An excellent, well made video. I've dropped my heating oil bill by 90% this year after realizing we should wear our heat instead of burning oil, and even though I live in Ireland and don't get the extremes of cold you get, it's still amazing what a difference some of those items you show can make. Glad to see I'm on the right track. Good luck to you both!
40ny wow "heating bill cut by 90%. I often wear insulated underwear while in the house. You are right. It allows us to be more comfortable at lower householf temps
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival Yep heat what matters - house temp in bathroom about 60. Bedroom @50 the rest 40... Gives the wife a good reason not to piss you off - bunny heater😁. A little electric pad for the pet bed - or they can stay in the bedroom with you. As a young man - up in the Sierra mountains near Tuolumne. We would jump in bed under mountains of blankets, wake up jump in to our pants as the layer of ice broke from the covers, head over to start the fire, eat and be working in the woods by 7am, was about and hour drive to the loging area... Love it - cut and spit 3 cords of oak everyday - get back after stacking about 6pm for dinner, have a little bit of fun wrestling or boxing on the only day off. Boy kids today don't know what real fun is...
Lonnie great info..years ago I was a wool guy but I tried synthetics on a trip to Alaska and became a convert. Your vid gave me a few ideas to add. Thanks! BTW I have a fear of extreme cold so protecting myself against freezing to death is high on my priority list for survival.
Great video Lonnie and Connie, thanks. I like your practical "what works" advice. Wool is good stuff but so are synthetics. New Zealand has a great selection of synthetic clothing. Many hunters and mountaineers swear by it. I like a mixture of both. I always enjoy your videos, keep them coming.
It is true that wool can absorb up to 20% of it's weight in moisture but that either means you fell into water or it is too warm for wool anyway. What you do in that case is to squeeze most of the water out it instantly becomes lighter again and it looses only 10 to 30% of it's insulation value. If it is freezing outside the wool will freeze on the outside but still be warm near your body. Norwegian and Icelandic sailors/fisherman traditionally wore wool mittens and if it was freezing they dipped the mittens into the sea water and so they would freeze. After that the mittens were windproof and still warm. I have tried this and it works fine. I would personally wear wool under a synthetic outer layer. I have been fishing in frost wearing only wool underwear, wool mittens, socks and hat, the outer layer was a water and wind proof jacket and also waders that are of course water proof and wind proof. I was fine and warm even though it was windy but my friends that were with me were not, they were not wearing wool.
Hi, Lonnie, this was the first video of yours I came across years ago. I just came back to it to re-watch it. I'm real happy that your channel's been doing great over the years. It's still one of the best outdoors channels out there on CZcams. Always on the lookout for another video. Cheers.
Always informative. No comparison, to Alaska but now on the cusp of winter, 2020, in NH. Already have the wood stove in service! Thank you Connie and Lonnie! Stay warm folks!
Thanks for sharing brother. Good stuff. I'm still a natural fiber guy, mainly because of the stink associated with synthetics along with danger around campfires. I also find it to be noisy. I do love my fleece jacket liner and beanie cap! Great presentation, thanks!
Lonnie you put out some great info here. I see way too many people under dressed when they are out on adventures. I like the way you layer with the synthetic and wool. That works for me even on the coldest days. The only shelter you can really depend on is the cloths you have on.
Connie's boots remind me of "Moonboots" back in the 80's. The thick foam lining came out and they were warm even when they go wet...but then I was a warmbodied teenager then too lol.
Hal Weiss (Secrets of Warmth book) says water is 264 X’s more dense than air, thus air is better insulator. He also says wool holds 30% of it’s weight in water (no offense to this gentleman’s content). When I know I can dry out my wool, I’ll always choose wool, due to protein allowing native PEMF’s through. When I’m trying to survive in extreme cold and can’t dry out insulation? Always synthetics.
Great video! Good to see Connie in front of the camera! When I lived in Colorado (9,962 ft. in the Rockies) I got all my gear at thrift stores! I wore Sorel boots excellent prices in the thrift store & practically brand new.......
Thanks for the video Lonnie. It was cool to know what you and your wife wear while snow machining. And i think the whole synthetic vs. wool is a personal choice. Preference, activity, geographic location all come into play when deciding what gear to wear and use. -Krik
Thanks for the info Lonnie! Once I am experienced enough to go out in my own, I will get a 12 gauge with the 3 in slugs. Yes, I saw your very attractive gun in the background of one of your videos. Never thought that was a shotgun! Very nice! Thanks for all your help and advice! I look forward to more of your videos! David
Lonnie thank you for the wilderness wisdom and just plain common sense you have dispensed over the years! I am a long time subscriber, but have just now found your video on cold weather clothing. I have been waffling back and forth over the synthetic versus wool question lately. Most sources imply that synthetics are no good when they get wet. You have given much food for thought. God bless you and yours.
im glad to see you putting this video out bro clothing is something that gets so overlookd during the winter its something a lot of people dont even think about great job
coydog outdoors Thanks. I have spent a lot of time in the Alaskan winter outdoors being uncomfortably cold. Hopefully from what I have learned through the years from those experiences, I can help others to be better equipped so they won't have to endure the cold but rather be able to *enjoy* the cold weather.
Thanks you guys. I watch this channel all the time I've subscribed. But ya they look like great boots Connie has there. Lonnie I have seen your bunny boots on people all the time. I mean back in the 50's. I never knew what the valve was for but now I know. I know how important good clothing in the winter is so again thanks and keep the videos coming. Don
Outstanding video amigos. This is a video for any person that lives in extreme cold weather to pay attention. I have no doubts that these clothing works for such low temperatures since you are teaching from experience-- 40 yrs living in Alaska. Lonnie, I live in Puerto Rico and synthetic fleece is outstanding here. Synthetic helps in perspiration and dries quiet fast perfect for our tropical environment. My regards to your wife. Gracias.
Nicely done. I am going to buy some new gear, and I will be using your advice. In past, I have been wed to wool; however, I will be reconsidering my options. Thank you!
Thanks Lonnie, yes, I look forward to the serenity and peacefulness of the woods. I really cannot wait to go. Eventually I hope to be able to make trips all season long. I'm a little nervous about the animals at night, but we don't have Grizzlies like you don in Alaska, but we do have black bears!
David Fiorini Not meaning to cause any undue concern but I believe you are right to be aware of the potential of black bears. There are far to many people who underestimate the black bear. Keep in mind that black bear attacks are extremely rare but that they do occur. If you can arm yourself with a large caliber handgun or a 12 gauge shotgun or at the very least, a can of full strength bear pepper spray and then just go about your business as usual you should be fine. I would recommend going prepared as mentioned above if you are off by yourself in the backwoods some where but if you are camping in a campground where there is other human activity then you typically have very little to worry about.
The main principle in dressing for cold weather is to keep yourself dry. How you do that is up to you as there are many ways to do it. Also each person is different in their tolerance for cold. So what works for me, may not be the best for you. Activity level plays a large roll in keeping yourself comfortable. If you are doing heavy activity (hauling toboggan, chopping wood, shovelling driveway, etc), what you need to keep dry and warm is a lot less than you would think.
I know what you mean...when I moved to Michigan I bought a full body Carhardt Black to go chop firewood. Huge mistake, I was sweating buckets in 10 minutes wasn't great for mobility either. Even thermal underwear was a bit much after changing.
Stew Pedaso Lol yeah I sometimes strip down to just my polypropolene underwear on my upper body and take off my hat as well when I'm chopping wood or snowshoeing.
I had 4 layers doing a mountaineering course in spain (sierra nevada mountain range) and i was going up and down so much that i stripped down to a base layer and gloves, keeping the fleece pullover handy for when we would be stationary. So yeah i agree lol.
Agreed, I work outside in Wisconsin winter and on top of the very important dryness is the importance of layers to control cooling and heating due to strenuous work. All my stuff has zippers so I can simply zip and unzip as needed and I find that being a bit cooler is better than sweating
Fantastic! it was nice to see a little more of Connie. those boots do look a little clunky though! thanks for sharing as always... see you on the next one.
Thank you for this video. I keep hearing wool, wool, wool from a lot of Bushcraft/Survival folks on CZcams and elsewhere. I thought I was an odd man out for my preference of synthetics. As someone who is just getting started I have gained a lot of useful insight from your videos. Thanks Lonnie and Connie!
+Sean McGuire Of course as you know, I agree with you on the synthetics for winter wear. I want to do a video where I jump into some open water during the winter here in Alaska and then see how long it takes before I start feeling warmth once again being provided by my synthetic clothing. The trouble with this test is that I am a complete and total sissy when it comes to being cold lol. When I was a kid all my friends would love to go swimming. I could only swim for a little while and then I would have to huddle in the sunshine and shiver until we all got dressed in our dry clothes again..
450rhino1 Thank you very much. We hope that you and your loved ones also have a very blessed new year. Many Many more videos planned as time and my ambition allows.
