How Do You - Detroit,MI

I usually go out in full on snowboard gear (pants, long johns, fleece, jacket, neckwarmer, hat). I found it works pretty good, especially since the material of the outer shells keep the wind out.
The warmest pants I ever owned was a pair of snowmobiling pants. They have a very thick outer material and lots of warm filling inside.

Try going to an outdoors type store. They make TONS of stuff for women now!

Hi, I layer with polar fleece light and midweight, with a shell jacket and waterproof pants. You mentioned Siera Post. Cabela's bargain cave and REI outlet has great deals. I found a pair of light weight waterproof ski pants on Cabela's for $9.00 last year. I spent the money on Merrell gortex hikers and tall boots. I also bought a shearling bomber hat. A splurge, but I can dress it up or down. It is sooo warm and will last for years. I found my hikers at DSW for $49. The tall boots are stylish enough for a hike with my dog through a snow covered dirt road, playing with my son in the snow or with a skirt or dress on a night out with my husband. I think I bought the boots online, but I've had them for 3 years and they will last through many years of wear.

I recently got long underwear pants at Meiers to put under regular pants but a guy in my bldg has snow pants he likes.

I love underarmour tights and shirt. If I run outside I can wear that and one layer over and be fine.

Usually for my walks in the cold I where my work pants (covered by snow pants), my jacket (spider brand) and if snow my galoshes with thick slipper socks. That usually is enough.

I love my spider jacket because it is light (almost looks like a spring coat) but it has panels in it that warm up off of my body heat. I bought it at a spider outlet mall store and it has been my favorite coat so far.

Stay warm!

All great answers but in case no one has mentioned it yet, try shopping online at www.sierratradingpost.com. I have been buying from them for years and you can find really great deals on all outdoor gear. Cheaper than going to a specialty store and they offer SO much more than stores around here. If you "like" them on Facebook you can get a 25% discount on top of their already discounted prices.

I snowmobile in the mountains, so have good gear for that that I can wear her in MN for other things. I use the "old" stuff, and save my newer high end stuff exclusively for sledding. But my next in line stuff is by a company called RU Outside. I have their underlayer stuff and boots and LOVE them.

Here in MPLS we have a winter parade called the Holidazzle, and my niece and her stepdaughter were in it last weekend. about 12* with wind...BRRRR!

I had the heavier underlayer on (like snug sweatpants) with thin loungepants/sweats over them and my legs were toasty, along with the RU outside boots (they have the felt liners so I never wear socks with them, ever. I hate sock-snuggies!

You need good layers like this. Underlayer, then a shell or windpant type outer layer would work, an underlayer shirt, perhaps a fleece top and a good jacket. Tuck things in and avoid cold air gaps. Mitts, a neck gator and a hat. Fleece is great for these pieces. AVOID COTTON! When we ride in the mountains, there is a general rule and saying...."Cotton Kills". We don't wear any cotton at all (not even in undergarments). Thats why fleece is great...its polyester.

Just because something is many layered does not mean it is warm. Look for something made for snow sports, micro layered warmth, etc. Do some homework on that if you plan to spend some money on your items. I get many many years of hard use out of my sledding gear. Don't wash with fabric softeners and dryer sheets (apparently this reduces or breaks down some of the products they use to weather proof the fabrics?? Thats what we were told at some of the conventions by different companies).

Links to good companies in case you are interested in some good gear!

BTW~ What kind of 157# fur baby do you have? I used to have a 160# Newfie...miss him everyday, especially when it is snowy!

http://www.ruoutside.com/
http://www.klimusa.com/catalog/Snow,2.htm

I'm a big believer in layers! I purchased good cotton long johns and also silk long johns, good wool socks (I think the brand name is Smartwool--they are awesome). Good boots that fit with thick socks are a must--check out Gander Mountain or places like that.

You could also opt for a insulated coverall instead. Yes, you are not going to look fashionably, but really, your dogs don't need you to! You can check out Carharts or google insulated coveralls--these will go right over your every day clothes (so you don't have to take 20 mins to get layered up and dressed before & after), and you just change your socks & put on boots.

