What are some of your cold weather techniques?

[TBinMN]

Some great stuff in this thread!

A couple of things I've found to help me stay out in the colder weather here in Minnesota - both I picked up years ago from Paul Brunner and several other guys hunting in the cold months in Montana -

Mickey Mouse boots - I've got bad circulation and the original military grade Mickey Mouse boots are the only thing that has kept my feet truly warm after 4+ hours out in 10 degree weather or colder.  I also wear a couple layers of wool socks inside of them. I've found that if my feet are warm - I can tolerate alot more than when they aren't!  These are not the best if you are doing alot of moving (pretty heavy)- but great if you are sitting.

Screaming Eagle also used to sell a simple light-weight vest (layered along with appropriate underwear and woolens) that had pockets located just about where your kidneys are in the lower back.  I just tuck a couple of chemical hand warmers in them and it is amazing what the difference is! I'd be surprised if other companies do not have something like this - they should if they don't!

Just a couple things I've used over the years to add on to what has been said already.

Terry

[KSdan]

Underwear layering with wool (I have come to the conclusion that tech base layers stay damp too long for me- I like merino wool; always warm, damp or not). . .

- Chem handwarmers on back of my hands, under my gloves, keeps blood warm.

-hand muff

-Large chem handwarmer in a sock hung around my neck- furnace against my chest.

-Chem handwarmer on back of neck in scarf or in balaclava.

-Anti-perspirant on feet keeps things drier longer.
 
-For sitting- I made a tie-on-backrest to insulate me when I lean against a tree in bitter cold.  I have even used an insulator to place my feet on before.

Other ideas too- but that is enough for now.

Dan

[DennyK]

Been there, done that when it's really cold. Gotta try me some of that Crown Royal Black and work on some arrows.

[swampthing]

Thick Poly long johns, as many wool outer layers as it takes. Thick wool socks with a poly/nylon liner.

[Hummer3T]

Layering on the core, moisture wicking but warm under garments, and several lightish (but warm) layers so you can still pull and shoot your bow.  Keep your appendages warm and you can last through most weather.  I bow hunt in +20 to -30 'c (I draw the line at this temp.) up here through the fall.  Up here if you stay inside when its cold you likely will miss certain hunting seasons. pac boots, warmer packs, hand muff, neck warmers and ballacavas are my standard fair. Wear bibs not waste pants (keep those kidneys warm) and cold air can not get in at the waste line.

[Montanawidower]

Yep all of the above,

The handwarmer on the back of the neck.

Body warmers with adhesives for my core.

Bunny boots if I'm not hiking too far, or Schnee's pack boots with overboots by Wiggy's

Bibs for short hikes, Pants with flip up kidney guards from Day One for longer hikes to the stand.

Face covered with light pull over

Wool,wool, and more wool.  

Handwarmer sling so I can keep my string hand bare or lightly gloved.

I pack a back pack with most of my clothes and hike in as little as possible.  START COLD is always the mantra.  Sweat is a killer once on stand.  

The back of the neck warmer (I've heard) warms the vertebral artery and Cerebral spinal fluid.  This fools the brain into thinking you are warmer than you really are.  When you're cold the body starts sacrificing the extremities and shunts warm blood to the core.  Thus if you reverse this it keeps copious warm blood flowing to the extremities.  That equals warm hands and feet for much longer.  

Yornoc your uncle may not have understood this, but he was on to something.  

Jeff

[YORNOC]

Heh, yeah he's like that with a lot of things.
 I have to agree on the merino wool long underwear next to my skin. I've used under armour cold gear, poly pro, silk, quite a bit of Cabelas different materials. Merino is one of the best things I've ever done to combat cold sitting after walking in. Under Armour definitely holds moisture longer on my skin. I can feel it, and I can feel it cooling down. Never felt that with merino.
I can't stand a zippered neck though. I know its for ventilation but I hate it. Ulfrotte makes some incredible merino, but the models for super cold have zippered necks made of METAL!!!!!  Really? Cold plus metal equals cold metal!  If I could ever find merino in a mock t neck I'd buy hords of it.

[onewhohasfun]

David Minus 33 has merino turtleneck tops. No zipper. Great stuff, good price. Check hanksclothing.com