People have asked what gear we use when we are out on the trail with our teams. Here in Willow it can get very cold out on the trails and rivers where we run our teams in training. The coldest I have seen in my three seasons is a recorded minus 36 degrees (F). Over the coming days we will share what we have found that works best for us. Many people need more or less but as they say in Alaska there is no such thing as a bad day, just bad gear.
Parka
I, Robert, use a Wintergreen Northern Wear expedition shell anorak with a liner in size 2XL. I bought it a size bigger than I normally wear because I want to be able to layer.
This parka has been used by expeditions to the North and South Pole so it has to be good enough for mushing, right?
You bet.
When I purchased this parka online I didn’t know what to expect at first. It is very light compared to others from companies like Cabela’s and Canada Goose. It is down filled and lined with a heavy fleece liner inside that can be removed if you like.
- Outer shell constructed from treated 3-ply nylon with DWR (Durable Water Repellency), made to shield the body from the wind, also breathable.
- Shakes off moisture easily and breathes better than Gore-tex under extreme cold conditions
- Designed for polar expeditions or other extreme cold adventures
- Ample design for layering to trap air and hold in body heat
- Silky polyester shelter lining is suspended from the shoulders to prevent moisture traps
- Adjustable draw-cord waist and hood and inside zip pockets
- Zip-on Coyote Fur Ruff as an option (ruffs are obtained only from Inuit hunters who harvest them as a sustainable resource in the Canadian Arctic)
- Two styles available- 1) Partial-Zip pullover style with a single front hand-warmer pocket 2) Full-Zip style with a two-way zipper and two front hand-warmer cargo pockets (The Full-Zip model is the one used in this review)
- Machine Washable
- Made in Ely, MN U.S.A
The Anorak features adjustable draw cords on the waist and hood, as well as an inside zip pocket. The inside of the jacket has a polyester shelter lining, which is suspended from the shoulders to prevent moisture traps. A really nice touch is the hand-warmer cargo pockets, which have a fleece lining on the front (shown in the top left photo below). I found these to be especially handy after working without gloves in frigid weather.