layering clothing.

I'll pay whatever to keep warm. http://www.hellyhansen.com/ There stuff is a bit pricey but it will keep you warm.

 

I bought some Helly Hansen from Sierra Trading Post, it is good. TJ Maxx carries it close outs as well.

 

I believe the gear you have is good enough, might I suggest a different way of thinking.

First: When getting ready for your outdoors, do not dress all the way until you arrive. As others have said, sweat makes you cold, so don't sweat or perspire. stay kind of on the cool side until you breach the cold.
Second: Vent when you are walking, allow the heat to leave as you generate it, and when you stop, seal back up.
Third: Hydrate, although you are cold and don't feel hot or thirsty, lack of hydration is probably your biggest opponent.
Fourth: Circulation, wear clothes that fit, nothing to tight where it is uncomfortable, almost to the point of loose.

 

I think from re-reading your original post, you also need bottoms, you've got a lot of upper body cloths, but nothing on your legs? There is HUGE arteries in your legs, keeping that blood warm is crucial. Don't forget about your socks, and gloves. Your extremities will get cold first The biggest problem I have is cold feet, I think that is because I just put on think wool socks into my same old boot, this causes blood restriction to the feet because the boot isn't lose enough for the thick sock. Keeping hydrated is always good, but don't drink cold water. Fill your bottle with room temperature water, or even warm water. And don't eat snow.

 

i usually wear either fleece or cotton sweats, and if its super cold out i have thermals..thats about it

 

cotton is a big no-no if you want to stay warm. cotton doesnt wick moisture...it holds it where it is....so when you sweat, you will stay cold. you need some good thermal base layers, then fleece, then a good pair of bibs or coveralls. should do the trick pretty good....but nothing too tight where you cant breathe.

 

I live in SoCal and when it's cold, I just put on a T-shirt and jacket and lined Carhartt jeans.


But, when I was in Seattle Washington, I felt really cold.

I guess it was the wind chill plus the moist air that carried the cold to ma bones.

Anyway they have a Filson store where I bought the Makinaw 100% wool coat.

I found out wool is a material that keeps you warm even when it's wet. The miner and backwoodmen and trappers knew a thing or two.

Anyway, I layered with a Thermal, Light shirt, sweater, then jacket. Indoors, I'd shed the jacket and if it gets really warm I can take off the sweater to be in a shirt.

For pants, when it's really cold I wear a thermal and flannel lined pants from Carhartt.

 

Wool is great! To be most effective it should be against skin though, a lot of people get itchy from it. I think wool stanfields are the best sweater's out there! You want something that fits tighter then sweats, most base layers are somewhat like tights, but stretchy, you don't want air gaps between your skin and the base layer.

 

I got a 100% wool US Army issue sweater for $7 and get the most compliments on it than any other clothing I own.

Olive Drab only.

 

so to stay basic, what do i start with as a base layer?

for reference, ill list what i usually wear;

Base layer:Underarmor long sleeve shirt
#2: thermal long sleeve shirt
#3: tshirt
#4fleece zip up
#5 second fleece zip up
#6 insulated coveralls
this year i started wearing a cammo jacket i got from wally world to try and help keep in some warmth. It dosent help.

Nothing is really tight untill I get into my coveralls..They have been around a few years, and Ive gotten bigger and older from when they were new. even at that there not tight, but snug. Im stumped even with reading all these wonderful responses. theres just so many different clothes and different types out there to choose from.

I need one of those professional hunters to go shopping for me..lol

 

also try some hand/foot warmer packets. when my legs get cold......i'll use one on top of both my thighs just under my bibs. they work really well for me. for your feet....wool socks, and some icebreaker boot blankets from cabelas. they work awesomely.

 

I always hated that thing... itchy as hell

 

my dad got those boot blankets, and he now swears by them..there on my wish list already. trust me, that list is also about 15 items long by now

 

heard that man!! believe me.....my wish list is a couple of miles long too!!

 

You gotta ditch that cotton T-shirt, it doesn't breathe, it holds water, it stops the system from working effectively.

Silk, Polyester, a wool blend, fleece (another form of polyester) spandex, anything but cotton or any form of it.

Outer layer can be insulated & waterproof but needs to breath too. It helps evaporate the moisture from the loose thermal underclothing. Otherwise moisture has no wear to go, you get cold from the sweat. If its cotton, you get really really cold.

Tacomaman06 is right on about the hand warmers. Those little devils help in a pinch.

 

hmm...I understand about cotton now..Didnt really think about a tshirt would bother that much?

as for gloves and handwarmers..lets not go there. I still have yet to find a warm pair of gloves. Handwarmers i learned a neat trick about. Take one and put it at the bottom of your neck, top of your spine area once its warm...Itll keep you warm for hours

 

i can get and send you a pair of the same gloves i have..........warmest damn gloves i have ever seen. they are wool, with the mitten flip over, and underneath...they arehalf fingers. they are simply awesome!

 

ive never really cared for the mittens, but ive never tried them either. Where'd ya get 'em from?

 

It is itchy, but after several drinks, I don't seem to feel it at all.

 

sounds like you need to get yourself to a DR