Ear snuggies (those fleece/spandex things that go in a band around your head, over your ears), then a fleece lined wool hat, and fleece lined wool mittens. A scarf over the nose and mouth (or even two, if you need more coverage where your coat zips up.

Gotta have snow pants. We walk to school EVERY morning. Sometimes I'm still in my jammies, but no one would ever know! Snow pants, boots, coat, hat (warm one - not fashion one), BIG gloves and a scarf or face warmer. I've made face warmers for me and my kids - even made one for the Crossing Guard for Christmas 2yrs ago and he still wears it. Just take an old hat (or new) cut off the tip top straight across, then quick stich that end so it doesn't unravel and PRESTO! an awesome warm face warmer that can be scrunched down on your neck or pulled up to cover your cheeks!!

I have a pair of ski pants that I wear with a short down jacket, or else a pair of thermal underwear with a pair of jeans over it that I bought a size larger for comfort. Down coats are the best for warmth without weight although they can be bulky. Polartec is great too, and LLBean and LandsEnd have Polartec with windblock so you do not need to wear a windbreaker over it. LLBean is known for its camping and hiking gear, or else look at REI stores, or any good hiking or running store. If all else fails, CVS sells these "HeatMax hothands" packets that you shake after opening and a chemical reaction makes them hot for 8 hours. I put them in my kids' mittens when they play in the snow for hours, and grandpa uses them in his pants pockets and socks when going to winter football games. A low tech version of that is filling a new tube sock with uncooked rice, tie the end of the sock in a knot, and microwave the thing for about 2-3 minutes. Shake the rice to even out the heat and stick it wherever you want to stay warm. Bulkier than the Heatmax pockets, but a lot less expensive in the long run. Good for you for keeping up your walks in the cold weather.

I haven't read the other posts yet, so I hope I'm not repeating....

My hubby pushes a squad car 10 hours a day IN Detroit on midnights (lots of getting in and out of the car and standing outside in the below freezing temps). He SWEARS by UnderArmour gear. He layers it under his uniform and vest and never even needs to wear a jacket. Granted, he's got three layers on by that point, but the UnderArmour keeps him plenty warm and whisks away any moisture. You can get UnderArmour cheapest at Dunhams or Dicks Sporting Goods, but its sold at every store from Cabbelas to Gander Mountain (I think they're a little pricier though). There are lots of knock off brands at other stores, and he has tried those too, but swears that UnderArmour is the best out there for keeping warm. They run about $40-$50 for a long sleeve mens shirt (I think the womens stuff might be cheaper) and I think the stuff you later under pants might be a little cheaper. You could probably get by with one or two pair and be just fine. They wash up great and I just line dry them (even though it says you can put them in the dryer). You can wear them for a few days and not have a problem with them getting smelly (this is what my hubby does). Since you will only be wearing them for walks, peel them off once you get home, hang up and wear again the next day (and the next and the next LOL). They don't retain ANY persperation, so again, you won't have a problem with them getting smelly in between washes. They also make hats/gloves/jackets/etc. You can google them and see what they have available on their site (which is a TON of stuff) and then look for the particular things you want at the stores I've mentioned above.

Check out the Company Store...they make down items. The products are fanstastic quality...can be washed...and depending on what you buy you can get different levels of warmth for a great coat.

http://www.thecompanystore.com/

The go to a Farm Home Store like Tractor Supply, Big Red, or Farm & Fleet and buy yourself some men type snowmobile boots. They may not be the most fashionable but they will keep you warm no matter what.

LOL... I thought no one else did that HappyMom! I, too, go out in full snowboard gear.

What I specifically wear: Underwear, UnderArmor, OutdoorResearch (OR) tech shirt, OR zipfront glossy zifront hooded skintight thingmy I couldn't live without (I wear it all winter), OR softshell jacket, Burton Pants, smart wool socks & gloves, scarf, hat.