Advice for my first winter up north?

[tikitatas]

mittens keep my hands warmer than gloves do

I soooooo agree! The fingers keep each other company!

[Skibo]

mittens keep my hands warmer than gloves do

I soooooo agree! The fingers keep each other company!

Agreed, instead of mittens I use lobster claw gloves. They are warm like mittens but give you a little more use if your fingers

[frozen bird]

Being a plumber in upstate NY, we spend A LOT of time out in the cold. We use Carhartt jackets and we are never cold. They aren't the most fashionable things in the world, but they do come in pretty colors if that's what you like. (We wear black...you don't want to be able to see what ends up on our jackets sometimes.)

When I ski, I have a North Face coat that is made up of a fleece like lining and a waterproof shell. We were skiing when it was -10 and I was never cold. Remember, it's easy to stay warm when it is just cold outside...it's the wind-chill that will do you in. If the wind is blowing, you've GOT to cover all your skin. You won't even know you have frostbite until you're back in where it's warm...then you experience a whole new level of pain. As far as boots go, if you want to keep your feet really warm, go for a pair with removable liners, they are usually much thicker than a regular insulated boot. Of course like anything, you get what you pay for. If you really want to be warm, don't buy your boots off the rack in WalMart. And, if you're fashion concious, for the love of God, wear the warm boots to where you're going and change into the fancy/cute/sexy boots when you get there. I've seen a lot of ladies end up on their keester while trying to look good.

As far as driving, just remember to go easy on the pedals. You stomp on the gas, the wheels lose their traction and you're usually stuck. Same with the brakes, tap them, don't stomp on them. I don't care if you have anti lock brakes or not, if you are on snow or ice and you jam on the brakes, you are going to lose control. As far as chains...don't even think about it.


The toughest part of winter is mentally dealing with the snow, cold and the dark. Find a way to enjoy winter and it will make it a lot easier. Ski, sled, throw snowballs...find a way to enjoy the winter and before you know it, it will be spring.

[JollyMon66]

When in Rome do as the Romans as they say. People in the north go to work in a couple of inches of snow. I say this in fun because I knew of a woman who moved to PA from Atlanta in the summer. In November we got one of those 1 or 2 inch nuisance snows. She didn't come to work which alarmed everyone...she always came to work. Finally someone called her...she was at home waiting for the snow to melt because that's what you do in Atlanta.

My other advice is if you have sidewalks and a driveway...get a snow blower now. People freak out when snow is in the forcast. After a good snowstorm - snow blowers are harder to find.

Finally...get your furnace or heat pump checked now. I find heat pumps work fine at 50 or even 40 but if they die it's ALWAYS during the coldest spell of the season

[JollyMon66]

Which types/brands/materials of coats keep you the warmest?

I have a leather coat that's seen better days but I used to wear it almost every day going to work in the winter. I walked from Penn Station to my office in the morning and back to Penn Station at night, it's 15 blocks each way, and never felt cold. Now my hands, that's another story. I could never find a pair of gloves that kept my hands warm on the rare days that the temp got down to single digits.

What do I need to do to my car? (I figure I need an ice scraper and to change out my windshield wiper fluid for something that doesn't freeze)

I've never done this, but it might be a good idea to keep a snow shovel in the trunk so you can dig yourself out in case you get stuck.

A bag of kitty litter in the trunk is also a good idea to improve traction if you are stuck. To avoid getting stuck you can also stay home and warm up with some Jumbie.

[JollyMon66]

Plastics.

[Dutch Harbor PH]

Which types/brands/materials of coats keep you the warmest?

I have a leather coat that's seen better days but I used to wear it almost every day going to work in the winter. I walked from Penn Station to my office in the morning and back to Penn Station at night, it's 15 blocks each way, and never felt cold. Now my hands, that's another story. I could never find a pair of gloves that kept my hands warm on the rare days that the temp got down to single digits.

What do I need to do to my car? (I figure I need an ice scraper and to change out my windshield wiper fluid for something that doesn't freeze)

I've never done this, but it might be a good idea to keep a snow shovel in the trunk so you can dig yourself out in case you get stuck.

