Plow Clothing, Old or New School?

[BASIC]

I know theres been some stuff posted before but I'd like to bring the topic back up,I wear Carhartt's,old scholl but its cheap,durable and pretty warm,does anyone use any new hi-tec stuff,fleece,pile,Gore-tex,etc?

[Mark Oomkes]

Both. New stuff for innerwear and still plenty of Carhartts for the outerwear. I'm really liking the UnderArmour brand stuff for shirts. Started with some windproof fleece coats and vests, but I'll never get rid of Carhartts for durability and longevity.

I try to stay away from cotton clothing for the innerwear. Wool socks are the best (of course, what else), polypropylene for t-shirts and long underwear. Our uniforms are 50/50 cotton polyester (not leisure suits) so they dry pretty quickly.

I have noticed a huge difference between the synthetics and cotton for year round wear, both work and fire. I dry off from sweating a lot quicker and don't get chilled.

[jbutch83]

I will wear my carhart bibs when it gets really cold out, and usually have on at least a turtleneck and hooded sweatshirt. I ended up getting a couple of pair of flannel lined jeans 2 years ago, and I love them in the winter time, I stay nice and warm outside with them on.

[wyldman]

I'm like Mark.High tech stuff underneath,and good old fashioned Carhartt's on top.

The newer thermal fabrics out there are amazing.They keep you warmer when it's cold,and keep you cooler if you get hot.They keep you wamm even if you get wet.

I think the most important thing is good socks.Cheap socks,and my feet get cold and clammy.

[chtucker]

High tech, with insulated carharts overalls

There is a local manufacturer here in Leadville, they use polartec, but make their own tops and bottoms.

I wear a 100 long sleeve with a 200 hoodie over that on top, 100 pants and some smartwool socks.

Boots: La Sportiva Glaciers mountaineering boots.

[Prosno]

Well personaly I just wear a t shirt, long sleeve denim shirt and jeans, nothing special cause my defrost is on high all the time and window down a bit so I'm plenty warm. Have a jacket on the seat in case I have to get out for a bit. Same when I run the tractor I let it warm up a bit and Usually no jacket cause even on low the heater bakes me in the cab.

[BASIC]

Can anyone suggest specific brands of hi-tech clothing?

[BASIC]

chtucker,why did you choose a mountaineering boot instead of a pac or work boot?

[BASIC]

How about the Hi-Viz,reflective jackets state and local DOT wear,does anyone use it?If it ever snows here again I;ll be using a snowblower on some accounts,so the need to stay warm and visible are different then being in the truck.

[pbeering]

How about the Hi-Viz,reflective jackets state and local DOT wear,does anyone use it?If it ever snows here again I;ll be using a snowblower on some accounts,so the need to stay warm and visible are different then being in the truck.

DOT regulations require the high-vis vests or high vis clothing if you work in the roadway. OSHA requires it at any construction site involving heavy machinery.

As for the "high-tech" clothing, Nike, UnderArmour, Columbia, etc. all have the new fabrics. Most are a blend of fancy synthetics that wick moisture and retain warmth. (they work) Also new this year is micro-fleece that is very warm for its weight.

There is however some question about how much of this stuff to buy when it is 50+ degrees........

[BWhite]

Well personaly I just wear a t shirt, long sleeve denim shirt and jeans, nothing special cause my defrost is on high all the time and window down a bit so I'm plenty warm. Have a jacket on the seat in case I have to get out for a bit. Same when I run the tractor I let it warm up a bit and Usually no jacket cause even on low the heater bakes me in the cab.


The lighter the clothing the better !

[PSDF350]

Been wearing syntetic long johns about 15 years now. Got sick of being cold and clamy. Also wear fleece and wool layers. Depending what exactly I am doing will decide outer layer. But working it is charhartt's. Brands I seem to own alot of patagonia. I like the fit.

[chtucker]

chtucker,why did you choose a mountaineering boot instead of a pac or work boot?


I can't stand pac boots... I seem to hit both pedals all the time. I will wear them ice fishing though.

