November's Mapleton Ready class was all about Staying Warm
in Winter, featuring Jim Phillips.
Everything you have learned about staying warm in winter may be wrong! Layering works great, while you are active & moving. What about when you stop moving? Moisture builds up between these layers and rob you of your body heat. Is there a better way? Is about more than just the right clothes, but understanding the principles of staying warm.
For almost fifty years Jim has been a pioneer in outdoor living, winter camping and arctic survival. With his broad technical background he has developed proven methods and equipment for surviving the harshest climates on earth. In 1989 he was awarded Popular Science Magazines "Best of What's New" for his arctic clothing technology designs. He has since been featured in a variety of magazines including: ThermoSphere , Camping Journal, The Mother Earth News, Boys' Life, Scouting, Alaska, Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated and Fortune. He's also the only man I know of that's cut a hole in a frozen lake, jumped in, then survived without fire and shelter for several days, twice!
This YouTube video on Weather Happens is essentially the presentation Jim gave in class (it's over an hour long, but full of great information).
Sadly, there are few resources for getting outfitted.
However, there are a couple local people offering custom made winter
clothing using the Phillips Arctic Living (PAL) principles. You can also
make your own with some creativity. Among the links is a DVD for sale
that teaches you how to make your own. Keep checking back on this blog for updates on group purchase options or classes that are in the works.
Here are some other links on information from Jim's years of research, including notes and videos.
“If you’re prepared, emergencies turn into an opportunity to have an adventure.” That was the message given at November ‘s Mapleton Ready seminar on cold weather preparedness.
“Winter is an ally, not an enemy,” said Jim Phillips, a nationally-recognized expert on cold weather clothing and survival. “If there’s ever an emergency or a pandemic, don’t go to a warm place – quarantine in an igloo. In winter, there’s plenty of water. Cold weather tends to eliminate hazards such as street gangs, flies, and mosquitoes. And it slows the spread of disease.”
Winter brings dangers too, of course: discomfort, hypothermia, frostbite, to name a few. But the good news is that these dangers can be minimized with proper preparation. “You can’t guarantee that you’ll always have a source of heat,” Mr. Phillips said. "But you can prepared by understanding how to conserve heat; having a source of backup heat; reducing the need for heat; and most important of all, having the proper cold weather clothing. In a cold weather emergency, don’t expect to continue the same lifestyle you’re used to. It won’t be practical to heat your whole home indefinitely. But there are ways to keep warm.”
To conserve heat, you can prepare your home now by adding insulation, insulation, storm windows, etc. In an emergency, you can cordon off rooms with plastic sheeting and duct tape so that you only have a small area to heat. “Now is the time to get the plastic sheeting. Look for clear, 4 mil plastic.”
Sources of backup heat include various fuels such as wood, propane, white gas, etc., plus alternative options such as solar heating. “Be very aware of safety issues, especially if there are children in the home. Combustion poses hazards such as burning and carbon dioxide poisoning. Understand the fuel you are using and how to use it safely.”
“Auxiliary heating isn’t really practical for the long-term, and sometimes not even for the short term,” said Mr. Phillips. “The most practical, affordable, and reliable solution isn’t to try and keep your house warm – it’s to keep yourself warm. You can do that with the right clothing. Clothing is your personal portable shelter. To use it effectively, you need understand how to stay warm and dry."
“Layers have their advantages, but they will fail in extreme weather, partly because moisture is trapped between the layers. A monolayer system is best for extremes.”
He then went on to explain Phillips Arctic Living System (PALS) clothing – foam clothing with a synthetic shell. “You can make winter clothing that will outperform anything you can buy. You’ll need 1/2″ or 1″ open cell polyurethane foam for insulation, and polyester or nylon fabric for the outer shell. Never use cotton – it becomes death cloth in cold weather, because it traps moisture. Also, never use coated or sealed (waterproof) fabrics – they keep water out, but they also keep water in.” There are various ways to make the PALS clothing, but in a pinch, you can even “roll and stuff” the foam behind your current clothing.
“Just having the right ‘stuff’ isn’t enough,” Mr. Phillips concluded. “You need to also have experience and confidence. Test whatever emergency solution you’re relying on ahead of time. For example, dress in your winter clothing and then go spend the night outside on a lawn chair. If you can’t make it, then come back and change your solution. Practical experience is key.”
Also, a quick re-cap on LDS underclothing options for staying warm in the winter.
100% Nylon Mesh will keep you the driest.
100% Nylon Drisilque because of it's very tight weave slows moisture passing through and will also feel more "clingy" when wet.
100% Polyester Thermax as the name implies is the warmest feeling when dry, however, because of its thick dense weave it will retain and hold more moisture longer.
Dri-Lux 85% Polyester / 15% cotton and Carinessa II 91% polyester / 9% spandex retain some moisture but dry much quicker than cotton so if you can't live without the cotton feel either of these may work better for you.
Any of the 50/50 cotton blends retain even more moisture and of course 100% cotton is the most absorbent of all and should not be worn in cold weather.
Bottom line, your underclothing is to help you stay dry by keeping moisture away from your skin. 100% Nylon Mesh is likely your best bet but before you buy a whole bunch you may want to just try one to be sure you can live with the feel. Many find they love it and wish they had been wearing these all along, but it may not work for all.
Incidentally, the same applies to warm weather and will help you feel drier instead of moist and clammy.
Hope this helps.
100% Nylon Mesh will keep you the driest.
100% Nylon Drisilque because of it's very tight weave slows moisture passing through and will also feel more "clingy" when wet.
100% Polyester Thermax as the name implies is the warmest feeling when dry, however, because of its thick dense weave it will retain and hold more moisture longer.
Dri-Lux 85% Polyester / 15% cotton and Carinessa II 91% polyester / 9% spandex retain some moisture but dry much quicker than cotton so if you can't live without the cotton feel either of these may work better for you.
Any of the 50/50 cotton blends retain even more moisture and of course 100% cotton is the most absorbent of all and should not be worn in cold weather.
Bottom line, your underclothing is to help you stay dry by keeping moisture away from your skin. 100% Nylon Mesh is likely your best bet but before you buy a whole bunch you may want to just try one to be sure you can live with the feel. Many find they love it and wish they had been wearing these all along, but it may not work for all.
Incidentally, the same applies to warm weather and will help you feel drier instead of moist and clammy.
Hope this helps.
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