Hate Winter? Welcome to the Club: A Practical Guide to Staying Hypothermia-less

By Katrina Halfaker on November 22, 2014

Last year, the Midwest was hit with something called a “polar vortex.” Sounds mystical and intense, but it just means “large pocket of cold air.” The significance is, due to global climate changes affecting the poles, that large pocket of cold air which used to circulate way up north is now descending due to ice caps melting and jet stream shifts.

Yes, we should all be a little scared. But more importantly, we should all be prepared. Bundling and layering, as well as trying to stay in heated or at least wind-protected areas, is the best we can do to survive the icy-ness.

OUTDOORS

Let us start with pantaloons. For those who like a tight fit, leggings underneath a pair of jeans do provide a good deal of extra warmth. Go for cotton and fleece over polyester if you can. If doubling isn’t an option, leg warmers certainly are, and when paired with knee high socks, it feels very cozy.

For those who like a looser fit, pajama bottoms underneath sweats are a decent compromise, but again, fleece and cotton will be better than polyester in all scenarios. Blends of cotton and polyester are okay. If you’re vegan and prefer not to use any clothing with animal-origins, just do what you can.

Regarding footwear, boots are the best bet. At least, boots with some kind of insulation or fleece lining. Whatever shoe you choose to wear, just make sure to check the heels and the edges for holes and tears.

There are a couple boot repair shops in downtown Champaign (Heel to Toe and JJ’s Luggage and Shoe Repair), so if you’ve got an expensive set, I would recommend resoling them before the season kicks up a notch. It’s cheaper in the long-run and if you’re sentimental about some items, it’s a good way to stretch their use.

As far as socks go, layering might seem uncomfortable, but it’s definitely a good idea if yours are kind of thin. I prefer athletic socks (the knee highs that fold down that are most often used for soccer). At Dick’s Sporting Goods (or Sports Authority, if one is nearby you), they’re roughly $8 a pair. This may seem like a ridiculous investment at first, but I’ve had mine for five years, and they’ve never torn. I also wore them throughout an entire playing season as a goalie in high school, and they still haven’t shown any signs of damage.

Meanwhile, half those Kmart bargain bin finds are trapped in a dryer somewhere, or in a garbage can or upon someone else’s foot, perhaps. Another benefit to them: they are not easily lost.

Reebok All Sport Athletic Sock - Dick's Sporting Goods

Dick’s Sporting Goods. Color varieties: 16. 

For torsos, maybe there are too many routes. Buy a coat if you don’t have a coat, if that’s feasible. Wear hoodies and sweaters when you can, and shirts beneath. Keep yourself covered. Wool is better than acrylic. Maybe this is common sense, but I’ve seen a lot of people rocking windbreakers and if you’re not doing anything aside from that, you’re going to be chilly and uncomfortable.

And if you’re one of those people who identify as “hot blooded” and have thoroughly convinced yourself your skin is impermeable: okay, good luck with that, but I don’t want to hear you complaining when it reaches -16 degrees Fahrenheit. You have been warned.

Scarves, hats, and mittens/gloves: perfect additions, but beware of dropping them. I’ve returned items to people already this year. When you take them off, put them in your bag or pockets, and make sure they’re secure.

Face masks and ear muffs, though less popular for some reason, I strongly recommend having for the windy days. Although, with the face masks, do beware of where you’re donning them and when, or compromise with one that conceals the lower half of the face. Obscuring the eyes and one’s identity to an extreme can appear very sketchy to some.

The House is a decent retailer (usually for snowboarders), but a tad more pricey, whereas eBay is cheaper and limited in what it offers. You’ll find more specific pieces at sports stores. If you don’t want to do the scarf/mask combo, a neck gaiter might work well enough. But again, it might be more expensive.

Analog Icon Neck Gaiter Atlantic Blue

The House. One size fits all neck gaiter. 

INDOORS

First of all, you should make sure to block any drafts. Also, check to see what material your floor is made of. If it’s concrete with laminate wood or cheap carpeting on top, know that this will leech your heat. There isn’t anything you can do about that. You picked a place with shoddy construction. Congrats.

What you can do, however, is purchase a space heater. They range from $40-$120. The decent ones are in the $65-80 range and are pretty effective. Instead of heating the whole house or apartment, you can heat the room you’re occupying. By keeping the door closed, this also helps to retain heat.

My electric bill went from $120 to $49 when I made the switch (although it should be noted that I also live alone now, and occupy a smaller area). If you have roommates, this might  be a welcome alternative, especially if you’re rarely home. Caution, though: space heaters should not be left on if you aren’t there to monitor them. Like electric blankets, they’re a fire hazard. What you want to do is keep the space heater on right before going to bed (again, with the door closed or ajar), and right before bed: shut it off. Sleeping in a sweater as well can be beneficial.

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