The most common questions asked of the Editors at Snowmobile Online @ Off-road.com is what to wear while snowmobiling. The question may seem simple, but it's rather complex answer since so many variables are part of the equation. Do you primarily ride established packed trails in moderate temperatures like I do in upstate New York? Rarely are temperatures below 0° F with most days in the high teens to low twenties. Are you a mountain rider who rides in fluffy mountain powder and much colder temperatures. Maybe you're the back country Canadian rider who regularly sees extreme temperatures of -20° F or more in conditions from packed trails to powdered trail blazing. The basics of Dressing for Success will apply to anyone who is spending time outside, but you may need to tailor the final clothing system to fit your specific riding needs, temperature ranges, and body type. My goal is to give you an idea of what is necessary for a good 'system' of clothing that will provide the protection and comfort needed for snowmobiling. If you're dressed properly, you'll enjoy the sport more and not put yourself at risk of exposure related injuries.

It's the norm that a large percentage of snowmobilers on the trail that are not properly dressed for the occasion at all. What may be good for one outdoor activity is not necessarily the best for all. Snowmobiling is a sport that has specific needs for our clothing and doesn't lend itself to using the clothing of other sports. The activity level can be very low when cruising a long trail along the lakes or very high when digging out of the snow when mountain riding.

The clothing has to be adaptable to temperature ranges from 40° F to -20° F or lower. The required range of motion is greater for a snowmobilers arms and legs. The length and shape of the coats and bibs are slightly different than a skiers or hikers. The materials of the clothing need to have specific properties like being able to breath. We'll go into this later, but the majority of snowmobile clothing sold is nothing more than a plastic bag with insulation. The coats may be warm, but they trap moisture against your body when you sweat. For this reason, the one-piece hunting suits with nylon linings and Carhartt® coverall suits are some of the worst choices a snowmobiler can make. They can't evaporate the heat and sweat that your body produces during an active outdoor sport. Save the plastic bag suits and Carhartt® suits for ice fishing.

Before we talk about the system that I have put together with the help of Tucker Rocky, Reima®, KBC, and others, I want to go over layering and why is it so important. If you only get one single bit of information from this article, let it be that layering is the key to dressing for success. If you follow the concept of layering, you'll be better prepared and more comfortable outdoors. One other point is that cotton is called the fabric of death because it doesn't wick water and once wet, is basically a useless insulator.

The Outdoor Motto of the Prepared Snowmobiler: Layering is Key.

Layering. The concept applies to any outdoor activity but is essential to active outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling. The trick is to keep your core body temperature consistent no matter what your activity level (vigorous hiking, climbing, enjoying a campfire or digging your sled out of the snow) or the outside conditions (rain, wind or snow). A rapid drop in your core body temperature can bring on hypothermia before you know what has happened to you. Then you have a serious problem to deal with.

There are three basic stages in layering: an inner, moisture-management or wicking layer, an insulating middle layer and a weatherproof outer layer. You make adjustments to the insulating and weatherproof outer layers depending on the degree of exertion and the outside conditions. You add or remove layers depending on your degree of exertion and the outside conditions. Flexibility in your levels of insulation is the key to this systems operation. As your level of physical exertion increases you may need to remove a layer of insulation to prevent from overheating and possibly add it again as your level of activity decreased. It should also be noted that three layers of insulation the same thickness and weight as just one layer is considerably warmer for the wearer. The multiple layers trap more warm air against the body maintaining a higher core body temperature.

1ST Layer: Moisture Wicking Layer (Sometimes call the "Next To Skin Layer")

More than any other, the moisture-management layer influences how you regulate your body temperature. This is often referred as the next to the skin layer. This layer has to be comfortable and efficient at moving the moisture your body generates through physical exertion away from your skin. In simple terms, as you sweat like a pig, you want the sweat to be pulled or wicked away from your skin.

