Comprehensive Guide to How this Survival Instructor Dresses in Extreme Cold Weather

Watch: GSHOCK - MudMaster GWG2000
www.gshock.com/collections/gw...
Thermals: Tractor Supply Indera
Socks: Coalcracker Bushcraft
Hat: Coalcracker Bushcraft
Pants: Filson Double Tin
Sweater: Wool from the Gap
Coat and Vest - Filson
Boots: LL Bean 12" Maine Hunting Boot
Like what you see? Want more? Visit us at..
www.coalcrackerbushcraft.com
/ danwowak
/ coalcrackerbushcraft
and as always....
Stay in the Woods,
Dan

[@coalcracker]

Here is the watch everyone is asking about: www.gshock.com/collections/mudmaster

[@MNTNMAN-SUCA]

Think of -40°F below.?? How about -49°C.

[@Johnny_Stein]

That’s a good watch. I have the Gshock Ramgeman.

[@pghguy7320]

I'm 71 years old. I was taught when dressing for the cold there was on rule. " You can take off what you have on but can't put on what you don't have !" . Wool has never let me down !

[@TonyTooTuff]

Great advice Mr.Guy

[@pghguy7320]

@@TonyTooTuff wool is the only natural fiber that will insulate when wet .

[@mikef3808]

I'm a fan of a good war layer put on when sitting around. But for walking right before you start you want to be just a touch chilled, as soon as you stop then toss that layer on and you're golden.

[@Thatsmisteroldguytou]

Gotta' have wool 'eh?

[@WisdomInTheWoods]

Spot on sir!

[@ladyofthemasque]

My grandpa was a scaler, the member of a logging crew who measured & calculated the potential board-feet of felled trees, out on the Washington coastline back in the middle of the last century, before I was born. He tripped and fell because of those pant leg hems snagging on those boot spikes you mentioned, which in turn damaged his back. That forced him to retire unexpectedly early, and to have to wear a back brace for the rest of his life. So if anyone else was wondering, yes, it is a real thing that was (and still is) done out of safety considerations. If anyone is concerned about the denim fraying, the raw edges can be treated easily with either a blanket stitch (by hand) or with a zigzag stitch (by hand or super easy with a sewing machine; just make sure you use a sturdy denim-quality machine needle) to prevent them from unraveling. Grandpa was a man who could make-do in many ways, and that included sewing by hand. His wife (grandma) never had to mend any of his shirts or pants, and he even darned his own socks--he was proud that she was a school teacher and told her to save her hands for the classroom, he'd do all the manual labor. (She didn't let him "get away with that nonsense" but they were an amazing couple in so many ways.) Ironically, several years after the accident, he eventually wound up teaching, too!

[@memathews]

We let them fray a bit, it helps the denim dry out since the frayed edge dries faster and wicks moisture from the rest of the cloth.

[@suzz1776]

I bet you have a ton of cherished memories. I miss my grandparents. I wish these young folks would learn to respect the old folks more and listen to their knowledge and stories cuz they are usually a fountain of knowledge. And wow, anything to do with logging was and is a tough job so I bet ur g-pa was a tough tough man 😀 cheers!!!

[@TheObro123]

Thanks for sharing. They sound awesome

[@moorshound3243]

We need more men like your Grandpa.

[@MsRotorwings]

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

[@jblewis1975]

You dress just like my Dad used to! He grew up and did bushcraft his whole life. He preached layering and not getting wet to me since I was a kid 😁 Thanks for sharing such an informative video!

[@JefCollier]

I am becoming your father. My daughter scolds me for repeating these instruction ad nauseam.

[@HDMRice]

I work in Northern Alberta, outside, fighting against temperatures up to -40C. Getting wet at that temp isn’t usually an issue, so thankfully I don’t have to worry about that. I dress in very similar layers, except I typically don’t wear a coat. I’ll have my normal coveralls instead and I’m usually good. If it’s windy I’ll toss on a coat, which is just some Dakota thing. Having warm gloves to swap out is something I find that’s important in keeping your fingers warm.

[@tonyg25]

Big thing for me with wool base layers is the anti microbial properties. The difference in stank between synthetic and wool after a week or two out hunting is the difference between my wife being happy to see me home and her trying to hose me off before I get inside.

[@lauraweiss7875]

Finally snagged an authentic Austrian military wool sweater. It’s the real deal. I live in Northern Illinois and camp up in northern Wisconsin and the UP. This sweater is the singularly best piece of clothing I own, and that includes my clothing from Fjallraven and Johnson Woolen Mills.

