Thread: Advice wanted on cold weather clothing

Just a thought......I wouldn't buy it here and transport it to there.
I'd get it there, and get rid of it there after the trip.

Hubby got some bargains at Katmandu when he went to Sweden in winter.(They are always having 50 % sales. Does anyone every pay the non sale price these days? ) He got a water proof coat with thermal layers and stuff and some water proof boots that were surprisingly light. Thermals under everything. Winter stuff isn't heavy any more. Its all high tech. .

Hi Grumpy

I haven't done the cruise in question, but I did hunt in Alaska in 07 and I've been to the NZ Alps 3 times hunting. So I have a deal of experience with cold/wet clothing.

My advice:

1. Don't scrimp on wet weather gear if there is a chance of being exposed to rain/snow/spray. There have been a whole truck load of argument's over ww gear. As far as my experience goes, if it "breaths" it will eventually let water in, no matter how much you pay for it.. All ww gear creates condensation, venting and managing the condensation are the key. I have Helly Hanson rain gear. It is tough, still water proof after 14 days in the WET Alaskan bush.

2. As far as the rest is concerned, layering, layering, layering. A good quality next-to-skin layer is the base. I wear Icebreaker. Next an insulation layer (wool or fleece) to help trap the warm air pockets close to your body. Some say fleece, some say wool. Both have +'s and -'s. If the temp will be really cold, a fleece layer for added insulation, but that is for very cold stuff. Then a windproof layer to stop the warm air against your body from being chilled. There are plenty of wind proof garments on the market. Then the ww gear if needed. The ww can be used as the wind proof layer if the temp isn't too low.

3. Good quality wool socks, I wear Smart Wool and footwear that will keep your feet dry. Head protection is also a must. Something like 70% of body heat is lost through unprotected melons and cold feet. Also, if the temp is cooler, gloves that are waterproof and lined with some sort of wind proofing. I wear thin wool liner gloves under waterproof gloves, but you might need that level of protection.

Try to choose second and third layers that have good long zips so you can vent when needed.

All the above mentioned can be got in nice thin materials nowadays. I can wear 4 layers, be warm in oh-god-it's-cold temps but still be able to move and not feel like the Michelan (sp) man. Wool is heavier than man made fabrics when wet, but will still keep you warm. Man made fabrics are lots lighter when wet, but WILL NOT keep you sufficiently warm when wet.

If it was me, and you have the time, I would purchase as much of your gear as possible before you go. That way, you know what fits, what works and what doesn't. If you leave it till you get to your kick off point, the shops might be shut, they might not have your size, time may be short.

Lastly NO COTTON, COTTON KILLS

Sorry for the long winded post

I was on TDY in Anchorage for most of 1985. Shipboard might be different.

Definitely, NO COTTON. Cotton is for the tropics.

Polypropylene and wool wick moisture away from the body.

+1 for layers. You can adjust for conditions.

Lightweight wind breaker on the outside. You can buy these on ship ($$$), or at Goodwill stores in San Diego ($). They're also handy in the shop, to shed wood chips.

A hat, preferably PP or wool. The saying among mountaineers is "If your feet are cold, put on a hat." Inflatable "Bunny boots" are probably best, but Caribou are good too.

Spare socks. Lots of socks. Wool or PP. Change frequently.

Gloves: Knitted gloves first (all fingers), mittens outside. Remove the mittens for photo opportunities.

Sunscreen and sun glasses. Snow is bright, and you can get sunburnt.

Night time is short in May and June. Ships and hotels should have opaque curtains, but night shades can be convenient when needed.


Bon voyage.

Cheers,
Joe

Thanks for the info guys, I'm off to the Wilderness shop to get some clobber. Noel, I know what you mean about buying what you need when you get to the States and selling it before you leave. However we don't have a lot of time to go shopping before the ship leaves and I don't want to get caught without suitable clothing.

Why do you say "cotton kills" for extreme cold weather ??

thanks
Wendy

Originally Posted by Grumpy John

My wife and I are going on a cruise from San Diego to Alaska in May this year and I was wondering if anyone has done a similar cruise and has some advice on suitable clothing to take along. I'm not looking for bulky or heavy clothing as it is too uncomfortable to wear and is a bugger to pack. I feel that layers is the way to go starting with good thermal undershirt and long-johns. I imagine that protection from the wind would also be an important factor.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Gday GJ

I've wandered through a few cold places - Himalayas @ zero, the Andes near zero, Alaska and Siberia.
My preference is to buy before I go so I know what I've got. All I would recommend is clothing for a normal mix of warm/cool/wet/dry, good wind protection (nothing bulky) and a couple of thermal skivvies.

