Extreme Cold Weather Work Clothing
Dress warmly
for work in winter
Whether you spend whole or part days outdoors exposed to the elements, or in cold, unheated, covered spaces, here are some practical principles to apply to stay warm and work effectively without breaking the bank.
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Layering -- The idea of layering to keep warm is frequently misunderstood to just mean lots of layers, 3 cotton shirts for instance isn't going to do the trick, they are not the best material, they won't sit too comfortably on each other and give you far more laundry to do! Layering is about different layers doing different jobs. To be comfortable and effective in cold conditions, a little planning and strategic buying is more effective than simply throwing more clothes on.
Protracted and serious cold - Thick long underwear is best used as part of your layering system for extreme cold conditions rather than as a main insulation layer with year-round clothes on top. While it introduces extra insulation it also reduces somewhat the flexibility of dress for changing conditions and levels of exertion as taking off your underwear when overheating is not a very practical solution! Synthetics or merino wool are the better options as they wick moisture away from the skin to outer layers and provide better insulation, cotton is best avoided, though is a safety requirement for some occupations - the only time you should consider using cotton. Men's merino base layers | Women's merino base layers Men's synthetic long underwear | Women's synthetic long underwear Heavy weight cotton underwear - only recommended if required by hazard exposure to electricity or fire.  A
bit of a warm-up - a thin
extra base layer underneath, with your usual clothes
on top for appearances sake can add significant warmth.
There's also the advantage that this is a relatively
cheap way of adding further insulation and of course
because it's invisible to everyone else you don't need
a whole range of colors or styles to go with your other
clothes. Pick dark or light accordingly so as not to
show through the outer layers.Light-weight thermal underwear, easy care, non-bulky insulation for cold conditions Women's | Men's Foundation layer of silk - in a complimentary or contrasting color if partly visible, good insulation Women's | Men's |
Men's
- WoolX Glacier - Heavyweight Baselayer Crew
Shirt For Extreme Warmth 
Men's
- Minus33 Merino Wool Katmai Expedition Bottom
Women's
- WoolX Hannah Merino Wool Top - Midweight
Women's
- WoolX Nora heavyweight merino leggings
Men's
- LAPASA Fleece Lined Long Sleeve Shirts 2 Pack
Men's
- Thermajohn Ultra Soft Thermal Underwear Set
Women's
- Duofold Mid Weight Fleece Lined Thermal Shirt
Women's
- Thermajane Ultra Soft Thermal Underwear Set|
Mid Insulation Layers
- The main insulating layer/s, flexibility
is important here along for ventilation during exertion
or in warmer conditions, with the ability to batten
down the hatches when it gets properly cold. The requirements for this layer vary greatly according to the job and weather conditions. Periods of high exertion that generates heat or work that involves little exertion or hours of fairly static activity in cold conditions are considerations as well as the actual temperature. Outdoors the requirements can change quite rapidly, background temperature variations such as the sun coming out, the wind getting up, rain and snow falling all mean that flexibility in dress is vital to remain comfortable at all times and keep working efficiently. Zips, collars, draw cords and the like allow you to open up for ventilation during exertion or to shut down at rest, in very cold conditions or during those focused but non-energetic work tasks. Lower body - Thick warm pants of lined cotton duck or heavyweight synthetic material such as polyester/cotton. Personally I have worn moleskin pants (a kind of cotton, named for its texture and nothing to do with real moles) in both polar regions and wouldn't consider wearing anything else, for warmth, comfort and practicality they have no rival. Pants should not be tight fitting, too close a fit will affect circulation and make you feel colder, so ditch the skinny fits until it warms up again. Bibs and overalls are particularly good here, they add extra insulation and keep you covered while bending or stretching. Insulated bib overalls -
Men's
Women's
Soft insulating garments aren't wind or water-proof enough on their own in cold conditions and you will need a shell garment as well if outside at all, you might not need it all the time, but when you do, you'll be glad you're no longer saturated or frozen by the wind trying to get by without. Winter shirts -
Men's
Women's |
Men's - Carhartt Quilt Lined Bib Overalls -
cotton outer
Men's - Carhartt Yukon Arctic Quilt Lined Biberalls
- nylon outer, for the coldest conditions
Women's - Arctix Insulated Bib Overalls
Men's - Refrigiwear Iron-Tuff Insulated Coveralls
-50 Extreme Cold Suit
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The Outer or Shell Layer
- Direct protection from the weather,
this layer should be windproof and may be waterproof.