A bag of kitty litter in the trunk is also a good idea to improve traction if you are stuck. To avoid getting stuck you can also stay home and warm up with some Jumbie.

And comes in handy if you cat needs to go to the bathroom......

[MacPhin]

Erin,
get ear muff's or ear pops. pops slide over your ears and really work. they're small so they can fit in a purse or your pocket when you don't want to wear a hat or real ear muffs. for boots get sorrell's or timberlines or something like that. you'll need something that can take cold and wet..not fashionable. purchase a couple of pairs of gloves. why because you'll probably lose one and by the time you do, the stores will be out. also, you'll want a pair to wear to clean off your car or shovel and then a pair to wear to the store or out at night. I have many pairs. definitely get the winter wipers. when you hear it's going to snow or ice, put your wipers out, away from your windshield. this makes it easier to clean off or not stick. get the windshield fluid for the winter that won't freeze. all those other things that people have mentioned are great suggestions too.
as far as a coat, i have a few. one that is great for snow storms which is a 3 layer system. LL Bean and Northface, Columbia all sell them. I also have a fashionable leather coat. it keeps me nice and warm when i go out at night but appropriate if dressy. If you have to dress for work, a 3/4 or full length wool coat is always good too.
if your hands tend to get dry, then they'll be worse up here in the winter. i started putting bag balm or heavy lotion on my hands and then cotton gloves ( at BedBath & Beyond) a few nights a week. it really works. i know some guys that do it also. it isn't sexy but if you crack and bleed.....
another good item is a humidifier or saline spray for your sinuses.
good luck chica

[pema]

So here's what I don't understand about the boots...

If you wear cloth/canvas shoes in snow, your feet are gonna get wet and really cold. Leather and water aren't usually a really good combination. Waterproof leather tends to be upward of $100.

So without going the pricey route, is there such a thing as leather boots you can wear in the snow?

[Dutch Harbor PH]

....Hmmmm..... A lot to ponder here.....Where in the North????? As previously stated some things may not be allowed.....there are a lot of states East of the missisipi that do not allow chains.....most western states require that you carry chains if you are traveling over any of the passes....... Kitty litter, while crunchy, doesn't make for a good snack....... Boots???? all depends on your sensibilities....I prefer Sorel Cariboo's AND I think they look pretty snazzy too..... jackets etc, I learned this one from travels in Finland; I would come into the office in Vassa in the mornings to see all of these people arriving at work, walking along..... they were all dressed in one piece snow suits of different colors and makes and trim. They would also wear ski hats and sometimes ski goggles and always a good sno boot like a sorel. Once they got into the their offices, they would simply strip off the sno boots and snow suit...the women ahd dresses on under the suit and the men had slacks and coats on...... simple and easy......took that advice to Alaska (no I didn't dress that way to go to work, BUT it iswas sooo easy to jump into a one peice after work and go out and play in the snow it just made sense...especially for the kids!)......

Everybody is right about cold....you lose 60 to 70% of your body heat out the top of your head...Put a hat on!!!

Cold is bad but wet is far worse!!!!! Get good quality gear that doesn't leak...especially your hands and feet!!!!

By some of the simple shake up hand warmers (Disposable kind) and when you are really cold use them (Carefully) at your wrist, underarm or inner thigh (if they are too hot wrap them in a tshirt) these are your pressure points and where your blood vessels are...warm up the blood to warm the rest of you....


Stret a little before you go out....if you slip when your muscles are not loose you may hurt something......

[SMLCHNG]

I have a boot, similar to this, from Lands End.. Feet never get wet or cold.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/CommuterBoot ... igin=index

[pema]

I have a boot, similar to this, from Lands End.. Feet never get wet or cold.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/CommuterBoot ... igin=index

are they comfortable to walk long distances in or do you have to change into different shoes when you get inside?

[NEO]

I remember crying one year midmarch because i felt like a LL Bean,J Crew, Eddie Bauer, Bass Proshop, Gander Mt model.. LOL!

