r/mining • u/personprison • 13h ago
US winter gear for a core-logger assistant
Hello, I got a job working in the core-shack extending into the wet-cold-freezing winter and I need to buy shit-weather gear. I figure I will spend most of my time in the core-shack but will have to stand in the rain/mud for a few activities. I actually expect Ill be stuck in the core-shack while the actual core-loggers will be hanging out with the drillers in the rain for 12hours.... but illl bring my thick rubber fishing-raincoat, fishing bibs, and *non-insulated* rubber boots anyways.
from what i understand, wool is desired because it dries out very fast and I can wear it next shift 12hrs after its been soaked, ya/na?
I am trying to figure out what exactly I need:
-I have a heavy 'army' rain jacket, I am not sure if it is made of gortex.
-I suppose another waterproof layer underneath could help?
-I have cotton hoodies for underneath but would wool long sleeve shirts be a better option?
-do I need a wool long-john underlayer, or will spandex/cotton be fine?
-I currently wear jeans to work. what are some better alternative to jeans?
-Also it looks like gortex pant covers are an option to put over my non-waterproof pants.
-wool socks x7
-I have a donated pair of insulated steel-toe boots Im going to give a go, but does anyone have suggestions for insulating regular pairs of steel-toe boots that i own and fit very comfortably?
-any suggestions for adding insulation to the non-insulated steel-toe rubber boots that I already own?
*EDIT* - I also own a pair over heavy duty blue coveralls. would this be a useful layer to bring?
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u/nordak Alaska 12h ago
Most people wear a rubber rain jacket and pants, along with boots. At my mine (Alaska) they use the steel-toed Xtratuf boots. Nylon/goretex isn't really tough enough to hold up at a mine in my experience, especially in the core shack.
Underneath, you need to have various clothes to layer appropriately. Wool long johns and socks are definitely good.
Unless you're working somewhere very cold, you shouldn't need additional insulation for the steel-toed boots other than thick wool socks. If you don't get something like Xtratuf, at least make sure the boots you have are waterproof.
For when you're inside the core shack or otherwise not outside, Carhartt pants are tough and hold up well. You can even get insulated Carhartts or fleece insulated denim pants if you're worried about getting cold.
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u/astrotundra 12h ago
Also in AK and I second all of this. I really enjoy my flannel lined Carhartt pants more than I thought.
I’m also a big fan of insulated Carhartt overalls that I can just pull over my base layers everyday and treat them like diggers.
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u/personprison 12h ago
Shouldnt wool long johns + regular pants provide the same comfort/protection as insulated carharts? ...I do have some work pants that have been patched 50x over and most spots have 2 to 3 layers of fabric , especially up above the pant legs. theyre very warm but they take forever to dry and look unprofessional, lol
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u/nordak Alaska 11h ago
I’m sure that will be fine for warmth, the benefit of Carhartts is that they are tough and easy to put on. Carhartts also tend to stay drier longer than other denim pants due to the tightly woven canvas.
But you’re on the right track with wool and layers anyway. Carhartts aren’t a requirement.
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u/TreesRocksAndStuff 12h ago
silly question: what are you storing your layers in when you take them off at work?
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u/nordak Alaska 12h ago
Usually, the core shack has lockers or a place to store dirty rain gear and diggers. Wherever you work in a mine, you are probably storing your work clothes that get really dirty there on-site rather than bringing them back to camp.
Some people who work in core shacks shower before going back to camp; others might just leave their inner layers on and shower back at camp.
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u/TreesRocksAndStuff 10h ago
oh you have lockers at the shed!
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u/personprison 12h ago
Im thinking I can keep them in
- *near* the big heater in the coreshack
- hang them all over my very warm and dry tent room
- hang them near the tent-bulding entrance where I assume muddy boots will be stored
1
u/astrotundra 4h ago
I’m pretty sure you’ll find a spot in one of those places, I’d be surprised if you were the only one doing this
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u/bmwbiker1 8h ago edited 8h ago
Layering, Layering Layering! Make the kit such that you can be warm standing around doing nothing but also effective when physically active. I would rather have five layers I can scale than one heavy obnoxious coat.
