Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska COLD WEATHER clothes?

I'd like to hear what you FAR north Alaskans think the best cold weather clothes are.

Clothes for outside all day, all night, NOT, sit around type clothes.
Clothes that can stand up to rough use like industrial work, trapping, riding a snow-machine through brush/limbs, etc. . Wet snow, windy all day and you're still comfy ??

You coming up?

I’m not in the FAR north of AK, but I’ve worked on the slope, and still regularly work in the interior. -40 is common in my working conditions.

What you’re asking for doesn’t exist in a single kind of garment. Snow isn’t wet when it’s really cold. Riding a snow machine is not a static activity and it’s easy to get overheated if you’re overdressed.

Layers is the key, and varying your garments for the specific conditions at the time and place.

For footwear, it’s a no-brainer: bunny boots. For basic light labor work, I wear carhartt bibs and jacket. For extreme warmth when it’s -40 or below, I wear silk long underwear, polypro above that, then street clothes, then a down puff jacket with a set of quilted poly bibs I still have from when I was in the Army then a synthetic shell.

For snowmaching I use a basic off the shelf set of Klim jacket, bibs and gloves. I’ve only ridden down to about-20 or so, so take that for what it’s worth.

For on the slope, FR carharts we’re provided by my employer, but I never spent for than 30 minutes or so outside- there was always a running truck nearby.

Ironbender,

No, not coming to Alaska, moving to Idaho mountains and going to do a lot of trapping/hunting.
And by far north Alaska I just meant Alaska, figured you folks would know what works best.


LoadClear,

That's about the answer I expected, layers is always the way to go.

I looked at some sub-0 heavy-duty clothes, Iron Tuff and others and wondered if anybody up there used them or similar.

https://refrigiwear.com/category/54-gold-collection/

The price on those is in line, or a bit less than the stuff I wear, and they look pretty good, but I’ve never heard of them.

I’d always be cautious about wearing a jacket “rated to -54” because conditions change so much in a day, or even a couple miles, that I’d want the ability to add or drop clothes throughout the day… as an example, I was working north of Denali Park last week. In town on the highway, it was +33 degrees (in which case I just wear my daily wear jeans and jacket). 3 miles north of town it was +5, and a few miles past that, it was -12.

Huge difference for spending a couple hours outside, and a completely different type of dress.

I wonder what you have to wear under a coat like that to be comfy in -54, I was in Wyoming a dozen years ago -40 with 25mph breeze. < Crazy cold to me, I think a coat would have to be a foot thick to keep a person ?warm?

Never seen temps vary like you mentioned - thats wild.

Last winter, I had a job that was outside for about 3-4 hours off the Denali Highway just east of Cantwell. It was -47 if the truck thermometer can be believed. I was wearing the stuff I mentioned above with the down puff jacket and shell etc. I had my authentic purchased in beautiful Eek, AK seal skin hat, with a neoprene face mask (winds were maybe 10-15?).

The only part that was really cold was my hands since I needed to use them with dexterity… once they get cold, there’s no way to really warm them up again (armpits aren’t a option when wearing all that stuff). You also start to notice all those scars on your hands that you forgot about since they start hurting first.

Also, individual tolerance is huge… last week, -12 felt cold because it’s the beginning of winter. By spring, I’ll probably just wear a hoodie if it’s above 0 lol.

Years ago, when I was in Iraq, I switched to the night shift near the end of my tour (Iraq is exactly 12 hours out from AK)… so I worked from 7pm to 7am. At about midnight or so, I went outside for a smoke break, and as the breeze picked up, I got chills, and sat on my hands. I looked up at the thermometer, and it was over 90 degrees. I’d just gotten used to 110+ and 90 felt cold.

If I were you, I’d wait till you get up there and buy what everyone else who does the same thing has.

As long as I am moving, I haven't had an issue at -40 wearing Filson mackinaw wool. My Kifaru Lost Park Parka over some everyday sweaters has been great too. Normal (eek: cotton) Wally World sweats for a leg base layer has always been fine.

Boots? Muck boots or some sort of packs. My Kennetreks have been fine though I am not a normal Kennetrek boot fan. The bunny boots LoadClear mentioned work well but I haven't found them to be comfortable to walk around in. You don't have to worry about rain or moisture when it gets really, really cold, other than from yourself sweating.

Cabelas Stand Hunter Gloves have been fine though if you need any kind of dexterity, they need to come off. I am still looking for a pair of gloves that will allow me to work with my fingers in that kind of cold.

Hats? Something that covers your ears as well as your cheeks (mad bomber style) are nice. It doesn't need to be some crazy space age material. If you have any kind of a beard the ice will build up due to your breath and it'll hurt like hell to open your mouth, as it'll yank your whiskers out.

I have had more issues with gun parts freezing solid than I have with inadequate clothing. Once it "warms" up and moisture comes into the equation, things change.

^^ yeah, bunny boots suck to walk in. If I know I’m walking more than a few hundred yards, I wrap duct tape around my legs where the tongue folds over at the top of the boot… yeah you lose hair and it stings to remove.