Hello Lonnie, I want to thank you for all the great information that you provide in your videos. I'm a city boy that lives 10 min outside New York City and I am planning my first trip into the woods this spring. I have learned some great info. from your videos that I am sure I'm going to be able to use in the woods. Thanks again! David
David Fiorini Thank you David for these encouraging words. My wife and I are really glad to hear words like this because it helps us to know that what we are doing is benefiting those who may not get the help needed otherwise. We hope that your Spring trip is very rewarding and fulfilling. Getting away from the hustle, bustle, noise and "chaos" of the city to the quiet peacefulness of the woods can be a very relaxing though rejuvenating experience.
Where are you in N.Y. i grew up on L.I. and moved west in 78. Wool was traditional back east in the old days. Still use it quite a bit although it is heavy.
Good information I wear mostly synthetics as well especially when I plan to do a lot of hiking. I do prefer wool if I plan to spend more time around camp with a fire. Thanks for sharing I think your wife could join the rock band KISS with boots, lol. Jason
primalarcher Thank you Jason. Sounds like you have a great winter clothing system figured out. My wife in the band KISS, Lol. Although she is very social and everybody seems to love having her around, For the life of me, I just can't picture her quite fitting in with the band even with the boots. lol
Thank you for the videos Lonnie.Always come away with some very useful knowledge.Thank you to Connie Every good man has a good woman behind the scene lol.....
thxs Sir - i hadnt seen those boots - very interesting - i agree with you for the long johns however im a wool coat and pants kinda guy lol - works good fer me here on the BC -Yukon border - differnt strokes i guess - thanks
Great tips again !!!! Living myself in a cold climate it's good to know that synthetic is a good buy with a good combination or set-up. But the boots of your wife wow !!! I use Sorel boots they are good but a little bit heavy. Again thanx for thoses great vids very informative cheers from quebec !!!!
really useful video.I've even got a pair of bunny boots sent from USA, after seeing this video! Just used them on my latest winter camp and I found them reaaly confortable and warm!
Thanks for the info . Very well made video. I would have thought wool or some other natural material would be better but obviously I have been misinformed. I was always thinking of the wind and how it cuts through my synthetic coats but you solved that issue.
Good job on the video. Great information. The only point that wasn't stressed enough was the importance of layers, but you got that in the comments. Whatever your system you want to stay dry. Not just from outside moisture but your own sweat can be an issue. Stay dry in side and out and you'll stay warm and happy. Thanks for all your videos and info. Keep it up.
Cory Gardner Yeah I don't always remember to say everything that I meant to. The buildup of moisture is one of the greatest reasons for using the synthetics. There is very little moisture buildup as the material wicks the moisture away very rapidly as it occurs. You are welcome and thanks for watching.
So nice to meet Ms Connie. My friend Mike Barton just found the coolest wool boreal shirt at a thrift store. I can never find much because of my 6"4" stature but sometime I'm going to score lol Thanks for sharing Lonny and Merry Christmas to both of you !!
mrbakerskatz Thank you. I can see where that might be difficult to find clothes that would fit you. Good luck on your future searches and may you and your loved ones also have a very blessed Christmas.
david clarke Thanks David. I'm kind of partial to that "model". I think I'll keep her around full time. She has been with me for several decades so she must be a special person. :o)
Thanks Lonny, and Connie ... I have always embraced the synthetic ... i don't care if it is Marina Wool ... All Wool Makes me Itch !!! And I have always favored cotton and synthetics ... Always worked fine for me ... I agree with you about that the water issue, because when you get wool wet ... It never ever dries out !!!
wow , I've lived in Central Florida my whole life , this April my wife and I are moving 2 lydenn Washington, I'm pretty concerned about the cold , so I'm doin the research now , so I can be prepared for the coming winter months, my thought were deff 2 hit the thrift stores , thank you sir 4 sharing your experience , and knowledge 😊
Have you tried Mukluks? And if so how do they fair against your other footwear. My philosophy is that nature is the best manufacturer of gear, just look at seals, penguins, polar bears, muskox, geese, all designed to withstand the harshest conditions. You were the last person I would suspect would be into synthetic materials but hey learn something new everyday! Great video as usual and nice place. Lonnie and Connie lol perfect!
Canadian Prepper I wore the military canvas topped mukluks 40 years ago. They were fine as far as I remember but you don't dare get them wet. If you find yourself wet because of some accident then you may be in SERIOUS trouble and in a life threatening situation. Fur and feathers keeps the animals and birds warm but they are a LOT tougher than we are. If we are to wear fur thick enough to keep us warm than it ends up being pretty heavy and bulky. Goose down is an exception to that but then you DON'T DARE get it wet or you are in deep doo doo. I personally love down filled clothes but it scares me too much to wear it when in situations where I might encounter water. The synthetics that I demoed in this video will dry out quickly on their own simply by wearing, if I am to get wet during the winter.
***** Thanks for the response, sealskin boots mukluks would be expensive put pretty much impermeable to water as far as I know. I agree about synthetics for base layers, and don't doubt your experience, but would be reluctant to take them over natural fibers if I was in a situation where I had to choose.
***** I've got only one down-filled item in my camping gear - and I've only got it because the down is in an airtight (and therefore completely waterproof) item - my inflatable camping mat. If it were in anything less waterproof - jacket, sleeping bag etc, I wouldn't carry it because although it has great insulation properties, is light and packs down really well, I know what it would be like if it got wet.... And around here, even in summer, getting wet is always likely.
I’ve seen those (mickey Mouse boots) for years, family members have used them, but I’ve always had lacrosse boots both knee highs and lacrosse icemen pack boots. The mickey boots always looked uncomfortable. As I write and listen to you talk you mentioned the ability to dump them out and have them be dry inside. That makes sense. Is that the main benefit? My lacrosse knee highs and icemen both have material that would get wet. Inside and never dry out in a short time.
A very timely video for me. It gives me five months to equip myself for the southern winter. I've never done any snow hiking or camping but I'm aiming to change that during 2015. :) Regards, Mark.
biggles1024 If you ever get tired of your winters you could come up here during your winter and go back home during your summer. You would have endless summer. Wow. Good luck on search for the proper winter gear and hope you really enjoy the outdoors this winter.
Refrigiwear has some of the warmest clothing you can buy. I have half a dozen items from them, but the new line of extreme clothing is absolutely the best. It is called "Extreme Softshell". It is even warmer than the style in your video (comfort rating of -60 F). The trouser pants are worth picking up as well. I use them like long underwear under the softshell bibs. I'm so warm I could survive a couple of days in the Siberian winter. I really like your channel, especially this video about warm clothing. Thanks for all you do for us.
I really enjoyed this video. I'm a proponent of synthetic gear myself and I'm impressed that it does so well in Alaska - where it gets a damn-sight colder than it ever gets here. I fully agree about the water-shedding ability of polypropylene and polyester fleece garments. I've often been caught in the rain or had to ford a river and the clothes drip-dry on the body in very short order - compared with my old wool bush shirt which stayed wet for hours and weighed a ton when saturated with water. I use a light tight-weave nylon shell as windproofing - a cheap folds-into-its-own-pocket "shower-proof" jacket which I find quite sufficient to stop the wind whistling through the fibres of my thermal layer(s). Your heavy insulated nylon gear for riding remind me of my heavy Cordura motorcycle gear, so I can well appreciate how effective they must be in keeping the wind and water out. Thanks heaps for sharing your views and all the best to you both.
The upside of wool is it doesn't burn like napalm and stick to you if it gets heated which you bring up. I use wool but it is not 'arctic' could where I live. As with all things the quality matters.
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival i recommend you try to hit up a local fire fighter station or something to see if they have some old gear lying around that they're going to get rid of, in my experience nothing beats fire fighter gear when it comes to keeping you warm, dry AND safe from sparks, if it's designed to keep 300+°C out, it'll keep 37°C in, not to mention all the mechanical protection you can get from those boots, they are reinforced at the ankles and they have a sheet of steel in the soles, which can come in handy because you don't know what's under the snow most of the times.
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival that's certainly true for work boots and older fire fighter boots too, but the more modern ones have great isolation between your feet and the steel and i think some even have hard polymer instead of steel, which is even better. also, in your particular case, the bunny boots can't be beat, but i still recommend you try out the jackets, hoods and pants.
Oh man .. Bunny boots and Polly pros .. Wow .. I forgot all about that stuff. I wish I still had them from when I was stationed at wainwright .. I dont have any use for it here in Texas but it would be good to have .. That feels like a different lifetime ago .. Praise the Lord brother im not the same guy I was back then brother lonnie .. Thank u Lord for his mercy and saving me brother. Amen .. I still watch these old videos .. I like them very much all these years later. I miss Alaska sometimes .. Good place to be .. I dont miss the mosquitoes or the muskag but alaska had its good things thats for sure .
