What do you wear to climb in the cold??

[bottlefed89]

I've had trouble the past few days staying warm enough to climb if I wear clothes that allow me the flexibility to move around. Anyone have any special materials or layering techniques they use in the cold?? If I'm on the ground, the carhartts do just fine, but in the tree their too bulky..

 

[kf_tree]

what are the temps in your area that you need to prepare for and we can go from there? why dress like a construction worker in carharts if your a climber. tree climbers should dress like ice climbers for the winter. look on site's like www.mgear.com www.altrec.com etc search under soft shell. here are a few great piece's i have http://www.backcountry.com/store/ARC0145/c11/s41/Arcteryx-Gamma-Salopette-Mens.html http://www.altrec.com/shop/detail/21665/1/ http://www.altrec.com/shop/detail/20000/ don't let your jaw drop at the price's....i just quickly grabbed the links a smart shopper can save alot off retail. if your serious about looking into soft shell gear i will try and help you the best i can with choice's and price's. i don't want to write a long post about the gear if no one is interested so let me know.
ken

 

[SteveBullman]

i just bought a musto base layer. seems quite nice, will try it out tomorrow
they aint cheap mind

 

[jamie]

same t shirt and micro fleece combo i wear in the summer, just the fleece stays on, sleeves down and zip up, cutting trousers, if its windy, rainy, snowy or sleet i stick on some water proof overs.... still get wet but stay warm and wet.

should really wear some tech base layer fabric.

jamie

 

[Eagle1]

It the cold one minute, hot the next that I hate this time of year. The fingers also. Hard to tie knots with gloves.

 

[topnotchtree]

Carhart bib overalls with sweatpants under them. The bibs allow upper body movement. Sweatpants under them is the key. Much more flexability than with jeans. Couple layers of sweatshirts for upper body.

 

[SteveBullman]

tried out my base layer today, wasnt as cold a day as it has been but even so, i was wearing nothing but the base layer all day and was very comforable.

 

[NickfromWI]

Carhart bib overalls with sweatpants under them. The bibs allow upper body movement. Sweatpants under them is the key. Much more flexability than with jeans. Couple layers of sweatshirts for upper body.

Dude, you GOTTA try some Capilene, or maybe some merino wool- smartwool.com is a great brand, or icebreaker.com . Sounds like you got a TON of cotton you are carrying around.

Give it a shot. You'll ditch sweat-pants in a heart beat when you put on some nice thermals!

love
nick

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Sierra Trading Post is THE place to get deals on gear.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Default.asp?wc=true

 

[PRUNER 1]

i wear the t shirt provided by the council with the logos with a ls base layer wicking thing underneath. on top a mountain bike specific altura nevis waterproof. close fit and comfy. hard wearing too. dont wear it to climb in as i overheat too quickly very easily. and the sweat iritates the eczema, i like to stay cold and i hate the summer temps.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Thanks for that link, Tom. They have some good prices!

 

[Eagle1]

i wear the t shirt provided by the council with the logos with a ls base layer wicking thing underneath. on top a mountain bike specific altura nevis waterproof. close fit and comfy

What?

 

[Tree Frog]

In the tree I wear just enough clothes to keep me from sweating. Wicking layer, light thermal that can zip to a turtle neck, company t-shirt, light jacket that zips under the arm, then a wind breaker that zips under the arms. Pants with wind breaker overs if needed. Smart wool socks. Polar-tech stocking hat.

This has worked for me so far. On the ground I put on a down jacket under the wind breaker.

I am investigating the vapor-barrier applied close to the skin that has been brought up in some other posts but the only vapor-barrier items that I have is my outer gortex and a pair of Glacier Gloves that I use in wet weather, washing the car, and love.

 

[Trignog]

Always wear a synthetic longsleeve as a base. Husk. chainsaw pants and long johns. Pile on the layers take off when need be. Sould really add more synthetics.

My hands only get cold when useing chainsaw due to lack of finger movement.

I LOVE THE WINTER.

Something about those days when you are getting dressed and the weather man says you will die if your outside today is great!

I will take 5 over 95 any day! And yes insulated gortex boots. If I did not have water proof boots I would take a sebatical for the winter. Dry feet is of #1 importantnce.

I know this thread is about climbing attire. I look at it this way, climbing in bulky clothes for a few months is like ninja training for the spring, those first days your back in a tee shirt and pants you are nimble.

The advantage to winter work is you and the help stay moving and you can remove and add layers as needed.

 

[Koa Man]

I use a long sleeve Tshirt when it gets cold here....low to mid 60s, but by 0830, it will already be in the 70s and can go back to the usual. Short sleeves or tank tops.

 

[Husky288XP]

This is a time were it pays to have that Certification and Edu-macation, I can sit in the truck and watch all the guys work.

No, most times I just suck it up and go at it with some good thermal Under-armor double lined Carhartt jeans with a sweatshirt or jacket. Just bought some nice Danner boots though.

 

[PRUNER 1]

eagle1 , as it says?

 

[ozy365]

Neck warmer (gator) about 10 dollars. Keeps your neck warmer and thus less core chilling secondary to inspiration of sub zero air...complements most any cold gear.

 

[Remington0404]

this is my first year for climbing in the winter
but i wear a pair of jeans a t-shirt and a fleece (that has a collar the goes up my neck like a turtle neck)
then i wear carhartt bibs and a hoodie over it all with a beanie on my head... its about 20 - 30 degreeze and i've been in good shape so far

 

[SteveBullman]

just bought one of these....very good for keeping out drafts
http://www.urbanrace.co.uk/shop/section.php?xSec=9www.urbanrace.co.uk