Floridian in Colorado - Winter is Coming

[batman_the_horse]

I relocated from Florida to Colorado in April, and was able to experience our last big snow of the year. We got about 30 inches in three days.

I thought I bought enough warm clothes before I left Florida, but I wore them ALL in April/May and snowshoeing in the high mountains in May/June.

I manage a barn in the front range area and care for about 20 horses daily. Our farm sits at about 7,500 feet so we are typically about 10-15 degrees colder than Denver and we get quite a bit more snow too.

I need help purchasing clothes.

I currently have:
Lots of thermal underwear
Wool Socks
Very warm hats/scarves
Puffy Vest
Softshell Jacket
Waterproof windbreaker
Ski jacket
Windproof waterproof pants (but would like to reserve them for skiing and snoshoeing)

I know I need:
Winter waterproof gloves
Waterproof insulated boots
Down jacket?

Any specific suggestions? Am I veering off course here?

If I could avoid getting my beautiful ski jacket ruined at the barn, that would be great, but I’m sure I will need to wear it on the coldest of days. Otherwise, I would like to keep it for snowshoeing and the slopes.

Thanks in advance! Winter is coming!

[suz]

Your list looks good. I prefer to work in an insulated vest for freedom of movement while it keeps the core warm.
Carhart makes a good one. Add a windbreaker shell and the usual layers for best success.
Also I have a 20 dollar pair of rain pants which are just fine over layered leggings, tucked into mud boots.

[pheasantknoll]

I recommend Arctic sport Muck Boots. They are waterproof and warm. Some people have complained about their durability, but I have never had a problem. I also recommend you save your ski jacket and buy some insulated Carharts or Walls. I have the overalls and jacket. Last forever! Stay warm!! I feel for you, I moved to the great white north from Texas and it took a few years to find the right gear.

[RMJacobs]

I live in Colorado. My last horse is retired now, but when he and his predecessor were still working guys, I had a separate set of cold weather gear for horse activities versus everyday life. I drove my ponies all winter, as long as the footing was OK, and my cold weather gear definitely took a beating with just my own horses. I would imagine your good ski jacket would get destroyed pretty quickly if you use it at work.

Rebecca

[Bluey]

Check your local stores, they know what sells is what works.

TSC generally carries those kinds of winter clothes.

We don’t get near as cold as you do, but when you are in blizzards at -10F and chill factors reported in the news of -60F, cold takes on a new meaning when you feed outside.
We use insulated LL Bean all leg zippers in the coldest of the winter, even ride in them, over long underwear and jeans.

Take head wear seriously, not knitted, but thick, insulated hats with ear and chin strap.

[keysfins]

Waving from south of Denver!

Hit the outlet mall in Castle Rock if you can. Columbia is there as well as tons of other shops. I like an OmniHeat vest from Columbia. It is low profile, not big and puffy, and does a good job. Also comes in jacket version. Just one example.

Layers are the way to go, as well as technical fabrics. Be prepared for wind, too! Down has its benefits, but some tech fabrics can do as well without a lot of bulk. Quarter zip tops and mid-length jackets/coats are handy.

You can adjust layers as needed when you are really moving (riding, barn work?), and then add more if you are going to be teaching or moving less. I tend to buy a size bigger on some winter layers, depending on what I might put them over.

Local farm supply shops like Murdoch’s, Big R and such have good, functional winter gear. Not trendy or fashion-focused, but practical.

We have a heater lamp where a trainer usually is teaching. Plug in when needed, then unplug. Even in our indoor, it can get cold when you’re not moving around or riding. We also had a heated lap rug, but that didn’t seem to work as well as a quarter sheet as a lap robe! The feet get cold first, it seems. Feets just HAVE to be warm, and depending on your work, boots need to be safe in cold//snow//ice. It seems like footwear is a personal preference: tall, short, insulated, rubber, leather, etc.

Always worth having a look at Goodwill or Salvation Army for barn gear, too. Save your ski gear for skiing!

