Gear up for winter

_{|  Story by Meghan McMahon |}

_2/5/2024

As the old saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” In our neck of the woods, this is never more true than in winter, when the right choices in clothing and gear can make or break your time outside.

Forest Preserve staff spend plenty of time outdoors in all seasons, and many of us have learned a thing or two about how to dress for the outdoors in winter so we can embrace it instead of dread it. From police patrolling and interpretive naturalists leading programs to conservation and planning staff improving and inspecting preserves and operations crews plowing and maintaining them, you’ll see Forest Preserve staff outside all year, battling whatever elements Mother Nature throws at them. In the winter, that often means cold temperatures; frigid, whipping winds; and snowy and icy conditions.

Below are recommendations for gearing up for winter from head to toe from Forest Preserve staff who regularly have to battle the elements.

Layer up

Layer up is probably advice you’ve heard before, and for good reason. Wearing multiple layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing is a sound strategy for a few reasons. First, the thin layer of air between each article of clothing will help insulate you, according to the National Weather Service. Wearing multiple layers also allows you to remove one if you get warm from exerting yourself or when the weather warms up.

“We suggest lots of layers, since different tasks often require different levels of effort,” said natural resources management crew leader Allison Borecky.

Forest Preserve crews are outfitted with insulated overalls, coats, gloves and hats. Borecky said people would be surprised how warm you can get while hauling brush to a burn pile.

“You don’t want to sweat when its cold out, so being able to put on or take off layers as needed is important,” she said.

Police Sgt. Rick Lewandowski recommends a good base layer that is both warm and wicks moisture away from your skin. Look for products marketed as a base layer for cold weather because they are designed to help keep you warm and dry. Many major clothing retailers sell such products, so look for one in a price point you are comfortable with.

Avoid cotton shirts as your bottommost layer because it could end up making you feel colder instead of warmer. “A cotton T-shirt just holds that sweat against your skin, and you’ll never be warm,” said Jerome Gabriel, facility supervisor at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center.

Layers aren’t just for your upper body. You can wear long johns, tights or another skin-hugging layer under your pants or opt for a pair of pants that combines two layers in one.

Pants lined with fleece or flannel are a popular choice among Forest Preserve staff who spend winter days outside. Interpretive naturalist Heather Van Zyl and Lewandowksi both opt for lined pants on cold days. Wildlife ecologist Becky Blankenship and restoration crew leader Barbara Sherwood both take it a step further, or more accurately higher, by wearing lined bib overalls.

“If it’s below 20 degrees, then they are what I’m wearing,” Sherwood said. They are “super comfortable, durable and warm. Great for working in the field!”

Outerwear basics

On top of your layers, you’ll need a warm coat. If you’re going for a short hike on a mild winter day, pretty much any warm coat will do, but if you’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors in winter make sure you have a waterproof coat.

“Having a warm puffy jacket is great, but if it gets wet all that insulation is worthless,” Gabriel said. “Making sure to have a waterproof layer over your insultation layers ensures that you’ll stay warm even when the weather turns from a gentle winter snowfall to a miserable sleety rain.”

A longer winter coat can also help you stay warmer. Waist-length coats leave your legs fully exposed, but knee- or even ankle-length coats add another toasty layer to your legs. These longer coats can restrict mobility, however, so they aren’t ideal for all outdoor winter activities.

Another good option is to let the latest in outerwear technology keep you warm by opting for a heated coat or vest.

“I have a heated vest that works wonders,” said police Sgt. Matthew Yates, adding that he pairs it with a hoodie and a winter jacket to stay warm for hours.

On your head

Your mom was right when she told you it was important to wear a hat when going out in the cold. A hat is key in winter because you can lose 40% of your body heat from your head, according to the National Weather Service. Land management program coordinator Floyd Catchpole recommends a multilayer hat that covers your head and face, leaving openings for your mouth and eyes.

In the coldest of cold weather, covering your mouth is important to protect your lungs from the frigidly cold air, the weather service reports. On these days, consider wearing a balaclava or using a neck warmer or scarf to cover your mouth to protect yourself from breathing in the cold air.