[@cheerubebayonettaholopaine2638]

greetings from austria, youre welcome 😝👍🙋🏼‍♀️

[@Philo68]

I loved the fact that in the British Army they let you find all this out ‘the hard way!’. Skills for life. Very true about the beanie. I was in Yakima (on exchange) during the 1996 winter. It was freezing but a $3 acrylic hat did me just fine.

[@stevep7608]

Being an electrical contractor in PA, I literally just had this conversation with the younger guys in my crew.

[@GD-xj3jd]

Yep, needed this a few years back moving from S Texas to N Minnesota. Excellent input. I once asked a friend up North when do you start putting on your thermals, he responded when I start to get cold..DOH. I once asked my boss what a snow day was, he responded you'll know. Later that year, 18 wheeler"s were sliding off the highway, I realized that was a snow day, but I was already away from home and kept working... doh, doh, doh. Worst thing for a Southern boy is finding out snow shoveling is heavy, not light with the sand and stuff in it..sweat, sweat, sweat...

[@lorriewatson7423]

Awesome info! I was in the woods today, in PA, it was 0. Dressed in layers just like that, it works! With all the lake effect we got, my dog had a blast. Stay in the woods 👍

[@Goatbeez]

I went through an entire Wisconsin winter with no heat. We had a fireplace that was occasionally functional, but my room was furthest from it. I slept in full winter gear every night.

[@MsRotorwings]

If you know how to dress and have the right bedding sleeping in the cold can be done comfortably.

[@pepealasquid6005]

Thank God, I also live in Pennsylvania and shovel snow. Thanks for the advice.

[@phoebewoodruff1101]

Good Lord, Dan, are you aging backward? I need more time in the woods.

[@hughpacker8462]

That intro never gets old!! 💯🔥🔥

[@lesliepaulkovacs6442]

Good Info, Thanks! But I'm looking forward to the Summer Edition and Dan wearing his Bushcraft Speedos.😉

[@corleyoutdoors2887]

I learned this system in the 10th Mountain Division in the 80’s. Thanks for the reminders. You’re a great teacher bro!

[@RicardoGarcia125]

Also I also wrap my mid section (kidneys) with abdominal support belt or back/abdominal support belt to keep your mid-core temperature warm. You lose a lot of body heat from your middle section of your body if it's not wrapped up. A 4 inch Ace bandage works great too.

[@corleyoutdoors2887]

@@RicardoGarcia125 never thought of that, thanks

[@imaginewhirledpeas6696]

@@RicardoGarcia125 my belly band holster works great like that in the colder months,and I can carry a heavyier full size pistol no problems.

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

I'm down with this old style thermal under layer! I wore them as a child growing up in Nebraska as well as Oklahoma. Nebraska is more of a dry cold, and the most I could handle in the winter when it was 10 deg. F. was thermal top and long sleeve shirt and the bottoms under my jeans. The biggest thing for me was my feet! My feet were warm, I was warm; my feet were cold, I was cold! This old style thermal under layer is awesome, and note that it is most effective when it is snug against the skin to hold the body heat in. If you are wearing it loose, it won't be as effective! I'm 56 now, and some times the old ways are the best ways!

[@tammym4280]

Was raised in Northern Wisconsin, given the instruction that we wear animal (wool, silk, fur/skins) in the winter, plant (cotton, etc) in the summer.

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

Excellent advice. Mid 80s I was digging a gun pit. We were told to not sweat. I took off so many layers, but didn't sweat. Appreciated the top layers later on.

[@nathanbailey1593]

Try Duluth Firehose pants. Super durable, not crazy expensive and can be replaced if they ever fail (which they don’t). Some have a small amount of stretch/flex to them but the original ones are straight cotton canvas.

[@wishiwasamuffin]

God bless you for correctly using "glean" casually in a sentence.

[@SixStringSicario]

A couple years ago my mom got me a pair of Eddie Bauer Ascent pants for a Xmas gift. Basically good quality fleece lined windbreaker pants. I swear by these things now in the wisconsin winter. I spend a lot of time outdoors in the cold and these things are unreal. Couple those with a good jacket that keeps the wind off of you, a thermal base layer, a good beanie and you’re good to go.

[@corebobbarwitz556]

Thanks for the temperature definition. Too often I find someone's definition of cold too warm for the Upper Peninsula winters.