An example of how this can make you miserable is wearing a cotton T-shirt under a vinyl raincoat. Even though you weren't getting wet from the rain, you probably felt damp and cold. The vinyl did a great job of preventing you from getting wet from the outside, but it also prevented the moisture from evaporating from your T-shirt and skin on the inside. Cotton does a great job of retaining perspiration where it can leave you feeling chilled. This is why cotton is sometimes called the 'Fabric of Death' for outdoor enthusiasts. Other than a handkerchief, you shouldn't have any cotton on. That includes underwear and bras.

For this reason, your next-to-skin layer should be material's other than cotton. Silk, wool and synthetic wicking fabrics all work to transport perspiration away from the skin. Rather than absorbing the moisture, these fabrics disperse it on the outer surface, where it can evaporate. The result is you stay warmer even when you sweat. Base layers can be anything from briefs to long underwear sets (tops and bottoms) to tights and sport shirts. Remember that cotton underwear and bras under synthetic material defect the purpose of wearing them. Forget the underwear and bra all together or wear ones made from materials that wick the perspiration away from your skin.

With the use of synthetic materials, the moisture or wicking layer is also a good base for your insulating layer. The lighter weight thermal underwear serves well as a wicking layer and the start of multiple layers of insulating. Thermal underwear comes in light, medium and expedition weights so you can select the right weight to match your activity level and outside temperature.

2ND Layer: Insulation Layer

The second layer or insulating layer helps you retain body heat by trapping air next to your body. Polyester fleece vests, jackets and pants are great insulation suitable for outdoor sports. They not only trap air but are also made with moisture-wicking synthetic fibers. Insulating layers keep you warm by holding in body heat. Fibers such as wool and polyester fleece are all excellent insulators. Down is the best of them all for insulation, but has one critical flaw. If Down gets wet, it's insulating properties are gone and it takes a long time to dry.

Wool sweaters and shirts offer reliable warmth and insulate when wet, but are bulkier than the synthetic fabrics. Polyester fleece such as Polartec® and insulation such as Thinsulate® or ThermoLite® provide lightweight warmth for a variety of conditions. Fleece is my favorite insulation material because it's lightweight, breathable and insulates even when wet. Fleece is also superior in that it dries faster and has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than wool. Fleece is also very comfortable and less likely to cause itching against bare skin. Like thermal underwear, fleece is available in several weights for different uses. Fleece can be expensive and the heavier the weight of fleece, the more expensive the garment normally is.

3RD Layer: Outer Layer or Shell - Protection from the Elements

The shell layer protects you from the wind, rain or snow. Properly designed, it holds in your body heat while allowing water vapors to escape. If wind or water is allowed to penetrate to the inner layers, your insulation layer gets wet and you begin to cool off. Without proper ventilation, perspiration can't evaporate and it will condense on the inside of your shell. The condensation can make your insulation layer damp or even wet after a period of time, reducing or eliminating its effectiveness.

 

The Preimeir bid has to be one of the most comfortable bibs I've ever worn, Waterproof Gore-Tex is the key to the Premier. Click picture for larger image

For any active activity, your shell needs to be breathable and well vented to keep perspiration from collecting and chilling your body. Breathable is preferable over vented since you may not want open vents on snowy windy days. If your outer shell is both breathable and vented, you have the ability to open vents for extra ventilation or seal them for maximum protection. The shell layer should also be roomy enough to fit easily over multiple layers and not restrict your movement. For snowmobiling the outer shell may also provide padding or body armor to protect your shoulders and elbows. The outer shell should also be designed for snowmobiling in mind with slightly longer arms and back. Both help provide additional protection when seated on the sled with your arms reaching for the bars.

The best is an outer layer made of a waterproof material that prevents the elements from penetrating the shell all together. The trick is to have a waterproof fabric that is also breathable. Many times a waterproof jacket is all vinyl and a moisture trap that will not keep you warm after you work up a good sweat. Many shells are water resistant, but remember that water resistant is not waterproof. Water resistant normally means the shell will allow water to bead up and roll off, but extended exposure will allow the water/snow to soak through.

