulated salopettes, they are like a sleeping bag!