Dressing Right (Newbie to Pro) - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Sledinheaven · 12-27-2009, 09:50 PM

A few years ago I was riding and I had to help a couple of fellow sledders that got stuck. After about fifteen minutes these guy were back on the trails, but were in more trouble. They were 100 miles from home and their jeans and Carharts where soaked from getting stuck. I am sure their ride home was unpleasant if not painful. Since that experience I have become a bit of a stickler when it comes to who i ride with. The last thing I want is to end my 12 hour sledding day in an emergency room because someone dressed wrong. I have been amazed at how much people think they know when it comes to staying warm. A few years ago I found this information on the internet from a place that rents sleds. Many people have appreciated this whether they are new to the sport, or have been doing it for years. I wish I could remember who to give the credit to:

INNER LAYERS

You need to put a thin layer, that is non-absorbent, next to your skin, to avoid
chilling your body when sweating.Synthetics such as acrylic, lycra or polar fleece
- or natural fibers such as wool - work just fine for your first layers. Synthetics
are made of plastic, hollow fibres, so they won't absorb moisture, and wool is
nature's best natural water resistant insulator. You don't have to purchase
special garments - improvise with what you already have at home! Workout
tights, nylons, or leotards next to your skin can really help! Just check the
labels of your current garments, and you might be surprised what you find.

Whatever you do - don't wear bluejeans! DON'T wear cotton outside in
winter - keep it for lounging by the fire. Cotton absorbs sweat and moisture
and clings to your body, robbing you of precious heat, and giving you the chills!
If you want to be more active year round, you might want to invest in
polypropylene long underwear. Polypropylene is a fantastic material
that is the best material for spending alot of time outside in all conditions.
Polar Fleece is also a great layering material, the thicker the pile, the better.

MIDDLE LAYERS
Next, you'll cover your thinner, inner layers,
top and bottom, with one or more bulky layers.
Think 'insulation' and you'll get it right. A loose
fit will help you keep from restricting your
movement once the final layer goes on.
Choose this layer based on the conditions
outside - add another layer when really cold!
A Wool, or acrylic blend sweater, or better
yet, thick and toasty POLAR FLEECE does
the trick! Often you can buy a cozy polar
fleece combo top/bottoms at places like
SEARS and it's great because it's non absorbent.

OUTER LAYERS

The key words are WINDPROOF, WATERPROOF, BREATHABLE.
Gortex, Thinsulate, or a similar outer shell is excellent, but avoid cheap
'raincoat' fabric, as moisture will accumulate inside because it is not breathable.
Again, avoid Cotton outer shells, even those that are treated with water
repellent material. Snow lands on you, and when it melts, it can soak you
down through the layers and chill you to the bone.

FOR YOUR HANDS
As above , thick polar fleece, polypropylene or thinsulate liners
are excellent. MEC 'WINDSTOPPER' (TM) gloves are fantastic,
& don't always need an outer shell. (quite amazing, and quite warm
on their own, but are expensive) No matter what, don't use cotton!
Add an outer shell of gortex or similar material over your inner glove,
to keep snow off. Silver 'reflectant' glove liners work as an extra layer.
Remember, it doesn't have to be fancy! Some of my best gloves are
cheap, and found at chain stores like Zellers or Walmart. Choose from
any one of a variety of great 'all in one' products on the market. Just
be sure and try them out first - to avoid nasty surprises!

Because of your activities, gloves are better than mitts, but you can always
bring more than one pair in case the first pair gets wet. You can never be too
careful when it comes to your hands! Read on for chemical solutions for
keeping hands warm when the thermometer plunges!

FOR YOUR FEET

Remember, just like your upper clothing, wool or synthetic blend socks will
make you so much comfortable than cotton! You can also buy thin polypropylene
socks to wear under an outer, wool pair. Don't cram your feet into boots however!
Layer, but don't overdo it as you can impair circulation. Read on for chemical
solutions on keeping feet warm, even when the thermometer plunges
A Final Note
Do you have .....

CHRONIC COLD FEET & HANDS?
There are also CHEMICAL solutions for
those of us who have real problems with
hands and feet (or if you just want to be sure!) Head down to Canadian Tire and grab
some of those fantastic HAND or FOOT warmers. They cost just a couple of bucks,
you shake them up, and put them in your gloves and boots and they'll keep you toastey all day! (you'll love the boot warmers - they are
thin, contoured, and stick right into the toe)

**BC_Dan** · 12-27-2009, 10:48 PM

good reminders, thanks for posting!

stay warm out there!!

autotec · 12-27-2009, 11:02 PM

Great information. I always wear jeans under my insulated pants, then my snow pants. I'm going to have to change that. First a new pair of boots though, my feet got wet today.

