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One of the things that isn't really covered here is core temperature. You can have all the layers of clothing in the world and it still not keep you warm because your core temperature drops to a certain level. And in fact, this doesn't even have to be in extreme cold temperatures to matter. People can get hypothermia even in 50-60 degree temperatures depending on the environment they happen to be in. In 1995 a group of Ranger trainees died on Eglin AFB because their core temperatures had dropped to unacceptable levels and the environment wouldn't support quick rescue. But I know for a fact the temperatures were not below freezing that night (IIRC, they were in the mid 50s). But as they had gotten wet and couldn't be rescued in time, their core temps dropped to unacceptable levels and brought on hypothermia.
Like Protus said, wet is dead. Wet causes your body to start conserving energy by transfering it from your extremities (arms and legs) and keeping it in your core. And when your core starts cooling down, that's the ball game Jack. So in fact, the hands and feet are the body's natural "thermometer." If your hands and feet are cold, chances are, your core is cooling down and you need to take action.
So how do we do that? Introduction of warm foods or liquids into the body helps. Plus the body burns calories to sustain itself. Less complex foods like carbs and sugars burn quicker and get the body warming faster. Meats and fats are not suggested to get your body warmed up quickly. Yes, you still need them for long term sustainment, but overall, you are looking at a quick warm and focus later on staying warm. Also, something with a little spice helps. For some reason, eating something with a little pepper or hot sauce helps warm the body. Not to overdo it though.
And staying hydrated helps keep you warm. Less water, less blood flow and less warm blood heading to your body. Wintertime is quite the season for getting dehydrated. Most don't even realize how much sweat the body produces when wearing layers in wintertime. You figure it out when you start shedding clothing, but stay hydrated throughout your activities (whether they are active like hiking or passive like hunting) and you will actually stay warmer.
And ventilation. If you are active and cannot stop for some reason to shed clothing, unzip a jacket or coat. Open up the underarm air vents on a jacket (if you have them) and loosen the cuffs. Two things happen:
The moist air inside your jacket gets expelled into the environment and replaced with dry air from outside.
The cooler air helps regulate your temperate, keeping you warm as opposed to hot. Everything in moderation however as one needs to not overdo it and zip back up at the first signs of "cold."
Clean clothing is key. Dirty and soiled clothing loses effectiveness since the warming loft gets clogged with dirt and sweat. This causes the layers to become a hinderance rather than a help. Change into clean clothing (especially base layers) when you can and wash dirty clothing. If washing isn't an option, even rinsing it out helps out in keeping its thermal efficiency. But by far, proper clean clothing is key to keeping you warm. Obviously jackets and outer shells don't need to be washed as frequently, but those next to the skin and the next layers up should be kept as clean as possible, especially socks.
Drying wet clothing in cold weather? Obviously when out in the backcountry we can't just toss them into the dryer and walk away. Line drying actually works fairly well, especially in wind. Wring clothing out as much as possible and line dry. Be mindful of synthetic fabrics next to fire. You melt them and there goes your effective base layer. Socks can be draped around the neck to help dry out (it also helps cool your body when active) and replaced as needed.
And footwear. Boots can and will become waterlogged as one walks along. Keeping them open and well ventilated while not wearing them will help them dry out quicker and retain their thermal efficiency. Some folks like to put a plastic top over them to keep rain, snow and whatnot out of them. However, this doesn't help and they end up becoming waterlogged and in turn, colder. If in a shelter, put boots under cover, open them up as far as the laces will allow and let them dry naturally, especially Gore Tex models. Don't cover them or hang them upside down as this will do nothing more than allow warmer moist air to be trapped and slow the drying process.