[Alagirl]

[QUOTE=batman the horse;8870943]

I thought I bought enough warm clothes before I left Florida,[/QUOTE]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
You can’t get ‘warm’ clothes in the South…

[Goforward]

I live in FL now, but spent many winters up north. The biggest issue with working and riding in cold weather is keeping dry. That’s where the layers and tech fabric comes in. When you start to work you’ll start to get warm. Be quick to open your armpit zippers or take off a layer when you warm up or any perspiration will freeze you later in the day. Cotton will stay wet if you sweat a bit and quickly chill you to the bone. Avoid cotton layers like the plague.
You are right to keep your ski duds separate but don’t cheap out on your work clothes. LL Bean and Cabela’s online stores have really great winter clothing. It might cost a bit initially but when you are toasty and dry at the end of the day you’ll forget what you paid for the clohes.

[Desert_Topaz]

I’ve lived in Colorado for ten years and two pieces of clothing were game changers for my barn comfort: big down jacket that comes to mid-thigh (purchased right after xmas so it was 50% off) and SmartPak’s insulated overpant. I still haven’t found the right pair of gloves.

[Hiddenspot]

The-house.com for coats
Heated scarf had been my fav accessory for the really cold days.

[AKB]

I have an LLBean down Goretex coat that I have had for 10 years. It is incredibly warm. Look at the coats that they rate as their warmest coats. I also have Muck boots, Smartwool socks, a neck gaiters to cover my face, and insulated waterproof gloves.

[SLW]

Either insulate overalls or insulate coveralls to encapsulate the heat. That is what everyone wears around here during the winter for choring.

[Wonders12]

I moved from CA to WI to manage 30-40 horses. I feel your pain, but it gets easier.

[QUOTE=pheasantknoll;8871214]
I recommend Arctic sport Muck Boots. They are waterproof and warm. Some people have complained about their durability, but I have never had a problem. [/QUOTE]

These. Really. Buy them. Decent traction, but add yaktrax or something similar for the iciest days (although I don’t think that’s as common there as here). Mine lasted over 2 seasons of HARD (7 days per week, 12+ hour days, 7 months) wear and finally wore out inside the boot at the heel. I bought another pair last year during Black Friday for 30% off, but they’re bright pink. Don’t care, still love them.

I lucked out by having the Duluth outlet right down the street from by first barn. It saved my life my first winter. Among other things I got a coat similar to the one below. Obviously an older style (mine doesn’t have the stretch technology and is a bit longer), but similar enough. I love it for this time of year and Spring or if I’m doing something I don’t want to wear my nice-ish really warm stuff in. I’m fairly certain it’s indestructible. It’s a little heavy but not bulky, and did I mention indestructible?
http://women.duluthtrading.com/store/womens/womens-jackets-outerwear/27713.aspx

The coat below is my middle of winter coat. I found it on sale. You may not need this where you are, but it’s what I rely on when we drop down into the single digits and below. With this coat + my muck boots, I don’t need insulated pants. I have trail ridden and hacked horses (anything more than a quick and easy ride and it’s too warm) and it sits in the saddle as well they claim. I use the riding leg straps while I’m on the tractor (with no cab) to keep my legs warm.
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/elt-saphira-thermo-coat-11322

I’ll be watching for suggestions on gloves. I found liners + water resistant gloves (I had a pair of thinsulate ones that finally died) work best for regular activities, and then I keep a pair of ski/snow gloves on hand for mucking and anything with water. Some of our barn staff swear by mittens for mucking, but I can’t function in mittens. The liners allow you to swap gloves (or remove the outer gloves for precise tasks) without losing all the heat.

[Obiwan]

I moved from Vermont to Colorado, don’t understand why you’d want to move from warm and sunny to freezing your butt off :lol:

Your outfit will depend on what you’re doing. If you’re standing around teaching or holding horses for farrier you absolutely need a long jacket that comes down to your knees. Marmot makes a great one. I also have a pair of cross country ski pants to fit under. They block the wind, very warm and are easy to take off and put over breeches.

If you’re doing stalls or other riding, a good vest. Expensive, but I’m a ham for all things Patagonia. Check sales racks at REI or even their website, or Backcountry.com typical has good stuff on sale.