Also, while I’ve never done it, a buddy of mine who ran the iron dog race put duct tape under his eyes like a football player would wear black makeup.

Not really. My 'Eskimo Parka" made for me when I was in Pt Hope by a seamstress there in mid 70's is made of mouton sheep skin, wool in skin out. The skin stops the wind, the inch thick wool keeps the warm in. There is enough airflow from the thigh length bottom through the neck opening to keep the moisture down even with moderate activity.

It is heavy, but saved my ass at least twice. Can't wear it much above -20 tho, unless sitting still. O or colder and snowmachining works.

Generally I just wore long johns and street clothes under it, with heavy bib or hip snow pants for bottom.

Apololypse design parkas & bibs

Northern outfitter parkas & bibs

Posh house parka and bibs.

If you're my guest, you will take one of the three listed above. i have many sets of all three brands.

Extreme cold boots:

Northern outfitters or Northern outfitters innards inside of neo overshoe hybrids.

Intermediates for walking in snowshoes:
Baffin Apex or Cabelas Saskatchewan.

Around the dog lot doing chores:
Muck boots or boggs


Bibs for work like chainsaw milling, felling, cutting trail/breaking trail:
Refrigewear. They are made of a stretchy material for kneeling, squatting, etc. Way more comfortable than carhart garbage. Wool sweaters and Filson wool jackets over the bibs.

I have Refrigiwear bibs that I wear a lot if it’s cold or I’m outside for long. The style you linked look similar but with wear patches for durability.

I wore them in Fairbanks at -40 and colder to watch the aurora. Regular Sorels, the Refrigiwear bibs and my arctic parka and was comfortable laying in the snow for a couple hours. That combo would be too much skiing or snowshoeing.

Activity level is a huge variable.

I’ll be honest with you- I work in cold temps, but Mainer lives and works in them. I’d trust his advice. But I still recommend moving up there first- then buying what you need.

One must remember that there is a lot to Alaska. From southeast, to here in southcentral, the interior, and the arctic. Each is different and each has variations. There are guidelines and generalities, and no fixed “rules” other than stay dry, stay warm, and manage moisture.

It's a constant changing proposition from day to day,,,

About 10 pair of boots, from bunny boots up,

4 or 5 pair of coveralls,,snowmachine Klim type too,,

3 or 4 parka's and windbreakers,

A dozen hats from fleece to heavy beaver and otter,,boxes of mittens and gloves,etc,etc

It's never ending, I forgot facemasks in every conceivable configuration.

Sounds like I can get by with the clothes I have, base-layers one set of silk that Rost495 recommended, 150 and 250 weight smartwool, cabelas down vest and coat, columbia wool pants and coat.

Just got a Z-Pack down head cover thingy 900 fill down and kuiu super down pants.

Z-Pack link so lite the only way you know it's on is because your head is hot.
https://zpacks.com/products/goose-hood?variant=7774541348900


A tough wind-breaking coverall that I can take off easily and warm boots I can hike in, gloves and i'm set.


The kifaru lost park parka Ted mentioned looks good, kingston mentioned it the other day. The front pocket and the backpack belt set-up seems like a good idea.

Thank for the opinions guy

I read years ago that the bunny boots weren't a boot for hiking.

I'm going to hunt ML/wolf/bear hunt until I keel over. Trap too, so I'll need a good deep winter hiking boot.

Going to 'plant' some equipment afield tents/tarps/propane [where legal lol] to keep from toting/hauling so much.

I used to think wool pants were the shizzle.

Then they got wet.

I have always preferred bibs over coveralls. Specifically Carhartt Arctic extremes. The exterior nylon is lighter than cotton duck, tough, wind and snow resistant. The legs are full zip and there is a center zip. What I use to layer underneath depends on temps and activity. These bibs allow you to also avoid overheating which is bad juju in very cold wx. If you get your sled stuck in a hole you can unzip as you heat up while tugging on the sled. I wear bunny boots the black ones to about -10 and the white for colder. Bunnies do not bother my feet and I can walk a long ways without boot or foot issues.

Great info in this thread. Bunny or mickey mouse boots require a set of knee high boots to ensure that flesh stays attached to the calves.

In non crazy temps, or in some activity i like a pair of cheap "gerry" insulated pants from Costco. Layer under them for conditions. I confess that I like them largely because they are cheap, but they are also warm enough.

This question would be so much easier except for the hands and feet part 😊

So hard to work with hands at ultra low temps. After digging 4 inches of snow out of the scope sunshade on 11/4 here in AZ, temp about 24, operating the Binocular and scope knobs was stupid difficult. Glad we saw no bulls. Dunno how anyone could do it sub zero. But it’s normal here to glass for hours grasping cold metal and plastic.

If you can find one, the pre Bass pro Cabela's Trans-Alaska Anorak parka works well and are still popular out here. It's a good outer layer. When it's really cold and windy, one of my sealskin hats come out. I like a good set of bibs over a full suit but whatever works for you. I have seen mushers wear a full suit and then put a insulated anorak over the suit. My hands are the hardest and I don't take the cold like I used to. If you layer like what was recommended, you are off to a good start.

