Gifts to stay warm in the wintry outdoors, from a former park ranger
The author Alfred Wainwright, who wrote famed guidebooks of the outdoors, knew how to stay comfortable outside. “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing,” is a quote popularly attributed to Wainwright.
It's often true.
What follows are some clothing essentials to keep someone comfortable in frigid winds, chilled autumn nights, or during the frozen winter.
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1. A buff
As a veteran park ranger of windswept Alcatraz Island once told me: "Protect the neck or freeze!"
Buffs are used to shield the neck and face from winds and cold air. They come in all sorts of colors and materials. REI sells some good ones.
2. Reusable hand warmers
These are awesome. Unlike most hand and pocket warmers, which go straight to the landfill, HotSnapZ are reusable. You boil them before going outside.
3. Mittens
Gloves are essential, but mittens are exceptional. They amass more warmth than gloves. Many companies make good, quality mittens. Skida makes "The Country Mitt," handsewn in Vermont. The company describes it as "built for the most rugged conditions and hardest days of play."
4. Long underwear
Baselayers are for winners. Wool is the way to go. Wool is a material that dries quicker than cotton and holds more warm air.
5. Ice Grippers
Don't eat shit on the ice! These ice-gripping devices pull over your boots, and usually have chains and/or other grips that provide traction on icy surfaces. Yaktrax puts out a quality product.
Price: $35.96 at Backcountry.com
6. Snow Boots
Winter without warm, dry snow boots is miserable. Schnees makes durable boots that, crucially, include wool inserts for warmth.
Mark was the science editor at Mashable. After working as a ranger with the National Park Service, he started a reporting career after seeing the extraordinary value in educating people about the happenings on Earth, and beyond.
He's descended 2,500 feet into the ocean depths in search of the sixgill shark, ventured into the halls of top R&D laboratories, and interviewed some of the most fascinating scientists in the world.