On your feet

Good boots are a winter must-have if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Not all boots are created equal, said real estate manager Sara Wittchen. Make sure to wear boots that are well suited for the weather and your activity.

“Your feet are your ultimate tool,” Wittchen said. “If you can’t move, you can’t do. Keeping your toes toasty is second to the safety and stability a good working boot can provide.”

Yates and Blankenship both recommend boots that are both insulated and either waterproof or water resistant.

“Water-resistant boots are great if you’re working in snow or rain,” Blankenship said. “Getting wet in cold weather is the worst.”

What you wear under your boots is just as important as your boots, and good wool socks are highly recommended by Forest Preserve staff. Van Zyl said she wears wool socks all year because they will wick moisture away from sweaty feet and also keep rain and snow off your skin. In winter, she wears extra thick ones for extra warmth.

Sherwood carries extra pairs of socks for long, cold days. “Having dry socks is key to keeping your feet warm, or for warming them up when you are done in the field,” she said. “I always carry two or three extra pairs of socks with me to change throughout the day.”

Underneath her socks, Blankenship wears a sock liner to help wick moisture away, just like the base layers of clothing do. “I used to wear like four layers of socks, but that did more harm than good because it was actually restricting circulation to my feet,” she said.

On your hands

After you’ve slipped on your boots, pulled a hat on your head and zipped up your coat, the last step before heading out is to cover your hands. Mittens and gloves are both suitable options, but which is best depends on what you will be doing outside.

Mittens will keep your hands warmer than gloves because the body heat from your fingers is shared. However, mittens can be restrictive because they limit use of your fingers. If you need the dexterity that gloves provide, consider ski gloves, Catchpole suggests. They are designed for use over extended periods and made to withstand harsh winter conditions.

Another tip: If it’s particularly cold or you are stuck with gloves or mittens that aren’t all that warm, try putting on a layer of latex or nitrile gloves under your outer layer. These gloves will help trap the heat close to your skin, and they can also help keep your hands dry if you are out in the snow or wet conditions.

Heed warnings

Some days are simply too cold to safely enjoy the great outdoors. Be aware of any weather advisories when you are planning to spend time outdoors in winter, and follow all recommendations regarding your safety.

The National Weather Service issues wind chill advisories, wind chill watches and wind chill warnings when conditions warrant. A wind chill advisory is issued when cold and windy conditions are expected, and these conditions could result in hypothermia or frostbite in people who do not take proper precautions. Like with severe thunderstorm and tornado watches and warnings, a wind chill watch means dangerously cold air and wind chill values are possible, while a wind chill warning means the dangerously cold air and wind chill values are occurring or expected to occur.

The potential dangers of spending time outdoors during a wind chill warning include hypothermia, which is a low body temperature, and frostbite. Both can occur with prolonged exposure to extreme cold, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Long exposures to very cold temperatures force your body to use stored energy to stay warm. When this happens, your body temperature begins to drop. Signs of hypothermia include confusion, memory loss, exhaustion, drowsiness, slurred speech, fumbling hands and shivering, according to the CDC. In babies, signs can also include skin that is bright red and cold and very low energy.

If you suspect hypothermia, take the person’s temperature immediately if possible. If it is below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical attention. If medical help is not immediately available, move the person to a warm place indoors or to a sheltered spot, remove any wet clothing and warm the center of their body — the head, neck, chest and abdomen — with blankets (heated if possible), towels or clothing.

Frostbite occurs when the skin freezes. It is most common on our bodies’ extremities, including fingers, toes, ears, noses, cheeks and chins, the CDC reports. Signs of frostbite include white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels waxy or unusually firm and numbness.

In severe cases, frostbite can cause permanent damage and even result in amputation of the affected areas. If you suspect frostbite, get yourself into a warm room as soon as possible and place the affected areas in warm but not hot water, the CDC advises. Do not walk on feet or toes if you suspect frostbite because this can worsen damage. In addition, do not use direct heat from a stove or fireplace, heating pads or heat lamps to warm the skin, and do not rub or massage the affected areas.

_{(Photos via Shutterstock)}