It could be simply a "shell" with no additional insulation
or it may have insulation built in. Jackets should always
have hoods. If the cold is not so extreme, or if you wear extra layers when it is very cold, an uninsulated shell is a good choice as it can be worn year-round and as a waterproof in the warmer months too. Being static for any length of time in extreme cold however means that you'll need the shell layer to be insulated too. Waterproof isn't always essential if snow rather than rain is going to fall. Like the insulating layer/s the outer layer should have features such as draw-cords and cuffs that can close over the tops of gloves to prevent warm air being pumped out with movement. Alternatives
 Carhartt Men's Arctic Quilt Lined Yukon Coat Tough outer, insulated  TINGLEY J26112 Bomber II Jacket ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 Compliant, waterproof, insulated  Carhartt Men's Sherwood Jacket ANSI Class 3, Level 2 visibility standards, waterproof, insulated |
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Protect the Extremities - head, hands and feet, in-between bits, ankles, wrists and neck. Head "When your feet are
cold, cover your head" - Inuit saying
Styles and materials. I favor synthetic materials over wool for comfort and fit, less itchy and less likely to go out of shape. A beanie type hat is very effective and should be able to be pulled over the ears or have ear flaps that can be folded up if not needed. A clean, plain shape enables the hood on your shell layer to be pulled over and fit closely, a bobble on top of the hat will give an air space that will make the combined insulation less effective. A personal favourite is a close fitting "windstopper" hat with ear flaps, small enough to easily fit in a pocket with a warmth far beyond its size and weight. Balaclavas are very useful and versatile, they can be rolled up to work as a hat or pulled down to cover the face and neck. Hats - Beanies | Hard hat liners | Balaclavas | Windstoppers Hands
 Mittens
are more effective than than gloves at keeping your
hands warm, you can apply the layer principle
here with a light inner glove that allows for reasonable
handling abilities and then a thicker pair of mitts
over the top. These can have extra insulation or just
be a weatherproof outer layer depending on use. The
outer pair should be wind-proof while water-resistance
is always very useful if handling damp materials.Work mittens The issue with gloves when it gets colder is that the dexterity reduces as the insulation and thickness increases, despite what you may see claimed, there is no magical thin, ultra warm glove that is going to allow you full use of your hands down to minus stupidly cold, it's all a compromise.  RefrigiWear
Insulator MittFiberfill insulation, cowhide outer  Caiman
Utility/Iron Workers GlovesHi-Viz/Reflective, Long Cuff, Insulated with a tough outer layer
Feet - Insulation from the cold ground is as important as insulation from the cold air
 One
or two pairs of thick insulating socks, wool
provides the best insulation, make sure they are predominantly
wool, 70%+, a smaller amount of synthetic material
such as nylon or polyester helps durability, some stretchy
material like elastane gives a snug fit and prevents
them from falling down. Don't be tempted to wear too
many pairs of socks and make your boots too tight, if
you squash out most of the air, you will have lost the
main insulator and they won't be so warm. Start with
a thin inner pair, then a thick wool pair inside insulated
footwear with an extra thermal insole if the boot sole
lacks this.Thermal socks: Men and Women's Boots: Boots are essential in cold weather as they cover the ankles so reducing heat loss at a thinly insulated region. Thick insulated soles are as important as insulated uppers as a lot of heat can be lost through the only part of our body in contact with the frigid ground. Work boots for extreme cold conditions: Men's Women's  Rocky Men's Construction Boot Steel toe, 1200g of thinsulate insulation The Neck
A scarf must be worn correctly to get the best use
from it. An over-sized patterned cotton scarf loosely
thrown around the neck is of little practical use. Wool
or a performance synthetic material are needed and the
scarf should be worn under the shell garment and over
the insulating layer immediately beneath that so that
it restricts air movement as well as providing insulation
and preventing snow ingress. A neck gaiter is a neater
version of a scarf, a tube of stretchy insulating material
than can be worn like a scarf or pulled up over the
lower part of the face like the bottom part of a balaclava. |
Carhartt Men's Cold Snap Insulated Work Glove
Carhartt Men's Waterproof Mittens
Hand
warmers
