Since the Northern Outpost Winter Romp was cancelled we decided to
test our winter garb at the local conservation area. Not many people
there though one couple thought we were there to murder them, one lady
(feeding Chickadees from her hands) didn't bat an eyelash, and one
gentlemen interrupted his phone call to ask us what we were doing in
costume. I thin this would make an awesome place for a winter demo/ half
day event.
Weather was -10ºC with a -15º windchill and it was sunny. We hiked 1.3
km without snowshoes or skis. The trails had previously been broken by
other hiders but I found it easier walking in the unbroken areas with my
wool boots and leather overshoes. As I get older I definitely find I
need more arch support than what turn shoes provide.
I was wearing linen pants and tunic, a thin wool tunic, thin wool pants, wool nalbound socks, a thin wool kaftan, wool nalbound mittens, wool hood, and a wool cloak (double over the back area). On my feet I also had two layers of blanket wool turn shoe boots and leather ankle high turn shoes. The leather boots were treated with beeswax paste and allow to dry for three or four days.
I was perfectly warm, my feet
perfectly dry. In fact, once we got into the trees and the wind was
mostly blocked I got hot enough to throw back my hood and take off my
mittens. I stomped in a water puddle in the parking lot just to test my
waterproofing and it worked a charm. No water seeped through the seams
or soaked through the leather. The wool boots repelled any water that
splashed above the leather over shoes. Slogging through water or slush
all day would be uncomfortable but the occasional puddle is no problem.
The only thing I felt lacking was face coverage, especially in the wind. So a scarf of some nature is in order for windy days. I think for sunny days it would be smart to make some snow goggles to cut down on the glare. My ears were a little cold under the thin wool hood so for harsher and longer outings a thicker hood may be in order.
With this garb I can confidently say I can handle a full day 10am to 4pm in -10º to -15º C weather. Any warmer and I will have to drop a layer of wool, my tunic. Any colder and I will need thicker wool garb.
I was wearing linen pants and tunic, a thin wool tunic, thin wool pants, wool nalbound socks, a thin wool kaftan, wool nalbound mittens, wool hood, and a wool cloak (double over the back area). On my feet I also had two layers of blanket wool turn shoe boots and leather ankle high turn shoes. The leather boots were treated with beeswax paste and allow to dry for three or four days.
I was perfectly warm, my feet
perfectly dry. In fact, once we got into the trees and the wind was
mostly blocked I got hot enough to throw back my hood and take off my
mittens. I stomped in a water puddle in the parking lot just to test my
waterproofing and it worked a charm. No water seeped through the seams
or soaked through the leather. The wool boots repelled any water that
splashed above the leather over shoes. Slogging through water or slush
all day would be uncomfortable but the occasional puddle is no problem.The only thing I felt lacking was face coverage, especially in the wind. So a scarf of some nature is in order for windy days. I think for sunny days it would be smart to make some snow goggles to cut down on the glare. My ears were a little cold under the thin wool hood so for harsher and longer outings a thicker hood may be in order.
With this garb I can confidently say I can handle a full day 10am to 4pm in -10º to -15º C weather. Any warmer and I will have to drop a layer of wool, my tunic. Any colder and I will need thicker wool garb.
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