And on the subject of footwear, proper waterproofed boots are a lifesaver during winter. I often see my troopers out with cold feet while wearing jungle boots (or other non waterproofed boots) in the winter. Why? "Because they are comfortable!" However, a waterproof fabric in the footwear is absolutely key to helping keep you warm. Cold and wet feet means you cannot walk as efficiently and in turn sets up the possibility of frostbite and/or trenchfoot as feet get colder. Proper socks help out as well. Wool or sythetic blends are key, but plan for the activity. Huge artic weight socks do you little good when you are active, however, might be more appropriate for times when you are inactive. Proper socks wick away moisture and keep feet warm. For hiking activities, wearing medium weight socks in cold weather sometimes if better than wearing the heavy weight socks which make your feet sweat more. Wet is dead (think I heard that once before).
I'm not a huge proponent of waterproof socks, although I own a couple of sets. The problem with them is the fact they let footwear get wet and reduce thermal efficiency. While yes, they keep your foot dry, they could end up keeping them cooler since the boots are now waterlogged and heavier, making you work more to move your feet and in turn, sweat more and in turn, reducing temps all over your body. I wouldn't recommend Gore Tex socks for anything under 50 degrees myself and prefer a waterproofed boot for that.
And handwear...proper gloves are also key to staying warm. While gloves provide a barrier against the cold, sometimes they end up not helping at all if they don't fit correctly or fit too loosely. Tight fitting gloves restrict blood flow and warmth reaching the extremities. Loose fitting gloves provide more access for colder air to enter and become trapped. So make sure the gloves fit, but not too snugly or too loosly.
Mittens are awesome for keeping hands warm since they keep all fingers together generating heat. Gloves are better for active times when the body is generating excess heat. Water and wind proofing on gloves is always the best option. Or waterproof shells with warm liners.
Headgear...proper warming with keeping the ears covered as well. I for one hate watch caps, but they are efficient in keeping your head warm. Cover your head, but also cover your ears. If your ears aren't covered, you are not covering the parts of your head that need warming. Additionally face masks, balaclavas and whatnot are effective in keeping heat on the face during cold weather. However, they are a double edged sword as when they get wet, they keep moisture on the face and in turn chills the bare skin. For times you are inactive, they aren't a bad choice or when it's really cold outside (think sub zero). For active times, they can prohibit sweat from dissipating into the atmosphere and cool you down. YMMV on this though as facial hair is quite the insulator.
And scarves. While most would scoff at a scarf, they are highly unique in the ability to provide total warmth. Properly wearing a scarf helps "lock up" an entry point for cold air into the core of the body as well as keeping your neck warm.
Just a few things I've picked up over the years in cold weather activities.
Like Protus said, wet is dead. Wet causes your body to start conserving energy by transfering it from your extremities (arms and legs) and keeping it in your core. And when your core starts cooling down, that's the ball game Jack. So in fact, the hands and feet are the body's natural "thermometer." If your hands and feet are cold, chances are, your core is cooling down and you need to take action.
So how do we do that? Introduction of warm foods or liquids into the body helps. Plus the body burns calories to sustain itself. Less complex foods like carbs and sugars burn quicker and get the body warming faster. Meats and fats are not suggested to get your body warmed up quickly. Yes, you still need them for long term sustainment, but overall, you are looking at a quick warm and focus later on staying warm. Also, something with a little spice helps. For some reason, eating something with a little pepper or hot sauce helps warm the body. Not to overdo it though.
And staying hydrated helps keep you warm. Less water, less blood flow and less warm blood heading to your body. Wintertime is quite the season for getting dehydrated. Most don't even realize how much sweat the body produces when wearing layers in wintertime. You figure it out when you start shedding clothing, but stay hydrated throughout your activities (whether they are active like hiking or passive like hunting) and you will actually stay warmer.
And ventilation. If you are active and cannot stop for some reason to shed clothing, unzip a jacket or coat. Open up the underarm air vents on a jacket (if you have them) and loosen the cuffs. Two things happen:
The moist air inside your jacket gets expelled into the environment and replaced with dry air from outside.
The cooler air helps regulate your temperate, keeping you warm as opposed to hot. Everything in moderation however as one needs to not overdo it and zip back up at the first signs of "cold."