Thank you. I've been told by a friend about Alaska, your pants leg touching your leg, terribly cold. I have been in above freezing weather all my life, but plan a trip in the VERY cold, and have to learn how to do so. Thank you.
I have switched to fleece outerwear ;besides under layers, years ago. Was introduced to SPEAR clothing system when it came out, still using it. Love wool if close to home, But, in the woods , fleece. Perfect example, here in NC there is No way we get the temps you deal with. Cold rain in the 30's besides snow is about it. So of course wearing a 300 weight parka with no lining; thank you Sportsmansguide, and a layering of fleece to the skin, I am ridiculously comfortable without rain gear. My buddy had his 500 dollar hunting coat on, he was miserable. Me, I shucked off my parka, snapped it a few times, watched the water fly off and out of the material, put it back on, warm as could be. Thanks for the channel and the videos!
i dont live i normal cold place but i live in very hot desert in summer its winter here now in arizona its so cold 40 and lower at night some times 40 durning day so this is helpful we desert dwellers dont know much about cold i am freezing right now so thank u i am subscribing so thanks for telling me about thermals . i typically wear jeans in snow and leather boots some times it snows here.
Thanks for sharing a different perspective other than the 'spend hundreds of dollars on wool power garments' !! I'm a huge fan of fleece, but for by the fire really love the wool too. Each has their place, but all my stuff is from the thrift store!!
Alexander Haney You are welcome Alexander. I also have no problem getting second hand clothing as long as it is in good condition and it fits my needs.
They have now come out with wind blocking fleece. I have a hoodie from LLBean. It is light weight and blocks the wind quite well! You could also substitute a nylon windbreaker in between layers as well, or a waterproof outer layer. Oh this video is from 2014. Today is 11/13/18 Ha ha things have changed a bit. Thanks Lonnie and Connie.
Rustic By Nature VV is one of my wife's favorite stores :o) We shop at the one in Wasilla. I was just there less than a week ago. My personal favorites are "Thrifters Rock" and "Bishops Attic" in the valley.
***** We are stomping the same ground, I work in Anchorage and live in the big lake area. BTW I can't seem to find anywhere that sell the Northern Outfitters Arctic Boots
Rustic By Nature I don't know of anyone in Alska that sell the Northern Outfitter gear. We ordered my wife's boots direct from the company using the web site. We have however occasionally seen some of the N.O. gear for sell used on "Craiglist" locally.
Hope connie's shoulder heals soon!! great video...thank you... I've been using "ventile" ( tightly woven cotton ) material as an outer / waterproof layer, for the past few years...have you ever used ventile ? ....I enjoy it's quietness when walking..it dries much more quickly than people say, and doesn't get very damaged next to a camp fire. It does stiffen up when soaked, but I've never found moisture on the inside...wonderful Chanel, one of my favourites, many thanks from the UK..
I have a total wool set up, including wool bibs, jacket with hood, wool socks, wool army insert gloves, and wool socks. Wool has many pluses, but it will not block the wind. You will need some type of water proof/resistant shell.
When I was in the Air Force and stationed in Minot, North Dakota they issued us Mukluks, and also boots like the ones you was wearing to stay warm outside in Winter. I had the mukluks and loved them so much and my feet stayed warm in them. We had the gloves which came up quite a ways with the thumb separate from the rest of the glove, but due to my job we could not wear them around the aircraft so I didn't bring them to work. We had two kinds of parkas and I ended up with the cotton parka which was warm and it allowed us to move around better. The pull up pants was made from the same material as the parkas and was warm also, but due to my job I didn't wear them since we had to work in confined areas and could not move with those pants over our regular pants. One lieutenant threatened to write me up because I was not wearing the pants, but that didn't go anywhere. We worked on the B-52's and there isn't much room to move around inside the area next to the ground under normal conditions and in Winter it is terrible there like it is in Alaska.
+Far.North.bushcraft. Hello I'm with you, all I like is polyester or fleece so on. Wool is not as good as every one thinks. In the bush I want to stay warm as I can. Great video my friend.
I enjoy your videos very much. I spent a few hours watching some of them, and I've learned a lot. I'm from Alberta here. With all this talk about SHTF for lack of better words, it is good to get informed and be prepared. We all depend on heated leather seats, cell phones, and a warm bed to sleep in. It wouldn't take much for our world to be turned upside down in a second, as history has shown us in the past, and us northerners would have extreme cold to deal with. The most important thing is to have Jesus as your personal savior in these uncertain times. Anyways, thanks very much.
greatzzzscott You are welcome and thanks. I agree that we have become very dependent on technology in order to live our daily lives. I also agree totally with the advantage of knowing Jesus Christ on a personal level to help in the tough times ahead. very well put.
I enjoyed your Alaskan fashion show. You are totally metro. I used to wear polyester or synthetic material winter plaid, but is was too warm and made me sweat and then the shirts would smell bad after the first day. I switched to 100% cotton. If I lived in Alaska, maybe I'd switch back to synthetic.
Thanks guys. Great video. I would have never guessed. You always here wool is the best. And here in southern Washington it can get wet and cold, I know its colder in other parts. But its still hard to find stuff that you won't freeze in. I'll try some of these.
walkerm777 As I said in the video, there are many who disagree with my choice of winter wear material. For me though, I have determined it is the best. Good luck with whatever you try.
If your into synthetics , Sierra Trading Co online has great big sales. But I still love my merino wool when out in the bush cause I can wear it for days without stinking. My biggest problem with synthetic is , it's plastic and if you like being around a fire , BEWARE !! Wool is best by the fire , I wear my lesterriverbushcraft Boreal 100% wool shirt by the fire. As usual Lonnie and Connie , you guys are great 👍👍 PEACE
Sierra Trading turned me off many many years ago when I seen that they were raising the prices on their products outrageously high compared to everyone else and then they offered *"huge sale"* prices which ended up having the end cost of their products at a competitive price comparable to most everyone else. In other words, they were selling their products at prices normal with everyone else but attempting to pull a fast one on their customers by making them think they were getting a great deal. They were selling at regular prices making their customers think that the prices were a deep discount. In other words they were a bit unethical and deceitful. I do not support businesses like that. Even if they have now cleaned up their act (I don't know if they have), I still refuse to shop with them due to their beginning attitude of hoping and insinuating that the public (their potential customers) are stupid and lack discernment. I love those Lester River Bushcraft Boreal wool Shirts. I am deeply envious of you. :o)
Far North Bushcraft And Survival I haven't used Sierra in about a year and I started to wonder exactly what you say. I don't know if they cleaned their act up , but I did get a few things really cheap. But what I found is , they will substitute an item without asking. So with the respect I have for your opinion , I will also shop elsewhere. Like second hand store or Goodwill 👍👍 Thanks
I'm with you as far as the polypropylene long underwear, but for the rest of it I prefer wool. I don't like the feel of most synthetics and where I live we get more rain than extreme cold, so wool is the answer for me. I do respect your choices and your opinion, and whatever works for you is awesome.
I wore the Refrigiwear products when working in the frozen warehouse at Turkey Hill Dairy in Conestoga PA. In the warehouse it could get down to -20 degrees F. Their products are pretty durable and very warm.
Most people would never consider to go second hand thrift clothes. At least would not admit it. Thank you for this video showing your cold weather clothing. Personally I take great pride in my thrift parka. I lent it to my brother who has relocated to Calgary. As for synthetics, it is a personal one, but your right ,synthetics are way more available and adaptable.
christian bernoe My wife and I frequently shop at the thrift stores. I have made a lot of money in my life but I still hate to turn down a "good deal". I have found some "real deals" over the years. Well at least your brother is warm. :o) Stay warm this winter and take care.
Good coverage Lonnie and nice that you got Connie on the camera too. I like fleece too. It’s warm, easier to care for and dries a lot faster than wool. I was typing my fire comment when you covered it. Most of the arguments I’ve heard from bushcraft people is that wool is safer around campfires. Refrigiwear is a good name, I’ve seen a lot of comments from sled dog mushers up there who use it. Mittens are much warmer than gloves and thanks for the cuff fur explanation, now I know... :-)
***** Thanks my friend. I always enjoy having Connie get in on the videoing as well. We are a team. I agree about mittens being warmer than gloves. I have some down filled leather mittens that I have had for well over 30 years that are very warm and comfortable.
***** I agree that mittens are definitely superior. I made myself a set of mittens (windproof nylon shell, polarfleece lining) for riding my motorcycle to work in winter because sub-zero (Celsius) air hitting my hands at 100km/h was too much for my thick winter-weight gloves to handle. Didn't think to put a fleecy bit on the outside of the cuff, though. Perhaps that can be the next modification...
