Both of us now have a spanking new pair of insulated winter hiking pants with suspenders! We might add though, that it seems like most of the big box stores seem to think that women don’t spend much time out in the elements, and only want the “pretty little pink things” that could cost them their lives!
Now if you’re a hunter, you may find some camo jackets, pants and hats. In the past, we’ve relied on top quality insulated under garments beneath our regular clothing, which is fine…so long as the outer garments stay dry. That’s why it’s often said “cotton kills”, because if you get it wet it doesn’t dry very well and will freeze to your body.
We’ve been in a really cold zone this winter, and got a sort of “wake up call” that perhaps some of the winter under garments we’ve got may not be adequate to protect us in sub-zero temperatures. We’ve both got quite a few wool socks, good boots for hiking, snowshoeing and just plain wading through deep snows. We stocked up on knit caps when we found them on sale for $1 or so at a sell out, we’ve got neck garters and just about every kind of “keep warm” thing we’ve been able to find. But, we didn’t have the water repellent, insulated overalls that we can slip on over our other clothing. Now we do.
We’re always on the lookout for things we know we’d need in a crisis situation, and ways to update what we do have. This was one occasion. I’m sure there’s a lot of others who have a lot of these types of pants, but we were not among them. It took these sub-zero temperatures to rattle our cage to the fact that if we were suddenly out in the cold & damp snow with no immediate shelter, we’d be hard pressed to survive long enough to walk to a place of safety.
We’ve probably been like a lot of people…”oh, we’re only a block or two from help” or “I can wave down the next motorist”.
But in a really critical situation, do you want to be walking up to some house you’re not familiar with? Do you want to wave down a vehicle that may be looking for something they think you may have? Just a few thoughts that have been fluttering around in this COLD weather that a lot of us are surviving.
Editor’s Note: This really is a good idea. I was raised snowmobiling and we always had these types of pants for the snowmobile rides. However, I can say that now all we have are the flannel lined, insulated jeans – which we do truly love – but they are not waterproof.
My mother loves her silky feeling, polyester I believe, stretchy long underwear under her jeans. If you have never made the investment ($30-$40) in insulated jeans, I can tell you that they make winter a whole lot better in Minnesota. Bob asks for a new pair every Christmas. He wears insulated jeans all winter, so the life is about 3 years per pair of jeans. They last longer if you can rotate them more and don’t rip them or hit them with battery acid, but sometimes that is the reality of homestead life.
DH needs a new pair of flannel lined jeans. Had a blowout right next to the back pocket, can’t patch it, and my pathetic attempt at sewing it ripped right back out. IDK, I even doubled the thread thinking since it was cheap thread, that might help.
New prepping experience for me today. Went to Fleet Farm to shop and decided to look at insulated bibs. Nothing in ladies so went to men’s section. Was intently looking at a good selection when down the aisle comes a guy commenting on how the bibs worked well and were they for me. Very quickly apparent I am being hit on by someone reeking of alcohol at 4 pm with glazed over eyes. I quickly made my exit from the aisle and wished him good luck on the union suit he was looking for and he called out after me that if I got those bibs I’d look really good in them. So when I go back tomorrow after church when I have enough time I will get a good laugh about being a 62 year old hot looking chick in insulated bibs. Although most single preppers would like a prepper-mate , if one has been prepping for any length of time you shop very carefully or you end up with nothing but excess baggage.
Lordy that was FUNNY GrammaMary! Guys don’t ever quit lookin’ or thinkin’… :-D
Perhaps ask him for his phone number so you could call his wife? LOL (just funnin’)
Ain’t that the truth! I’ll be laughing for days.
Got a great deal on insulated bibs and also snow pants at Gander Mountain. Warm but not as heavy weight bulky as other options. Dont need work durability just warmth. Mission accomplished!
Good for you GrammaMary! And it sounds like you didn’t even get hit on! LOL :-D
Still laughing.
I now consider it a wonderful and surprising compliment when a guy hits on me or gives me an appreciative glance. And yes, it makes me smile for days… :-D
Actually i was kinda grossed out and not so much flattered by a drunk but I felt I might be living a cut movie scene from the movie Fargo with the laughter mostly being at the “tundra humor.” You betcha don’t ya know dem ear flappers der on da hat are mighty good lookin now and them bibs oh golly gees, aint they sumtin. .
*immediately runs out to register the domain name “SeasonedPrepperBabesInBibOveralls.com”* :) :)
LOL Wyzyrd! That is hilarious!!!
GrammaMary, You hit Minnesota on the head! FARGO, Grumpy Old Men, you betcha we are from MinnesOta! Right down to MamaBear! I used to call myself that when I had kids at home – don’t mess with the kids! Uff da…
On a somewhat-serious note, I still recommend hitting a local megamart with a hunting aisle on the day after deer season closes where you are, and pick up a pair (or 2) of insulated hunting coveralls on sale, when the store is trying to get rid of them.
Put them in a trash bag and duct tape it, or in a big vacuum seal bag. Stick them in your vehicle and leave them there until needed. Get at least 1 size bigger than you normally wear – the XXL type sizes get discounted more, and you don’t REALLY want to take off shoes and pants in a snowstorm to put them on. Mine have saved my butt several times :)
Thanks Wyzwyd I did find insulated ski bibs and also snow pants the next day on a great sale at Gander Mountain big enough to go over clothes and they will be in the car. Just tried the pants out to clear the driveway from today’s snow. Glad to be inspired to get these and get some laughs from prepping.
i know i will be looking into getting a pair when we move. sure sounds like they help alot with the warmth.
thanks, take care and stay aware.
ron