Preparing for winter barn chores What keeps YOU warm?

[whitney]

Be specific.

And for the record[SIZE=36pt] I HATE WINTER[/SIZE]

I'm a BIG FAN of 1 piece snowmobile suits, I'm retiring my old one I've had it 22 years, AND moon boots if you can find them.

I couldn't so just bought snowmobile boots good to -40 degrees.

 

[Carolyn R]

Get Outthe Carhart overalls!!! I get the less expensive matching jackets from Cabella's ($39 compared to $89).

Carolyn

 

[jayne]

I'm not that picky about the rest of me, but my feet HAVE to be warm and dry. Here's what I think is the best solution to that problem:

These boots are awesome. Mine are easily over 5 years old and still are good as new. There are several different styles, but this is the one I have. Watch your sales because the people at my old barn paid quite a bit more than I did, but I was a wise shopper.

Gloves is another important thing. It's not that cold here, so I use these:

They have rubber soles but are soft inside and on the top. They keep me as warm as I need to be. They are probably not warm enough for Michigan though!

Hope that helps!

Jayne

 

[whitney]

Jayne I was looking at the muck boot but I got mixed reviews from some friends that have them, not being WARM enough for Michigan winters. How cold does it get there?

However I DO have those gloves but I use them when I trim horses there grippy and the mud and "stuff" wipe right off.

 

[Sue_C.]

I like the looks of those boots, but they would be for spring and fall here...no rubber boot going to keep feeties warm here in Nova Scotia winters either. I have gloves like them too, and wear them in the spring to help keep my fingers dry when the dew is cold and wet on my wheelbarrow and bucket handles...but again, they are not much use in the winter, except as a liner.

For me, there is nothing that beats a leather glove lined with a thinsulate material. No synthetic keeps my fingers warm enough...and unfortunately I cannot tolerate pure wool...which is the very best insulator next to thinsulate. As for boots, I find the water-proofed nylon or leather winter riding type boots, with the thinsulate linings to be the best thing so far. I even found them warm enough to ride in when I was living in northern Alberta. I get them a 1/2 size to one size larger than I need, so I can get an extra sock in there without cramming...keep your footwear loose on your feet, and the air can circulate enough to keep the foot warm. If your boots are tight...your feet will get cold much faster.

I too...HATE WINTER!!!

 

[Sassy'sMom]

I totally totally love my Muck boots! I wear a pair of thicker socks, and my feet have never even come close to getting cold in them. I always refused to spend the money on them, and then one day my husband and I were at TSC and he MADE me get a pair, he bought them. Best buy ever!

I also use one piece coveralls, I have to buy a new set this year, because mine is pretty old and yucky!

And, I also HATE WINTER!

 

[Leeana]

Carrhart jacket and insulated (thin-sulated brand) mud boots only for when its really snow/muddy out....rest of the time i have my "barn" shoes which are just a cheap running show from walmart, then i love the jersey gloves...they are thin enough where i can still move my fingers but keep your hands warm. Normally in the winter i just wear pajama pants to the barn, really fuzzy and comfy, and then of course nothing keeps your warm like a carrhart

. I wish they made a womans carrhart jacket that was not bulky and stiff though..had mine for three years and its still stiff..

 

[backwoodsnanny]

Well as you all know it does get Cold here. On my feet I wear wool or wool blend socks and a boot very like a moon boot becaue most boots are too heavy weight wise. I have a bad knee and the added weight is an issue. My boots are rubber with thinsulate lining and arent very attractive but they keep my feet warm and are light I bought a size bigger than I normally wear so I could get a wool sock inside. Then I wear silk blend long johns top and bottom then jeans and a turtle neck then a fleece and wind pants on the bottom until it gets below zero then I wear fleece pants and carhart overalls and a scarf and wool hat and jacket. For gloves I cant stand being restricted so wear a wool blend glove as well and neoprene like they have for ice fishing under them. And even then sometimes its not enough but we do get COLD weather. So far I have just had to wear the long johns and jeans and havent graduated even to the wind pants yet. I thank God every day when things arent frozen solid in the morning. I also hate winter but find I can stand more cold than the rest of my family because I am out in it every day.

 

[DrivinTime]

Here are my weapons of choice (and man, does it get cold here!):

- tall Sorel moon-type boots, good traction and the tall nylon uppers keep the snow out of my pant legs

- polarfleece or thick wool or hollofil hunter socks

- windpants over my jeans for when I'm driving or watching an event (sleigh rallies rock!)

- insulated nylon gloves (or, when it's really cold, insulated deerskin mittens that my sister-in-law gave me)

- polarfleece pullover on top of a cotton turtleneck, with a hooded winter jacket over that

- polarfleece hat (yes, I get terrible static-y hat-hair, but hey, my ears don't get frostbit)

And, in case anyone is wondering or we're taking a vote or anything: [SIZE=14pt] I HATE winter too!!![/SIZE]

) Lori

 

[whitney]

Can anyone recommend a good snowmobile suit I'm considering this one.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...rset=ISO-8859-1

DrivinTime I've considered making a 1 piece polarfleece undersuit complete with footies and hat, kinda like footie pajamas.

I'm like a little walking ice cube ALL WINTER LONG!

Has anyone tried those silky long johns do they REALLY work, I saw them yesterday at walmart.