Once again Lonnie, you are SPOT ON regarding your advice of synthetic as superior materials for winter clothing, Jim Phillips - founder of PALs (Phillips Arctic Living System) has some excellent test results on CZcams that prove this, and about a dozen on the general subject of winter clothing - his Safe Harbor Alliance page is a great resource. I like that your suggestions are very cost effective, as an alternate suggestion for those who have the money to spend is polyurethane foam clothing Northern Outfitters (I see Connie has some of their Mittens), Aeris, Fortress Clothing - all make some tremendous (but admittedly very pricey) systems... BUT if you have to be outside all day for work they really do IMHO pay for themselves - absolutely amazing how well the polyurethane foam works. The Bunny Boots were tough for me because I am in different situations where it is tough to take off the boots if they get drenched. I'm using Baffins that have very effective insulation but are really breathable, I used to have Northern Outfitters, but the sole dissolved (VERY weird problem) and I don't think they make them anymore. I tried resoling the boots, but they are even more tough to walk in... I keep them around just for emergencies.
lastdaysguitar I am quite familiar with the open cell foam clothing though I have never tried them. I tried making some foam booties to go in some mukluks I was going to make but They would not stay together. I don't remember the spray adhesive I used but just sitting by them selves on the floor, they would slowly open up and kind of fall apart. I never pursued it any further after that. It is my belief though that the polyester fleece material works the same way as the foam. The polyester fleece did not exist (I don't think) when Jim Phillips was doing his experimentation or else he *might* have gone with the fleece is my guess. Someday I want to dip myself in a hole in lake ice while wearing nothing but synthetic clothing and then see what the after effects performance would be for the synthetics. It would be very interesting to see if they perform anywhere near to the performance of the open cell foam clothing.
Thanks for your Vid. For me wearing 100%wool socks and even socks 70/30 wool/synthetic is a big difrence when they start to be wet...100%wool feels(!) warmer and less wet. everybody can do this low budget test by his own. with underwear it can be different...depends on quality of the synthetic if start to feel cold-wet or not. (I tested this with classic Lundhags boot (is built on a 1-layer construction), working on a huskyfarm(norway) and trekking around.)
Hello Lonnie. I was just walking home tonight with my cowichan work toque my mom made in the late 80's. I am a 30 plus year high rise window washer. live in new westminser bc. and I have to say this hat is the best I have ever owned. I love synthetics as well,but I have to say this natural fiber hat is second to none. My mom used to make cowichan sweaters as well. Very nice,very worm but like poler fleece you can't ware it in a cold wind.
Lonnie and Connie good video thanks. Lonnie I'm most certain that the boots you have her called Mickey mouse boots in the military I had a pair of myself. The valve is used to pump air in the chamber between the inner layer of rubber and the outer layer providing a air chamber which keeps the feet warm.since the innovation of Gore-Tex and other synthetic materials for keeping feet dry and warm moisture wicking capabilities and soul the Mickey mouse boots have become somewhat not used very much anymore. I'm probably banking on buying me another pair again just for sitting at a tree stand and enjoying some dry warm feet plus it can be had at military surplus at a pretty good price from what I understand. Lonnie & Connie your videos are very much appreciated keep up the good work thank you and God bless you.
The white boots are known as "bunny boots" and the black boots made the same way were referred to as "Mickey Mouse boots." Here locally both varieties are generally called bunny boots now though it was not always so. As I understand it, the black boots were designed for use in the Korean war and are not quite as well insulated. The air valve on the side should never be used to pressure up the boot. The reason for the air valve was because the boots are sealed outside and sealed inside with a space between these sealed areas of the boot, there had to be a way designed into the boot to release pressure differences between the boot sealed air space and exterior air when airborne. The boots can potentially be damaged if the air pressure is not equalized. So whenever a bunny boot wearing person is flying, the valve should be opened during the duration of the flight and then resealed once the flight is completed so as to avoid any chance of moisture entering the boot insulation area. It is a wool felt insulation in the interior of the boot and needs to be kept dry.
acajudi100 Oh a different video. Yes she could have used fresh clean water. Sometimes water is in short supply though and we have to economize by reusing the same water.
I prefer natural materials mostly, I think the most important part for staying dry is the weave of the fabrics. Gabardine and felt wool keeps me dry in most weather, the same goes for leather boots, as long as they're properly polished with fat. The downside to tight weaves is that they're very warm, which makes layering key, and the ability to take layers off.
Time for two "southerners" in the Cascades to visit the thrift stores. Where we are from in the south, shorts, flip-flops, a pocket knife and we're ready to go; however, in the north we stay cold and 20 lbs. heavier!!! Clark & Virginia
Polypro underwear since about 1975 hunting, wife also. Also for boys, which was pretty much every day wear for them when not in school and always outside. Cabelas loved us ! Now I did love my down vest, which I still have. Of coarse it was never outer wear. It must be about 50 yrs.old. I can't think of the outfitter back then, I got it from. It was about the only one before Cabelas, back then. I am pretty sure it was in Washington state.
Great video. I could have used some bunny boots when I was doing some work in Arctic Village in February one year. I only had some Sorel pack boots and my toes were very cold, but I did keep them all. I use a lot of synthetic layers for aerobic outdoor activities like skate skiing and backcountry skiing, and my primary complaint for that material is the odor. After time, even after a wash they can still hold onto smells. Whereas wool shirts or socks can be worn many times with little to no noticeable odor. I have had some durability issues with lightweight wool shirts though that I don't have with lightweight poly. Some of the windbreaker materials do a fantastic job of breaking wind and insulating polyester fleece. Sporthill makes pants and tops that are incredible wind breaking and warming layers. Kind of spendy but worth it.
bergbryce If you haven't tried the mode4rn synthetics then you owe it to your self to try them again. I did have some odor issues with synthetics but that was back in the 70s? 80s? The insulating polypropylene underwear that I wear now have no more odor issues than cooton or anything else. I have had one set of these since the 90s. I sometimes will wear the top for several days on end when out hunting and have no increase in odor problems over any other material. I do however put on fresh deodorant (home made) daily.
An excellent, well made video. I've dropped my heating oil bill by 90% this year after realizing we should wear our heat instead of burning oil, and even though I live in Ireland and don't get the extremes of cold you get, it's still amazing what a difference some of those items you show can make. Glad to see I'm on the right track. Good luck to you both!
40ny wow "heating bill cut by 90%. I often wear insulated underwear while in the house. You are right. It allows us to be more comfortable at lower householf temps
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival
Yep heat what matters - house temp in bathroom about 60.
Bedroom @50 the rest 40...
Gives the wife a good reason not to piss you off - bunny heater😁.
A little electric pad for the pet bed - or they can stay in the bedroom with you.
As a young man - up in the Sierra mountains near Tuolumne.
We would jump in bed under mountains of blankets, wake up jump in to our pants as the layer of ice broke from the covers, head over to start the fire, eat and be working in the woods by 7am, was about and hour drive to the loging area...
Love it - cut and spit 3 cords of oak everyday - get back after stacking about 6pm for dinner, have a little bit of fun wrestling or boxing on the only day off.
Boy kids today don't know what real fun is...
Does your wife complain? My wife would....actually I probably wouldn’t be married if I tried that
Yeah teach me how to cut my oil impression down
Lonnie great info..years ago I was a wool guy but I tried synthetics on a trip to Alaska and became a convert. Your vid gave me a few ideas to add. Thanks!
BTW I have a fear of extreme cold so protecting myself against freezing to death is high on my priority list for survival.
Hi Lonnie, good timeless information! I appreciate all the thought and time you put into the video.
Great video Lonnie and Connie, thanks. I like your practical "what works" advice. Wool is good stuff but so are synthetics. New Zealand has a great selection of synthetic clothing. Many hunters and mountaineers swear by it. I like a mixture of both. I always enjoy your videos, keep them coming.
Excellent video and tips
Thank you Lonnie and Connie for sharing this video.
👍👌all the way from 🇬🇧
It is true that wool can absorb up to 20% of it's weight in moisture but that either means you fell into water or it is too warm for wool anyway. What you do in that case is to squeeze most of the water out it instantly becomes lighter again and it looses only 10 to 30% of it's insulation value. If it is freezing outside the wool will freeze on the outside but still be warm near your body. Norwegian and Icelandic sailors/fisherman traditionally wore wool mittens and if it was freezing they dipped the mittens into the sea water and so they would freeze. After that the mittens were windproof and still warm. I have tried this and it works fine. I would personally wear wool under a synthetic outer layer. I have been fishing in frost wearing only wool underwear, wool mittens, socks and hat, the outer layer was a water and wind proof jacket and also waders that are of course water proof and wind proof. I was fine and warm even though it was windy but my friends that were with me were not, they were not wearing wool.
Thanks Lonnie and Connie. Thanks for helping us stay warm!
Connie's boots look so warm! Never seen a boot like that. Thank you for sharing, both of you.
