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How to stay warm for outdoor chores in winter
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items As a farmer based in Lincoln Nebraska (where we do get exposed to some harsh winters!), my husband and I have managed to find how to stay warm doing outdoor chores, sometimes in temperatures as low as -40 degrees for a 2 week period. If you'd like some great ways to keep warm during winter chores, take a look at what we've accumulated below.
Sections
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Warm Hats for Winter Chores
Best Layered Clothing for Winter Outdoor Work
Best Gloves for Working Outside in harsh weather
How to use Hand Warmers Effectively
Articles with tips & tricks to stay warm for outdoor chores
Use Your Body to Warm up
Warm Hats for Winter Chores
Wool is where it's at for your rigid cold days. Any other headware will do when it's relatively cold, but when you need to call in the big guns - look no further 👇🏼🥶
The Tougher Guy Cap fights against the cold with the extreme warming power of pure wool. It’s a natural insulator that holds in body heat and insulates even when wet – which makes the biggest blow-hard storms no match for it. Perch the cap atop your ...
Tougher Guy Wool Knit Stocking Cap | Duluth Trading Co
This hat combines raw Merino fibers grown in the mountains of Southwest Montana, a heritage, family-operated wool shop down in Wyoming. The end result? A 100% Merino Wool hat imbued with the spirit of the Greater Yellowstone in every knit. Complete w...
Knit Homespun Hat | Duckworth
This double lined option appeals to all pocketbooks, and the fit is 👌🏼
FURTALK Mens Fleece Lined Beanie Hat
We got one of these fur trapper hats when we were visiting an aunt in Anchorage on year, and only reserve it for the -20+ days out on the farm. But when you're a farmer and have no choice but to be outside to feed your livestock - you need to make sure your head/ears/neck is protected from the harsh elements!
Men's AKHG Ushanka Fur Trapper Hat | Duluth
Another solid option for a trapper hat - especially if you've got a family member who works at Cabelas and can get you a MASSIVE discount!
Cabela's Trapper Hat by Mad Bomber | Cabelas
This is a great option for some additional face covering // A great cold-weather accessory, this fleece balaclava can be worn either as a hood or a face mask. An integrated drawcord lets you adjust the fit. Hinge construction allows easy on/off.
Fleece Hood Balaclava | Eddie Bauer
I added this one to my birthday wishlist for this winter, so I'm super STOKED about having the extra wide hood on this when it's cold out! 🤩
Windproof Winter Balaclava Face Mask
Best Layered Clothing for Winter Outdoor Work
The trick for super cold rigid winter days is LAYERING. We only pull out the coveralls when it reaches a certain temp, but otherwise we start layering when it cools down with fall (thermals and hoodies), then eventually add jackets/coats, then hats, etc
These are the EXACT coveralls my tall and thin husband has had for 2+ years and I kid you not when I say that on those -40 days we have, and he's all decked out in his coveralls, alaska hat, gloves and everything in between - he's SWEATING 😅
Blue Mountain Men's Heavy-Duty Rigid Duck Insulated Coveralls | Tractor Supply
I'm a little more short and stout than my husband, so I run a bit warmer and would DIE in coveralls, so I opt for the overalls instead. These are the exact ones I've had for 2+ years and they've never failed me! Tuck a simple thermal under the overalls, throw on a coat/hat/gloves and I'm game for anything outside.
Women's Berne Apparel Softstone Duck Insulated Bib Overalls | Scheels
This is my coat for when it's 40 degrees or under, and I LOVE it (even though it's a men's coat). I prefer looser fitting farm clothes, and I am able to layer beneath this because as it starts out cooler or warmer then gradually increase or decreases (depending on if it's morning or evening chores), I like to be able to put it on or take it off e... Hey, sometimes I warm up pretty good when I'm walking buckets of water from hydrant to pen!
George Men's & Big Men's Fleece Lined Flannel Shirt Jacket | Walmart
This is my husbands everyday fall/winter coat. He runs a bit colder than I do, so he has to wear his when I'm still happily in a thermal and hoodie. I love how I can spot him from a mile away in this 🤣
Men's Gamehide Deer Hunter Blaze Orange Jacket | Scheels
One of my everyday spring/fall/winter layers is a simple hoodie WITHOUT a pocket. This helps when you're dealing with hay because no matter how hard you try, hay gets stuck in the pocket and ends up everywhere in your house.
Waffle Pullover Hoodie | Old Navy
These simple thermal undershirts are cheap and are wonderful even for everyday wear around the house under an oversized tshirt, as well as your base layer when heading out for chores.