I am hoping that the mountaineering boots last me longer....

http://static.backcountry.com/images/items/medium/LSP0019/LSGLACN.jpg
Here is picture and link
http://www.backcountry.com/store/LSP0019/La-Sportiva-Glacier-Mountaineering-Boot-Mens.html?mv_pc=r126&CP=Froogle&CMP=SPC-Froogle&ATT=LSP0019-glaciermountaineeringboot-m&GCID=C2000x025&keyword=LSP0019+glacier+mountaineering+boot

[PSDF350]

I can't stand pac boots... I seem to hit both pedals all the time. I will wear them ice fishing though.

I am hoping that the mountaineering boots last me longer....

http://static.backcountry.com/images/items/medium/LSP0019/LSGLACN.jpg
Here is picture and link
http://www.backcountry.com/store/LSP0019/La-Sportiva-Glacier-Mountaineering-Boot-Mens.html?mv_pc=r126&CP=Froogle&CMP=SPC-Froogle&ATT=LSP0019-glaciermountaineeringboot-m&GCID=C2000x025&keyword=LSP0019+glacier+mountaineering+boot
Pacs are warm. But then thats why there so big.

[PSDF350]

Oh yea those look nice

[hobbie]

I think just like any tool you use different clothing for different applications. I have both Carhartt and the high tech. Hard to beat Carhartt for durability and cold weather protection. If the snow(or rain) is coming down its hard to beat gore-tex or other waterproof clothing. I always wear gore-tex gloves and boots. I hate wet feet and wet/cold hands. I also use the gore-tex clothing during the summer(rain) so that offsets the high cost.

[Mark Oomkes]

You guys have really got to look into Cole Hans for shoes and accessories. The man purses will match the boots. :rolling :rolling

I have some Iditarod boots from Cabelas that I usually wear when it snows enough to need them. If it gets deep--which the SNOW hasn't in a couple years now--I'll wear pac boots, but I hate that big of boots all the time as well. The boots I have are more like what Howard posted, a cross between a hiker and a pac. Very warm with good tread and GoreTex lined.

Ditto on the Smartwool socks, they're awesome.

Peter, quit being such a buzz kill about everything. I bet the queen and princess don't use warm temps as an excuse for shopping, do they? Why would you need cold temps as an excuse for buying work related clothing? :grinz

[apgarconstruction]

i'm with bill on this one, unless i know i'm going to be outside for a long time, i'm in some flannel lined carharts, a tshirt(cotton, i know i need the better stuff), and a long sleeve pocket t over that. i do keep bigger warmer boots, heavy jacket and sweatshirts along with insulated underwear to put on if i have to bundle up in the middle of a storm to do something. i crack the window just a little bit and have the heat on just enough to keep the windows fog free. i don't ilke being hot or stuffy when plowing. i find that i move around enough looking backwards and constantly making sure i'm not going to hit anything in some places, to keep me pretty warm.

[Mark Oomkes]

SO what you're saying is you and Renda are big, sweaty guys? I can understand why Bill would be, being around Ginger and all, but what's you're excuse Dan?

[Prosno]

We better get snow real fast cause this sites going into the crapper fast.
We're supposed to be professionals here, whats happened to us? is this it? no snow and we all sit in the gutter? Mark go to time out!

[Mark Oomkes]

Hey Bill, I'm not the one who started a thread about a blowup sheep with patches in certain parts of its anatomy.

And I have snow, so what's your excuse???????????????????? lol

[cutntrim]

I go shopping about once every decade, so I try to get stuff that fits well and will last. I wear snowmobile boots (size 12) and manage to hit the gas pedal without hitting the brake at the same time. Coveralls from Mark's Work Wearhouse (similar to Carhartts), longjohns (cowboy-style) if it's cold, company sweatshirt over top. Had the same jacket for 10 years, just got a new 3-in-1 ski jacket with logo this week. Company logo ball hat or toque, multiple types work gloves/winter gloves.

I like to wear coveralls because they don't constrict me around the waist when I'm in the truck for hours and hours. I specifically contract properties where there is very little/zero outside shoveling, so I'm in the truck most of the time anyway.