Some outer shells will also have a layer of insulation built in, making them suitable for extreme cold conditions, but they are not as versatile for layering in a variety of temperatures. The most versatile jacket to look for will have a removable liner that can be used in the layering process. For shells that have a layer of insulation built into them, the insulation layer can be worn thinner to compensate as to not overdress for the conditions.

What the Editors wear.

Now that you understand the basics of layering, lets talk about the well dressed Editor at Off-Road.com's Snowmobile Online. I've put together an outfit with the help from Reima® that truly says you're dressed for success. Not only is it great looking, you are prepared for whatever Mother Nature has to through at you. The Reima® clothing line is the mark of quality on the market today and has the sport specific features that I mentioned before. What we selected may be considered high-end and unnecessary by some readers, but if your comfort and possibly safety are important, it's very reasonable. High quality clothing will last a long time and is worth the investment as compared to buying bargain basement items and replacing them on a regular basis. Buy it right the first time and you wont be buying it again any time soon.

Let's start with the all important 1st layer. I selected a polyester boxer (cooler than briefs) and T-shirt made of MTP®. Also, as part of the moisture wicking layer a pair of light weight long underwear from DUOFOLD made of ThermaStat® polyester that wicks moisture and provides warmth as an additional layer of insulation. The materials are key once again. All the fabrics are designed to wick away the moisture from your body, while keeping you warm. For the 2nd layer or insulating layer I added a pair of VTOP fleece long underwear and jersey from Tucker Rocky Distributing. The VTOP product we used was one of the highest quality fleece products I've seen and one of the most comfortable too. I selected some of the best quality clothing, but most any polyester or polypropylene fabric will work well. Just remember no cotton and the fabrics need the ability to pull moisture away from you so it can be evaporated off.

For the head a CoolMax® balaclava for warmth and moisture wicking properties under the helmet. A quality balaclava can improve the comfort level of any helmet on a long ride. The head is also a prime area for loosing body heat very rapidly, so take precautions at the trail breaks. Wear a hat or keep your helmet and balaclava on when you stop. For the helmet in this feature, I selected a KBC helmet called the SN-X Multi-Use snow helmet. I was torn between the HJC CL-12 Snow and the KBC, but the KBC won out in the end based on personal comfort. The shell in the SN-X is a lightweight fiberglass that is both Snell 95 and D.O.T. approved. The helmet is a dual mode helmet that permits the use with or without a dual-lens shield. A visor is also provided with the helmet. This is perfect for the mountain riders who want to wear goggles over a shielded helmet. I've yet to use the helmet in that configuration. The helmet also has a CoolMax® liner that is perfect for wicking perspiration from the head. The liner is also removable, making for easy cleaning The SN-X also has a quick-connect retention strap with one-button release along with adjustable venting for the forehead to regulate air flow. Snowmobile Online will be doing a full test of this helmet and so far, I've been very impressed and it has turned into my helmet of choice from my closet.

For the all important feet, a pair of wool Lycra blend boot socks providing tons of warmth before the bibs and shell jacket are added. If you want additional thermal help for the feet, put on a silk sock liner and you're feet will be warm and comfy After the socks, consider the boot that is going to perform in your riding environment. A boot well suited for groomed trail riding may not be best suited for mountain riding. If you're spending most of your time in powder, look for a boot that will seal out the white stuff and keep your feet the driest. I have several boots and I think that a boot is a very personal choice. I personally wear a Trukke® and a R.U. Outside boot. Both are extremely high in quality and are comfortable for hours in the saddle. Look for a complete boot shoot out on the site.

Now we're ready for the bibs, jacket and gloves. I've selected a complete Reima® outfit since we look to Reima® as being one of the best of the market for snowmobiling. The product is designed with our sport in mind and it shows. The comfort and quality is unmatched compared to what I've had the opportunity to test recently. To help you understand the various choices you have, I started with a combination that is perfect for the trail rider that puts on serious mileage in conditions that range from average to rather severe cold. The second combination is still a great outfit for the trails, but better suited for the very aggressive or mountain riders.

