Your extreme cold survival guide
There’s no such thing as bad weather, the saying goes, only unsuitable clothing.
The quote is used to encourage people to go outside, even if the weather is bad, because there’s always equipment that can protect you from the elements. It’s February, so many residents of the Northern Hemisphere are suffering through the coldest part of the year right now. How do people survive extremely cold temperatures?
Let’s define extreme cold as 0 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. That’s about minus 18 degrees Celsius or colder. Being outside in weather like this is more than just uncomfortable: it’s dangerous. Without the right equipment, you can suffer frostbite or hypothermia. Frostbite is damage to your skin: your skin cells can freeze, and this can be very serious. Hypothermia is when your body loses heat and drops below an internal temperature of 95 Fahrenheit or 35 degrees Celsius. You don’t want either of those things. So if you ever travel and encounter the extreme cold, make sure you go prepared.
It’s probably fine to run across the street in a city in your normal clothes. But if you’re going to be outside for more than a few minutes, you should have the right equipment. Here, then, is what you need to do to prepare, if you’re brave enough to go outside in the extreme cold.
Winter coat
The first thing you need is a proper winter coat. Not all winter coats are created equally. Many of the “winter” coats sold in more moderate climates are not suitable for extreme cold. Likewise, many fashion coats, like peacoats, are no match for very low temperatures.
When you choose a winter coat for extreme cold, you want one with good insulation—either down feathers or a synthetic filling that will trap and preserve your body heat. Your coat should also have a windproof and waterproof outer shell. When the temperatures drop, leave the stylish wool coat at home.
If possible, find one that at least covers your thighs. If your coat goes only to your waist, you’re leaving your entire lower half exposed.
Layers
The keyword in extreme cold is layers. And your winter coat is just one layer. Here are your other layers. You should have a base layer that’s close to your skin—top and bottom—that does not absorb moisture. You want to go for thin, synthetic material, not cotton as your lowest layer.
After that, you’ll want to add wool or cotton middle layers. There are a lot of great stylish options for your top half, but don’t ignore your bottom half. A pair of normal pants, or even sturdy jeans, is usually not enough. Wear a base layer below your pants, too. And you can find some work jeans with flannel lining that makes them more wind-resistant.
Hat
There’s another saying—I think I’m discovering that extreme weather is full of sayings—“if your feet are cold, put a hat on.” Your body sends a lot of heat to your head. And if you don’t have a nice warm winter hat, then you’re letting a lot of your body heat escape from the top.
At minimum, you want an insulated hat that covers your head and your ears. If you’ll be outside for a while, consider a trapper hat. These are thicker, with better insulation, and flaps that cover your ears.
Gloves
Gloves are important—and like winter coats, not all gloves are created equally. The wind can cut right through a lot of cheap gloves. You know those gloves that are thin enough to let you tap on a smartphone? Leave those at home. You want thick, insulated gloves with a weather-resistant exterior.
Face
Frostbite can strike any part of exposed skin. You’ve got your winter coat, a hat, and gloves. Are you fully covered? No you are not. As soon as you walk out that door, you’ll feel the cold right in your face. And if you’ll be outside for more than a few minutes, you should have a plan to cover your face, too.
You can use a scarf. There’s also a gaiter—that’s like a glove for your face. It covers your neck, nose, and cheeks—right up to your eyes.
Boots
If you’re planning on wearing your sneakers, think again. Even if there’s no snow on the ground, you’re going to want some boots. Wind and cold can go right through normal shoes. If there’s precipitation, you want your footwear to be insulated to keep your feet from getting wet. They don’t have to be specifically for snow, but you do want some well-made work or winter boots to keep your feet warm.
It’s common to wear two layers of socks, too: one thin layer made of synthetic material that repels moisture, and thicker wool socks on the outside. And here’s a tip. Choose boots that are a little loose, maybe a half size larger than what you would normally get. That way, you can leave room for fluffy socks.
Jeff’s take
Couple other tips for you, from experience. Believe it or not, your eyes can get cold. You can tear up if the cold wind hits your face in those temperatures, so goggles or sunglasses can protect your eyes.
Hand warmers are a good accessory. These are little chemical packs. You shake them, activate the chemical reaction, and you have a source of heat that fits nicely in a pocket. (They make USB-charged hand warmers these days, too.)
If you’re skiing, all these tips apply—but you want to make sure that there’s no way for snow to get under your outer layers. So make sure everything is tight and tucked in. If you’ll be out in the snow, you can get snow pants, which have a snow-resistant outer shell—they’re like a winter coat for your bottom half.
And if you’re anything like me, on your first day skiing, you’ll be on your bottom half a lot!
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