Flame Free Confession III: Even More Flame Free (Part 2)

Off Topic
2640

Okay, but hold on…be a little bit cool here. I fear you’re in danger of being laughed out of the North if you gear up to the extent offered here.

REI or EMS:

*Decent hat. I like ear flaps, too, but if you’re just wandering around you’ll look silly as a male who is not climbing the actual north face of anything. I was camping this weekend (temps in the low 20’s at night) and two of the guys (up from the city, as we like to say) had goofy fur ear-flap hats. They were mocked. They may not have cared, however, because they were warm. I had my ear-flap hunting hat with me, but pride forbade me wearing it. I do wear it in sub-20 or snowy weather.

*Decent coat. I get mine for around $200-$250. I have a light, packable version (EMS) and a warmer version (REI, maybe?). I have raincoats/shells put over the coats, but I tend not to stay out in the heavy rain long enough for it to overwhelm the coats’ resistance. My husband, on the other hand, wears his shell all the time, with various base layers. Snow slides right off my regular jackets.

*Layers layers layers, and make sure one of them zips up to cover your neck.

*REALLY important to me are my bottom shells. My favorites are a pair of cheap Nikes that I don’t think are meant to be used as such (probably for wearing to and from the gym) but they’re perfect for the job. I have more serious ones as well. These are game changers. I like to sit on snowy rocks without getting wet. They slide down hills nicely, too.

*Socks, yes, but boots more importantly.

*Gloves. I far prefer mittens when it’s really cold, but here again as a male you’ll be mocked unless doing some SERIOUS cold weather surviving. I’m getting ready to replace my good mittens, and will plan to spend $70-$90. I also always keep cheap, light gloves in my jacket pockets (ALL jacket pockets) through the season.

I suggest moving slowly. I can find layers claustrophobic. I can’t imagine wearing two pairs of socks, but happily don’t need to where I am and where I go. SmartWool and good boots work well enough. But buy things, try them, and then buy more if they work.

LLBean is another good option for solid gear, though it lacks the cool cred the mountaineering stores have.

3 Likes
2641

I’m a bit under 2 hours from the Shenandoah mountains and my REI membership also gives us free admission to state parks!

But yeah - totally worth it.

2642

@whang

Check out refrigiwear. They have a ton of lightweight soft shell coats and jackets. They are made for meat packing/butchers but I use mine for ice fishing and at work. I can get by at 15-20 degrees with a heavy hoodie and a soft shell for the majority of the day.

Also, I feel like layering is way more important than a good jacket. I’ll be out on the ice with 4-5 layers under my coat when I’m up north. If you get warm and sweaty, just strip off a layer or two.

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2643

This is very important!

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2644

Base layers under trousers use to make me fell claustrophobic. Having about 1/3 of normal motion as the friction between the 2 sets of clothes stops you from raising a knee.
So I tried running tights (running tights). They are not as warm as normal base layers but they are better than nothing. I work over night in -6 C (about 20f) and I’m fine with base layer and light trousers all night.
And the lower friction Lycra means you do not have walk around like an old man.

I spent a weekend in Norway (arctic circle baby) and there is no need for this.

2645

I’m having pickled herring today.

The jar says 26oz.

I’ve had 11oz so far and when I go to measure it out today, there’s only 12.4oz left. I feel cheated…

Does the net weight include liquid because I swear there’s more than 3oz of liquid in the jar

2646

My sister and her husband are both scientists for food companies. They’ve told me some stories that will make you wonder why we even bother puttin a label on the back at all

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2647

Don’t buy Canada Goose. They’re a despicable company. Plus they suffer from the same issue as North Face, where a huge chunk of the cost is simply the name.

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2648

That’s what I said. too late now…

Fall 2019 when my family got to pgh. We went shopping. I went to take a dump and when I returned, my parents handed one to me.

2649

I say this as matter-of-factly as possible, as someone who grew up in Vancouver, but that doesn’t surprise me; The majority of Canada Goose jackets I see are being worn by east Asians. There’s some weird attraction there.

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2650

Way back when I used to sell ski & snowboard gear there was the stuff that people who liked to ski & snowboard wore, and the stuff that people liked to wear in the lodge to look like they like to ski or snowboard.

That’s what those things are.

2 Likes
2651

In the meantime, things have evolved so much that nowadays you have an unofficial uniform for “I don’t know how to ski but my obese 60 year old husband is a Russian mobster and we’ve rented a chalet because this is where all the glamorous people spend their winters”

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2652

How long are you realistically planning to be outside for when it’s cold, snowing, or sleeting? If it’s just to get you from a car/subway to your office or bar you don’t need technical outerwear.

Get an insulated jacket with a hardshell outer fabric. Don’t need to spend a ton on something you’re gonna use for <30 mins at a time in an urban environment. Go to TJ Max, find a bargain under $200 and call it good. Mostly, just toughen up. It’s not a big deal to be a little cold until you warm up again at your destination. You’ll adjust.

Or, spend a paycheck on a jacket meant for abuse from world class mountain athletes and wear it off a sidewalk once a year.

Also, don’t laugh when you see someone slip and eat shit on snow or ice. Youre next. Happens to EVERYONE and it injures lots of folks. Ask if they’re good, instead.

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2653

This should be put on a bronze plaque that is affixed to a non offensive monument and them admired by all.

2654

These words…They make no sense when grouped in this fashion.

2655

@whang get some duck shoes/boots for keeping your feet dry.

@EyeDentist - it sounded better when I applied Boomer Logic gained in the 60s/70s.

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2656

second this- I did not have boots my first winter in Pissburgh. I’d step in sleet and have ice crystals on my socks. At least cold numbs pain

2657

:frowning:

The city that has horizontal slush blizzards?

You just need a babushka and galoshes like the old polish ladies on the North side.
:rofl:

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2658

Counter point- I hate boots in winter. Unless it’s deep fresh snow. Boots with thick soles make me loose ground feel with my feet and cause slipping issues. As stupid as it sounds, vans slipons are my go-winter shoe- best gripping shoe I’ve found. I’d rather get the odd soaked foot (just look where you’re walking?!) than eat shit into that same slush puddle.

2659

I have never been able to keep my feet dry when it’s raining

I actually ordered rubber shoe covers but not sure how slip proof they are