 

[chandab]

I've lived in MT almost my whole life, I've had horses for over 20 years and didn't buy a pair of cover-alls til about 6 years ago when I married a rancher, and they definitely come in handy for winter chores. I usually buy a pair of winter paks to keep my feet warm; but this I'm trying a pair of the Muckboots, they are rated to sub-zero; and not near as clumsy as the winter paks are. And, a Carhardt Arctic coat. ANd, of coarse something to cover my head; I usually just use a head band and a neck/face warmer, but if its really cold I have an "elmer fudd" hat.

 

[krissy3]

I purchased a pair of ski pants....thinking I would learn to ski (in the Swiss Alps) ..I use them when I am cleaning and working with the horses.Today when I was up to my waist shoveling the snow to make a path ..I was really glad i had them...couldnt live without them.Also my sister left a fancy pair of snow boots last time she visited , and I am using them to muck stalls

They are great too, but I always have 2 pairs of everything so it can dry out...Oh and last time I was at wallmart in the US I purchased a cheap parka , it was like 15 dollars..I LOVE IT!!! purchased the same thing here for 40 CHF and its crapy compaired to the Wallmart one.

 

[whitney]

chandab I'm a member of the elmer fudd club too! Is yours red and black plaid?

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

Well I live in the GREAT WHITE NORTH and it is ridiculously cold and snowy here in the winter (can't compare to the swiss alps

but darn snowy....)My winter wear consists of bare feet inside Sorels (marked as good to -40 so I like to test them lol) that are about a size too big. My jeans unless it gets down to -30 then I wear an extra layer under them, usually my PJ bottoms. A sweater (I do like turtle necks) and my winter parka. A wool or wool blend toque, if I don't have a turtle neck I have a knitted tube that I pull over my head that fits around my neck, then usually I wear gloves like the first ones pictured with the rubber palm (over a pair of those small stretchy one size fits all gloves that sell for about 99cents here, if its really cold) I rarely feel very cold aftert he first couple of minutes (its a shock to leave the warmth of the house) unless I have to stand around. As long as I am moving, feeding, cleaning etc I don't require too much clothing.

And count me on the side of those who HATE WINTER .... so why do you suppose I live here where its winter 6 months of the year?

 

[Carolyn R]

I also forgot to add that I have had a heck of a time finding boots that hold up. I had a pair of Clarks with the rubber lower half and a leather upper, forget it,they fell apart. I bought a pair of LL Bean boots, same conceptas the Clarks, but have a satisfaction gaurantee. They held up much better, but after a year of hard wear, the sole started to seperate, they replaced them free of charge!!!!! They are insulated too,

Carolyn

 

[DrivinTime]

Hey Whitney, if you make that fleece union suit, let me know - I'd like one in my size: short and tubby. Seriously though, I think my sister-in-law would love one. She's always cold in the winter and I want her to come driving with me and not freeze solid.

Also, here's another winter coverall - not sure if it would meet your needs or sizing, but Aramark has good quality and prices...

http://www.aramark-uniform.com/q0/style.ht...t&style=325

I like the idea of coveralls but I always have to go potty as soon as I've got all my gear on...

Excellent ideas on this thread, good idea.

Brrr. Hot chocolate time...

 

[chandab]

chandab I'm a member of the elmer fudd club too! Is yours red and black plaid?

Multi-colored, but mostly blue and red. Which is why I have it, I bought it for my husband, but he doesn't like the color, so won't wear it.

 

[Bess Kelly]

My "Elmer" hat is one that I found among my hubby's hunting gear. It's solid army green but a nice waterproofed fabric, lined and has the side/back neck flaps that velcro around your neck, or up over the top if you are warm. QUITE a fashion statement!

But wow is it warm.

Couple that little ditty with one piece insulated jumpsuit and the boots......well, really no need to consider makeup with this outfit, right? This is on top of long johns, jeans, turtleneck, etc. OH, yes we do have several pairs of gloves. Like most, I have a couple sets of outers to be able to keep subjecting myself to the elements should one set get tooooo wet/dirty to use.

I live in VA....50 miles from VA Beach & about 10 from NC border. So while we have generally mild

winters (OK - almost like NO winter compared to you guys in the far north!!!) it is all relative to what you are used to, right? Well I am not getting used to cold!! I get up freezing at 25-30 degrees and that is extreme for us if it lasts more than 8 hrs -- and you guys post things in the winter like, "not bad this AM, only 10 below"

What's worse is that you MEAN IT -- it's better than norm!!!!!

I HATE WINTER.......but, know I could not survive a week in the ones you all have.

 

[whitney]

Bess I was just thinking the same thing.

I am QUITE the fashion statement.

When I tried the two piece carharts I was like a big stiff bulky TARGET for the horses..... lets see which one of us can bump mom and knock her over. Turning your neck to see if they were coming was IMPOSSIBLE.

I'm wondering if thinsulate is WARMER than the Poly stuffing? My old suit was poly stuffing and it was warm until the 200th washing.

3 of us in the Elmer club you wanna go hunting WABBIT?

 

[Reble]

Too keep hands warm, put inside your gloves surgical gloves, my husband could not believe it, his hands sweat.... and no more num fingers turning white...

Wonder if we can find something to go on our feet into our boots?