***** You are welcome and Thanks for watching. May you and your loved ones have a blessed Chrstmas.
Hi, Lonnie, this was the first video of yours I came across years ago. I just came back to it to re-watch it. I'm real happy that your channel's been doing great over the years. It's still one of the best outdoors channels out there on CZcams.
Always on the lookout for another video.
Cheers.
Welcome back and thanks for the kind words.
Always informative.
No comparison, to Alaska but now on the cusp of winter, 2020, in NH. Already have the wood stove in service!
Thank you Connie and Lonnie! Stay warm folks!
Thanks Connie and Lonnie... It's great you went through the ladies clothing as well. Gr8 video.
DavidC
Thanks for sharing brother. Good stuff. I'm still a natural fiber guy, mainly because of the stink associated with synthetics along with danger around campfires. I also find it to be noisy. I do love my fleece jacket liner and beanie cap! Great presentation, thanks!
Lonnie you put out some great info here. I see way too many people under dressed when they are out on adventures. I like the way you layer with the synthetic and wool. That works for me even on the coldest days. The only shelter you can really depend on is the cloths you have on.
RedDogBushCraft Some good sound logic you have. Thank you.
Connie's boots remind me of "Moonboots" back in the 80's. The thick foam lining came out and they were warm even when they go wet...but then I was a warmbodied teenager then too lol.
Thanks Lonnie! I like layering wool. Retains thermal value. Love all your stuff!
Hal Weiss (Secrets of Warmth book) says water is 264 X’s more dense than air, thus air is better insulator. He also says wool holds 30% of it’s weight in water (no offense to this gentleman’s content). When I know I can dry out my wool, I’ll always choose wool, due to protein allowing native PEMF’s through. When I’m trying to survive in extreme cold and can’t dry out insulation? Always synthetics.
Thanks for sharing thank you much appreciated... man you have really helped me your work is very important.....Thanks for the video.....
Great video! Good to see Connie in front of the camera! When I lived in Colorado (9,962 ft. in the Rockies) I got all my gear at thrift stores! I wore Sorel boots excellent prices in the thrift store & practically brand new.......
Merry Christmas Connie and Lonnie. Many thanks, for all the real nice videos from Alaska. I look forward to seeing more, in 2015. Have a good one. T
Tom Panetti Thank you very much Tom. My wife and I wish you and your loved ones also experience a very blessed Christmas.
Hi Lonnie & Connie, thanks for the latest video. Happy New Year too you both! Looking forward to what you have in store for us in 2015.🙌
Revo Runner You are welcome. Thank you and may you and your loved ones also have a great New Year as well
Thanks for the video Lonnie. It was cool to know what you and your wife wear while snow machining. And i think the whole synthetic vs. wool is a personal choice. Preference, activity, geographic location all come into play when deciding what gear to wear and use. -Krik
BlackOwlOutdoors You are welcome.
Thanks for the info Lonnie! Once I am experienced enough to go out in my own, I will get a 12 gauge with the 3 in slugs.
Yes, I saw your very attractive gun in the background of one of your videos. Never thought that was a shotgun! Very nice!
Thanks for all your help and advice! I look forward to more of your videos!
David
Another good video Lonnie. Thanks for sharing your experience with us in the lower 48. Hope to make a trip up to Alaska in the not too distant future.
Robert Blakely Thank you . Hope your dream trip works out for you.
Lonnie, Thank you very much. I totally agree with you about the synthetic insulating clothing. Military gortex as an outer layer works for me.
Thank you sir for sharing your experience. It is valuable to know what works in the worst of it!
Lonnie thank you for the wilderness wisdom and just plain common sense you have dispensed over the years! I am a long time subscriber, but have just now found your video on cold weather clothing. I have been waffling back and forth over the synthetic versus wool question lately. Most sources imply that synthetics are no good when they get wet. You have given much food for thought. God bless you and yours.
Wool is excellent. Some synthetics work quite well while others tend to hold water between the fibers though may not technically "absorb" water.
Great video and I'm happy to see you have a lovely wife. You are a blessed man!
ty Lonnie I love the way you make things so simple and easy to follow.
Electronicpoacher1 You are welcome my friend. Thanks for watching
great video, Thanks Lonnie and Connie!
Thank you guys
Lonnie and connie we wish you a merry xmas from sunny florida
knifcrzy 1127 Thank you very much. We also wish you and your loved ones a very blessed Christmas.
im glad to see you putting this video out bro clothing is something that gets so overlookd during the winter its something a lot of people dont even think about great job
coydog outdoors Thanks. I have spent a lot of time in the Alaskan winter outdoors being uncomfortably cold. Hopefully from what I have learned through the years from those experiences, I can help others to be better equipped so they won't have to endure the cold but rather be able to *enjoy* the cold weather.
Thanks you guys. I watch this channel all the time I've subscribed. But ya they look like great boots Connie has there. Lonnie I have seen your bunny boots on people all the time. I mean back in the 50's. I never knew what the valve was for but now I know. I know how important good clothing in the winter is so again thanks and keep the videos coming. Don
I'm glad someone asked you about this because I was planning to ask you soon myself was just trying to figure out in what fashion :-)
Outstanding video amigos. This is a video for any person that lives in extreme cold weather to pay attention. I have no doubts that these clothing works for such low temperatures since you are teaching from experience-- 40 yrs living in Alaska.
Lonnie, I live in Puerto Rico and synthetic fleece is outstanding here. Synthetic helps in perspiration and dries quiet fast perfect for our tropical environment. My regards to your wife. Gracias.
Carlos Sepulveda Thank you Carlos. Interesting that the fleece works well in those warmer climates as well
Nicely done. I am going to buy some new gear, and I will be using your advice. In past, I have been wed to wool; however, I will be reconsidering my options. Thank you!
Thanks Lonnie, yes, I look forward to the serenity and peacefulness of the woods. I really cannot wait to go. Eventually I hope to be able to make trips all season long. I'm a little nervous about the animals at night, but we don't have Grizzlies like you don in Alaska, but we do have black bears!
David Fiorini Not meaning to cause any undue concern but I believe you are right to be aware of the potential of black bears. There are far to many people who underestimate the black bear. Keep in mind that black bear attacks are extremely rare but that they do occur. If you can arm yourself with a large caliber handgun or a 12 gauge shotgun or at the very least, a can of full strength bear pepper spray and then just go about your business as usual you should be fine. I would recommend going prepared as mentioned above if you are off by yourself in the backwoods some where but if you are camping in a campground where there is other human activity then you typically have very little to worry about.
Great video Lonnie and Connie! Connie's boots look extremly warm.
Bridgette Brown Thank you Bridgette. I have tried boots like this on before and tried them out and yes they are VERY warm.
The main principle in dressing for cold weather is to keep yourself dry. How you do that is up to you as there are many ways to do it. Also each person is different in their tolerance for cold. So what works for me, may not be the best for you. Activity level plays a large roll in keeping yourself comfortable. If you are doing heavy activity (hauling toboggan, chopping wood, shovelling driveway, etc), what you need to keep dry and warm is a lot less than you would think.
I know what you mean...when I moved to Michigan I bought a full body Carhardt Black to go chop firewood. Huge mistake, I was sweating buckets in 10 minutes wasn't great for mobility either. Even thermal underwear was a bit much after changing.
bwillan Some good comments here.
Stew Pedaso Lol yeah I sometimes strip down to just my polypropolene underwear on my upper body and take off my hat as well when I'm chopping wood or snowshoeing.
I had 4 layers doing a mountaineering course in spain (sierra nevada mountain range) and i was going up and down so much that i stripped down to a base layer and gloves, keeping the fleece pullover handy for when we would be stationary. So yeah i agree lol.
Agreed, I work outside in Wisconsin winter and on top of the very important dryness is the importance of layers to control cooling and heating due to strenuous work. All my stuff has zippers so I can simply zip and unzip as needed and I find that being a bit cooler is better than sweating
Fantastic! it was nice to see a little more of Connie. those boots do look a little clunky though! thanks for sharing as always... see you on the next one.
paul was taken Thanks Paul. I also enjoy having Connie in the videos.
Hello Lonnie & Connie, outstanding presentation... Great information shared.. Thanks much!
ScoutCrafter Thank you Scout. You are welcome
Thank you for this video. I keep hearing wool, wool, wool from a lot of Bushcraft/Survival folks on CZcams and elsewhere. I thought I was an odd man out for my preference of synthetics. As someone who is just getting started I have gained a lot of useful insight from your videos. Thanks Lonnie and Connie!
+Sean McGuire Of course as you know, I agree with you on the synthetics for winter wear. I want to do a video where I jump into some open water during the winter here in Alaska and then see how long it takes before I start feeling warmth once again being provided by my synthetic clothing. The trouble with this test is that I am a complete and total sissy when it comes to being cold lol. When I was a kid all my friends would love to go swimming. I could only swim for a little while and then I would have to huddle in the sunshine and shiver until we all got dressed in our dry clothes again..
