By Sean Curtis
The TacticaList Contributor
All that hard work you put into ensuring your body is protected from the harshest environments means nothing if your extremities aren’t treated with the same caution and care.
Our hands and feet are often the first parts of our body to get cold in bad weather. This is part of the body’s normal survival mechanism. As hypothermia begins to set in, the body automatically begins shunting more and more blood from the limbs in an effort to save the core. Specifically, the body tries to do everything to maintain the torso and the head. It’s a sacrifice play that is well designed if survival is the only goal.
As a result of the loss of circulation, the limbs begin to cool, starting with the fingertips and toes, and working its way up the limbs. Eventually, ice crystals begin to form in the soft tissues that can cause serious tissue damage known as frostbite. Left too long, the injury can result in gangrene and amputation.
Naturally, prevention is imperative. The concepts of layering and material selection remains true when selecting hats, gloves, socks, and shoes.
Do not get hung up on which part of the body loses the most heat. There have been multiple studies conducted that indicate exposed flesh is likely to suffer the greatest heat loss. Accordingly, keep covered up. Base layers such as light wool socks can greatly reduce discomfort when combined with a shoe or boot that offers moisture protection. The same applies to gloves and hats. Have a thinner, lightweight glove that allows you to maintain dexterity for some finer tasks, plus a heavy glove with moisture deflection properties to go wear on top.
This much is doubly true for hats. During precipitation, your head will receive a generous amount because of its location. It’s the same with the shoulders. Imagine two or three inches of snow on a sock hat (watch cap) versus the same snow on a GORE-TEX hat or hood over that same sock hat. The setup with two layers will retain heat much longer than one without multiple layers.
Smartwool makes great socks, hats, and gloves — some models even have the material at the fingertip that allows touch-screen phone manipulation without removing a glove. Wigwam also makes some wool socks that will keep your toes toasty.
For outer shell type gloves, look to The North Face for myriad styles, sizes, and colors. The last two winters I have used a pair of Salomon boots that are waterproof, well insulated, and lightweight. They afford great traction in the snow and have kept my feet warm and dry while being comfortable.
Recommended gloves, hats, boots and socks:
1. The North Face GORE-TEX Patrol gloves
2. Blauer watch cap
3. Smartwool socks – For Women – For Men
4. PhD Alpine gloves by Smartwool
5. GORE-TEX Shield 2.0 Hood
6. Blauer Clash 8” insulated boot
7. Salomon Nytro GTX insulated boot
8. Wigwam socks