For outfit number one, the bibs chosen were the Premier. The bibs are fully insulated with Reima loft® insulation and constructed with a breathable waterproof Gore-Tex® Z-liner with a tough Cordura® outer shell. All the seams are taped to seal out water and wind. The bibs have breathable padding in the seat and knees adding to the comfort on the trail. The bids side pockets have a zippered inner pocket along with full length side zippers with a Velcro storm flap over the zippers. A comfortable suspender design is used to keep the bibs in place.

The jacket selected is also a Premier. The shell is once again constructed with a breathable waterproof Gore-Tex® Z-liner with a Cordura® outer shell for durability. The seals are taped as in the Premier bibs. The jacket has removable foam padding in the elbows and shoulders should you dismount your sled in a nontraditional manner. The jacket incorporates a snow skirt for added protection from the wind and snow. The jacket has the required sport specific design features like an extended back, an adjustable waist, and slightly longer sleeves. All the features make for an extremely comfortable jacket while riding. The ability to block the snow and wind is also superb. Large exterior zipped pockets provide lots of storage space and a huge interior zipped pocket adds even more for a baseball cap or camera.

 

The Premier jacket is just that and is one of the warmest jackets for the trail rider spending lot of time in the saddle. The liner is not removable and the jacket has no vents. It's available in several colors. Click picture for larger image	The Warrior is a slightly longer jacket with a removeable liner and vents. Targeted at the more aggressive rider, the jacket is super warm and comfortable. It's available in several colors. Click picture for larger image

Outfit number one may be more suited for the trail rider who puts big miles on during a trip and wants maximum comfort and warmth. The Premier line is the 'Cadillac' of Reima's lineup, and the quality construction shows it. The jackets fit a bit roomier and are designed for maximum warmth and comfort. It lack a removable liner, so if you are working up a sweat, you can't regulate your body temperature as well as I'd like. Outfit number two is more suited for the more active rider who will have varied levels of physical exertion during a ride. The mountain rider or trail blazer and 'Ricky Racer' of the trails may be better suited with outfit number two.

For the jacket, I selected a Warrior jacket, which is the most popular jacket offered by Reima®. The outer shell is made of Cordura® with a breathable water proof liner made of Reimatec®. All seams are taped and sealed as with all Reima® products. The Reima loft liner is removable from the jacket, and the shell has large zippered underarm vents to help regulate body temperature. With the removable liner and zippered vents, you can tailor the warmth level to meet the exertion levels. As the day warms on the mountain, remove the liner or open a vent or two. As with the Premier, padding is removable, the back is extended, the waist is adjustable, and pockets abound. The jacket is a pack rats dream with multiple exterior and interior pockets.

For outfit number two, the bibs are also different in that I wanted an un-insulated bib so I can layer and remove the insulation as needed. The primary need is a shell that is waterproof and breathable. I'll layer on some extra fleece for the cold trip, and take some off as it heats up in the mountains. I selected the Colorado Shell bib since it's un-insulated and has a waterproof breathable Reimatec® shell. Full length zippers in the legs, ankle snow-cuffs, and padding the seat and knees round out the bibs. The bibs are also extremely light in weight adding to the comfort level in highly active riding.

 

The long version of the Warrior glove is my favorite with jackets that have shorter sleeves. Click picture for larger image

The gloves selected for outfits one and two are the Finn Ice for the coldest days and the Short Warrior glove for average to severe days. The Finn Ice is Reima's best cold weather glove constructed of a Gore-Tex® glove insert over a Thermolite insulation layer. The shell is Kevlar reinforced with a leather palm. The Finn Ice has become my favorite glove and is always packed for a trip. The Warrior glove is only lightly insulated as compared to the Finn Ice with a Kevlar reinforced shell and a Gore-Tex® insert. The glove is more of a snocross style glove, but with hand warmers on, they provide good grip, comfort, and protection from the elements.

