Winter Gear

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!!

Soft-layers (items that are worn over baselayers that are not waterproof)

• 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 

Hard-layers (waterproof layers worn over softlayers to protect them and provide waterproofing)

• Marmot Spire (my retired - aka now for horse pursuits - hardshell)
• Gore-Tex rain pant - old and from LLBean

Various other accoutrements:

• 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

I live in a location that has a reliably cold weather. I've built my arsenal over years and years. And, one of the most important things I can share with you (and something I will harp on and on and on about to folks looking to get gear), quality gear will last years and years and years. More than 70% of the gear on my list I've had for >4 years. I use a large majority of this gear for all my winter outdoors pursuits.

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!