rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 21, 2016 9:09:07 GMT -8
In the arctic, I found I had to really shake them around a bit before they really warmed up good I don't know if shaking does anything, but with the ones I got, I have to leave them fully exposed for quite a while before they get really warm, like it's a slow reaction (and now I can join you in the OOC).
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Post by BoomersAreBack on Oct 29, 2016 18:59:57 GMT -8
Lots of great information here. Thank you. Aerogel insoles will be in my shopping cart soon. Down overboots - never heard of such a thing. I'll Google that and vapor barrier socks too.
Once I'm in my sleeping bag I'm okay.
Any brands/models of insulated boots anyone want to suggest?
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Oct 29, 2016 20:54:32 GMT -8
Any brands/models of insulated boots anyone want to suggest? Sorel makes good boots. What temp range are you looking at reaching?
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Post by BoomersAreBack on Nov 6, 2016 7:46:57 GMT -8
" "Sorel makes good boots. What temp range are you looking at reaching?"
20 degrees F, but due to prior frostbite my feet are very cold. So say 0 degrees. I will be backpacking so I am leery of pac type boots, but only because something I read that indicated their fit is sloppier than regular boots. I've never worn them myself.
(Just saw Sorel Conquest Mid OutDry boots will be going on sale at a retailer I buy from. Any comments on them?)
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panatomicx
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Post by panatomicx on Nov 6, 2016 13:12:51 GMT -8
I have a pair of Black Diamond Mercury mittens Very good mittens. But for some reason the current men's model don't have leashes, which I think are essential for winter. I bought the women's large which do.
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crick
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Post by crick on Nov 7, 2016 8:26:50 GMT -8
The best option is to go for hand warmers. There are some rechargeable ones as well which can double up as power bank. But the best option is to go for chemical hand and body warmers. Here is a nice article on this (Amazon affiliate site) gearhose.com/best-hand-warmers/
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Nov 7, 2016 10:26:03 GMT -8
20 degrees F, but due to prior frostbite my feet are very cold. So say 0 degrees. I use Columbia Titaniums in temps down to 0. In -60F, I use Sorel -100F boots. I don't know how these companies decide their ratings but I run relatively hot and still go significantly below their rating and still question how warm they are. The current Columbia Titaniums are rated at -65F but look just about the same as the ones I purchased. I'm pretty sure they were rated at -20F but maybe it was -40F. Either way, I want warm feet and would side on caution.
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panatomicx
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Post by panatomicx on Nov 7, 2016 13:39:16 GMT -8
Someone asked me what leashes I was referring to. Very good mittens. But for some reason the current men's model don't have leashes, which I think are essential for winter. I bought the women's large which do. Remember when you were 2 yrs old you had gloves with little clips attached to your jacket? Same principle, they are cords which attach the gloves to your wrists. Two reasons: you never want to put your gloves down on the snow-snow can get in them, and if you're on a steep, windy trail they can get blown away. Putting your gloves down is a no-no. Also when winter hiking you're constantly taking clothes off and putting them back on. Many times it's easier to just let the gloves hang from your wrists.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Nov 7, 2016 14:11:25 GMT -8
I you never want to put your gloves down on the snow-snow can get in them, and if you're on a steep, windy trail they can get blown away. Putting your gloves down is a no-no. Very real concern for me when winter hiking. In the arctic, I wouldn't step outside my shelter without my gloves leashed during storms. Frostbite was mere seconds away with a 70mph wind and -60F temps.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Nov 7, 2016 19:43:50 GMT -8
You've gotten awesome advice. Here is what works for me: Down camp booties with thick cabin socks and/or a chemical warmer inside. Mittens always trump gloves, and most ski type mittens have a zipper compartment for a handwarmer packet. Good booties are great. I added a insulated Sorel footpad liner to mine and they are very insulated from the ground. After a long day in snowshoes and/or crampons nice to get out of your boots to something warm and comfy. I also would do what someone else suggested here. Dust off the snow and wear them to bed. I just sleep better when my feet are warm. They are nice if heaven forbid you have to pee in the middle of the night. Just let them cool for a few minutes outside the bag before stepping into the snow. I gave up on gloves a long time ago and just use mittens now. If you are wearing leather boots make sure you open up the boots so when they freeze you can get your feet back in them.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Nov 8, 2016 5:51:50 GMT -8
If you are wearing leather boots make sure you open up the boots so when they freeze you can get your feet back in them. If you spend a bit of extra time at the beginning of winter rejuvenating the DWR on your leather boots, they won't freeze at all and will feel much warmer (being bone dry).
