Winter Gear

**Smee** · December 9th, 2011, 09:09 PM

Going out on my first winter hitch in NY harbor. Woohooo! AB so I will be out on deck obviously. What would be your essential gear for the cold weather? I've been recommended Under Armour, Wool lite, Carhartt. What brands do you guys recommend. Most importantly I want to grab some really nice gloves. Thanks guys.

- Smee

**Capt. Phoenix** · December 9th, 2011, 09:31 PM

But a float coat. They are very warm and much better than trying to dress warm then put on a work vest.

**rshrew** · December 9th, 2011, 09:46 PM

Some Filson double tin cloth pants

**Tugted** · December 10th, 2011, 12:36 AM

Who you going to work for??

**KPEngineer** · December 10th, 2011, 07:16 AM

Duluth trading DTPro gloves. Around $35 I think

**PR-9** · December 10th, 2011, 10:24 AM

Diving gloves work great because they keep your hands dry when you are working a wet line. Nothing worst than wet gloves in the winter!!!

**captfish** · December 10th, 2011, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by KPEngineer

Duluth trading DTPro gloves. Around $35 I think

I second that. I own lots of clothing from Duluth Trading, and IMHO they are far superior to Carhartt. Fleece and Flannel lined pants are especially nice. They even guarantee their "fire hose" pants, and will replace them when or if you wear them out. Nothing beats that.

**captfish** · December 10th, 2011, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Capt. Schmitt

But a float coat. They are very warm and much better than trying to dress warm then put on a work vest.

With all due respect, float coats are great for Mates or Captains who don't, ahem, move around as much...but I don't recommend them for working on deck. You might be nice and toasty when you step out on deck, but as soon as you start working you will overheat and burn up. Because the float coat is both a coat and your PFD, you will not be able to take it off during periods of intense activity (such as line handling, or making tow), and you will sweat and suffer. I agree that work vests over a layers of warm clothes is not handy. Take the money you would have spent on a float coat, and buy an inflatable PFD "type V" from Mustang or Stearns...they are light weight, and comfortable over anything from a simple t-shirt, to your full winter layered kit. Just my $0.02.

**tradsailor** · December 13th, 2011, 09:51 PM

comeon now. i agree with you for late spring to early fall. they are warm but on the barge i live in my float coat from Oct to April...working cargo lashing containers and dragging chain. then again maybe I'm a bit cold blooded and i really should get a real job.