As a quadriparesis, incapable of cranking out sufficient body heat to stay warm in the extreme cold conditions I continue to be on a quest for ways to stay warm. When I go to Colorado each January for snow skiing I have hit quite a range of temperature that has been as low as -21° and as mild as 35°.
I ended up with a pair of polar boots that are rated to -148°. I usually wear two pair of SmartWool socks inside of those boots, the pair against my feet being the ski socks and the second pair being thick mountaineering socks.
The layering on my legs starts with REI heavy weight long underwear. Next over the long underwear goes fleece-like REI running pants that do an excellent job of shedding moisture and under normal conditions retaining heat. Finally I complete the layering with Columbia ski pants that not only are waterproof but designed to also retain body heat.
The upper body layering starts with the same REI heavy weight long underwear shirt. This last winter in an attempt to provide more coverage to my lumbar region I purchased a very warm bicycle jersey that is cut with a long tail that bicyclists require for bent-over coverage. I then completed my coverage with a Columbia 3 in 1 jacket system that has a liner that can be worn alone over other base layers or with the wind proof/waterproof shell. I always wear both layers in subfreezing temperatures. That is especially true when I plan to be outside for many hours in cold conditions.
My hands get covered with a pair of REI mountaineering mitts that start with a pair of liner gloves.
In short I find out I still come in at the end of the day with cold lumbar region and cold legs from just above the knees all the way down to my feet. Upper body generally stays warm. My hands generally stay warm until it gets down into below zero temperatures. I have also come to the conclusion that having all body systems functioning as the Creator designed us to function is much more economical.
My observation is that if there are any cold spots the rest of my body below those cold spots will also get cold. Because of the nature of spinal cord injury physiology challenging heat flow to the paralyzed limbs it seems to make sense that I need a supplemental heat source of some kind to be placed on the skin or at least around the first layer of clothing and socks.
I would prefer a supplemental heat source to be extremely thin and reusable unlike the Hot-feet and Hot-Hands packets that activate with a chemical reaction as soon as the bag is opened. It would be great if there was something effective that could be recharged by USB or AC adapter to battery for a controlled energy release over the course of a 5-6 hour time period.
I'm thinking with the temperature rating of all my gear it should be reasonable to think I should be able to stay sufficiently warm even in the -21° temperature I have experienced in the past. Where the challenge comes in so far is that the heat source (me) is faulty thus my search for a safe supplemental external heat source without investing in a cumbersome and insanely priced spacesuit.
I'm hoping someone with an amazing idea and/or experience in keeping those of us with broken body heaters warm will actually read this and start throwing options at me that will work. Not only do I want to ski warm but I want to stay outside all winter while doing my regular exercise routine here in Tennessee.
Bring it on!
I'm looking at the Hotronic FootWarmer Power Plus e4 to take care of maintaining foot warmth. Read a review of a mountain climber that has summit-ed Everest 6 times. His feet have stayed warm in those brutal conditions using the Hotronic FootWarmer Power Plus e4. Lack of feeling challenges me in making sure I don't burn myself. Price is frisky ($230-$240)! Have you used these with success?
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The following is my original FaceBook post as I started my "warmth" quest.
I am soliciting suggestions from anyone that is personally familiar with extreme outerwear that you may have researched or even personally use when entering brutal conditions of the outdoors. Those conditions would include extremely low temperatures in snow or slightly warmer conditions that permit rain. For the purposes of this message I am confining my research to the pants and jacket outerwear that would keep me warm and dry in these cold, wet, and snowy conditions.
In preparation for my tandem trike ride across America I'm anticipating weather variables that could include temperatures into the 20s or teens when crossing some of the mountain passes in April. Having followed the weather during April and May in the areas where I will be cycling it is reasonable to expect snow at times. In the lower elevations I could also expect quite chilly conditions and rain. I am attempting to do my research regarding outerwear that would not only be waterproof but offer an insulation value that would be rated extreme. Considering my quadriparesis condition it is necessary to dress up warmer than an able-bodied condition would find necessary; the reason being my paralyzed lower extremities don't generate heat to the extent of functioning muscles that can fire on demand.
The design features I will be looking for in a pair of pants would include:
- material cut and stitched on the back side in such a way as to permit ample room while seated without causing the pants to pull low at the back side and bunch up at the front side
- waterproof and breathable material such as Gore-Tex or comparable
- sufficient leg room to accommodate for arctic type boots
- Snow baffles that can be cinched around the ankle area of the boots to prevent the access of flying snow and cold air
- vertical zipper access at the bottom of the legs that would zip very nearly to the knee
- stretchy waistband
- extreme insulation value
- sufficient length to cover the waste
- waterproof and breathable material such as Gore-Tex or comparable
- Velcro closures at the cuffs
- under arm zipper vents
- well insulated