All the best for 2015 to you and your family. Love watching and learning from your video's. Keep them coming. Cheers from Nova Scotia.
450rhino1 Thank you very much. We hope that you and your loved ones also have a very blessed new year. Many Many more videos planned as time and my ambition allows.
Hello Lonnie, I want to thank you for all the great information that you provide in your videos. I'm a city boy that lives 10 min outside New York City and I am planning my first trip into the woods this spring. I have learned some great info. from your videos that I am sure I'm going to be able to use in the woods. Thanks again!
David
David Fiorini Thank you David for these encouraging words. My wife and I are really glad to hear words like this because it helps us to know that what we are doing is benefiting those who may not get the help needed otherwise. We hope that your Spring trip is very rewarding and fulfilling. Getting away from the hustle, bustle, noise and "chaos" of the city to the quiet peacefulness of the woods can be a very relaxing though rejuvenating experience.
Where are you in N.Y. i grew up on L.I. and moved west in 78. Wool was traditional back east in the old days. Still use it quite a bit although it is heavy.
Good information I wear mostly synthetics as well especially when I plan to do a lot of hiking. I do prefer wool if I plan to spend more time around camp with a fire. Thanks for sharing I think your wife could join the rock band KISS with boots, lol.
Jason
primalarcher Thank you Jason. Sounds like you have a great winter clothing system figured out. My wife in the band KISS, Lol. Although she is very social and everybody seems to love having her around, For the life of me, I just can't picture her quite fitting in with the band even with the boots. lol
Thank you for the videos Lonnie.Always come away with some very useful knowledge.Thank you to Connie Every good man has a good woman behind the scene lol.....
Chip McClain You are very welcome. thank you for the kind words. I passed on your kudos to Connie. She appreciates it as well
its largely luck if they do. there are no gaurntees of finding a woman and no gaurntees she will stick around.
thxs Sir - i hadnt seen those boots - very interesting - i agree with you for the long johns however im a wool coat and pants kinda guy lol - works good fer me here on the BC -Yukon border - differnt strokes i guess - thanks
Great tips again !!!! Living myself in a cold climate it's good to know that synthetic is a good buy with a good combination or set-up. But the boots of your wife wow !!! I use Sorel boots they are good but a little bit heavy. Again thanx for thoses great vids very informative cheers from quebec !!!!
daniel saint-martin Thank you Daniel. Through the years I have also had many pairs of the Sorrel boots.
really useful video.I've even got a pair of bunny boots sent from USA, after seeing this video! Just used them on my latest winter camp and I found them reaaly confortable and warm!
Just one more question: how do you take care of your boots? Thank you for your interesting and useful videos.
Thanks for the info . Very well made video. I would have thought wool or some other natural material would be better but obviously I have been misinformed. I was always thinking of the wind and how it cuts through my synthetic coats but you solved that issue.
Good job on the video. Great information. The only point that wasn't stressed enough was the importance of layers, but you got that in the comments. Whatever your system you want to stay dry. Not just from outside moisture but your own sweat can be an issue. Stay dry in side and out and you'll stay warm and happy. Thanks for all your videos and info. Keep it up.
Cory Gardner Yeah I don't always remember to say everything that I meant to. The buildup of moisture is one of the greatest reasons for using the synthetics. There is very little moisture buildup as the material wicks the moisture away very rapidly as it occurs. You are welcome and thanks for watching.
So nice to meet Ms Connie.
My friend Mike Barton just found the coolest wool boreal shirt at a thrift store.
I can never find much because of my 6"4" stature but sometime I'm going to score lol
Thanks for sharing Lonny and Merry Christmas to both of you !!
mrbakerskatz Thank you. I can see where that might be difficult to find clothes that would fit you. Good luck on your future searches and may you and your loved ones also have a very blessed Christmas.
hi Lonnie and Connie thanks for the video good one buddy that a nice young model you have all the best dave
david clarke Thanks David. I'm kind of partial to that "model". I think I'll keep her around full time. She has been with me for several decades so she must be a special person. :o)
Thanks Lonny, and Connie ... I have always embraced the synthetic ... i don't care if it is Marina Wool ... All Wool Makes me Itch !!! And I have always favored cotton and synthetics ... Always worked fine for me ... I agree with you about that the water issue, because when you get wool wet ... It never ever dries out !!!
wow , I've lived in Central Florida my whole life , this April my wife and I are moving 2 lydenn Washington, I'm pretty concerned about the cold , so I'm doin the research now , so I can be prepared for the coming winter months, my thought were deff 2 hit the thrift stores , thank you sir 4 sharing your experience , and knowledge 😊
Have you tried Mukluks? And if so how do they fair against your other footwear. My philosophy is that nature is the best manufacturer of gear, just look at seals, penguins, polar bears, muskox, geese, all designed to withstand the harshest conditions. You were the last person I would suspect would be into synthetic materials but hey learn something new everyday! Great video as usual and nice place.
Lonnie and Connie lol perfect!
Canadian Prepper I wore the military canvas topped mukluks 40 years ago. They were fine as far as I remember but you don't dare get them wet. If you find yourself wet because of some accident then you may be in SERIOUS trouble and in a life threatening situation. Fur and feathers keeps the animals and birds warm but they are a LOT tougher than we are. If we are to wear fur thick enough to keep us warm than it ends up being pretty heavy and bulky. Goose down is an exception to that but then you DON'T DARE get it wet or you are in deep doo doo. I personally love down filled clothes but it scares me too much to wear it when in situations where I might encounter water. The synthetics that I demoed in this video will dry out quickly on their own simply by wearing, if I am to get wet during the winter.
***** Thanks for the response, sealskin boots mukluks would be expensive put pretty much impermeable to water as far as I know. I agree about synthetics for base layers, and don't doubt your experience, but would be reluctant to take them over natural fibers if I was in a situation where I had to choose.
*****
I've got only one down-filled item in my camping gear - and I've only got it because the down is in an airtight (and therefore completely waterproof) item - my inflatable camping mat.
If it were in anything less waterproof - jacket, sleeping bag etc, I wouldn't carry it because although it has great insulation properties, is light and packs down really well, I know what it would be like if it got wet....
And around here, even in summer, getting wet is always likely.
I’ve seen those (mickey Mouse boots) for years, family members have used them, but I’ve always had lacrosse boots both knee highs and lacrosse icemen pack boots. The mickey boots always looked uncomfortable. As I write and listen to you talk you mentioned the ability to dump them out and have them be dry inside. That makes sense. Is that the main benefit? My lacrosse knee highs and icemen both have material that would get wet. Inside and never dry out in a short time.
A very timely video for me. It gives me five months to equip myself for the southern winter. I've never done any snow hiking or camping but I'm aiming to change that during 2015. :) Regards, Mark.
biggles1024 If you ever get tired of your winters you could come up here during your winter and go back home during your summer. You would have endless summer. Wow. Good luck on search for the proper winter gear and hope you really enjoy the outdoors this winter.
Refrigiwear has some of the warmest clothing you can buy. I have half a dozen items from them, but the new line of extreme clothing is absolutely the best. It is called "Extreme Softshell". It is even warmer than the style in your video (comfort rating of -60 F). The trouser pants are worth picking up as well. I use them like long underwear under the softshell bibs. I'm so warm I could survive a couple of days in the Siberian winter. I really like your channel, especially this video about warm clothing. Thanks for all you do for us.
+neffofrog I believe that I have 4 different pieces of refrigiwear clothing and they have all been good products
I really enjoyed this video. I'm a proponent of synthetic gear myself and I'm impressed that it does so well in Alaska - where it gets a damn-sight colder than it ever gets here.
I fully agree about the water-shedding ability of polypropylene and polyester fleece garments. I've often been caught in the rain or had to ford a river and the clothes drip-dry on the body in very short order - compared with my old wool bush shirt which stayed wet for hours and weighed a ton when saturated with water.
I use a light tight-weave nylon shell as windproofing - a cheap folds-into-its-own-pocket "shower-proof" jacket which I find quite sufficient to stop the wind whistling through the fibres of my thermal layer(s).
Your heavy insulated nylon gear for riding remind me of my heavy Cordura motorcycle gear, so I can well appreciate how effective they must be in keeping the wind and water out.
Thanks heaps for sharing your views and all the best to you both.
Wolf's Airsoft Sounds like you've a great clothing system figured out. You are welcome and thank you.
Cool job great video keep it up my friend and bless on your family
I love the BOY SCOUT belt!!!! Good choice. It's great quality.
The upside of wool is it doesn't burn like napalm and stick to you if it gets heated which you bring up. I use wool but it is not 'arctic' could where I live. As with all things the quality matters.
worddunlap Yes the wool would not be as much of a safety concern if there is a chance of catching oneself on fire.
