When dogsledding in extreme environments, good gear isn鈥檛 just about comfort; it can be life-saving鈥攅specially if you fall through ice, get stuck or lost, or encounter rapidly changing conditions. I鈥檝e raced the Iditarod鈥攖he iconic 938-mile race through Alaska鈥檚 wild interior鈥攁s well as some of the other toughest dogsled races in the world, and I鈥檝e learned firsthand what gear cuts it in temperatures so cold that the mercury drops off the charts. Here are some of those items.
RefrigiWear Extreme Softshell Bib Overalls 0795 ($229-$244)
Sizing: S-5XL
I rarely see RefrigiWear recommended in outdoor circles; much of their gear is designed for people who work long hours in industrial freezers. That means it鈥檚 remarkably durable鈥揳nd relatively inexpensive, too. I鈥檝e tried countless bibs鈥攄own-filled and otherwise鈥攁nd these softshell bibs with synthetic insulation and a reflective twill lining are by far the warmest. They鈥檙e comfort-rated to negative-60 degrees Fahrenheit , and hold warmth even when they get damp. These bibs are simple鈥攖here aren鈥檛 a lot of technical details or extra seams, which probably helps keep the warmth trapped inside. I particularly like the side-zips on the legs, which offer quick ventilation, and the high bib that keeps my torso so warm, I can often get by without a parka.
LaCrosse Aero Insulator Boot ($230)
Sizing: 7-16 (men鈥檚)
Though I鈥檝e tried countless cold-weather boots, I keep coming back to these heavy-duty neoprene ones. I wouldn鈥檛 say my toes are toasty in thirty, forty, or fifty below, but I can still feel them鈥攑articularly when I add a thick wool insole鈥攚hich feels like a big achievement. They鈥檙e sleeker than other options, so it鈥檚 easier to run alongside my sled, shift between sled runners, and step on the brake at a moment鈥檚 notice. Plus, they鈥檙e completely waterproof, which comes in handy when I encounter river crossings, slush, and overflow. I like this Lacrosse model because the polyurethane shell adds durability; neoprene on its own tends to crack after a year or two of heavy use.
Canada Goose Snow Mantra Parka ($1,725)
Sizing: 2XS-3XL (men鈥檚), 2XS-2XL (women鈥檚)
I鈥檝e been using this parka consistently for a decade now, and it鈥檚 held up beautifully. It feels like I鈥檓 wearing insulated armor: it鈥檚 very heavy and very protective. Every design detail is thoughtful, from the recessed, rib-knit cuffs to the flap of windproof fleece that keeps my neck warm when it鈥檚 slightly unzipped.There are nine external pockets and five internal ones to store items that you need to keep from freezing, like a a thermos, snacks, headlamp, and extra batteries. The tunnel hood might be overkill, but I love the thick wire incorporated in the front seam to bend your ruff to block wind. The 675-fill goose down makes this jacket one of the warmest I鈥檝e ever worn. When I鈥檓 too tired to unpack my sleeping bag at night, I simply lie down in this parka and pull my arms inside.
Non-Stop Dogwear Long Distance Jacket ($89)
Sizing: S-XL
My dogs鈥 gear is at least as important as mine when I鈥檓 mushing. For serious wind or cold, I love Non-Stop鈥檚 long-distance dog coat. The synthetic insulation packs up a little bulky, but at 320 grams (for a size medium including the belly flap), the coat is still lightweight, even when I鈥檓 carrying a dozen in my sled. The biggest selling point: The water resistant ripstop shell sheds ice better than any other dog coat I鈥檝e tried; if one gets wet from water or urine, you can simply bend it back and forth and the ice will crack off. Bonus: A removable belly flap protects male dogs鈥 sensitive bits when it鈥檚 windy.
UnTapped Energy Gels ($2 for 1 packet, $11 for 5 packets, $20 for 10 packets, $37 for 20)
In deep cold, it becomes especially important to consume a steady supply of calories so the body can generate its own heat. Unfortunately, I tend to lose my appetite in serious cold. It doesn鈥檛 help that most foods freeze rock-hard, which turns eating into a real chore. Enter these packets of pure Vermont maple syrup. They go down easy and the low water content prevents them from freezing completely. I always keep a couple in my pockets for when my energy dips or I start to shiver. Plus, the coffee-infused ones keep me energized on long night runs.
Magic Gloves (From $1 each from different retailers)
I keep a stock of these stretchy, one-size-fits-all acrylic-spandex gloves in a waterproof bag in my dogsled, and trade them out whenever my hands get damp (which is often). They鈥檙e dirt cheap, so losing or tearing them isn鈥檛 a big deal, and they allow enough dexterity to care for dogs, light a cooker, and complete other tasks that require dexterity. I keep them on all the times in deep cold when I鈥檓 handling metal items like dog bowls and brass snaps to protect me from contact frostbite.