Ultrafrozen · 12-28-2009, 04:19 AM

All very good info! Rules we live by in the North.

One really good tip I picked up over the years is this: If you take your gloves/ mitts off to do anything and get your hands wet, let them dry before putting them back in the gloves. They will be cold for a few minutes but will soon warm up in your dry gloves. If your gloves get wet, they will be very cold in the wind on the trail. Hand warmers can only do so much in 30 below weather!

**RJ Gleason** · 12-28-2009, 09:23 AM

Moved and stickied.
Very good info to have.

xc sp 500 rider · 12-28-2009, 10:10 AM

good post! going to have to change before going riding today!

Steaksauce · 01-02-2010, 07:58 AM

Avoiding cotton is frequently overlooked, especially socks. Good post.

winterfresh · 01-03-2010, 12:18 AM

ohh wow, I only go on the sled for about 2 hours at most and my mom showed me this... i thought she googled it.. but its on here.. nice.

Gunther47 · 01-08-2010, 08:10 PM

LOOK, getting wet is unavoidable, might as well dirty the fewest amount of clothes. wear blue jeans and a light Jacket. motocross helmet and ski gloves. deal with the slight "chill". cold is a state of mind

Esox · 01-14-2010, 10:00 PM

Great post, as a late fall fisherman keeping warm and dry means the difference between success and going home early. No many venture out in freezing temps and spend 9 hours casting for muskies in 25-30 mph winds and rain/snow. But the rewards are worth it. Same applies to sledding, breaking down 20 miles from anywhere not dressed right means bad things.

**RJ Gleason** · 01-15-2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunther47

LOOK, getting wet is unavoidable, might as well dirty the fewest amount of clothes. wear blue jeans and a light Jacket. motocross helmet and ski gloves. deal with the slight "chill". cold is a state of mind

Until you have to walk 5 miles on a cold night........................

brandcole73 · 01-15-2010, 04:35 PM

Learned the value of dressing right by being a duck hunter for the last dozen years. It makes the difference between enjoying yourself and going home early. frustrated and cold! I love Under Armor!!! I don't ever ride (or duck hunt) without it. Depending on the temps, a layer or two over that and I'm just right all day long. Fleese lined socks of the same sort of material made a huge difference for me too.

97cummins · 01-17-2010, 03:12 AM

Good post.My brother wants to go riding with me but doesn't have any gear.He asked me if he really needs gear,so i said if you don't get any you'll regret it very quickly.

Sledinheaven · 01-17-2010, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97cummins

Good post.My brother wants to go riding with me but doesn't have any gear.He asked me if he really needs gear,so i said if you don't get any you'll regret it very quickly.

My brother just came back from his first trip with me. I told him he could use my sled all day, but the rental fee was for him to take a ride with me to the sled store and buy gear. We just came back tonight and all he talked about was how comfortable he was. It was cheaper than renting a sled and now he wants to buy one. I also learned a little something.....This is a great time to buy gear. He picked up a Choko coat for $50.00 and bibs for $70.00 on closeout.

Ilya K · 01-30-2010, 08:12 PM

what happened to sledding naked?

Ultrafrozen · 02-14-2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilya K

what happened to sledding naked?

I tried that once. It's amazing how fast parts freeze up and disappear at 30 mph, and that damn seat is way too cold. It was a quick run back to the gf sitting warm in the Finnish sauna, good thing I kept my boots on!!!

Ilya K · 02-14-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultrafrozen

I tried that once. It's amazing how fast parts freeze up and disappear at 30 mph, and that damn seat is way too cold. It was a quick run back to the gf sitting warm in the Finnish sauna, good thing I kept my boots on!!!

Weredragon · 04-07-2010, 08:09 PM

Bahaha. Dares for the win. Should have made it a double dare.

polarisindy488 · 05-02-2010, 07:32 AM

haha some times i wear pants and pack the snow pants in the hatch of the sled and have long jons on under the pants

erikrkane · 07-23-2010, 01:21 PM

Hm. I always wear just blue jeans when I go riding, never been cold. I wear long johns underneath and thats it. I can maneuver the sled way better then with snowpants and I don't sweat as much