[ratlover]

When plowing I wear a pair of insulated steel toe boots that I wear year round, cotton socks, jeans, a T shirt turned inside out and sometimes another Shirt or T shirt ove that. Then I will keep gloves, hats, insulated bibs and artic carharts for if I need to work on something. Then I have a lite carhart hooded jacket that I use if I'm just getting outa the truck for a few minutes(so it stays somewhat clean so I can get in and outa the truck wearing it if I want, the bibs and such are nasty)

Now if its cold and I'm working outside or in a skidsteer or one of our dumps that may or may not have deccent heat......synthetic socks, onepeice union suit underwear(its partial syn and 2 thin layers, not the waffle look of the normal longjohns) syn pants and a syn pull over, carhart insulated bibs, packboots, either my artic jacket or the thin hooded one depending....then I will pull layyers on or off depending.

HIGH VIS STUFF

I also find you can get the blaze ornage or the yellow knit hats for cheap. I wear them. Not leagal by osha but every little bit helps. govt says you need high vis when exposed to "vehicular traffic" I believe is how they put it. This could mean a trencher moving at 1/2 MPH out in the middle of a field or on a highway. What class of high vis you need depends on what traffic you are exposed to. Pretty soon the new calss 3 will be basicly a T shirt size vest(needing sleeves) OSHA aint going to bust you though. And to be legal just a regular vest would suffice for ya. And a regular vest would probably make ya plenty safe. You can get a regular hig vis vest just about anywere, basicly the lower the class the slower the traffic its legal for. Just get something cheap with reflective stripes and get it big enough to go over your other clothes ;) Different vest for summer and winter ;)

[John DiMartino]

I agree with wyldman,good socks,and boots,and the rest,just jeans,a long sleeve T,and a flannel zipper up.I have a gortex golf raincoat,it looks like a normal thin jacket,but it is water proof,if i need to hop out of the truck when its still snowing i wear this instead of the flannel, its thin,light, easy to get on/off.It keeps me dry,which means more to me than having a lot of clothing on.I have a spare set of clothes i keep in the quad cab,and a carhart heavy overall i keep in the back too.I dont like being bundled up when plowing,but im ready if i need to do work.

[backlash63]

I wear mostly Army issued clothes. A tshirt then a Polypropylene turtle neck (www.jaysmilitary.com/gi-polypro-tneck-shirt.html) then a carhartt long-sleeve shirt and a carhartt vest if i need it and poly-pro bottom under cheap jeans from walmart. Some thin polypro socks with some cotton socks under some army issued wool socks all in my matterhorn gor-tex boots. I stay pretty warm this way spent alot time in fort drum training in the winter months. I stick my reflective belt in the truck if i need to be out of the truck for a long time.

[Mark Oomkes]

I'm not sure if I'm understanding this correctly, but some of you guys wear all that in the truck? While plowing, I only have a t-shirt or a long sleeve t-shirt with my uniform shirt and pants. Both the pants and shirt are pretty thin. The Carhartts are if I need to get out for an extended period of time.

I'm with the guys who get pretty warm in the truck. Window is partially rolled down with defroster on enough to keep the windows clean.

I'd cook to death if I wore that much clothing in the truck.

[T-Zab]

I guess Im with Bill and Dan here, cotton t-shirt, maybe a sweatshirt or flannel and a pair of jeans. Only work weight 100% cotton socks with my red wing waterproof work boots. I have tried all the "miracle" socks and my feet either itch or sweat. If it is really cold (sitting in a winter tree stand or ice fishing) I put on a pair of silk liner socks, then cotton work socks and my LaCrosse Ice Kings.

When throwing bags I toss on my Walls bibs to stay dry, with a Cartrite vest. That setup is good to about 10 degrees for me. I do wear a Xarmor beanie if it is real cold.
Gloves I keep a couple pairs of the Boss Rubber orange ag gloves in the truck. Great for grabbing wet bags. And mixing up magic in the walk behind spreader. Once they get wet there tuff to dry out though.
T

[mongo]

I subscribe to the "as little as possible" approach to clothing, cause it's dang hot in the plow, and getting out to man the shovel can be just as warm if the wind's down. With decent wool socks, I just stick to the same old dunham's hikers I wear to work every other day. For temps above 0 or so(including wind chill), I wear sweatpants under jeans, a cotton t and a fleece lined long sleeved stanley shirt (picked up a bunch of them at menards cheap). Any colder and I put on thinsulate gloves and hat and I've never had to complain, even down to -30 or so, and I get out of the truck plenty. When I first got to the USA I bought a big carhartt jacket, and I'm still waiting for it to get cold enough!

