By some strange irony, I happen to be wearing black 2nd skin thermals at this very moment, just as I checked this website. They’re a comfortable and smart way to stay warm and cozy when the chill sets in.

Ralph Adamo on March 16, 2013 at 10:31 pm

A couple of winter gear tips to survive harsh winters:

Wear them as a second layer over cheap cotton-polyester thermals and one should be comfortable even when its below freezing outside. On very cold days and nights, a one piece polyester hooded jumpsuit is perfect and the hood comes in useful for extra warmth when sleeping – keeps one’s head warm when the pillows are cold.

In the icy wind, a balaclava and a pair of fleece-lined gloves are a must to protect the face and eyes against freezing wind and at very low temperatures, without fleece lined gloves, painfully cold bare hands are no fun and they take awhile to warm under very warm running water. Wear gloves when there’s snow outside.

For blocking wind, fleece-lined jeans are always winter stand-bys and the absolute best jacket for unheated buildings is the Canada Goose Chilliwack bomber – it tends to run small so buy it one size larger than your usual jacket size.

For the feet, nothing beats Merino wool socks and Meindl Gastein GTX boots lined with lambskin are a bliss in very cold weather and the soles are very good on icy and snowy surfaces.

This is a basic winter wardrobe and the CG Chilliwack can be substituted with a slimmer USAF N3-B (available mil-spec from various manufacturers, particularly Spiewack and Alpha; the Spiewack Golden Fleece version USA made with real coyote fur trim ruff is available only in Japan is the top of the line one) parka which is the warmest winter jacket ever made. For the winter, nothing beats staying warm and thanks to my winter wardrobe, I never have to worry about making it from mid-November to mid-April.

I live in a subarctic climate at the mountain mid latitudes in North America’s Rocky Mountains at 7000 ft and above 10000 ft it becomes arctic tundra climate year around. I never go above the tree line but for the adventurous, the right clothing can make a difference between life and death in the winter.

NormanF on March 16, 2013 at 10:59 pm

Debbie as a kid I froze my tush off at my school bus stop, which was up the hill from my house. Looking back it was really unreasonable. My nose would run for the first hour of school. My 9th grade first period health teacher liked me but was a bit turned off. Incidentally the kid next to me showed me his weed and offered me some in class, despite all the fine Jiminy Cricket movies we watched urging clean living. Knein a hora I’m in the tropics now and I don’t even need a coat except a long dark one I wear to funerals up north. Is the small garment for your tush and the medium for up top? Perhaps you could post some career safe tsnius pictures of you in your new shmata to brighten up the week of your readers, particularly for those who may be in reduced circumstances.

A1 on March 17, 2013 at 12:57 am

Come to Texas. It’s already getting hot.

Pray Hard on March 17, 2013 at 9:36 am

I called two Big Lots and neither had them… the Big Lots website says that 2nd skin thermals are in store only, so check your local stores as two within 10 miles of me, had none.

MG: Don’t call BL and ask if they have it. The BL staff are clueless, and each time I called and asked if they had it, I was told no, only to find plenty of 2nd Skin at the stores. You have to go there and find them. DS

mgoldberg on March 17, 2013 at 12:29 pm

now I regret I live in Europe, otherwise I would have bought the Big Lots !…..

drklimczak on March 17, 2013 at 4:39 pm

And here is me bitching about how hot it has been. oi……..

Aron B on March 17, 2013 at 6:14 pm

Thanks for the heads up. Besides my fur-lined jock straps, these are items I stock up on.

tightwad on March 17, 2013 at 7:18 pm

I would wager that Ms. Schlussel looks a lot better in her 2nd skin thermals than any of the “actresses” in Spring Breakers would.

Gerald on March 18, 2013 at 8:02 am

I live in Cali but am retiring to Nevada.

The thought of weather colder than 45 degrees pisses me off!! BAHAHAHA

Tax free Nevada offers lots of hot weather

As goes... on March 19, 2013 at 12:55 pm