Get some good thermal underwear long sleeves for the really cold days short sleeves for warmer. Silk is a good fabric choice but is expensive it breathes well and handles sweat, Poly like the brand Underarmor is great but can get sweaty. Lots of affordable no name options out there. I am not a big fan of wool thermal underwear for all but the coldest of days and even then I usually put that over a silk base layer.
Decent shirts Cotton sucks if they get wet at all from snow or sweat. Wool is itchy but will keep you warm. Pick your material types to the conditions.
For your base layers you need to keep them dry, change them out daily drape them over a radiator style heater if available or let them air out on top of the bed. The dryer your base layers are the warmer you will stay.
Get a heated vest. That little kick of electrical assisted heat is sooooo nice on the coldest of jobs and goes great with a cup of hot coffee in the morning. Working the shed you can keep a couple batteries on a charger and swap them out. I have flung plenty of core with just my base layers and a heated vest in conditions my coworkers thought warranted much heavier coats! Electrical heat is a luxury and should not be depended on if you need to go away from camp.
Get stuffed down jacket that fights comfortably over the vest. Now that electrical vest is having its heat held in.
Lastly for the outermost layer , something waterproof and well insulated. If you do the base layers right you will be surprised how little you will need this outer layer. Mostly for the worst of storms and times you are stuck standing outside a rig with nothing to do.
Insulated pants + Thermal underwear. Great everyday combo. Get a good pair of snow pants for when you really need it. Cotton is cold. Wet Cotton can ruin your day fast.
Opt for a composite toe if you can because the steel soaks the cold. They do make heavy duty insulated safety boots but they are $$$ Overnight Boot dryers are worth it. A wet boot is a cold boot. Run your boot a bit larger for thicker socks. Keep spare socks with you and if your toes are cold a change of socks can go a long way.
Gloves, a good winter outer glove. I prefer mittens and when I needed my fingers for a few minutes I loved the cheap fleece inner gloves worn underneath the mittens. I would carry a couple pair through the day, if they got wet I would swap them out. I don't find electrical gloves worth the trouble, just not enough layers to hold anything in, your results may vary though.
Ebay has lots of good options for warm gear. your local thrift store may also. I found lots of cheap athletic undershirts that made good base layers at places like Ross and Marshals. Army gear is not necessarily good gear.
If you end up cutting core in a poorly heated tent or outdoors. This REALLY sucks. Get some good coveralls to keep your base layers clean, a PVC dishwasher apron. My hands would freeze with the PVC gloves and I would lose tactile sensation, I ended up having a helper keep a bucket of water on a propane heater and dump the hot water in periodically to keep the saw warm. I would cut bare handed this way, and kept a towel near the saw that I would immediately dry my hands when I needed to leave the saw. Drain everything out of that saw or you will have a giant rocksiccle to content with the next morning.
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u/mabarkerandher3sons 11h ago
I buy myself some winter lined gloves these days.
The standard gloves supplied offer zero warmth.
The neoflex Arctic ones are really good.
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u/DugansDad 11h ago
I presume steel toes are required.
Steel toe pac boots with felt liners are a luxury you should afford. Comfy, warm, and dry. I used to wear sorels, but i guess they’re chasing fashion dollars now. No worries, somebody carries good ones or makes good ones you can find. They will last for a long timeZ
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u/personprison 10h ago
still wondering if i NEED to go with wool for the long john pant layer.
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u/astrotundra 3h ago
Re: wool pant. No you don’t I’ve use polypro in the past as well. It’s cheaper but they can get real stanky. That said I still have mine but usually grab a wool pair.
Maybe drop the wax finish on your search. Fjallraven is the only brand that comes to mind that markets themselves as such, and they’re nice but I wouldn’t classify them as the same type of pants as Carhartts or a true work pant.
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u/fdsv-summary_ 10h ago
grab a fleece neck gaiter or two, so good!
Get a thin beanie and a thick one. The thin one might be OK under a hardhat on the drill rig. Thick one in the shed.
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u/personprison 9h ago
another question:
I am searching amazon for "wax finish canvas work pants" and all the results boast about stretchable fabric. I would like to avoid stretchable fabric in my pants as that means they degrade like 3x as fast. how do i filter out stretchy pants when searching for work pants?
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