When canoeing in pre-winter weather, it is important to dress appropriately. Sitting for long distances in the canoe can be cold, especially for body extremities. The following is my checklist.
In addition to proper clothing, it is important to frequently wiggle toes, fingers and face. This helps keep extremities warm but, especially for exposed skin on the face, informs when frostbite occurs so a hand can be used to thaw the affected area and don more clothing. The advantage of coveralls is that a hand can be placed through the side opening and warmed on bare skin. I usually stop for a warming fire and food every two to three hours.
Clothes worn
Socks:
- socks #1 heavy 9"- Ziploc™ heavy plastic large bag over socks #1 (OPTIONAL)
- sock gaiters #1 (cutoff heavy socks)
- socks #2 heavy 9"
- sock gaiters #2 (cutoff heavy socks)
- socks #3 heavy 9"
undershorts cotton
underwear long light poly (tucked in socks #1) (OPTIONAL)
underwear long medium fleece (tucked in socks #2)
shirt heavy fleece
coveralls polyester
boots rubber bottom unlined (with insoles)
gaiters nylon (over boots and coveralls) (OPTIONAL)
rain pants (for wind protection while in canoe)
bandana
neck tube fleece
hat Tilley wool (with ear and forehead lugs)
handkerchief
Emergency Belt Bag
gloves fleece
pad to sit on, closed-cell foam
In Personal Pack if required
balaclavamask fleece
mitts fleece in nylon shells
scarf wool 1'x4'
goggles snow
socks spare
In Rubber Bag 55L when required
anorak shellcushion kneeling
hat Tilley cotton
mitts leather
pot/cup (in birchbark-tinder bag)
Ammo Bag
Lunch Bag
Writing Bag
belt leather:
- Bear Spray
- Multitool
- Utility Belt Bag
Tool Bag:
- axe
- pruning saw
Raingear Bag:
- gloves fleece spare
- gloves neoprene (OPTIONAL)
- socks spare #2
- bandana #2
- gloves cotton
- rain jacket
- sleevelets heavy (cutoff heavy socks)
- sleevelets light (cutoff light nylon socks)
- sunglasses (for canoeing, with wraparound-ear sidearms)
- toque acrylic