I wore them for most of 18 months in the 70's. They suck at walking in snow, especially on sloping ground. I have some Muck Arctic boots that have a cleat sole that are almost too warm for Iowa but would probably be great down to -40 with the right socks. They are much better walking in the snow verses the bunny boots.

kwg

Put your big bino on a tripod...

Of course it's on a tripod. How else would one use an 18x?

Not much touching required when glassing with them.

I touch the binocular and tripod constantly while glassing. There's no other way to do it elk hunting. Best I can do is swap hands frequently.

I only live 30 miles above the Arctic Circle so I'm not as FAR north as a guy can go but it does get chilly around here at times.

On the trapline I wear Apocalypse Design, Klim or some combo of the two depending on temp or if breaking new trail or just riding on a trail I've already put in. Fur hat for sure.

I have worn bunnys more than I care to remember but rarely do anymore. I love Steger Mukluks. The camo ones have a rubber coating on the moose hide that is pretty waterproof if you get in a little overflow. I carry an extra pair in case I get into a lot of overflow. They are super lightweight, very comfy and easy to pack an extra pair on the machine. I get them way over sized to allow for extra felt insoles and a sock layering system. Like wearing Crocs at 50 below! They aren't the best for snowshoeing, but I do a fair amount and get by.

The comment about a beard is real. I cut mine really short come winter because it freezes and becomes one with my neck gaiter if its very long.

trapperJ,

Those Steger Mukluks look like what I need for super cold boots. Should work great in the dry western mountains.

How are they in steep rocky terrain, side-hilling, etc. .

The gloves look like winners too.

Mainer in Alaska,
It appears a couple of those companies are out of business.

Agree with you on clothes like the Refridgewear, that stretch when you move. I've got to where I hate clothes that don't stretch [carhardt/etc.], they are 'house clothes'.


Bought a pair a Cloudveil pants 15 years ago and they spoiled me, got about 5 stretch type hunting pants.

No ankle support so they would suck if you covered much ground side hilling, especially if you were packing a heavy load. But riding the machine and general winter stuff they're great. There isn't any toe protection so don't try kicking frozen things!

Thanks, that's about what I figured.

I've had good luck hunting in low to no ankle support boots. Always got by with 3/4 hikers.

I am big on woolrich Malone Bibs and Woolrioch Alaskan wool shirts on top of poly pro long underwear, if really cold a layer of fleece 1/4 zip with high collar between long underwear and the heavy wool shirt. Match the weight of the underwear to the temp, polypro usually comes in 3 weights. I have always been a fan of wool for cold weather and have rarely found the need for more water protection in cold weather as the snow shakes and brushes off with ease. I would wear raingear when using a chainsaw to make through ice beaver sets, really wet work and kind of cold.

For a jaclet I have a couple of Filson Cruisers jackets, uninsulated anoraks for a wind break over the alaskan on a warm day with heavy wind. As you can probably tell I am a grand fan of layering and matching what I wear to the day include activity level in the . I used to wear wool balaclavas on cold days but have switched to polypro as they feel a lot better against my skin and wash up easier in a sink and are dry in the AM.

I have to admit I really like my insulated hooded Carhart jacket as the thing is just warm and will never pick up a sticker in the brush.

I have found great deals on the malones and alaskans lately on ebay as I would not want to buy them new if I can find them, good wool wears like iron as long as they weren't worn by a careless smoker.

That works for me, although not wintering in AK I have spent a lot of time in northern MN, and Ontario in the winter and gets a little brisk here, not Fairbanks cold but cold.

A piece of clothing that does not get enough press is a facemask. A little wind in the below zero temps can really put a hurt on your face. Also, fur hats are the best for the coldest temps. I find they are really too warm most of the time and they also muffle a lot of sound when the ear flaps are down.

Beaver and seal skin hats have been mentioned.

Any comments on a muskrat/wool bomber hat?
Do you get your hats from individual crafters, or are there any companies you would recommend?

Spot on. A light balaclava is in my kit here in AZ. In colder climes it would be a heavier balaclava.

I’ve seen neoprene facemasks for sale to avoid frostbite. Never used one.
Anyone?

Yeah I have one.. they work, but you’ve gotta keep them clean. They absorb sweat, snot, and spit so they can get funky. Only complaint is the Velcro on the back… it’s effing Velcro… the hooks collect lint, and catch on everything.

That is the reason I don’t use a face mask or balaclava much. It’ll freeze solid around the mouth and nose area due to your breath and breathing. Then your whiskers get frozen into it. It ends up being more hassle than just dealing with the cold wind on your face.

Mad bomber style ear flaps are nice though. I have one made from some marten I trapped. That fur dude in downtown Fairbanks made it for me.

You can grow whiskers??

Sure can.
Want a mustache ride?

You givin em?

For a price, ya.

How much ya got? I don't come cheap but I give the best.