A few tips/notes on my learned experience with wilderness wear while “doing work things in the woods”. Most of the advice centers around the fact that in winter, you need to have a protective layer of air and be able to stay dry.
Latex or rubber gloves underneath regular working gloves are perfect for waterproof work.
Split cowhide gloves that are a size too large and you are invincible against blackberries and (most) cactus.
Final glove advice is to use two different kinds of gloves. You get your big fat glove that’s waterproof for your non-dominant hand, and then your small fitted working glove for your dominant hand.
Rain boots that are one size too large and double layer socks are better than snow boots any day.
sock liners or just really thin and tight socks underneath big chunky waterproof socks will keep you warm and dry, even if your shoes are not waterproof. Tested down into the 38° water of the McKenzie River for Riverside cleanup all day.
OK, get a nice rain poncho. You can put that shit over everything. Combine it with a tiny plastic foldable bench, and you will be invincible in the woods and do whatever you wanna be able to do, seated!
A couple well placed carabiners on a book bag shoulder strap serve as an umbrella holder so you can have a hands-free umbrella experience.
Do not wash waterproof bibs. I know it’s gross, but just don’t. Just buy them a little bit cheaper and be willing to get rid of them. There is not a product that can adequately waterproof them. We’ve tried them all (scotch guard, technu wash, polyurethane spray, tent waterproofed, deck sealer, plexiglass melted into alcohol and then used as a soak, egg wash, and they only get weirder from there). We’re always open to trying something new though.
Boot dryer. It’s a necessity if you wanna work outside and wet weather.
Layer your clothing with the understanding that you might have to take that clothing off to go to the bathroom.
Have doubles of everything and maybe even triples.
A handkerchief tucked up near your chin, like a bandanna around the neck for example, that can go a long way with wiping your face or eyes without you having to take your gloves off to do it.
A hat that has been wet with snow or rain can be made dry with about 15 minutes of the car dash defroster while driving to your next destination.
If you can’t get about four hours of use out of any one waterproof thing before it starts to have leaks or if you pull your hand out of a glove and it goes inside out, get rid of it or trade it to somebody who doesn’t go as hard!!
Children’s size snow pants or waterproof boots or even snow boots at the largest size that you can get are very often found in the children’s sections at donation stores and are rarely utilized because by then most children have gone to the adult sizes. They totally fit if a person is lucky enough to be a smaller framed individual. Also, you can purchase them from stores for around half the price as adult sizes. Just make sure that the size actually fits!! There are size conversion charts for those interested. I got a pair of kids waterproof fly fishing bibs for $60 when their adult counterpart was over 300!
And be ready to get nakey and hop in the tub immediately upon return home.
And finally, good moisturizer after can be really helpful at keeping weird finger cracks from happening.
Context: I live in the cascade foothills in Oregon, where it’s very rainy in the winter. Most of my time is spent in the Willamette national Forest hunting mushrooms and making baskets or structures while out and about. Harvesting wild things take some really specific gear. And between my landscaper partner and I, we’ve had years to determine which is best. Thanks for reading! (Photo is of my son falling into a snow drift for fun because this gear was so good