[SMLCHNG]

I have a boot, similar to this, from Lands End.. Feet never get wet or cold.
http://www.landsend.com/pp/CommuterBoot ... igin=index

are they comfortable to walk long distances in or do you have to change into different shoes when you get inside?

I wear them all day.. but mine are a much shorter boot, more like a 'tennis shoe' type.

And don't ever rely on the apartment complex to plow the parking lot well, or shovel the sidewalks. If they shovel, and someone falls, they 'accept' liability, so often it's not done. And plowing? Is often just 'down the middle', which traps you in your parking space, so do have a shovel, ( thanking E for all the times he's shoveled us out).

[pema]

I remember crying one year midmarch because i felt like a LL Bean,J Crew, Eddie Bauer, Bass Proshop, Gander Mt model.. LOL!

people in NC wear all that kinda stuff because it's fashionable, and when it's barely below 70 they just look STUPID. but i guess i shouldn't let that carry with me here. if it's practical, i shouldn't rule out just because it's too trendy.

[chippewa]

[NEO]

I remember crying one year midmarch because i felt like a LL Bean,J Crew, Eddie Bauer, Bass Proshop, Gander Mt model.. LOL!

people in NC wear all that kinda stuff because it's fashionable, and when it's barely below 70 they just look STUPID. but i guess i shouldn't let that carry with me here. if it's practical, i shouldn't rule out just because it's too trendy.

Fashionable are they NUTZZ?? It is practical, But heavy and bulky..

would much rather wear something byLilly Pullitzer or Tommy Bahama.

[Brown Eyed Girl]

I remember crying one year midmarch because i felt like a LL Bean,J Crew, Eddie Bauer, Bass Proshop, Gander Mt model.. LOL!

people in NC wear all that kinda stuff because it's fashionable, and when it's barely below 70 they just look STUPID. but i guess i shouldn't let that carry with me here. if it's practical, i shouldn't rule out just because it's too trendy.

If you want to see stupid, look for the women in SoCal wearing Ugg boots with short-shorts when it's 75*. Hell, at any temperature that's stupid.

I can't contribute much to the cold weather conversation, other than agreeing with what's been mentioned. But I thought I'd toss out looking at REI for stuff. Become a member so you can get the dividends. That's where I get my hiking boots and wool socks and stuff, I'm sure they have "winter" boots as well (I've just never needed to look). But with my dividends I've been able to get a nice chunk of change off the boots I've bought, and if you can combine it with a sale you can really get a bargain. Might not help you for this year, but something to think about. I love REI. Not too many places let you buy a pair of boots/shoes, wear them hiking or whatever for any length of time, and return them if you don't like them or something happens to them or the fit changes. With all my foot issues, it's a godsend. And that policy is for everything, not just for shoes. Membership has its privileges.

[ejr]

For my hands, I have some mittens with gloves inside of them--keeps my fingers warmer than just a glove. And definitely earmuffs or something similar--won't destroy the hair, and will keep your ears toasty warm.

Definitely do something to add to the humidity in your apartment--I have a central humidifier, but also run a vaporizer in my bedroom at my allergists orders.

I am pretty sure that tire chains are illegal in most places now because of the damage they do to the roads. If you have front wheel drive, that helps. If you have antilock brakes, practice braking a few times on the ice--the inclination is to let up on the brake when it sort of kicks back at you--don't do that.

Move more deliberately than you normally do--black ice can get you and you don't see it. Leave extra spacing between cars when driving, and allow lots of extra time.

[bravedave]

Yeah
Have a decent coat, and a backup decent jacket. (a hood is good)
Some boots and a backup pair of shoe-boot thingies that can get you around in 1" of snow. (It doesn't fall 12" at once you know.)
A long-handled ice-scraper/brush for your car (in the trunk). And a smaller ice scraper near the front seat.
Get your car and furnace checked by a professional AT LEAST once every other year. If you are good with dealer maintenance and such then the foregoing is like 'Duh'


Enjoy the nuances of the change of seasons. Not every day in January is a snow day; sometimes it's a great day for a walk in the woods, just cuz.