Bloody cold today. Actually, it’s not that cold…it’s simply what its pretty much supposed to be in Montana around this time of year. Currently? +3, although I expect below zero as the night progresses.
Since it was so cold during the day today, I figured I’d try out a new piece of cold weather gear. See, usually I wear my heavy Carhart coat in this sort of weather. It does a decent job, and its tough as nails, but it’s pretty bulky. I picked up a Gen III ECWS parka a few months back and this has been my first chance to try it out and I’m very pleased with it. Like most cold weather gear, it helps if you dress properly underneath it – you cant just put it on over a t-shirt and expect to be toasty.
One nice thing, right off the bat, is the compressability….the Carhart coat cant be stuffed down into a small(er) package the way this thing can. I was out this evening walking Nuke and I was wearing the parka over a longsleeve ‘waffle’ pullover and a ECWCS undershirt (which I recommend highly for its warmth and low bulk. Buy ’em cheap by the dozen on eBay) and was warm and comfy. I suspect I’ll troll eBay and pick up two or three extras for myself and one or two for the missus.
Not all military surplus lives up to the hype, but I have to say that thus far I’ve been pretty pleased with it. If you’re hunting for something warm but not overbearingly heavy/bulky you might wanna check these things out.
The ‘bear suit’ is, when combined with decent layers (waffle top/ bottom) and insulated boots good for being fairly sedentary in 0 degree type weather. Also they squish up pretty small which can be handy.
When its this cold in MT, do you become “Commander Below Zero” after donning these fancy pj’s?
I found that the Swedish parka/fat boys do very well for overprotection. Used them in Beijing for two winters just wearing silk log johns and cotton over those. temps in the low 30’s and mostly sleet and dirty snow for 1/2 mile walks between the hotel and the job site. When they get dirty – and boy did they – just hang ’em in the shower and rinse them off.
looks very similar to this mans products and designs, link below. same as you, I have to deal with the western Montana 140 degree temp swing between summer and winter. even thou this year has been pretty mild compared to last year. with that said, in the next 3 months we can swing into -40f. http://www.shbroadcast.com/clothing-videos.html