My typical barn boots are LL Bean insulated hunting boots. Super water proof, and when it’s super slick outside they aren’t an odd shape so I can put crampons on. They’re not super tall which is a downfall. But with this stupid hipster craze, I’m not sure if you could even get your hands on a pair.

Leather gloves have always been my preference. My favorite company is Fly-low, they have gloves and mittens- I like to match up the mittens with a random run of the mill glove liner so when I take of my mitties the fingers aren’t fully exposed. Kinko is also another really good company.

This may be because I’m also a skier, but the best, most durable, and warmest clothes are going to be made by ski companies. I’ve yet to see a long coat made by carhart, but their overalls are super warm- just a tad bulky.

Don’t forget a scarf or neck-gator! You’d be surprised at how much heat escapes though the neck area!

[2tempe]

OP - Lived in the north for many years. Things I considered a requirement:

1. WARM boots, thick soles so cold doesn’t seep in from ground.
2. Neck protection. I’m not a hat person, but cold neck a deal breaker.
3. Jacket/coat must cover the butt.
4. Fleece lined breeches/tights. I lived in these, both inside and out from Nov. to April. Will still need an overlayer on bad days but these are awesome.

[flaeq]

A neck gator is so so so important. The wind is wild out here, very unforgiving. I’m still all about layers during work so I can’t offer much help there. Definitely check out REI, and tj maxx will usually get in some GOOD cold gear. ?? Welcome by the way, I also moved to Colorado from florida

[IPEsq]

The REI in Denver is HUGE, including their sale room. There’s also a Marmot store…Marmot down being what I live in all winter along with wool sweaters. For gloves, get several pairs, some being water resistant and some more breathable. For me, if I sweat in any glove, it becomes an ice pack really quickly. For the less rough chores and for riding, I like the SSG leather winter glove. Don’t have a really good recommendation for one for the wet, unfortunately.

You can find Carhartt’s and other insulated overalls/pants at Cabelas and possibly Jax.

Stores to hit up at the Castle Rock outlets:
Arc’teryx
Columbia
UnderArmour - Their cold weather baselayers are warm, and wicking. I’ve found the outlet up north (Loveland area) has a good selection of products and sizes. Not sure about Castle Rock.

[Simkie]

[QUOTE=IPEsq;8873786]
Stores to hit up at the Castle Rock outlets:
Arc’teryx
Columbia
UnderArmour - Their cold weather baselayers are warm, and wicking. I’ve found the outlet up north (Loveland area) has a good selection of products and sizes. Not sure about Castle Rock.[/QUOTE]

There’s also a Carhartt outlet up at the Loveland outlets, or maybe it’s a workwear store that sells a ton of Carhartt? Great deals there.

OP, I went from CO to MN. Cold to COLDER. My Carhartt coat (this one) has been a staple in both places. When I moved to MN, I discovered these pants, and you should buy a couple pairs post haste. They’re awesome for barn work in the winter.

If you can find them–maybe hit up REI–fleece lined neoprene gloves are AWESOME for those really bitter cold days, particularly if you’re fishing ice out of the trough, or doing other wet things. They’re waterproof and warm. If you aren’t playing around in the wet stuff, just find a pair of thinsulate work gloves that FIT YOU well. Gloves don’t help a whole lot if you’re always taking them off to do something fiddly. I get by here in MN with something that looks kind of like this but really–hit up your local home depot or tractor supply or whatever and try on allllll the winter work gloves until you find something that fits you well.

[DressageOverFences]

YES to down jacket! In my opinion, dont get a thin, athletic-cut type. Get one that makes you look like a marshmallow. I have had my nice down jacket for probably 10 years now and while I am not going to win any fashion awards, that thing is warm without being heavy like a ski jacket.

Multiple pairs of winter work gloves. Its just nice to be able to switch them out after you fill up water buckets or something.

[batman_the_horse]

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE!

I will be taking your advice to heart and local peeps…hitting up those Castle Rock outlets!

For shoes, I can’t really wear the artic muck boots because I have to drive this ancient tractor with a really tough clutch and I need more ankle flexion than wellie type boots can provide.

Does anyone do barn chores (especially in deep snow) in Sorel boots? They’re pricey, but I’m looking at the Sorel Caribou.