Fruit of the Loom Men's Thermal Waffle Crew Top, 2-Pack | Walmart
Best Gloves for Working Outside in harsh weather
We've been farmers with a FT job for near 5 years now, so we've had to get our winter morning/evening chore time to be as efficient as possible - which helps when it's sub zero. Here are our favorite gloves for cold weather (or rainy day gloves!)
These are 👌🏼 if it's wet outside // The Women's Carhartt Thermal-Lined Full Coverage Nitrile Glove is designed for comfort, durability, and protection. Ideal for cold weather work, these gloves feature a thermal lining to keep your hands warm and d...
Women's Carhartt Thermal-Lined Full Coverage Nitrile Gloves | Scheels
This is a great glove when it's hitting some colder weather // When your work takes you outside in cold weather, these women's gloves are up to the task. They're made of sturdy cotton duck with a synthetic leather palm to help you keep a firm grip on...
Women's Insulated Duck Synthetic Leather Knit Cuff Glove | Carhartt
These are a great everyday farm glove // From yard work to tractor repair, these women's gloves give you the dexterity you need to tackle projects at home and on the job.
Women's High Dexterity Padded palm Touch Sensitive Long Cuff Glove | Carhartt
How to use Hand Warmers Effectively
Be sure to check out my first 2 recommendation notes for my ✨✨✨ PRO HACK ✨✨✨ on how to use them longer!
Usually we only have to pull these out if its below zero (thanks to our awesome gloves!), but what we do is usually when we first need them, we simply use 1 per hand in our glove and we're fine. If it gets to about 10-15 below zero, then we usually need 2 warmers per glove (one on each side of the hand) // ✨✨✨ PRO HACK ✨✨✨ - since we want to be outside for chores in AS LITTLE TIME AS POSSIBLE, we do chores fast, but that results in not using... We've realized that if you take them out of your glove and put them in the little snack size ziploc bags (I have one with my name on it and my husband has his name on his - he tends to be outside longer than I do, so his run out sooner), then we can ... I'll link the ziploc bags - one package will last you 2-3 years or more!
HotHands Hand Warmers - 54 Pairs
(please read hand warmers recommendation for context) We've tried several of the ziploc snack bags but we landed on these walmart brand bags because they have a vertical open, and smaller zipper seal, plus a DOUBLE zipper so the air stays in longer. Apparently, the heat in the warmers goes out with how long it's exposed to air, so you really just have to get them enclosed in a little baggie as soon as you can after use (trying to get as much air out as possible), and they'll last you for days. When you're ready to re-use them, just shake the warmers like you just opened the package and they'll warm right up!
Great Value Fresh Seal Double Zipper Rectangle Portion Snack Bags, 100 Count | Walmart
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We've literally tried all the different hand/toe warmers out there and we've found that the Hot Hands brand is 💯 the best in the business. We get SO UPSET when they're sold out and we have to buy a small package of a different brand to get us through, so we tend to buy in bulk before the new winter season if we're low.
HotHands Toe Warmers - 20 Pair, 8 Hours Heat
I know some people are sensitive about space in their shoes (*cough* my husband), so if you're just wanting to try them out before buying in bulk, defn go with the 6 pack!
HotHands Toe Warmers - 6 Pair, 8 Hours Heat
I myself have ZERO issues with feet so when my husband didn't like these (he claimed they were too tight in his sock/shoe) then I got to enjoy the whole footlong warmer and it was *BLISS* on a super cold day (you'll need bigger ziplock and they don't...
HotHands Insole Foot Warmers - 16 Pair
Articles with tips & tricks to stay warm for outdoor chores
Another great resource - a forum thread on what people to do keep warm for chores woth tons of great ideas!
Preparing for winter barn chores What keeps YOU warm?
A good post on strategy of staying warm for chores with more recommendations!
How to Stay Warm for Winter Homestead Chores
Use Your Body to Warm up
Here are a few simple ways you can use yourself to warm up when needed!
How to Increase Body Temperature: 15 Ways
Some simple tips and tricks from a physiologist (a body specialist!) on how to stay warm when it's super cold out.
A physiologist explains how to keep your body feeling warm
Tips and Tricks to Increase Body Heat
Other ways to consider increasing your body heat to stay warm!
Learn which foods can give you a warm boost when you're cold!
5 Foods That Increase Body Heat: Inducing Body Heat With Food
Check out some easy ways to warm up if you're (always) cold.
Ways to Warm Up if You’re Always Cold
If a drug, a food, an herb, or any kind of supplement is “thermogenic” or has “thermogenic properties” it means that when a person eats it, their body temperature rises. This term is also very popular among body builders and people interested in weig...
Thermogenisis - 88Herbs