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival
i recommend you try to hit up a local fire fighter station or something to see if they have some old gear lying around that they're going to get rid of, in my experience nothing beats fire fighter gear when it comes to keeping you warm, dry AND safe from sparks, if it's designed to keep 300+°C out, it'll keep 37°C in, not to mention all the mechanical protection you can get from those boots, they are reinforced at the ankles and they have a sheet of steel in the soles, which can come in handy because you don't know what's under the snow most of the times.
Steel reinforced boot toes and soles are often colder boots. The steel conducts heat away from the feet.
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival
that's certainly true for work boots and older fire fighter boots too, but the more modern ones have great isolation between your feet and the steel and i think some even have hard polymer instead of steel, which is even better.
also, in your particular case, the bunny boots can't be beat, but i still recommend you try out the jackets, hoods and pants.
Oh man .. Bunny boots and Polly pros .. Wow .. I forgot all about that stuff. I wish I still had them from when I was stationed at wainwright .. I dont have any use for it here in Texas but it would be good to have .. That feels like a different lifetime ago .. Praise the Lord brother im not the same guy I was back then brother lonnie .. Thank u Lord for his mercy and saving me brother. Amen .. I still watch these old videos .. I like them very much all these years later. I miss Alaska sometimes .. Good place to be .. I dont miss the mosquitoes or the muskag but alaska had its good things thats for sure .
Thank you. I've been told by a friend about Alaska, your pants leg touching your leg, terribly cold. I have been in above freezing weather all my life, but plan a trip in the VERY cold, and have to learn how to do so. Thank you.
I have switched to fleece outerwear ;besides under layers, years ago. Was introduced to SPEAR clothing system when it came out, still using it. Love wool if close to home, But, in the woods , fleece. Perfect example, here in NC there is No way we get the temps you deal with. Cold rain in the 30's besides snow is about it. So of course wearing a 300 weight parka with no lining; thank you Sportsmansguide, and a layering of fleece to the skin, I am ridiculously comfortable without rain gear. My buddy had his 500 dollar hunting coat on, he was miserable. Me, I shucked off my parka, snapped it a few times, watched the water fly off and out of the material, put it back on, warm as could be. Thanks for the channel and the videos!
i dont live i normal cold place but i live in very hot desert in summer its winter here now in arizona its so cold 40 and lower at night some times 40 durning day so this is helpful we desert dwellers dont know much about cold i am freezing right now so thank u i am subscribing so thanks for telling me about thermals . i typically wear jeans in snow and leather boots some times it snows here.
Thanks for sharing a different perspective other than the 'spend hundreds of dollars on wool power garments' !! I'm a huge fan of fleece, but for by the fire really love the wool too. Each has their place, but all my stuff is from the thrift store!!
Alexander Haney You are welcome Alexander. I also have no problem getting second hand clothing as long as it is in good condition and it fits my needs.
They have now come out with wind blocking fleece. I have a hoodie from LLBean. It is light weight and blocks the wind quite well! You could also substitute a nylon windbreaker in between layers as well, or a waterproof outer layer. Oh this video is from 2014. Today is 11/13/18 Ha ha things have changed a bit. Thanks Lonnie and Connie.
Great information. Being fairly new to Alaska we are still learning what it takes to stay warm. We love Value Village.
Rustic By Nature VV is one of my wife's favorite stores :o) We shop at the one in Wasilla. I was just there less than a week ago. My personal favorites are "Thrifters Rock" and "Bishops Attic" in the valley.
***** We are stomping the same ground, I work in Anchorage and live in the big lake area. BTW I can't seem to find anywhere that sell the Northern Outfitters Arctic Boots
Rustic By Nature I don't know of anyone in Alska that sell the Northern Outfitter gear. We ordered my wife's boots direct from the company using the web site. We have however occasionally seen some of the N.O. gear for sell used on "Craiglist" locally.
Hope connie's shoulder heals soon!! great video...thank you... I've been using "ventile" ( tightly woven cotton ) material as an outer / waterproof layer, for the past few years...have you ever used ventile ? ....I enjoy it's quietness when walking..it dries much more quickly than people say, and doesn't get very damaged next to a camp fire. It does stiffen up when soaked, but I've never found moisture on the inside...wonderful Chanel, one of my favourites, many thanks from the UK..
iamsabian Thank you. I have never heard of "Ventile" before. Sounds interesting.
I have a total wool set up, including wool bibs, jacket with hood, wool socks, wool army insert gloves, and wool socks. Wool has many pluses, but it will not block the wind. You will need some type of water proof/resistant shell.
When I was in the Air Force and stationed in Minot, North Dakota they issued us Mukluks, and also boots like the ones you was wearing to stay warm outside in Winter. I had the mukluks and loved them so much and my feet stayed warm in them. We had the gloves which came up quite a ways with the thumb separate from the rest of the glove, but due to my job we could not wear them around the aircraft so I didn't bring them to work. We had two kinds of parkas and I ended up with the cotton parka which was warm and it allowed us to move around better. The pull up pants was made from the same material as the parkas and was warm also, but due to my job I didn't wear them since we had to work in confined areas and could not move with those pants over our regular pants. One lieutenant threatened to write me up because I was not wearing the pants, but that didn't go anywhere. We worked on the B-52's and there isn't much room to move around inside the area next to the ground under normal conditions and in Winter it is terrible there like it is in Alaska.
+Far.North.bushcraft. Hello I'm with you, all I like is polyester or fleece so on. Wool is not as good as every one thinks. In the bush I want to stay warm as I can. Great video my friend.
I enjoy your videos very much. I spent a few hours watching some of them, and I've learned a lot. I'm from Alberta here. With all this talk about SHTF for lack of better words, it is good to get informed and be prepared. We all depend on heated leather seats, cell phones, and a warm bed to sleep in. It wouldn't take much for our world to be turned upside down in a second, as history has shown us in the past, and us northerners would have extreme cold to deal with. The most important thing is to have Jesus as your personal savior in these uncertain times. Anyways, thanks very much.
greatzzzscott You are welcome and thanks. I agree that we have become very dependent on technology in order to live our daily lives. I also agree totally with the advantage of knowing Jesus Christ on a personal level to help in the tough times ahead. very well put.
I enjoyed your Alaskan fashion show. You are totally metro. I used to wear polyester or synthetic material winter plaid, but is was too warm and made me sweat and then the shirts would smell bad after the first day. I switched to 100% cotton. If I lived in Alaska, maybe I'd switch back to synthetic.
Thanks guys. Great video. I would have never guessed. You always here wool is the best. And here in southern Washington it can get wet and cold, I know its colder in other parts. But its still hard to find stuff that you won't freeze in. I'll try some of these.
walkerm777 As I said in the video, there are many who disagree with my choice of winter wear material. For me though, I have determined it is the best. Good luck with whatever you try.
If your into synthetics , Sierra Trading Co online has great big sales. But I still love my merino wool when out in the bush cause I can wear it for days without stinking. My biggest problem with synthetic is , it's plastic and if you like being around a fire , BEWARE !!
Wool is best by the fire , I wear my lesterriverbushcraft Boreal 100% wool shirt by the fire. As usual Lonnie and Connie , you guys are great 👍👍
PEACE
Sierra Trading turned me off many many years ago when I seen that they were raising the prices on their products outrageously high compared to everyone else and then they offered *"huge sale"* prices which ended up having the end cost of their products at a competitive price comparable to most everyone else. In other words, they were selling their products at prices normal with everyone else but attempting to pull a fast one on their customers by making them think they were getting a great deal. They were selling at regular prices making their customers think that the prices were a deep discount. In other words they were a bit unethical and deceitful. I do not support businesses like that. Even if they have now cleaned up their act (I don't know if they have), I still refuse to shop with them due to their beginning attitude of hoping and insinuating that the public (their potential customers) are stupid and lack discernment.
I love those Lester River Bushcraft Boreal wool Shirts. I am deeply envious of you. :o)
Far North Bushcraft And Survival I haven't used Sierra in about a year and I started to wonder exactly what you say. I don't know if they cleaned their act up , but I did get a few things really cheap. But what I found is , they will substitute an item without asking.
So with the respect I have for your opinion , I will also shop elsewhere. Like second hand store or Goodwill 👍👍
Thanks
Thanks for the Great Advice Amigo !!!
Well done kids!!!! Connie is a doll!!!!!
joesneon Thanks
I'm with you as far as the polypropylene long underwear, but for the rest of it I prefer wool. I don't like the feel of most synthetics and where I live we get more rain than extreme cold, so wool is the answer for me. I do respect your choices and your opinion, and whatever works for you is awesome.
I wore the Refrigiwear products when working in the frozen warehouse at Turkey Hill Dairy in Conestoga PA. In the warehouse it could get down to -20 degrees F. Their products are pretty durable and very warm.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, with best wishes.
