Emmi @ My Life On Horses started this winter gear tag.
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Well, for those who haven't suspected, its time for me to come out of the closet: I am a gear whore.
But in my defense, I am an outdoors professional (Nat'l Ski Patrol; and my career as a biologist), so some of my gear sluttiness is merited and enabled through my profession. And basically becomes a bigger problem by the year.
As a result, I have a distinct feeling no one's list of winter barn attire will hurt their bank accounts as much as mine has through the years. In my defense though, I use a lot of this gear for multiple outdoors pursuits in the cold months.
It is VERY rare that I pay full price for anything. I am THE QUEEN of shopping for cheap, quality gear. Seriously. (Though for all gear below I've linked wherever I can straight to the manufacturer's website where the full price is listed.)
The rundown on what I wear: I have an arsenal of baselayers, softlayers, and hardlayers. I start with appropriate baselayers for the level of cold. From there I double them with softlayers. If its snowing or raining I add a hardlayer. I will take my baselayer leggings and double them into my breeches BEFORE I put my breeches on. This way I have some pretty kickass warm breeches. (Though I'm considering some of those fleecy, wind-proof breeches from Kerrits for some point.)
Without further ado, my winter gear accoutrements for the barn (note: not all of these items are worn all together, this is just my quiver of gear that I layer to best manage whatever weather is thrown at me):
Baselayers (all synthetic or wool. death to cotton.)
- Smartwool midweight crew (merino wool)
- Smartwool midweight bottom (merino wool)
- Patagonia Cap-4 expedition weight bottom (synthetic)
- Mountain Hardwear Wicked Ts (synthetic)
- Various Smartwool socks or Darn Tough socks (made in the USA) (all wool)
- **a dream winter gear article** Patagonia Cap-4 Onsie!!
- Outdoor Research Neoplume synthetic down jacket (discontinued; similar here)
- Marmot Ama Dablam down jacket
- Marmot Threshold softshell (discontinued; similar here)
- Marmot wind vest (discontinued; similar here)
- Patagonia R1 hoody (I have the mens, but I linked the women's that just came out this year)
- Patagonia R2 zip
- Mountain Khakis Old Faithful sweater
- Prana Maura vest
- Prana lined jean
- Various Kerrits breeches
- A Carhartt-esque jacket
- Marmot Spire (my retired - aka now for horse pursuits - hardshell)
- Gore-Tex rain pant - old and from LLBean
- Outdoor Research liner gloves
- Leather gloves to go over the liners
- Mountain Horse insulated winter boots
- Muck boots
- Various hats I knitted
- Silk scarf
- Broad brim oil-skin hat
If you have any inquiries about what would be good for such-and-such outdoors activity - winter or non - feel free to hit me up and ask what I've had good/bad experiences with. I've done lots of research and personal experiments with a LOT of gear through the years and may be able to guide you in the right direction and help you find something at a good price. Seriously, ask. I'm more than happy to help!
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