sierraclub.org - sierra magazine - january/february 2011 - extremities in extremes
When you're venturing above the treeline and your head, hands, and feet start to get cold, so does the rest of you. Keep the shivers at bay by marshaling the latest in warmth-generating technology, clever design, and tried-and-true wool.
By Steve Casimiro
Scarves are a winter classic, but a solid snowfall (or well-chucked snowball) will leave most of them caked with flakes. Patagonia's Nano Puff has a soft recycled-polyester shell that's wind- and water-resistant and insulated with 100-gram PrimaLoft One. $49, patagonia.com
It's impossible to avoid Darth Vader references when affixing this device, but it protects your face from wind and chill better than any scarf, balaclava, or ski mask. The ventilator warms and humidifies air and projects exhalations away from your face so you don't fog up goggles or sunglasses. $60, talusoutdoor.com
The fur is faux but the warmth is real: Wool and fake fuzz come together to make this old-school topper worthy of wearing on the Iditarod. It's also softer and more comfortable than hats of yore. $50, woolrich.com
Over-the-cuff gauntlet gloves (right) are ideal for handling winter's tantrums—but good luck plucking a dime off the floor in them. The Alpha SVs are an exception: They could be worn while summiting Mt. Everest, and their anatomically precise design allows for octopus-like dexterity. $275, arcteryx.com
Ski patrollers have long favored leather work gloves for their comfort and suppleness, despite their lack of waterproofing. With an OutDry membrane bonded to the outer leather, the Pistoleros (below) are less bulky than traditional waterproof constructions. You slip your digits into a buttery glove that can handle January's harshest conditions. $100, mountainhardwear.com
However effective your gloves, hand warmers are a comfort after a long day in the cold. But disposables are such a waste. Heat Wave warmers provide up to two hours of toastiness and can be reused as many as 500 times. Just boil them in water to reset the chemical activator. $18, bentgrassconcepts.com
Even when it's turned off, the Wenger Boar is a heck of a boot, with 400-gram Thinsulate insulation and a tall cuff that keeps out snow and cold. Turn on the battery-powered internal heater, though, and it's like wearing a foot furnace. There are three levels of heat; the highest setting keeps feet warm for eight hours and takes just two hours to charge. $250, wengerna.com
The object of gratefulness on many a chilly morning, these slipper-shoes are puffy jackets for feet. The whimsical-looking warmers are water-resistant, odor fighting, and moldable for a custom fit. $75, yoursole.com
These thick, heavy-duty mountaineering socks are made of merino wool—soft and non-itchy—and continue to insulate even when your sledding session soaks through your shoes. $22.50, eddiebauer.com
Photos by Lori Eanes (8); Talus ColdAvenger mask photo courtesy of Talus Outdoor Technologies; special thanks to Chuck Baldwin and David Perry