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Nov 8, 2016 7:08:29 GMT -8
If you are wearing leather boots make sure you open up the boots so when they freeze you can get your feet back in them. If you spend a bit of extra time at the beginning of winter rejuvenating the DWR on your leather boots, they won't freeze at all and will feel much warmer (being bone dry). The moisture in my boots comes from the inside. Even in the cold my feet sweat. The boot liner can't/shouldn't be waterproofed as far as I know. I wear a light wicking sock with a heavy rag wool over them. I pull the wicking socks up my calf and it seems to help transport moisture out of the boot. Also the polypro wicking socks are relatively "slippery" and I believe reduce chances of chaffing/blister. Although after a bad experience with heel blisters on a trip that required a lot of crampon travel I usually put a fair sized patch of Moleskin on my heels at the start of a winter trip. It gets so rubbed on that it is almost tough to get it off after the trip. Also I thought of another suggestion. I don't need it but an older guy I winter camped with brought a nice down vest. Light and packs down small. He said the extra warmth of his core helped stop his hands and feet from shutting down and getting cold when he needed it. He also wore it to bed sometimes when cold/fatigued.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Nov 8, 2016 8:06:51 GMT -8
The moisture in my boots comes from the inside. Even in the cold my feet sweat. The boot liner can't/shouldn't be waterproofed as far as I know. I misunderstood what you were posting. Based upon what I gather from your skill level, I'm sure you already know this so I'll just share this for others - Take your insoles out and put them in bed with you. They'll dry out overnight and be warm in the morning. In regard to wearing a down parka/vest to bed, I recommend just laying it over the top of you inside the bag vs. actually wearing it. It will provide almost double the loft/insulation vs. wearing it.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Nov 10, 2016 6:50:19 GMT -8
I misunderstood what you were posting. Based upon what I gather from your skill level, I'm sure you already know this so I'll just share this for others - Take your insoles out and put them in bed with you. They'll dry out overnight and be warm in the morning. I do that but only when the temp is below about 26F. On the east coast USA here that's the temp when the humidity drops to near zero. Then things dry well like this. Wearing breathable booties in the cold can help dry out by body heat insoles and socks to a certain degree. But if there is humidity moisture tends to not go far and make sure things, like your sleeping bag, that need to be dry don't get all damp doing this. Another factor in considering this is when the temp is very cold. The water vapor moves through the bag and somewhere between you on the inside and the outside of the bag the insulation goes to below freezing and the water vapor condenses into frost in it. Under the right (wrong?) conditions I have had big crunchy ice heaves in my bag by the end of a long trip.
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Post by leadbelly on Nov 17, 2016 13:22:50 GMT -8
booties with a good thick closed cell foam 'sole' encased in nylon will definitely improve the situation for your feet. the problem with windstopper gloves, and i have run into this before, is that there isn't actually much insulation. thicker fleece or wool mitts will help with your fingers.
one unsung cause of cold hands/feet is food and fluid intake. you have to consume more calories than normal in cold weather to stay warm, stay hydrated, and preferably help your core temperature with warm liquids like tea or hot chocolate.
finally, adding a down vest, good ones weigh a half pound or less, can really help keep your core warm so long as they don't compress the fill in your outer jacket.
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