Sierra Blogging Post Archives

Are you ready for cold weather? Although it's a little delayed in some parts of the country (it's 80 degrees today in New York), you can be sure it's coming. The late arrival of cooler temps in the East may be wreaking havoc on fall foliage, but the chilly breezes are sure to blow sooner or later.

If you live in parts of the country prone to bouts of freezing weather, we've created the Head-to-Toe Winter Dressing Guide just for you. (If you live in the South or Southwest, you might want to read the Swimwear or Sunglasses guides instead.)

Here's an excerpt from the Winter Dressing Guide...

Preventing Frostbite: Protect Your Extremities

Now that you know a little more about frostbite, you should realize the importance of keeping your extremities covered and insulated from the cold. Here's how to select the best winter outerwear accessories.

Hats (Men's / Women's) In cold weather, you lose much of your heat through your head and neck – 30% or more! Why not preserve warmth by simply donning a winter hat? Your hat needs to insulate and breathe well, to let excess heat and perspiration escape. Synthetic hat materials like Windstopper® polyester and acrylic knits stay warm when wet, as does natural wool. Also, look for itchless materials or linings, since a hat can really become uncomfortable without them.

Face/Neck Protection If your face and neck are as hairy as your head, maybe you can skip this section. But most of us can really benefit from the full coverage of a face mask or balaclava. Besides total protection, the other key here is comfort – hence the popularity of Comfortrel® polyester in these items.

Gloves and Mittens (Men's / Women's) You wouldn't think twice about going into real cold without something on your hands – right? But are you wearing the correct hand protection? Gloves are far better for activities that require dexterity and hand freedom, such as skiing, snowboarding and hunting. Mittens should always be chosen for extremely cold weather and more sedentary activities, though. If you've only worn gloves before, you'll be amazed by the added warmth you'll notice in a good pair of mittens. Also, glove liners can be worn in extreme cold for added insulation.

Boots (Men's / Women's) / Socks (Men's / Women's) Getting cold feet? Not only is it unpleasant, it puts your feet at risk for frostbite. Start on the inside with plush liner socks designed to wick moisture and stay warm when wet, made from materials like wool and nylon. (Never wear cotton socks in cold, wet conditions!) On the outside, be sure you have snow boots that are waterproof or water-resistant, depending on how wet the conditions are. Winter boots should be lined with Thinsulate® insulation for somewhat cold temps, or thick, removable synthetic liners for frigid temps. The coldest-weather boots are usually temperature-rated.

Read the rest of the guide...

You'd be wise to follow our advice, and not this guy's...

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Check out these incredible prices on Mens and Womens winter vests and jackets!