nice.
thanks mac.
I'll see.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I frogot to take a picture of my first line gear(stuff on my belt)
I will add it tomorrow.

Wait. What size shoe do you wear?

I remember why I moved back to California now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

I wear 15's. It is a pain to try to find shoes that fit me. Why the hell do stores carry size 4 and not 15?

I don't get it!

My god mate, how tall are you.

BFN,

You might want to go to Blue Line Gear and see if they have your size.

Really cool pics. It was like 75 here today. Sunny as any desert day. That snow looks fun from my point of view but I imagine you guys that live in it probably don't feel that way.

Nick - 15's are probably about a size 13-13.5 military boot. I wear size 13 shoes and a size 11.5 military boot. I wouldn't mail order anything until you find out what size boot you need.

Ohio is looking GREAT! I never saw any insane winters like that when I lived there.

Poly Pro is as Mac said part of the ECWS (extreme cold weather system) that the military uses - its a fiber pile polypropylene, and it moves sweat away from your skin. Its supposed to be used in conjunction with a goretex jacket/pants, which also wick moisture away and is relatively windproof. Wool socks act the same as fiberpile. Cotton retains and absorbs moisture, which is pretty dangerous if you're cold. Sweating when you exert yourself and then cooling off will lead to hypothermia very quickly. The other key is to wear loose layers of clothing - the space between layers holds body heat and keeps you warmer. You want your winter boots to fit more loosely than regular boots or jungle boots. This is all garbage that the Army stuffed in my head, but its all very true. We'd spend weeks in the field in Korea during the winter - boy was it cold! Another thing I learned very quickly was not to keep my head inside of the sleeping bag - breath -> moisture -> wet -> freezing. I'd wear a Balaclava over my head and leave it outside of the bag, even in negative temp weather (usually would add a stocking cap and neck gaiter over top of the balaclava as well).

Great advice Dan.

I also wear 13 shoes and 11.5 boots.

mannn... I can wear like an 8.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
thanks for the info dice, I did know about all the sweating and stuff, it's not something you want to do in the cold, thats why I would wear a bunch of thin layers, cause eventually when you're working really hard you end up in nothing but one shirt.
I like clothes that breath and I don't feel confined in too.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Very well said Dice.

EMF, I suggest you get yourself some underarmor cold gear, a light sweater, and Columbia Bugaboo Jacket System. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Pants, well... duh, some thick snow pants. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Boots, anything lined with some Gortex and is fully waterproof.

Also gaiters for the boots. Help keep the boots dry.

This is probably a good set-up for temperatures well below zero.

At around zero degrees, ditch the Bugaboo and get a light jacket, ditch the snow pants and wear a thin Nike dri-fit sweat pants under rain pants. The boots can be any type that has good impermeability. Keep the gaiters.

Oh... always, always, always, bring at least one extra pair of boot socks (you'll be happy when you accidentally slip while crossing a stream and completely submerge your feet in bloody cold water.