TheStoyanbahchevanov Thank you very Much. May you and your loved ones also have a very Blessed Christmas. as well
Most people would never consider to go second hand thrift clothes. At least would not admit it. Thank you for this video showing your cold weather clothing. Personally I take great pride in my thrift parka. I lent it to my brother who has relocated to Calgary. As for synthetics, it is a personal one, but your right ,synthetics are way more available and adaptable.
christian bernoe My wife and I frequently shop at the thrift stores. I have made a lot of money in my life but I still hate to turn down a "good deal". I have found some "real deals" over the years. Well at least your brother is warm. :o) Stay warm this winter and take care.
Good coverage Lonnie and nice that you got Connie on the camera too. I like fleece too. It’s warm, easier to care for and dries a lot faster than wool. I was typing my fire comment when you covered it. Most of the arguments I’ve heard from bushcraft people is that wool is safer around campfires. Refrigiwear is a good name, I’ve seen a lot of comments from sled dog mushers up there who use it. Mittens are much warmer than gloves and thanks for the cuff fur explanation, now I know... :-)
***** Thanks my friend. I always enjoy having Connie get in on the videoing as well. We are a team. I agree about mittens being warmer than gloves. I have some down filled leather mittens that I have had for well over 30 years that are very warm and comfortable.
***** I agree that mittens are definitely superior. I made myself a set of mittens (windproof nylon shell, polarfleece lining) for riding my motorcycle to work in winter because sub-zero (Celsius) air hitting my hands at 100km/h was too much for my thick winter-weight gloves to handle. Didn't think to put a fleecy bit on the outside of the cuff, though. Perhaps that can be the next modification...
Once again Lonnie, you are SPOT ON regarding your advice of synthetic as superior materials for winter clothing, Jim Phillips - founder of PALs (Phillips Arctic Living System) has some excellent test results on CZcams that prove this, and about a dozen on the general subject of winter clothing - his Safe Harbor Alliance page is a great resource. I like that your suggestions are very cost effective, as an alternate suggestion for those who have the money to spend is polyurethane foam clothing Northern Outfitters (I see Connie has some of their Mittens), Aeris, Fortress Clothing - all make some tremendous (but admittedly very pricey) systems... BUT if you have to be outside all day for work they really do IMHO pay for themselves - absolutely amazing how well the polyurethane foam works. The Bunny Boots were tough for me because I am in different situations where it is tough to take off the boots if they get drenched. I'm using Baffins that have very effective insulation but are really breathable, I used to have Northern Outfitters, but the sole dissolved (VERY weird problem) and I don't think they make them anymore. I tried resoling the boots, but they are even more tough to walk in... I keep them around just for emergencies.
lastdaysguitar I am quite familiar with the open cell foam clothing though I have never tried them. I tried making some foam booties to go in some mukluks I was going to make but They would not stay together. I don't remember the spray adhesive I used but just sitting by them selves on the floor, they would slowly open up and kind of fall apart. I never pursued it any further after that. It is my belief though that the polyester fleece material works the same way as the foam. The polyester fleece did not exist (I don't think) when Jim Phillips was doing his experimentation or else he *might* have gone with the fleece is my guess. Someday I want to dip myself in a hole in lake ice while wearing nothing but synthetic clothing and then see what the after effects performance would be for the synthetics. It would be very interesting to see if they perform anywhere near to the performance of the open cell foam clothing.
Thanks for your Vid.
For me wearing 100%wool socks and even socks 70/30 wool/synthetic is a big difrence when they start to be wet...100%wool feels(!) warmer and less wet.
everybody can do this low budget test by his own.
with underwear it can be different...depends on quality of the synthetic if start to feel cold-wet or not. (I tested this with classic Lundhags boot (is built on a 1-layer construction), working on a huskyfarm(norway) and trekking around.)
Hello Lonnie. I was just walking home tonight with my cowichan work toque my mom made in the late 80's. I am a 30 plus year high rise window washer. live in new westminser bc. and I have to say this hat is the best I have ever owned. I love synthetics as well,but I have to say this natural fiber hat is second to none. My mom used to make cowichan sweaters as well. Very nice,very worm but like poler fleece you can't ware it in a cold wind.
christian bernoe Sounds warm and comfortable
Lonnie and Connie good video thanks. Lonnie I'm most certain that the boots you have her called Mickey mouse boots in the military I had a pair of myself. The valve is used to pump air in the chamber between the inner layer of rubber and the outer layer providing a air chamber which keeps the feet warm.since the innovation of Gore-Tex and other synthetic materials for keeping feet dry and warm moisture wicking capabilities and soul the Mickey mouse boots have become somewhat not used very much anymore. I'm probably banking on buying me another pair again just for sitting at a tree stand and enjoying some dry warm feet plus it can be had at military surplus at a pretty good price from what I understand. Lonnie & Connie your videos are very much appreciated keep up the good work thank you and God bless you.
The white boots are known as "bunny boots" and the black boots made the same way were referred to as "Mickey Mouse boots." Here locally both varieties are generally called bunny boots now though it was not always so. As I understand it, the black boots were designed for use in the Korean war and are not quite as well insulated. The air valve on the side should never be used to pressure up the boot. The reason for the air valve was because the boots are sealed outside and sealed inside with a space between these sealed areas of the boot, there had to be a way designed into the boot to release pressure differences between the boot sealed air space and exterior air when airborne. The boots can potentially be damaged if the air pressure is not equalized. So whenever a bunny boot wearing person is flying, the valve should be opened during the duration of the flight and then resealed once the flight is completed so as to avoid any chance of moisture entering the boot insulation area. It is a wool felt insulation in the interior of the boot and needs to be kept dry.
In the Army, some also called these "Mickey Mouse boots"
no Micky mouse boots are not the same boot, mm boots are for cold wet weather bunny boots are for the arctic
Mickeys are black
Thanks for the info ! Ya'll just keep getting Better & Better !
MrBurge007 Lol I don't know about getting any better but we are still enjoying sharing anyway. Thank you.
Thank you for all your teachings.
acajudi100 You are welcome. Thanks for watching the videos.
Would your wife be able to rinse her hair in clear water?
acajudi100 ??? I'm not sure what you are referring to, sorry.
When she washed her hair,,she rinsed it off with soapy water, instead of soap free water.
acajudi100 Oh a different video. Yes she could have used fresh clean water. Sometimes water is in short supply though and we have to economize by reusing the same water.
Great vid Lonnie! Thanks!
TomsBackwoods Thank you Tom
I prefer natural materials mostly, I think the most important part for staying dry is the weave of the fabrics. Gabardine and felt wool keeps me dry in most weather, the same goes for leather boots, as long as they're properly polished with fat. The downside to tight weaves is that they're very warm, which makes layering key, and the ability to take layers off.
Time for two "southerners" in the Cascades to visit the thrift stores. Where we are from in the south, shorts, flip-flops, a pocket knife and we're ready to go; however, in the north we stay cold and 20 lbs. heavier!!!
Clark & Virginia
Polypro underwear since about 1975 hunting, wife also. Also for boys, which was pretty much every day wear for them when not in school and always outside. Cabelas loved us !
Now I did love my down vest, which I still have. Of coarse it was never outer wear. It must be about 50 yrs.old. I can't think of the outfitter back then, I got it from. It was about the only one before Cabelas, back then. I am pretty sure it was in Washington state.
Great video.
I could have used some bunny boots when I was doing some work in Arctic Village in February one year. I only had some Sorel pack boots and my toes were very cold, but I did keep them all.
I use a lot of synthetic layers for aerobic outdoor activities like skate skiing and backcountry skiing, and my primary complaint for that material is the odor. After time, even after a wash they can still hold onto smells. Whereas wool shirts or socks can be worn many times with little to no noticeable odor. I have had some durability issues with lightweight wool shirts though that I don't have with lightweight poly.
Some of the windbreaker materials do a fantastic job of breaking wind and insulating polyester fleece. Sporthill makes pants and tops that are incredible wind breaking and warming layers. Kind of spendy but worth it.
bergbryce If you haven't tried the mode4rn synthetics then you owe it to your self to try them again. I did have some odor issues with synthetics but that was back in the 70s? 80s? The insulating polypropylene underwear that I wear now have no more odor issues than cooton or anything else. I have had one set of these since the 90s. I sometimes will wear the top for several days on end when out hunting and have no increase in odor problems over any other material. I do however put on fresh deodorant (home made) daily.
Thats a good choise of clothes! Hi from sweden
Ekbergarna Linus Hello and thank you my Swedish friend.
Subbed. Thanks for the tips Lonnie
Thank you Andrew for the sub. Glad you liked the video. Welcome to the channel.
Great info. Thank you.
Those boots are made for Hoth lol. Nice video, stay warm up there.
Love that cabin.
Another great video.....keep them rolling =)
trevor parsons Thank you. Plenty more videos planned as time permits