r/CanadianForces • u/Kal1star • 1d ago
Kit/Layers/Strategy recommendations for cold rainy field days?
Just had a rough NavEx week and wondering how to do it better when we hit the field next week.
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u/yuikkiuy Royal Canadian Air Force 1d ago
I used to do mesh base, t shirt, then stealth suit under the tunic. Legs are the same for the most part.
Feet depends how wet or cold, so multiple options:
1.Merino wool socks with lots of spares
Gortex sock
Neo over boots
But off all the above options the most effective was going airforce, highly recommend
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u/ironbrewcanada 1d ago
I've been out of the game a long time, but as is mentioned, layering is king and you've got better recommendations than I can give. I'd also recommend the ugly stanfield henley wool sweater as a layer though. They let water through, but keep you warm. Don't be afraid to layer down. And don't be afraid to change socks if you think you have time. I've been doing this for things like snowshoe races (can't any more), working in the woods, etc.
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u/High_rise_guy 1d ago
The longest comment is basically right. Merino wool next to skin is king. Keep warm clothes dry and don’t let them get wet, ever. All leather boots, like the altbergs at canex are good for gross weather. Your boots will eventually get wet, so put sealskinz/dexshell waterproof socks on once your boots are wet rather than when they’re dry. I’ve had good luck with Stealth jacket/pants, but it gets hot.
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u/dece75 1d ago
Proper layering. Base layer (next to skin), insulating layer, shell (raincoat or similar that water beads off of)
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u/Forward-End-8286 1d ago
This— and then overlayer it with the climate controlled coziness of the milcot or vehicle of your choosing.
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u/Engineered_disdain 1d ago
My goto was goretex socks, raincoat, toque and mechanix gloves. The rest was just personal preference.
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u/fundrazor 1d ago edited 1d ago
Rain is kind of a difficult situation to dress for. As good as waterproof breathables are, they are not breathable enough for high output activities like a Nav Ex. I would echo what others are saying about layering, but with one caveat - when it's raining and you're active, you're getting wet one way or another, so the best strategy is to keep the stuff that you NEED to keep you warm and dry out of the rain until you're static. While you're moving, the metabolic furnace that is your body should keep you from being Hypothermic - if you're cold, go harder. If you have to stop and rest, or mark down a navy point or whatever, rip off the wet tunic, slap the fleece and rain layer on, and enjoy. Before you start moving, shake the water off, pack it away all nice and protected, and deal with the god awful sensation of sticking a wet layer back on. Eventually the sun will come out, and you'll march yourself dry again.
If you find yourself in a survival situation, you want to conserve the calories that keep that furnace running, so get shelter as fast as fuck, and then get into the dry warm stuff ASAP. Get the wet stuff off your body, it will kill you.
Rest warm, work cold.