RefrigiWear

Last month it got down to -17 with windchill and even though I wore silk longjohns under my wool longjohns under my leggings & flannel shirt under my ski pants under my ski overalls under my down vest under my down coat and accessorized with wool socks, gloves, hat, and neck gaiter, I was still still getting chilled and had to come in mid-chores and warm up and go out again.

Then my friend Mary Lou told me about RefrigiWear. I ordered some overalls that were rated to -50° F and then of course the weather warmed up.

Until today. Today we had snow and below freezing temps and a stiff wind and I got to try them out. Game changed! They are amazing. The wind didn’t bite through and I was perhaps a little too warm, which is a good problem as I can easily shed layers and it was only 30° F today. I know they will be perfect next time it dips below 0° F.

I really like that they zip up the front which gives them a snugger fit than normal overalls, and the horizontal strap in the back keeps the straps from sliding off my shoulder. In addition, the legs both zip and snap, so if I had needed to wear my super-duper snow boots, I would have had access to them. It’s such a pain to be all bundled up and then have to roll one’s pant legs up in order to tie one’s boots.

RefrigiWear is not sold in stores, so that helps with the prices — no brick-and-mortar store or hourly retail employees to support. And their entire focus is on durable gear to keep us warm when we have to work outside in the cold — not on fashion (obviously, but the chickens don’t care what I wear as long as I bring food).