[@earthsciteach]

I went on the Filson website to check out the merch. I swear Dan is on there modelling. LOL! Great video, Dan. Filson has great looking stuff.

[@davidgoff7336]

Northern MI here. Great tips. I have found that many people start out fine with layers. But FAIL to constantly monitor their heat buildup. Then FAIL to remove layers in a timely fashion. Then they sweat and get cold.

[@deepsticksbushman8698]

Very true. That is the whole concept of dressing in layers that a lot of people just don’t understand. Most think that dressing in layers is to keep warm. But in reality it is actually how to keep regulated. Good point to bring up. Cheers

[@greysonosterberg7101]

Wondering if you guys have any advice on not sweating when you’re packing in? I was stripped all the way down to my base layer yesterday but my pack had my back all sweaty still

[@feldgraufox4927]

@@greysonosterberg7101 slow down, take it steady. Its also about exertion. Work = heat = sweat Aim to be slightly cold before you begin to exert yourself, thats a good place to start

[@normanc.2021]

Always good when you can stay warm and dry while managing sweat. Good video 👍

[@craigtammyhoppe4233]

Us southern Michigan fellas know a thing or two about cold weather, and you are spot on...Wool for warmth and waffle longy's under all. Thanks for the explanation about the cut pants...didn't know that.

[@freshairconnection4694]

What a fantastic video Dan. Super informative, thank you so much. I've always struggled with the colder months in southern Ontario, but this video is sure to guide me in the right direction. Can't wait to get back out there and try out a few different assembles!

[@michaelcarter8209]

Outstanding

[@ghill1010]

Nice. Glad to see that I’m on the right path with my thought process. Thanks!!!!

[@antoanto5301]

Thanks Dan, this is exactly what I am looking for! Filson is expensive but, you've sold me the one and done logic!

[@haroldcotten1840]

Thanks Mr Dan

[@64maxpower]

Good job Dan

[@2873lonewolf]

Good timing on this video, and of course great information. With all you have said, the most important for people to follow is finding what works for them. Everybody is different and within these guidelines, you have to dress according to how your body reacts.

[@enlightenedpreparingep4006]

Blessings to you and yours and thanks for all you do. 💥⚔️🙏✝️

[@daniels.2768]

Dan.. love your content, bought from you store.. Layering is so important, thanks for sharing your perspective!

[@tombeckett4340]

I think you nailed it Dan . Thanks 🇨🇦👍

[@h2hcamey]

Hey! Another awesome video! I liked the layering instructions. You did a step by step dress rehearsal. Which is way better than just picking up clothes off a table and showing them. Thanks!

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Good timing for this video, very cold right now. Thanks and take care.

[@CornerTalker]

Thanks for the UP shout-out. I add a heavy bib snowpants once it drops below zero in calm or below 12 in wind. I live near the shore of one of the Great Lake and that wind can bite coming off the great flats of miles of ice.

[@FrenchViking466]

Amazing man, more of these please 👌🏻

[@charlieboutin3341]

Thanks Dan! 👍👍🔥

[@ourtechwriter]

Great! Im 77 yo and am thankful for your advice!

[@YooperScooper]

Been looking for a solid boot for winters in Wisconsin and the U.P. for a while now. Thank you good sir!

[@steve2091]

Wow thanks coalcracker bushcraft. Nice content :)

[@markfletcher5457]

I live in the south but glad to get the info for our short winter. Always great info here.

[@db.mc2]

Thanks Dan👍👊

[@sixfivearms8896]

Thanks for watch link. Cool!

[@jessicalorraine1812]

This is my wife's phone so ignore the name.. lol.. I live in MA and worked on and climbed cell phone towers for about 15 years.. so If it's 20 degrees with a light breeze on the ground.. as soon as you get above the tree line it gets so much colder and windy it's crazy!! I had to learn quickly how to layer and keep warm! But you can't just like throw on a ton of clothes and be toasty because you would sweat your ass off on the climb up the. You are done for!!! Def a delicate balance of keeping more not cold than warm but not too cold! Great vid as all your rest!!!

[@brngrofdeth]

Was almost ready to hear the Les Stroud, "you sweat, you die" Thanks for posting. Love an blessings from Ontario Canada!

[@earlshaner4441]

Hi from Syracuse NY ( deep freeze) brother and family and everyone else and thank you for sharing your thoughts and adventures and facts and truth

[@johnjolabushcraft8844]

Great video

[@FatherFH]

Great advice, as always

[@RoadDogSteve]

Enjoyed this one.... Good practical information..... thanks...

