How to keep legs warm?

**cliffhanger** · 12-27-2012, 13:41

What are some ideas to keep lower legs warm when sitting in a hammock?(cooking, packing bag, eating, etc)

I understand this could be as simple as wear your stinky rain pants... put legs thru arm sleeves of rain coat.....

But, I'd rather have something I can walk around with around camp if needed, and also something more dedicated for sleeping and camp use(clean).

I've looked at long legged booties (WM expeditions)... currently talking with AHE about options for his super booties.
Currently, I'm thinking I want to use a normal bootie but have "leg sleeves" that I can use indepently or along with the booties for a more flexible setup.

how do you keep your legs warm?

"Objectives"
Temp- down to about 15, down to about 5 degrees factoring in wind chill.
Wind resistant-ish
For backpacking- packable, and somewhat light.

**Caveman** · 12-27-2012, 13:58

I actually cut the arms off an old fleece pullover that I had. I use those when it's really cold out to keep my feet and lower legs warm.

**anvil440** · 12-27-2012, 13:58

Fleece pants.

**cliffhanger** · 12-27-2012, 14:45

Originally Posted by Caveman

I actually cut the arms off an old fleece pullover that I had. I use those when it's really cold out to keep my feet and lower legs warm.

pretty much what I was thinking last night.... would be nice to find a cheap down jacket to modify.

Originally Posted by anvil440

Fleece pants.

I'm currently using military issue poly pro pants, which, are similar to fleece(I think).
I'm good to about 45 degrees just sitting, and about 60 if it's drafty. Looking for something warmer/and more wind resistant than fleece, but, as of right now, I'm going to cut up a fleece pullover and test out sleeves over my poly pros to see how it'll work.

**wisenber** · 12-27-2012, 16:39

Originally Posted by cliffhanger

pretty much what I was thinking last night.... would be nice to find a cheap down jacket to modify.

I'm currently using military issue poly pro pants, which, are similar to fleece(I think).
I'm good to about 45 degrees just sitting, and about 60 if it's drafty. Looking for something warmer/and more wind resistant than fleece, but, as of right now, I'm going to cut up a fleece pullover and test out sleeves over my poly pros to see how it'll work.

Polypro pants aren't very thick. You might want some actual fleece pants like these.

They're 200 wt Polartec. Not very wind resistant, but definitely warmer than polypro pants. Not hideously pricey either.

**Caveman** · 12-27-2012, 15:59

well...I'm not sure how "cheap" you are talking, but JCPenny has their down jackets on sale for $30. You could cut off the sleeves and have a nice down vest with "leg warmers"! All for $30. Can't beat that.

**Tendertoe** · 12-27-2012, 16:24

M65 field pants

If you go to post 15 you'll see the mods I did.

Can't beat the price, warmth, and weight.

For substantially more money you could get high fill power down pants and you'd have something slightly warmer and much lighter.

If you're talking about going with low fill power down though, these will be as warm and as light for even less money than you'd spend on cheap low fill power down.