COLD climate clothing for Fairbanks in Dec.

[Bjornviken]

Interested in this topic myself. We are going to be in northern Finland in December, near arctic circle. So far I bought heated socks and a heated vest.

Don't miss the opportunity to test a real Sauna . Make sure it's heated with wood, those are way better than the electric ones

 

[BrianF]

Mukluks are a pretty safe bet. No ankle support so be careful humping weight though the snow or adverse terrain. Used these in my old army days and have a set for my current job. Used with a layered sock system, these treated me well. Many times have I had a sleep in a snow bank in the cold Canadian winters and these things kept my feet perfect.

 

[North to Alaska]

One important thing to know is "cotton kills," so avoid wearing anything with cotton in it as it has pretty much zero insulation value once it gets wet and will suck the heat out of you. Polyester, wool, synthetic fleece, etc are what you want.

I would suggest pack boots, heavy weight wool or polyester fleece long underwear, wool or polyester mid layer(s) and a heavy ski wear type outer layer. Renting arctic rated outer wear might be a good idea as the things people wear working outside during winter aren't the kind of thing you'll find at a Walmart.

Here's a shop in Fairbanks that rents outdoor gear including winter clothing
https://www.alaskaoutdoorgear.com/winter-clothing

I agree with this. Try the rental place. Obviously we are all just blowing your budget with expensive winter gear when you were trying to get by cheap. This might be your cheapest bet and still keep warm.
Besides, Fairbanks is like anywhere wlse in that the weather changes. It could be a balmy 20f when you get there.
Enjoy your trip

 

[ripcord]

I agree with this. Try the rental place. Obviously we are all just blowing your budget with expensive winter gear when you were trying to get by cheap. This might be your cheapest bet and still keep warm.
Besides, Fairbanks is like anywhere wlse in that the weather changes. It could be a balmy 20f when you get there.
Enjoy your trip

My Hawaiian mother in law would consider 20f instantly fatal, not balmy, LOL.

 

[Pablo]

My Hawaiian mother in law would consider 20f instantly fatal, not balmy, LOL.

Make that 40°F!

 

[ripcord]

Make that 40°F!

OK, Mr. Cottonpants

 

[97prizm]

I am looking at what to wear in Fairbanks in Dec if going dog sledding, and what I cannot buy for cheap I might rent instead. Basically what I understand so far is layering, and don't bunch up too tight.

https://blacksprucedogsledding.com/how-to-dress/cold-weather/

Pants: long johns / leggings, sweat pants, snow pants
Shirts: long sleeve underwear (tight), hooded non zipper sweatshirt, thick / puffy jacket with hood, wind breaking outer cover jacket with hood
Face: neck gator
hat: insulated beanie / hat
glove and mitten: good insulation ones
socks: long socks
boots: good quality boots that's not leather or rubber, something with fleece, may want to add boot covering over it.


I'm planning to get them picked up in Walmart when I landed. Any suggestion on what brand I should get and or avoid? How often do you change your long john (I assume you wear underwear inside), and do you wear tight instead of boxer inside long john?

While not Alaskan cold in Colombia I stocked up on the "wiki dry" long sleeve shirts. I can't remember the brand as I'm wearing it, I think it starts with an R. Warm is good but wicking sweat and moisture away from your body is also helpful. Not sure of the temperature you're expecting but from some Alaskans I've talked with over the years below a certain temperature you'll want something warming or insulating around your nose. Something to the effect that -30f air is not good for your lungs.

 

[vavavroom]

My Hawaiian mother in law would consider 20f instantly fatal, not balmy, LOL.

Many Californians wear winter clothes in the mid-50s. Contrast that to New Yorkers in shorts on Christmas.

 

[andrewg]

The original Alaskan gold rush guys outfitted themselves with Seattle's Filson tin cloth coats.

https://www.filson.com/

Filson is super nice stuff....and fantastic quality. But boy is it expensive.

 

[vavavroom]

PandaBear's nose will freeze off. Svalbard was so cold my vision got blurry outside because my corneas started freezing that one time I didn't wear cold weather goggles.

 

[ripcord]

Filson is super nice stuff....and fantastic quality. But boy is it expensive.

Yeah, awesome clothes, but it's turned into a hippy-dippy status brand. There's basically two types of Filson customers in my experience. Loggers who buy their tin cloth pants to wear in the woods and the other 95% who are urbanites cosplaying at being outdoorsmen.

 

[andrewg]

Yeah, awesome clothes, but it's turned into a hippy-dippy status brand. There's basically two types of Filson customers in my experience. Loggers who buy their tin cloth pants to wear in the woods and the other 95% who are urbanites cosplaying at being outdoorsmen.

Ha ha ha! Yeah, I know the fake types you speak of.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Svalbard was so cold my vision got blurry outside because my corneas started freezing that one time I didn't wear cold weather goggles.

Are cold weather goggles the same as ski goggles or something different?

 

[vavavroom]

Are cold weather goggles the same as ski goggles or something different?

They are all the same but all come in different sizes, styles, and levels of protection, and some have inbuilt heaters. I like the ones that seal around the cutout a ski mask has. I ski wearing much lighter and smaller goggles because I'm not skiing when it's super-cold.

 

[Pablo]

Nobody tops the lady in HI wearing a down jacket, January, 68°F.

 

[Leo99]

I have a lot of cold weather gear for winter golf in New Jersey. What I've learned is the temperature during the day is much less important than the wind. The wind is the brutal one. If it's sunny and no wind, you can be comfortable in very cold weather with a bit of clothing. Keep all your skin covered as much as you can. Lots of jackets and no neck gaiter are not good. The cheap polyester neck gaiters work fine in NJ. We have about a dozen between the wife and me. Take a few with you.

Don't wear so much that you sweat. Sweating is not good. Getting wet is not good. Sounds like a fun trip.

 

[Leo99]

Many Californians wear winter clothes in the mid-50s. Contrast that to New Yorkers in shorts on Christmas.

When we go to Vegas in the fall or winter and see people in shorts and looking comfortable or in the pools, we know they're Canadians.

 

[Sumboodie]

My Hawaiian mother in law would consider 20f instantly fatal, not balmy, LOL.

It's 15* today and feels nice!

 

[Sumboodie]

Nobody tops the lady in HI wearing a down jacket, January, 68°F.

I start sweating at around 65*

 

[burbguy82]

layering, and don't bunch up too tight.

yes

"cotton kills,"

yes

Wool socks in boots that have at least 1000 gram thinsulate

This is a start.

There are two things you must do in the cold to survive. One is obvious=stay dry. Staying warm will be a function of staying dry. The not so obvious one is=stay hydrated.

In cold climates, it is a normal reaction of people who are not the the sweat inducing heat, not do drink much. This is bad, especially in arid cold areas as sweat evaporates just like in the heat. You get dehydrated, and you are in trouble. You sweat just as much under all those clothes.

Do not wear more clothes than you can comfortably tolerate. It is better to have to put something on than have to take something off becuasse you are to hot.

I cannot understate how important boots are in this type of climate, and keeping your feet dry. Do not skimp on the boots. Do not get you some hunting boot that are designed to get in a tree and hunt deer. Get fully waterproof, insulated snow boots like these.

https://www.baffin.com/en-us/products/50160000
https://www.baffin.com/en-us/products/40000048

Boots are one tool against death in these types of climates.......skimp on everything accept for the boots and socks, get wool socks. Get good waterproof gloves.

Another thing to consider is a pack. 1000D Cordura Nylon, while excellent, will tear like paper in -30 degree temps. I know 100% this to be true. Canvas will not.

Have a good knife, and firestarting stuff.