REMEMBER!

I've picked out the best of the best, and I prefer to ride with the best, since comfort adds to an enjoyable adventure outdoors. Being cold, damp, and wet are not the way to enjoy the sport of snowmobiling. Dressing appropriately will ensure that you, and the rest of your party, will have the best of times on the trails. If you're not sure about what to buy, ask you dealer. They should have the gear and the knowledge to help you be better prepared for the season. The choice of materials in what you wear will impact the effectiveness of whatever you buy. Unfortunately, the quality of the materials also impacts the cost. Remember too, that you get what you pay for.

 

The Warrior short gloves are still my favorite and the gloves I wear most often. Click picture for larger image

Dress in layers including, a wicking underwear, an insulating layer, and a wind and waterproof shell. Wear wool and synthetics such as polypropylene and polyester. Remember that Down is the best for warmth, but is useless when wet and COTTON is the fabric of death for the great outdoors.

The author would like to thank the folks at Reima® for supplying the clothing for the feature, as regular Reima® wearers, you can't go wrong with it.. Tucker Rocky is the North American distributor for Reima® clothing, but does not sell directly to the public. By visiting the Reima® site you can locate the dealer nearest you.

Frostbite and Hypothermia - What they are and some basic treatments.

 

EDITORIAL NOTE: The author is not a medical professional, just a sled head, and the information is gathered from basic medical sites on the web. If you think you have frostbite or hypothermia, seek medical attention from the professionals and not your buddy if possible. It may save your life. If you have no choice, but to rely of your buddy, the information below will give you some background to help out with.

Frostbite

Frostbite, the condition of skin freezing to a point where damage may be lasting, is a significant cold-weather hazard. When afflicted, the skin will have an ashen appearance and exhibit an odd discoloration and hard texture. If you suspect you've gotten frostbite, you need to get out of the cold environment and seek shelter immediately. If medical attention is not immediately available, you can place the afflicted areas in warm, not hot, water. Continue to soak the areas for 30 to 45 minutes or more. This should be continued even though this will cause some discomfort to the victim. Until medical attention is received you should be careful not to massage the areas of frostbite and do not use a fire to thaw the damaged areas. The heat of the fire is substantial enough to thaw the injured area too rapidly. The most important thing to prevent is to not let the treated areas to freeze again.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is the cooling of the body core temperature caused by heat loss and the body's inability to keep the internal temperature constant. The threat exists year round. In fact the greatest threat of hypothermia happens on rainy, windy days with temperatures between 40 and 60 degree. Too many outdoor enthusiasts are under the assumption that subfreezing temperatures are required to cause hypothermia. Prolonged exposure to any level of cold temperatures can lead to life threatening hypothermia. Sudden or acute hypothermia is most commonly caused by immersion in very cold water, which afflict ice fisherman and snowmobilers who break through the ice. Wind can also play a role in the loss of body heat.

Hypothermia is dangerous because it develops subtly, often without the individual's knowledge. For this reason, winter weather sports enthusiasts should occasionally check their companions for symptoms. Those include shivering, slurred speech or non-communication, and apathy. Other symptoms include poor judgment, forgetfulness, confusion, loss of fine motor skills and coordination, and cold hands and feet. The unexpected extreme fatigue that is a symptom of hypothermia can lead to a coma and death if untreated.

If you think a companion is suffering from hypothermia and is still walking and talking, get him or her out of the weather and into dry and warm clothing as soon as possible. Take a break warm up and make sure the victim is hydrated and feed. A full stomach is helpful since digestion adds to internal warmth. Get near a heat source like a stove or fire and warm your body.

If this doesn't work then you need to take more dramatic measures. Pre-warm a sleeping bag with a healthy companion and then put the two in together. You can also place chemical hot packs or bottles filled with warm water heated on a stove around the person's neck, armpits and groin. Build a fire if you can. If the person becomes unconscious he or she must be handled extremely gently and evacuated as quickly as possible for professional medical attention.

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