Editor’s Word: This story initially printed Jan 18, 2020.
It’s freaking chilly outdoors! And the temperature is predicted to maintain falling all the way in which to a face-numbing, toe-curling, finger-chilling minus 22 levels.
So we figured it was an excellent time to reply James Pruitt’s Curious Metropolis query about how Chicagoans survive the brutally chilly winters: How do folks survive the Chicago winter?
I’d wish to say that Chicagoans survive by means of pure grit, however that’s not completely the case. Making it by means of the worst Chicago winters with fingers and toes intact entails some cautious methods, which sure folks know higher than others (even when they don’t all agree).
We determined to seek the advice of a few of these folks — together with mail carriers, outside writers, skilled photographers, and the supervisor of a retailer that outfits locals for cold-weather actions — and ask for his or her finest recommendation.
Plus, we put the query out to you on social media. (You’ll discover a few of your options beneath).
You’ll be able to determine whose ideas you belief. However an important factor: Discover one thing that works for you this week — and past. You’re welcome.
Finest methods to maintain your ft heat?
Sock + bag + sock + boot: “I’ll placed on a daily pair of socks, then a plastic bag, after which thermal socks (earlier than the boot), after which galoshes over that if it’s a shoe or boot that’s not waterproof.” — Mack Julion, a 20-year Chicago letter service and native president of the Nationwide Affiliation of Letter Carriers union
Sock + sock + boot: “I put on two pairs of socks, together with massive wool socks, after which half approach by means of my route I’ll develop into new heat socks and end out.” — Dominique White, a 23-year Chicago letter service
BENGAY + panty hose + hand hotter + socks + boots: “I put Bengay on my toes, then placed on pantyhose or tights as my base layer. Subsequent, I take advantage of these packets of hand heaters (within the boot), after which double up on socks. I purchase boots which can be larger as a result of I have to put a whole lot of stuff in there.” — Heather Charles, longtime Chicago photographer
Recommendation from the outside footwear knowledgeable: Mike Daurio, an REI supervisor, approves of many of the above strategies, however worries concerning the breathability of the plastic bag. He additionally warns in opposition to stuffing your boot so filled with stuff that you could’t transfer your toes, “as a result of that would limit blood circulate. You must nonetheless be capable to wiggle your toes.”
“I’d suggest a thick wool (by no means cotton) sock in an insulated waterproof winter boot at half measurement larger than regular. Ensure you strive in your boot on the retailer with the sock on.”
Finest methods to maintain your arms heat?
Latex or nitrile gloves + winter gloves: This technique is favored by many mail carriers and photographers who declare it retains warmth. “I typically placed on latex gloves beneath my outer gloves with a type of hand heaters caught in between them.” — photographer Heather Charles
“For capturing (footage) in sub zero I at all times put on nitrile gloves, so I can pull the thick gloves off to shoot, however then I put them again in my gloves shortly. (Sweat might be a problem for some), however I don’t have tremendous sweaty arms and your physique shouldn’t be sweating that a lot in these temps.” — photographer Peter Tsai
Skinny wool gloves + water or windproof gloves: Daurio favors wool as a substitute of latex or nitrile to keep away from sweat.
“Wool is a good insulating liner. For those who can think about sheep standing on a aspect of a mountain getting rained on, you see they nonetheless handle to maintain heat. However a normal wool glove isn’t often going to be wind and waterproof, so having a shell that’s water and wind proof could be necessary for the subsequent layer.” — REI supervisor Mike Daurio
Gloves + mittens: “I did a column concerning the warmest gloves you can purchase. However none of them beat this simple technique: Take a pair of standard leather-based or gown gloves — however you need to use any respectable glove — and put mittens on prime. On common chilly days, I take advantage of fleece mittens. However when issues get unhealthy, I take advantage of massive ragg mittens …The mittens minimize the wind and add an enormous insulated layer, once more with extra air.” — Barbara Brotman, longtime outside author for Chicago Tribune
Gloves + mittens + glommets or glittens: Thus far, we’ve heard quite a few options on the way to preserve your arms heat with layers. However when you have just one choice, what’s the very best? Daurio says it is determined by the situations.
- “Mittens are the warmest as a result of your fingers can cuddle collectively, permitting them to share heat.”
- “You probably have a job that requires your fingers to have momentary dexterity, a glommet (with a retractable mitten prime) could also be finest.”
- “Anytime you place materials between the fingers, you lose that shared heat and permit publicity to chilly air. However we have now some heated gloves and mountaineering gloves which can be the highest finish and really efficient. A glove that has an excellent liner (or is utilized in mixture with a liner) is often one of the simplest ways to maintain your arms heat.”
Finest methods to maintain your face heat?
Goggles + windproof balaclava: “I like to recommend a windproof balaclava. … That may assist defend your face if you find yourself strolling right into a head wind. You’ll be able to layer it with a stocking cap, or helmet and ski goggles in the event you’re doing one thing like strolling or biking to work.” — Mike Daurio of REI
Vaseline: “If I’ve any uncovered pores and skin on this climate, I’ll cowl that in Vaseline to maintain it protected.” — Mack Julion, mail service
Different warming ideas
Baked potatoes: “Put baked potatoes in your pockets.” — former Chicago Tribune well being reporter Julie Deardorff
Hand hotter + heat bottle of water: “I take advantage of medical tape to really tape a hand hotter to the again of my neck proper the place the bathe would hit you. That’s my approach of tricking my mind into considering I’m somewhat bit hotter than I truly am. Additionally, preserve a heat bottle of water sealed up actually tight in an inside pocket of your jacket to radiate warmth and preserve heat whereas ready for the practice.” — Mike Daurio of REI
Reporter’s Word
On Tuesday, I attempted just a few of those strategies after I ventured into the chilly.
On one hand, I wore a latex glove beneath a winter glove. On the opposite, I wore a wool glove beneath a winter glove. The hand with the latex glove beneath a winter glove felt somewhat hotter. However my finest outcomes have been after I put a latex glove beneath a giant thick mitten — pure bliss.
On one foot, I wore a plastic bag between my sock and boot. On the opposite I wore the bag between two socks. The bag between two socks foot was hotter and sweatier — however not unpleasantly so.
I additionally coated one aspect of my face in lip balm (I didn’t have Vaseline). After I returned, that aspect did really feel much less chapped than the unprotected aspect.
Monica Eng is a former WBEZ reporter.
