Here in Western Wyoming, we know a thing or two about cold weather.
Whether that means cold and blustery, cold yet sunny, heavy snow, blizzards and everything in-between, we have to be prepared to work in all types of weather. No matter what, there are deadlines to be met and work to get done, so we've learned to bundle up and get it done. Below, I'll outline some tips on how to say warm and comfortable no matter what the weather decides to throw at you.
Layering is Essential
When you're cold, all you can think about is getting warm. This makes it difficult to concentrate on doing our job safely and correctly. Last winter, the crew and I were setting trusses on a small ADU. It had just snowed 12" the night before; that morning it was -10 F. Imagine walking plates, nailing off blocks, and you have bags on so its difficult to move efficiently. Now imagine you're underdressed, shivering, cold, and wet, AND you're trying to concentrate on doing your job. At some point you're bound to make a deadly mistake.
Layering your clothing keeps the warmth created by your body close to your body. Each layer traps its own air pocket which in turn is another barrier against the climate outside. This is why multiple thin layers will keep you warmer than one bulky layer. More barriers discourage heat loss, which is your enemy on a cold day.
Layering also aids in moving the moisture created by your body (in the form of sweat) from inside, out. Even on the coldest days, while you're working, you're sweating. Trapping that moisture close to your body will eventually lower your core body temperature and lead to hypothermia.
Something else to keep it mind is not layering too tightly. Tight clothing restricts blood-flow, which is what ultimately carries the warm blood to the parts of your body that need it most; plus, tight clothing makes it hard to move, which is crucial to us in doing our job safely. On the other hand, too loose of clothing makes it hard for your body to warm those air pockets we talked about earlier.
So now that we know why layering is so important, how do you layer properly?
The way I was taught, and the way that I've found works best for me, is using three distinct layers: Base Layer, Mid Layer, and Outer Layer. You could probably sift through your closet right now and separate your clothes based on this system. Most "performance" style clothing can be separated nicely into these three categories.
Base Layers
Base layers are just what the name implies, the first, or base, layer that the whole system builds off of. This layer is usually relatively thin, made of a synthetic material (no cotton!) or wool, and is not too tight nor too loose. While you can get really expensive wool base layers at $75-100 a piece, the $50 sets from Carhartt are one I've had good luck with in the past. I tend to be pretty rough on clothing as a framer, so I try not to spend too much money on something I know I'll have to replace next winter.
Socks
I'd 100% consider socks as part of your base layer, since its directly in contact with your skin. This is one area where I WILL NOT skimp on price or quality materials. I also keep a spare pair in the truck in case I wet out a pair while working. Dry feet are warm feet!
I wore SmartWool socks for years but noticed I destroyed a brand new pair in a month or two. At $30 a pair, that adds up real quick. A few years ago I tried Darn Tough and haven't looked back. At the same price as a pair of Smartwools, Darn Tough sports a LIFETIME warranty. That means, destroy a pair of socks, ship 'em back and get a new pair back for free. No brainer!
Balaclavas and Beanies
You can lose as much as 10% of the heat produced by your body through your head and neck, which is why I wear a neck gaiter. Its a versatile piece of clothing that can be worn many different ways. On windy days, I pull it up so that it covers my nose and a lot of balaclavas are made with this feature in mind.
Beanies, or even just a hat, are pretty self explanatory. Most of the time my go-to is a trucker hat with a neck gaiter, but on the cold days, I'm glad there's a heavy beanie in the truck.
Mid Layers
Mid layers are the next in our three-tiered layering system. As the name implies, it comes in the middle of the three layers but is also a "mid" thickness, in-between the thin base layer and the bulkier outer layer. This can be a fleece, a hoody, or a softshell jacket to name a few options. A fleece or hoody is what I generally wear. I had nice softshell jackets made one winter, logo and all, and the crew and I destroyed them within the first month. Since then, we wear thick hoodies, sized up one size to fit over the base layers nicely.
Synthetic materials work well here, since this layer may be on the outside, depending on the weather. I usually recommend synthetic layers anyways, since they retain their warmth even if they get wet or damp.
Outer Layers
Last but not least, the outer layer is probably what you guessed - the layer that you wear on top of the base and mid layers. This layer is the protective outer shell so to speak. This layer should be, at the very least, highly water resistant and windproof. I usually reserve this layer for the days that you should probably put the tools away and go home, but for whatever reason you're still out there. Also, if its just plain cold. There's a few weeks out of the year we reach into the -20s, and this is where this part of your layering system should really shine.
Insulated overalls, are my choice when this layer goes on, although they can limit your range of motion. In this situation however, you're mostly just trying to get through the day and get home to eat a hot bowl of chili! There are some companies in the outdoor recreation space that make insulated, waterproof shells; although the quality is high (and so can be the price), the materials are generally on the lighter side, so don't expect them to last very long. Our local farm supply store carries an off brand polar coverall that works really well for this.
Footwear
As important as your socks are to layering, your footwear are just as, if not more, important. The same can be said for any time of the year. During the winter, your footwear not only insulates your feet from the ground, but it keeps out snow and water, and should be keeping your feet warm. These insulated duck boots from ________ have paid for themselves many times over. Although my wife would prefer I throw them in the trash and get a new pair, they work so well I just can't bring myself to part with them yet!
Gloves
Gloves can be a somewhat contentious topic, at least in my area. I've heard lots of guys over the years swear they don't wear gloves because they want the dexterity and don't mind the cold (I call BS). I've been there and tried it, but there's no way I'm not wearing gloves building homes in the winter.
So what I've found works nicely is wearing a pair of nitrile gloves underneath a lightweight pair of normal gloves. The nitrile gloves keep the warmth inside (since they're totally waterproof) and prevent my bare hands from getting wet from snow and ice. At lunch, I remove the nitrile gloves, throw them in the trash (or flip them inside out if they aren't trashed), and start over with a new pair.
Now that we've covered the layering system, let's sum it all up.
I can list out a layering system and give examples, but most of the examples I listed that work well here in western Wyoming, will probably be overkill for Georgia winters. This is why you have to do some experimenting of your own. Things to keep in mind are:
Do you run warm or cold?
Do you work in a dry or wet climate?
Don't wear layers that are too tight.
Stay away from cotton!
Dry clothing is warm clothing.
Staying warm is ESSENTIAL to doing your job safely.
Keep spare layers in the truck.
Figure out what works best for you!
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