I took thermal everything the first time and boiled on first wear.
For cold climates I pack normal plus thermal skivvies, thermal gloves, maybe a thermal beenie for blizzards. If you feel the cold buy the whole kit.
BTW: If you put cold fingers in thermal gloves they take longer to warm up - the esky effect.
Monthly Climate Summaries

Good luck

Once again, thanks for the info. Here's the cruise we're going on (bet you're all jealous). Looks like the temps once we hit Alaska will be in the 5 - 15 deg. C mark, no worse than Melbourne in winter . Personally I don't feel the cold very much, but SWMBO rugs up when the temp drops below 17C. The only thing I'm not sure of is if the quoted temps allow for wind chill factor, 10 Deg. is not that cold, but if there's a -15C wind blowing that's another story.

I think being onboard ship you will just want normal clothes and a warm coat to go outside. You don't want warm winter woolies on inside and it depends on how long you stay outside as to how long the cold will take to seep in. Keeping the wind out is the top priority, starting with a windproof (polar)fleece vest is good, then add thermals top and bottom if you're staying out a long time. A pair of cheap waterproof pants also provides a good windbreak over fleece track pants.

As to gloves, find a pair of silk glove liners, they are the best thing when it's cold out and there is a freezing wind. You can take off the warm gloves/mittens and operate fiddly things like your camera comfortably wearing the silk gloves.

As for socks, if you are out and about with heavy socks and boots, use a pair of wicking liner socks as the base layer.

Lucky bustard.

W/ness shop folk really know their stuff. I've bought lots from them for extreme env'ts and never had dud advice.

Tho it's exxy, a versatile top layer wld be in Windstopper (from Gore) or equiv. Comes in varying weights acc to the insulation you need; also breathable, windproof and water repellent.

Otherwise, a shell out of Event (much more breathable than Gore-tex) and layer up with a quality fleece and base layer. Fleece from Maldon Mills in the US is well worth the premium; lasts forever & is comfy in a wide range of temps. Lowe & Mont are good brands.

Edit: like oz-hunter, I like Icebreaker; its main virtue over quality polyester base or mid layers is that it takes days b4 it starts to stink. Have done 5 hard days straight back-country skiing in NZ b4 the whiffy factor kicks in. Downsides: much more exxy and takes more care in washing.

HTH

Originally Posted by RufflyRustic

Why do you say "cotton kills" for extreme cold weather ??

thanks
Wendy

With active pursuits in cold weather Wendy, cotton absorbs yr sweat. Then when you stop it dries and gives you the 'benefit' of evaporative cooling.

Folk have got hypothermia that way.

Originally Posted by RufflyRustic

Why do you say "cotton kills" for extreme cold weather ??

thanks
Wendy

Cotton provides no warmth when wet and virtually no "wind break"

thanks Rssr and .

Considering that over half my clothes are cotton, I'd better do some shopping if I ever travel to climates colder than Melbourne

Cheers
Wendy

And yes GJohn, I am a tad green

Also, when cotton gets wet in cold climates, it doesn't dry readily (ever tried to dry a cotton T-Shirt on the line in winter) and as someone said it has virtually no thermal properties and no wind stopping ability when dry, but make it wet in a cold climate and it will stay wet and doesn't wick the moisture away from the skin and gets very cold, very quick.

As rsser said, IB is great for not smelling. I only have two sets when I go hunting in cold places. They lasted without being smelly for 14 days in Alaska. Prior to departure, I tested the theory by wearing one of the tops to work during the day, taking it off at night to dry, wearing the other one to bed and all the next day and then swapping. At the end of 30 days there was no appreciative smell. I'm a farmer and winter is a busy time, so it's not like I was sitting on my acre during the day.

You don't want warm winter woollies on inside

Fuzzie. This is why you layer. You can be quite comfortable in a IB thermal and a light jumper or shirt inside, then when you go out you just add the appropriate layers.

Grumpy. As I said, I've never been on the cruise in question, but I would have thought the cruise operator would give you some information on clothing. If they haven't, I'd ask them. Alaska is not a place to be taken lightly. Even if you are on a ship.