How to stay WARM!

[AaronM]

My Dad has some issues in the winter, he gets cold. He's getting older and it's a medical issue, but I figure no place better to go than the people that spend their day on ice!

He's a farmer, what can he to do stay warmer? What types of layers/clothing does he need? Brand specific if you can! I don't mean to have this come out wrong, but in this case, if it can keep you warm, that's more important than the price you'd have to pay initially.

Thanks for any imput!

["Just Add Ice"]

The way milk prices are now-a-days tell him to sell off those green tractors and get a wheelhouse and all your problem would be solved. HAHAHAH

I don't have much to add about clothing. I don't fish in the eliminates to much but whenever I go out I always wear under amour w/jeans and a hoodie then the arctic amour jacket and bids and I stay pretty warm.

[jwmiller33]

i would say it is important to have 3 different layers.. the first being a base, tight on the skin type of long underwear or under amour type of deal. second, insulation layer like sweat pants and sweat shirt.. and the top layer which would be your heavy duty jacket/pants which would also be a wind breaker.. if your jacket/pants doesn't break the wind, you will want some type of top layer to go on to break the wind, because this is key in staying warm.. also, the hand warmers in boots also helps out.

[hondarider550]

My Dad has some issues in the winter, he gets cold. He's getting older and it's a medical issue, but I figure no place better to go than the people that spend their day on ice!

He's a farmer, what can he to do stay warmer? What types of layers/clothing does he need? Brand specific if you can! I don't mean to have this come out wrong, but in this case, if it can keep you warm, that's more important than the price you'd have to pay initially.

Thanks for any imput!

Very good question and I think you came to the right place. There should be a ton of ideas on here for your benefit.

When it comes to staying warm I have to agree with the dressing in layers. I usually use a good pair of long johns or under armor first. Then jeans and a flannel shirt or a long sleeve tee shirt then the flannel. Usually then a good bib or full coverall along with a sweatshirt or two over my flannel shirt and under the coverall.

It sounds like a lot of layers but it really does help.

I would like to try a set of Ice Armor gear for ice fishing this year but I will have to see how the economy treats me first.

[g_anoka]

Carharts, while artic armour is great, it is not made to handle the abuse of outdoor work. Also a good pair of water proof boats. Most importantly, as many have mentioned is layering, as silly as this sounds, the big advantage of layering while working outside is the ability to remove layers. No quicker way to get cold outside then to work up a sweat while working your butt off, then switch to a task that requires less activity and the chills set in.

[Jim Almquist]

I am going to guess that he is getting cold while out doing chores around the farm. Part of the problem is as he is getting older his circulation is getting worse which is making him colder unless he is very active. A good first layer to keep any sweat from staying on the skin like Under Armour and then maybe look into some down long johns like they sell at Cabela's. I would say get him a set of Arctic Armour but I just don't think that they would be the best thing for doing chores and this is when insulated Carharts would be better. If he still gets cold wearing all that then maybe its time to get a cab for the tractor

[shizzy]

one thing I always do is carry a fresh pair of dry socks. my feet sweat a lot so once im all done walking/setting up and drilling holes I sit down and swap out socks. makes a HUGE difference in my comfort for the rest of the day.

also a good had is worth its weight in gold.

[mnguy152]

One brand of clothing I like is polartec. I bought a shirt a couple a years agoand i love it for late season bow hunting I got the watch cap year later and wore it all winter. For being so thin it kept my bald head warm all year. It is the same gear that the marines wear for cold weather. So you know it is good look it up and try it you and your dad will love it.

[CJH]

If he is being active, then definitely get some Under Armour base layers (the heaviest one they make) with some good wool socks. (I use these late season pheasant hunting while I am busting through brush) Both will wick away moisture and provide warmth. If he is just sitting, then either expedition weight long johns or Polartec heavy long johns are great (I use these ice fishing).

After that, the middle layer should be polar weight sweatshirt or a fleece jacket. The outer layer should be weather blocking (water/wind) and have some good insulation properties. Depending on what he is doing, either Carhart's or any of the brand name parka's out there are good.

Good quality boots with insulation are always good!!

[Eric Wettschreck]

As stated, layers are the key.

Arctic Armor is great but I wouldn't wear it out doing chores. I get cold too and layering up and wearing Cartharts has treated me ok. Couple winters ago I looked in the closet and there's my old navy Peacoat, so I gave it a shot. Carharts are now in the closet and my Peacoat is what I wear. For me, wool is the ticket. Yeah, it's old school but wool has stood the test of time for a gabillion years. Now when I'm outside or in the shop working, I wear wool pants and my wool peacoat. Even when wet, it's still warm.

Just tossin another idea out ther for ya.

[PerchJerker]

Lots of good ideas already.

Layering is a key, and not having any cotton layers in there. Polypro or some other wicking layer next to the skin, then fleece or wool or something similar, and a good windproof layer on the outside.

A warm stocking hat or a cap with ear flaps will really help. Same with a neck warmer. The hats and neck warmers will help retain your body heat and will keep the wind off your skin.

Chemical handwarmer packets can really work wonders on cold days too. Put 1 or 2 in your shirt pockets, or tape one to the back of your shirt, or slide one in the back of your neckwarmer. I don't use them too often, but on the coldest days or when you're not moving very much they can really help.

I've got a Carhartt jacket that I use for outdoor chores and I've been really happy with it, I wish I would have got it years earlier.

[Ed Carlson]

Circulation is likely an issue with us as we get older, so less restrictive apparel is a plus.

Lighter less restrictive boots are a wise choice, as is heat packs designed to replace heat loss and encourage blood circulation.

A good outer shell to cut the wind, 400 weight fleece is nice and light as a under layer below the shell, gloves with heat pack insert slots help hands that deal will circulation issues, and Mom was right...it's very true..."cover your head to warm your feet"...a very good fleece or wool blend hat is a big bonus in the cold. We loose a lot of heat out the top of out heads.

The Heat Packs and the various apparel that will use them may be a very good answer for your Dad. I have a set of the new Vexilar bibs and they can use heat packs back in the rear in the kidney area, and man is that nice. I would try some and build on them if it pays off. A large box of the heat packs is very cheap really, and will last months.

Hope this helps.

[PerchJerker]

Avoiding dehydration is another big help. Drink lots of water, try to avoid beverages with caffeine.

[harvey lee]

A few lighter layers and a set of Arctic Armour will keep him so toasty.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I usually just wear my my camo artic armour with regular close underneth seems to work fine. The hat as been a problem for me though driving out on the lake with the 4 wheeler. Just ordered a Rivers West H2P Stocking hat in the Mossy Oak Duck Blind camo to match the artic armour. Hopefully with the stocking hat being water proof and having insulation will prevent the wind from blowing through the hat like the other stocking hats.

[AaronM]

Thanks for the replies thus far! Good advice on the Under Armor. What about the next layer after that? Any suggestions on brands/materials?