We stood beside our small portable barbeque in a campsite outside Whitehorse, in the infamous Yukon territory, watching the coals glow red and thinking about the human relationship with heat and cold in the midst of a journey to the Arctic Ocean in March. According to the weather app on my phone, the temperature was -4°F, and the drink freezing in my gloved hand bore testimony to the cold. For four hours, we stood outside during the life-giving sunset, testing our apparel layering technique and monitoring my body for cold spots. We’d learned a lot in the last few months and chose our cold-weather advisors wisely. Bill Soucess, a fellow Land Rover enthusiast, spends almost every day of the year outdoors, working in the central Canadian oil fields where winter temperatures routinely drop to -58°F. My other advisor James Raffan, an Arctic explorer and award-winning writer, agreed that Bill was an excellent choice as a cold-weather advisor as there is “nothing colder than a driller’s behind” (to be clear, Bill is not a driller, but he works beside one). Together, Bill and James advised how we should prepare for the coldest of winters, and we put that advice into action, culminating in a frigid journey to the Arctic Ocean ice with temperatures dipping toward -65°F (with wind chill) and the confidence to embrace the extreme cold, without suffering.
Bear in mind that this was an overland journey by vehicle which meant that much of our time was spent either in the vehicle or the camper. And yes, we camped the entire trip from the US to the Arctic Ocean and back, with only a brief stay in a hotel in Whitehorse. As we traveled, we found ourselves spending a few hours outdoors every day while exploring, maintaining the vehicle, or exercising, and we had to be dressed in a way that we could easily regulate our body temperatures. We also had to ensure that our gear was up to the task of protecting us in a worst-case scenario when we might find ourselves exposed directly to the elements for long periods. We sourced our clothing in stages, supplementing and expanding the wardrobe as we traveled and learned. Your hands and feet will tell you when it is really, really cold, and it only really gets cold at below -13°F. The farther north we traveled in early March, the lower the temperatures fell, and our wardrobe had to be adapted accordingly. Layering is everything, but when the ice and snow crunches with that unique hollow sound beneath your feet at 60 below, you learn that, for instance, a set of insulated coveralls over your layers of winter clothing may be a bit claustrophobic, but as warm as a polar bear’s armpit. Our cold-weather attire is now dialed in and damn near perfect. In this article, we will share with you the gear which served us best during our overland journey to the Arctic. As we accidentally wiped our SD cards in the Arctic, most of the photos relay balmier, pre-trip conditions. (GB)
Columbia Bugaboot III XTM Snow Boots
At first, a pair of hiking boots and warm socks were sufficient, but eventually, only snow boots were practical. I bought a pair of $20 snow boots from Walmart in Prince George, British Columbia, but found that, while comfortable and warm for short periods in the snow, eventually, my feet became cold, which was completely unacceptable. A trip to the Raven’s Nook outfitter in Dawson City yielded a pair of Columbia snow boots rated to -65°F on sale for $70. The boot provides excellent warmth, traction, and stability on uneven surfaces, even in sub-zero temperatures, thanks to its 600-gram insulation, superior shock absorption, and advanced Omni-Grip rubber traction technology. The boot is also completely waterproof. (GB)
$150 | columbia.com
Bernie Heritage Duck Insulated Coveralls
While preparing the vehicle for winter exploration, a Minnesotan friend observed me shivering as I lay on his driveway, stripping the front axle. He drove us to the Tractor Supply Co. in Flagstaff, where he searched for duck insulated coveralls; I bought a set of 3XL tall, Berne duck brown (black would have been better) insulated coveralls which, it would turn out, would be the best $118 I ever spent (we bought a set for Mrs. Bell as well). Eventually, if I knew I would be outside for an extended period, I would reach for the Berne without hesitation. This is a heavy-duty, 10-ounce cotton duck shell garment with medium-weight insulation quilted to a 100 percent polyester taffeta lining. The coverall has a two-way brass front zipper, a full-length brass leg zipper, and adjustable leg snaps for easy wear and removal. We would later observe that, in Canada at least, Carrhart is the preferred insulated coverall brand. (GB)
$118 | berneworkclothes.com
Beyond Clothing Trek Glove System
A pair of Beyond Clothing Trek gloves became my go-to everyday glove. The Treks are a two-glove package: a tight-fitting inner sleeve combined with a warmer insulating outer glove. The outer gloves are made from genuine French Tanneries Nouvelle Pechdo cowbelly leather and have a neoprene adjustable wrist cuff; they are constructed with PrimaLoft Gold Insulation with a 94 percent polyester/6 percent elastane shell, perfect for everyday tasks such as filling up with diesel and packing up. The inner work glove features an elastic construction with a cowbelly leather palm and knuckle guard, conductive goat leather for touchscreen compatibility, and a synthetic suede nose wipe. The gloves were sufficient below freezing, but, as every Arctic explorer will tell you, the only glove which will protect your hands during an Arctic winter is a mitten, and the Inuit people wear mittens made of wolf or seal fur. Although the outer glove is designed for heavy-duty work, it suffered some damage to the fingertips. (GB)