[@o1420]

Good info for sure. 🙂 Not a fan of being cold as i get older lol but love being outdoors. Ty for sharing! 👍

[@KettleCamping]

Great advice! Thank you!👍

[@archangel8409]

That watch is awesome lol

[@jesseadams45]

Thanks for the UP mention, we've been down in the -20's lately.

[@SiljeMeum]

Hahaha, that sock presentation! You could do some strecthing *giggles* Great video! Super useful!

[@margueritemitchell1829]

I put my long johns inside my pants, hold at the waist and shake them down so my pants don't pull up on my long johns when I pull them up. Hello from 🇨🇦👋❤️👍❄️

[@theprophetez1357]

Even in Alaska cotton thermals were what you wore. Unlike yours however they had the open armpits. Surprisingly I even wore them in the tropics, but without a top layer. Between the armpit openings, and the reflective white they never caused me to get sweaty. In addition to keeping the hot tropical sun from direct contact with my skin it kept the mosquitoes off. Thanks for your videos 👍👍.

[@adventuresforjesuswithcam9598]

Great video. Keep it up.

[@alexveltens9284]

Thanks for sharing and Greetings from Germany.

[@williamb19]

Oh man the old school Long Johns took me back to my childhood. I think I’m gonna go back to them now ha

[@stepitup5409]

Good stuff

[@stevestumpy6873]

nice watch

[@thewoodlandschoolltd3999]

Solid system. Layering up and down is where its at.

[@jamesfisher9594]

I have a surplus british navy wool sweater that I got years ago for $3 & it's never failed me.

[@ronnychavez8521]

These tips are pretty handy

[@royharrell1760]

Another great video. Interesting how the other side of the country dresses for the winter. Filson is a great product. I have a triple sensore Casio. Love your watch though, especially the compass.

[@anonymouse3881]

Oh yeah...💥 look at Dan 💋

[@jrs840]

Cat reading newspaper: I need to buy a G-Shock and wool clothes

[@seanfitzgibbon235]

Something even in Florida I have told people for years. We can have at least 3 seasons weather in the same day. Put on, open up, take off, put on….repeat! Another great video Dan!

[@zach3502]

Like Spring, Summer and late summer lol

[@seanfitzgibbon235]

@@zach3502 😂🤣

[@PaulCarterTCM]

I really like a durable layer after the wicking layer to protect the merino or silk while working hard. Heavy wool over that works great. I'll always have a big down jacket and a waterproof shell layer in my pack too as a backup. I'm in a wet cold part of canada. I really like the fingerless glove and mitt combo you use. Also like the colour combos. Looks cool

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Tucking into things helps too

[@theprophetez1357]

LOL, I gotta say, I really love most of your intros!

[@aardbij180]

Wool is perfect. Nature knows this already, we're catching up slowly :)

[@WhstlblwrBlastingEpsteinsILK]

Great video. Thermal underwear makes all the difference. I'm in Burlington Vermont. I'm in 2 layers of synthetic thermals, moisture wicking T-shirt, synthetic fleece sweatpants, and 2 fleece jackets. My neck gaiter, beanie. I'm comfortable in -40°. Only time I'm uncomfortable is when my gloves get wet from the snow & my fingers hurt. My Mittens keep getting lost. Hot Hands are life savers. I use Body Armor or Spyder gloves. Both are great until you shovel snow & clear the snow from the roof of my bushcraft shelter. I have Sorel snow boots that go almost up to the knee. They have removable fleece liners. I watched your video on your LL Bean boots. Thrift store only had the Sorel. Great channel. Good stuff. You cover everything!

[@Bill_tyler]

Don’t forget about the wool camp socks

[@nealfry2230]

" I Love Pure Michigan."

[@deepsticksbushman8698]

Very good, informative video. I dress like you but just with more layers because I am up in northern Canada where it is - 30 on average and our extreme cold is -40to -60. But same principle, base layer, mid layers and outer layer. It’s just the only true way. I love those tin pants btw. I would love a pair of those. Thanks for another great video brother, as always, and I look forward to the next one. Cheers

[@jaredbaratono897]

Northern Minnesota guy here. Look into Filson chaps. Way cheaper, (don’t cover your butt, so you have to be a little aware of where you sit :), same quality, and aren’t quite so dependent on maintaining a consistent waist line.

