Cold clothing recommendations

capini

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Mar 1, 2009
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My 4 degree son got seriously cold (skinny and tall) last night at the AFA football game. He had every single piece of issued clothing on he could. He doesn't complain about anything at the Academy, but last night he did, and now I'm in mom mode...What is there that you cadets who have been there a while have used to help with bitter cold days? I stumbled across specialized thermal underwear, hand warmers etc. but wondered if you guys/girls have a slant on this. Our family has grown up in California and we don't have a clue how to prepare for the 20's and below. Can they have electric blankets?
 
Underarmor coldgear is good stuff, costs around $50 each for the top and bottom, but its well insulated and is also great for exercising in the cold (Running skiing, etc)
 
One of the main problems is their feet in those black dress shoes. Son said his feet were frozen last night.
 
I'd recommend the hand warmer type things you recommended. Most sporting goods stores carry them. They sell ones for your feet that look like a Dr. Scholl's insole and the entire thing heats up. Also stick on ones for the back/front that you put right on your skin or over the underarmor shirts. From what I understand, the critical part to keep warm are your kidneys, so you stick them kind of in your lower back. Also found the large stick-on ones to be helpful if you stick them kind of where your breastbone is - the heat radiates up and keeps your face warm as well. All of these are very thin, so I don't think they'd be noticeable under a uniform. You can also buy toe warmers (a small stickon one that just goes under your toes), but we've had trouble with those bunching up. The basic hand and toe warmers run about $1 a pair, the shoe inserts more like $3-4 a pair, and the back ones around $3. But I'd really think if you could keep his hands and feet warm, he wouldn't complain as much about the rest.
 
As a nordic skier in Minnesota (we still practice when it's -10!) I also recommend the underarmor coldgear and hand and foot warmers. Just make sure your son uses the warmers between layers of clothing to avoid burns. As odd as it seems, spreading a thin layer of vaseline on exposed areas of your face also helps insulate your skin and protects against windburn.
 
Exactly what I wanted to know people! Thanks so much. He will be picking up packages this week! Thanks for keeping my cadet warm.
 
I would like to know about electric blankets. Are they okay to have? I hear that the heat in the dorms can be sketchy in the winter, and it seems sensible to have something to supplement during the cold periods.
 
Sorry - we're all in the candidate or candidate mom stage so don't know. :wink: My guess would be no as a 4th class, but you need to find a cadet type to chime in!
 
I would like to know about electric blankets. Are they okay to have? I hear that the heat in the dorms can be sketchy in the winter, and it seems sensible to have something to supplement during the cold periods.

I don't know if they are allowed an electric blanket - but we got our D a very nice down comforter early in her 4° year. She has said many times that it is perfect. Since they have to store it everyday, it is probably easier than unplugging everyday to store. I asked her once if she wanted me to get her an electric one and she said that she was really very happy with the down one. My California Kid is a 2° now and although she still gets cold, no more so than the others. She about froze at the game as well, though when I asked if her feet were cold she said that they passed beyond cold to the point where she could not feel them so it really wasn't a problem. Her problem was her butt and, "it's okay, just waiting on the spring thaw". Oh - one more thing ... best to have your son check with the squad to be sure about the comforter. Each squad is different. In Ds 4° year, I believe she had to request permission for the comforter and I seem to recall some were not allowed.

I purchased some reusable heating things ... you click them and they instantly heat up ... they can be reused by boiling in water (hard to do as a cadet - D boils them at sponsors). But - they work very well and stay hot for a very long time. http://www.hotsnapz.com/index.html?gclid=COz6092ktp0CFShSagodmBdBiw
She sticks these in her gloves and shares them with her friends. They just boil them when they are done and that re-sets them for the next use.

Underarmor is amazing stuff. D has several sets and swears by them. I even got her an underarmor headband! Though I don't think she can wear it with her uniform, she loves it.
 
I found the best remedy was walking around. My feet were frozen solid, but then in the second half I walked a lap around the stadium. Thawed them right out. Otherwise, I was pretty warm.
 
I found the best remedy was walking around. My feet were frozen solid, but then in the second half I walked a lap around the stadium. Thawed them right out. Otherwise, I was pretty warm.

hahaha or hiding in the bathroom during half time! haha
 
Just today my daughter sent me pictures of what she wore to the freeeezing game last weekend. She took pictures after each layer. It would make a nice instructional dvd! She had FOUR layers on under her coat and uniform! Then she has pictures of several cadets huddled together for warmth on the stands watching the game. All you can see are their eyes! HILARIOUS! Thermals and layers are key...and wool socks...and good friends :)
 
yeah, i also worry about this subject! Having lived in Arizona for my entire life, if i get accepted to the Academy i haven't the slightest clue how i'm going to be able to withstand the cold.
 
I was at the TCU game and was well prepared with multiple layers including long johns, ski jacket, gloves, and hat, plus foot and hand warmers, and I thought I was getting hypothermic by halftime (and left with most of the crowd before the start of the third quarter). Those were really tough conditions to be outside and stationary for 3 to 4 hours. Temp at game time was 22 degrees with freezing drizzle and sustained 15 to 20 mph winds.
 
yeah, i also worry about this subject! Having lived in Arizona for my entire life, if i get accepted to the Academy i haven't the slightest clue how i'm going to be able to withstand the cold.

Easy.... A lot of "4" letter words and a lot of shivering. :thumb:
 
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