$120 | beyondclothing.com
Beyond Clothing Ultra Lochi L3 Jacket
As an overlander with limited space for apparel, this jacket is an ideal addition to your ensemble. Whether in the wind, snow, or mild rain showers, this lightweight jacket will protect you from all the elements thanks to its drop-tail hem, high collar, wind flap, chin guard, and adjustable hood. Weatherproofing is courtesy of a DWR coating, and fast-drying biodegradable PrimaLoft Black Bio insulation moves with you and keeps you warm, even when it’s wet. It also offers the option to reverse the jacket from coyote brown for hiking to black for a more elegant look (with the same weatherproofing), and it can be easily stowed into the hand pocket and unpacked without loss of loft. The only downside is that it runs very small. (LB)
$225 | beyondclothing.com
Paka Breathe Full-zip Hoodie and Crew Socks
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A decade ago, we crossed the Peruvian Andes in winter and found that clothing made from alpaca wool was superior for comfort and warmth. In the Arctic, the attractive Paka Breathe hoodie and crew socks (a blend of 85 percent Royal alpaca and 15 percent bamboo with a 100 percent organic pima cotton inner lining) lived up to the alpaca reputation. They provided incredible warmth and comfort as base layers, the socks being worn with the Columbia snow boots alone. The Breathe hoodie is far more durable than a Cusco market alpaca sweater, lightweight, and thermoregulating; the advanced properties of the fibers are said to outperform polyester, and we believe it. The beauty of both garments is that they can be worn year-round, not only in extreme cold. When ordering a hoodie, order a size larger, as the XL I ordered was comfortable but snug. (GB)
$139/hoodie, $60/3-pack socks | pakaapparel.com
Darn Tough Snow Socks
The comprehensive Darn Tough sock range is divided into eight categories based on activity: work, snow, play, hiking, tactical, etc. The snow socks we tested surprised us by being supremely comfortable and odor resistant but, more impressively, by resisting moisture. Even when we had a rough day outdoors and snow spilled into our boots, the socks stayed dry and warm. Made in beautiful Vermont from the finest merino wool, these socks are colorful, dependable, warm, and made to last as long as your boots (with a lifetime guarantee). Available in both men’s and women’s styles (kids, too) and sizes and various patterns, we look forward to wearing these socks through the summer and into another blissful winter. (GB)
$23+ pair (adult sizes) | darntough.com
Kari Traa Baselayer Half-zip Top and High-waisted Pants
With its Nordic-inspired design, the Rose Merino Wool baselayer set from Kari Traa gave me outstanding comfort and warmth during our winter trip to Tuktoyaktuk. I initially had reservations about its lightweight material, but it proved to be effective and successfully wicked away sweat from my skin without any odor, even after continuous wear for three days. With its high-waisted elasticated pants and long-fitting top, there was no exposure when bending over, and with cinched ankles and wrists, layering was not an issue. On the downside, the set runs small, and the merino wool is less soft on the skin than other products; however, thanks to the flat-locked stitch, there is limited chaffing for snug fits. (LB)
$120/shirt, $110/pants | karitraa.com
Roark Axeman Jacket
I think this jacket looks as good on me as it does on the model, which rarely happens. It’s a rugged, heavy-duty (yet lightweight), cotton fleece-lined jacket I could wear daily. Unique magnetic closures, elasticized internal cuffs, plenty of pockets, a fold-over collar, insulated taffeta sleeves, and a zipper complemented with a press-stud flap keeps you warm on even the coldest days. As a bonus, the jacket is water repellant and windproof. It’s workwear-inspired and moves well for the many tasks of an overlander. Simply put, I love this jacket. Consider sizing up if you’re planning on layering. (LB)
$179 | roark.com
Dovetail Maven X Indigo Thermal Denim
Few ladies’ pants fit just right, so when I had the opportunity to try out the Dovetail brand, made for ladies, by ladies, I was super excited. I chose the Indigo Thermal Denim, as the pants are heavy-duty with a soft and comfortable fit. This denim kept dirt and snow off but was ineffective in blistering icy winds. The pants have many reinforced areas along with loops and well-placed pockets. The only downside is that the crotch area is too exaggerated, as I felt that the gusset had way too much freedom. Still, I plan to keep my pair with me for many years to come.
This soft, stretch denim jacket is practical but stylish and so comfortable that I sometimes forget I’m wearing it. I have used it (along with layers) in -30°F weather and again in more favorable conditions, and it has performed exceptionally well in all seasons. The two-faced fabric is durable denim on the outside with a softer layer within. Made with a blend of Repreve (a recycled polyester yarn) and cotton, Dovetail claims the jacket is 40 percent warmer than regular denim, and it would seem so. The pockets (two inner, two chest, two front side) are well-placed and spacious, with reinforced elbows, and the sleeves are the perfect length. Best of all, the jacket complements my waistline. (LB)
$149/jacket, $129/pants | dovetailworkwear.com
Read more: Gear of the Year by Graeme Bell
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2023 Issue.
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