[@2townsdown208]

Good video brother

[@TheModernNativeTribe]

Awesome video bro. I talked this morning about doing this, was thinking about going in depth about it. Gonna be in the negatives up here in upstate NY the next couple weeks

[@BraveLifestyle]

You are an awesome bushman. ❤️😍👍

[@greentoke4589]

Stopped paying attention when he said "it gets down to 10-15 degrees" 😂🤣😂 I live in Minnesota....gets a lil colder than that ....👍🤣

[@rodrigocappato4207]

Very informative! Greetings from the woods in Sweden 🇸🇪

[@TheEmeraldSun]

I live on Lake Superior on Minnesota's North Shore. The cold up here is no joke. I grew up with it though.

[@brickempire4427]

I’m about 45 mins from the PA border in NY. It was -5 this morning. And it’s supposed to be 35 tomorrow. Yup, that’s us! 😵‍💫😉

[@erolkavlakverizon6112]

Great video Dan I used to wear "duo-fold" thermals inner layer was cotton outer was wool. I never got cold in those.

[@hightreid5372]

Where can I find duo gold these days?

[@hightreid5372]

*fold

[@erolkavlakverizon6112]

I don't believe they are still in production..

[@dustinhussey6479]

I buy my duofolds on Amazon.

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

that's sound advice! I have to do that at work when I'm inside and outside continually all day long! Mr. Davis makes a T-shirt that is made of some kind of stretchy material, and I wear a size smaller than usual, and I'll put a long sleeve Carhartt and a Carhartt hoodie, and if it's really cold, I have the Carhartt coat, but I find myself shedding some of those layers when I go in to work on something and I have to go outside and back in all day long. Sometimes I just have to feel a little bit of the cold to keep from sweating. No matter what you're doing, this is good advice to keep from getting sick! I never thought about looking at tractor supply to find the old style thermals. Wall-Mart used to have some nice thick ones in the sporting goods section! I haven't seen those where I am in Oklahoma lately!

[@andys4971]

Man ik there’s a lotta controversy around carhartt rn but the overalls and the classic jacket as a exterior layer with a mad bomber type hat is just so quality and reliable

[@alanrice39]

I am a believer in wool, most of my wool is old school military surplus that’s very affordable. Base layer is 50/50 wool/ cotton. Heavy wool sweater, Marino wool socks, wool watch cap and wool gloves. I wear a heavy duty military cargo pants or jeans. I like the idea of cutting the bottom of the legs off, I am gonna do that. Thanks for this video

[@timwarneka5681]

Tractor Supply and The Gap?!? Can this be a KZbin channel?!? Well done, sir!

[@kevinstrade2752]

Absolutely. I live and grew up in western NY. I have snoveralls and often just wear a t shirt and hoodie. Especially when I use to heat my house with wood. I would be out in 20's or 30's degrees without a jacket processing wood. As I get older and fatter. Lol I find that if I overheat, I'm done. I get drenched with sweat before I even know it. I can't stress allowing your body to cool and breath enough, even in cold weather!! Its easy to just keep layering but be careful to not overheat wich will suck your energy fast.

[@TheLawrence1999]

Ive got plenty of knowledge from camping in cold weather but its always good to tough up on basics and stuff I may have forgotten, I never knew why they cut the bottoms of the pants off like that but it def makes sense, and yes I was one of those Jnco wearing 90s kids who loved my baggy pants but also hated when it would rain cause I was picking them up off the ground so I understand full well about bottoms getting wet. I normally tuck my pants in my boots during the winter unless Im wearing some really thick wool socks then it tends to compress on my legs to much as Ive learned why my feet get so cold, to tight of boots with thick wool socks.

[@kissurviva8035]

80% of my life outside in the weather. I liked your presentation For the past 40+ years when I was very young Pennsylvania woods gave me year round adventures my only goal was to live like a mountain man now days we call them Preppers and Bush Crafters or in an extreme cases survivalist. My point is it's good to learn at least one thing per day even if it's about your self and personal environment. I liked your statement we have to use what works for us there are no one size fits all in the great outdoors.

[@mjhill72]

I like the thinner stretchy polyester thermals. Same logic as your poly undies; just holds it shape well and doesn't get all bunchy under your clothes. And you wouldn't think it, but it's surprisingly warm.

[@ernststravoblofeld]

Knitting a wool sweater, as I watch this!

[@joesmith4222]

I have a good leather belt I take backpacking to use on black bears and mountain lions. Fold the belt in half, inside out, pucker it, and snap it. They run like hell. 💪