Clean clothing is key. Dirty and soiled clothing loses effectiveness since the warming loft gets clogged with dirt and sweat. This causes the layers to become a hinderance rather than a help. Change into clean clothing (especially base layers) when you can and wash dirty clothing. If washing isn't an option, even rinsing it out helps out in keeping its thermal efficiency. But by far, proper clean clothing is key to keeping you warm. Obviously jackets and outer shells don't need to be washed as frequently, but those next to the skin and the next layers up should be kept as clean as possible, especially socks.
Drying wet clothing in cold weather? Obviously when out in the backcountry we can't just toss them into the dryer and walk away. Line drying actually works fairly well, especially in wind. Wring clothing out as much as possible and line dry. Be mindful of synthetic fabrics next to fire. You melt them and there goes your effective base layer. Socks can be draped around the neck to help dry out (it also helps cool your body when active) and replaced as needed.
And footwear. Boots can and will become waterlogged as one walks along. Keeping them open and well ventilated while not wearing them will help them dry out quicker and retain their thermal efficiency. Some folks like to put a plastic top over them to keep rain, snow and whatnot out of them. However, this doesn't help and they end up becoming waterlogged and in turn, colder. If in a shelter, put boots under cover, open them up as far as the laces will allow and let them dry naturally, especially Gore Tex models. Don't cover them or hang them upside down as this will do nothing more than allow warmer moist air to be trapped and slow the drying process.
And on the subject of footwear, proper waterproofed boots are a lifesaver during winter. I often see my troopers out with cold feet while wearing jungle boots (or other non waterproofed boots) in the winter. Why? "Because they are comfortable!" However, a waterproof fabric in the footwear is absolutely key to helping keep you warm. Cold and wet feet means you cannot walk as efficiently and in turn sets up the possibility of frostbite and/or trenchfoot as feet get colder. Proper socks help out as well. Wool or sythetic blends are key, but plan for the activity. Huge artic weight socks do you little good when you are active, however, might be more appropriate for times when you are inactive. Proper socks wick away moisture and keep feet warm. For hiking activities, wearing medium weight socks in cold weather sometimes if better than wearing the heavy weight socks which make your feet sweat more. Wet is dead (think I heard that once before).
I'm not a huge proponent of waterproof socks, although I own a couple of sets. The problem with them is the fact they let footwear get wet and reduce thermal efficiency. While yes, they keep your foot dry, they could end up keeping them cooler since the boots are now waterlogged and heavier, making you work more to move your feet and in turn, sweat more and in turn, reducing temps all over your body. I wouldn't recommend Gore Tex socks for anything under 50 degrees myself and prefer a waterproofed boot for that.
And handwear...proper gloves are also key to staying warm. While gloves provide a barrier against the cold, sometimes they end up not helping at all if they don't fit correctly or fit too loosely. Tight fitting gloves restrict blood flow and warmth reaching the extremities. Loose fitting gloves provide more access for colder air to enter and become trapped. So make sure the gloves fit, but not too snugly or too loosly.
Mittens are awesome for keeping hands warm since they keep all fingers together generating heat. Gloves are better for active times when the body is generating excess heat. Water and wind proofing on gloves is always the best option. Or waterproof shells with warm liners.
Headgear...proper warming with keeping the ears covered as well. I for one hate watch caps, but they are efficient in keeping your head warm. Cover your head, but also cover your ears. If your ears aren't covered, you are not covering the parts of your head that need warming. Additionally face masks, balaclavas and whatnot are effective in keeping heat on the face during cold weather. However, they are a double edged sword as when they get wet, they keep moisture on the face and in turn chills the bare skin. For times you are inactive, they aren't a bad choice or when it's really cold outside (think sub zero). For active times, they can prohibit sweat from dissipating into the atmosphere and cool you down. YMMV on this though as facial hair is quite the insulator.
And scarves. While most would scoff at a scarf, they are highly unique in the ability to provide total warmth. Properly wearing a scarf helps "lock up" an entry point for cold air into the core of the body as well as keeping your neck warm.
Just a few things I've picked up over the years in cold weather activities.
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