[T-Zab]

I subscribe to the "as little as possible" approach to clothing, cause it's dang hot in the plow, and getting out to man the shovel can be just as warm if the wind's down. With decent wool socks, I just stick to the same old dunham's hikers I wear to work every other day. For temps above 0 or so(including wind chill), I wear sweatpants under jeans, a cotton t and a fleece lined long sleeved stanley shirt (picked up a bunch of them at menards cheap). Any colder and I put on thinsulate gloves and hat and I've never had to complain, even down to -30 or so, and I get out of the truck plenty. When I first got to the USA I bought a big carhartt jacket, and I'm still waiting for it to get cold enough!


Candy Gram for Mongo lol
Mongo were ya from originally ? It can get plenty cold in Wi, ever been to Lone Rock ? I believe they hold the record for coldest recorded temp in Wi. You must not spend much time outside if ya havnt needed your cartwright coat yet. I agree on dressing light for plowing and shoveling but God forbid ya break down in the sticks you will be happy for the warm coat, or sitting on a bucket on ice in Feb. :grinz

Mongo you like candy ? LOL
Sorry had to throw that in there, one of my favorite movies pitched that line.
T

[jbbuildings]

I where t-shirt and jeans. However I bring the carhartts for break-downs.

[MURPH]

I wear jeans a t-shirt with a flannel over that, tennis shoes. I carry all the heavy stuff with me and use if needed. I like wearing no more than as if i were taking a drive in winter. Its all with me, but comfort comes first.
Used to over dress but not anymore MURPH

[Markford14]

jeans, t-shirt and work boots with rubber slips ons over them sometimes hooded sweatshirt is on when in truck but not all the time. Then i got nice winter jacket for when i need to get out.

[Slightlymad]

jeans, t-shirt and work boots with rubber slips ons over them sometimes hooded sweatshirt is on when in truck but not all the time. Then i got nice winter jacket for when i need to get out.


Ditto it just doesnt get that cold down here I cant remember the last the hair in my nose froze.


Some of those cabs have got to smell like wetsheep

[Mark Oomkes]

Ditto it just doesnt get that cold down here I cant remember the last the hair in my nose froze.


Some of those cabs have got to smell like wetsheep

How exactly would you know what a wet sheep smells like???????? :grinz

[Pickering Snow]

We always learn here no matter how old we are.

I went and bought some new high tech has you guys call it long underwear, columbia feels like light fleece BA BA BA sorry Bill the stuff is warm i cant belive how good it feels to . Plus has a added bonus it says it doesnt retain BO so extended wear is ok.

I cant stay warm this year and the old style long johns just wernt cutting it , its Horr cold here right now and iam glad i bought the stuff. I guess when you get older or sick or both your body looses its ablity to stay warm, til this year it wasnt uncommon for me to work on the road with the service truck with just carharts , this year i cant do service calls so i almost freeze and feel bad sending Jack out on them.

Anyway never put much thought into the stuff til i read this thread and the stuff works. Has far has plowing during a normal year with me i usally wear a Hoody sweatshirt with a T-shirt underneath lined carhart pants. Oh ya and the mad bomber but you knew that already.

[Mark Oomkes]

Hey Fred, they make some real nice undergarments too that really cut down on the chafing. :ff

Not sure how well they work as windshield wipers though. sheep

[Prosno]

Ditto it just doesnt get that cold down here I cant remember the last the hair in my nose froze.


Some of those cabs have got to smell like wetsheep
I think wet sheep smell okay, whats wrong with you guys?:popcorn2

[MURPH]

I'm with Prosno I kind a got used to the smell, It used to take me hours to blow dry mine after a bath. I findly gave up on that.

This was baaad. I did push for 18 hours, Ibetter get some sheep I mean sleep