BOB seasonal update for Winter

[610Alpha]

What changes are you making to your BOB/GHB in your vehicle for the winter months?

Maybe wool socks? or Long Johns? Hand Warmers?

Your bag's contents will most likely change a little bit if you live in a part of the country that where the temperature does get below freezing and you get snow/ice.

Our Southern brothers and sisters may not have to think about this but those of us that live in colder regions need to be thinking about it.

[Hawk_308]

What changes are you making to your BOB/GHB in your vehicle for the winter months?

Maybe wool socks? or Long Johns? Hand Warmers?

Your bag's contents will most likely change a little bit if you live in a part of the country that where the temperature does get below freezing and you get snow/ice.

Our Southern brothers and sisters may not have to think about this but those of us that live in colder regions need to be thinking about it.

I add a set of poly pros(or some kind of underlayer) , gloves , hand warmer packs and a bit more food . I wear wool socks all year so that doesnt change except if I have a thinner pair in the ghb Ill replace them with a thicker pair .I only will wear water proof boots in the winter so Ill swap my spare set in my work van out also . I switch out my sleeping bag liner for a real bag .

[EX121]

I take out all the water, add down sleeping bag , matress pad & bivvy bag. I also will start carrying extra coats for the wife & I.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I add on an extreme cold weather bag with coveralls, heavy gloves, stockin cap etc. I also add more hand warmers and include extar in the first aid kit because in winter wrecks folks seem to get cold from the shock faster IMO.

[ridgerunner]

GHB= I usually add warmer clothing such as polypropylene top and bottom. Warmer gloves for the winter. Extra fuel(Esbit, alcohol, isopro) for the cook stove due to longer boil times.

What really changes for me, when colder weather rolls around, is the gear in my vehicle which isn't necessarily my GHB. Another thread perhaps?

Also, since DST just changed over; this is when I change ALL batteries in my GHB contents (flashlight, radio, 2way radio, GPS) whether they need it or not. All the pulled batteries go to the tv or other remote controls, not critical items.

Timely thread, no pun intended :)

[610Alpha]

Timely thread, no pun intended :)

I thought it would be good to get some discussion and the ol brain to think especially after the noreaster that hit New England.

[claymore]

As far as additional clothes; gators, insulated Carharts, winter gloves (or mittens), stocking cap, maybe throw in a heavy winter coat or old sweats or sweater to layer under a lighter jacket. Really can't think of any place we would go where we would not be able to get help (except if it were to hit!) Got to watch things freezing in car as far as food and water.

[boltgun308]

You guys adding cotton clothing (Carhartt) to your bugout bag really need to rethink your choices. Cotton absorbs water like a sponge and does not insulate well. I would also forego anything down. You get wet and cold, you die. Down sucks wet. It is light but the new synthetic fibers insulate when wet and are getting lighter and cheaper.

[Jeep]

I keep my bag ready for all seasons all year around. The reason for this is, you never know how long you are going to be using your bag. Something may start in late summer and go for several months. It does get cold where I live but not like up in the northeast or upper midwest out on the plains. I keep wool gloves, poly pro longjohns, wool socks, and all I have to do is grab a winter coat on the way out the door.

[Blowmax10]

You guys adding cotton clothing (Carhartt) to your bugout bag really need to rethink your choices. Cotton absorbs water like a sponge and does not insulate well. I would also forego anything down. You get wet and cold, you die. Down sucks wet. It is light but the new synthetic fibers insulate when wet and are getting lighter and cheaper.

plus one on this - the new synthetic materials are far superior to the natural stuff

[WiseOwl]

Good thread guys.

I went to a wedding last Friday in/near Asheville and I brought my bag (because it goes everywhere I go) with me in my buddies car. I was told the night before that it was in the 20's there on the BRP where we were doing the ceremony at. The one thing that I thought was the most important was the gloves, the extra pairs of wool socks, tons of firestarter and fuel, and food. We ending up eating the White macadamia clif bars as breakfast but as I thought about "if" something was to happen, at least with my bag and what I had, I could have set up camp real quick and been warmer. I also had a cooler with some drinks and beer (the best beer is that kinda cold)

By the way, weddings in 30 degrees on the side of a mountain with 20mph winds is what separates the men (and the ladies) from the kids......WOW it was COLD!!!!!



And by the way, we had a case of handwarmers for everyone there and they didnt work for the world!!!! I was telling folks about that Coleman or Columbia (cant remember) jacket that has battery powered heat......yessa they wassa listenin!

[PerryJeff]

One thing I always throw in my vehicles is some weight and a couple shovels also aluminum wide feed scoop and a long handle round point shovel. If you high center on a drift the long handle round point is worth its weight in gold. As to the weight used to always put 2-3 bags of sand now I put 1 bag sand. I have had to use the sand on ice several times and 2 50lb bags of dog dry dog food. That way I feed to dogs in the spring rather have to stack in the shed plus in an emergency situation I have 100lbs of food. Now unlike candy bars or other food stocks that end up getting eaten for other reasons the dog food won't get touched until the time you really need something...