Vegan in Fairbanks, Alaska
Arctic Vegan Gear

Outer Layer

Helly Hansen Blume Puffy Parka

This is coat perfection. Warmth that’s breathable with a superior fit. It’s not heavy and bulky considering how warm it is. I am a very hourglass-y gal. My top is often smushed flat by winter coats while they cling too tightly around my hips–very awkward and decreases mobility. Not in this coat. The Blume size M was perfect. The zipper’s length, about 6″ less than the coat’s length, allowed for easier climbing. I wish there were a couple more pockets and a way to adjust the opening of the hood, which is pretty large. It’s currently on sale for $150 from $250. A great deal for a timeless, high quality winter coat.

Inner Layer

The North Face Women’s ThermoBall Eco Insulated Jacket

Rather than paying $200 for your inner layer, go used when buying North Face. There are tons of styles and colors on eBay. As long as it’s authentic, you are getting the same quality with perhaps an outdated style. This little jacket adds more insulation to your ensemble, keeping that ever important chest warm. ThermoBall, made of recycled materials, is North Face’s own proprietary animal-free insulation… and it does the job. Opt for your inner layer to be free of a hood, like this style. I’d prefer it fall a little longer since my hips like to push anything with elastic give upwards to my smaller waist, creating a bit of bunching. I am going to see if I can snip the elastic at the bottom to prevent this. This inner layer pairs well with Helly Hensen above.

Base Layer

Thermajane Women’s Thermal Set

I love this thermal set. It’s like putting on a soft and cozy layer of skin that seals in heat while staying breathable. It is smoothing and creates no bulk at all. In fact, it looks like a pair of opaque tights. I wore it all day with no instances of discomfort. When I removed the set, the heat it was storing from my body released into the air, like “Hey, I’m finally free!” It’s moisture wicking too! Its waist height is appropriate, even at the back. Us curvy women know all too well how the back elastic can require constant pulling up as the stretch to cover hips and bum decrease its rise. Buy a couple of sets for your trip

Outer Layer Pants

Arctix Insulated Snow Pants

I LOVE these pants. They are wind and water resistant, yes, but their fit inspires me to bounce about the snow with reckless abandon. And of course there is the insulating warmth, rate for -20° to 35° F. Despite my hips, Small was the right size. Waist high enough with nifty velcro strips on top to adjust, allowing no exit point for body’s warmth. The cuffs are perfect, with a inner layer that allows snow boot to nestle on top so no snow or cold can enter. Length also great for me, so might be too short for a taller gal. Mobility was also not an issue as I easily jumped and climbed into abandoned ruins in them.

Neck Warmer

Turtle Fur The Turtle’s Neck

I’ve never worn a neck warmer before, opting for a scarf when thinking about my neck. But this is much better. It’s like an extension of your base layer, holding the heat that is radiating from the scoop of your base layer and holding it all in to warm your neck in the brutal cold. It is not clumsy and bulk-adding as a scarf can be. Stretch it to your chin you got a system of heat breathing from your head all the way down to the belly. I highly recommend this brand as the material is soft, not itchy and they seem to have great business practices.

Gloves

KastKing PolarBlast Ice Fishing Gloves Convertible Mittens

KastKing Morning Frost Liner Gloves (Pictured but not tested this round)

Trendoux Winter Gloves

Because I need to maintain manual dexterity for camera tasks while maintaining warmth, gloves were a very important part of my weather test. The KastKing PolarBlast mittens seemed ideal for so many reasons. Firstly, the warmth. Their 4-layer construction pack 40 grams of 3M Thinsulate, the thinnest insulating synthetic on the market. They’re waterproof and windproof, so that’s good. And they are also versatile and easy to adjust into fingerless gloves for camera fiddling, though I found the thumb hard to “recap.”

Underneath, my base glove test was with the Trendoux. The touch screen worked really well and they were very warm considering my KastKing mittens were down most if not all of the test. My right thumb was the only part of my body that experienced a chill actually. Once I “recapped” the thumb with the KastKing, manuvering with the thumb was more difficult as the mittens were a bit large for my hand even with a size small. They are likely using male measurements.

But overall, this combo worked great! I will try the more sleek KastKing Morning Frost base layer gloves on my next test and will update this section.

Insoles

Moneysworth & Best Arctic Insoles

Not tested this time. I wanted to test the socks and boot’s warmth without the insole first. I will update this section when they are tested.

Socks

Heat Holders Original Thermal Socks

DG Hill Thermal Socks (Not tested this time)

These socks kept my feet totally warm–not one bit of chill came to my usually cold feet. Even when I was changing out of my snow pants outside and had to briefly put my socked foot on the snow for balance, nothing! I was amazed. Totally animal-free, these socks are a game changer. They’re soft, dry and high up the leg. They do not bunch! Foot comfort level was at maximum. I got the slipper sock as well for time in the hotel.

I also have a couple of pairs of DG Hill insulated socks to try out for my next test.

Snow Boots

Bogs Whiteout Tonal Camo Adjustable

I cannot say enough about these boots. For one I wore them ALL DAY–hiking, driving, side-walking–and they were very comfortable. Rated to -40°, they were also very warm paired with my thermal socks. It was mind-blowing that my feet felt nothing from the cold snow and ice I stood upon all day. Though it seems newer styles of Whiteout don’t have an adjustable back, I thought this feature was awesome. Easier to maneuver with double-gloved hands, you can tighten the boot to your calve so no cold or snow can creep in. They are really easy to pull on and off too and have a perfect protrusion to hook on ice cleats (See below.) Well worth the splurge or try to find used.

Ice Cleats

Crampons Ice Cleats

Though I did not hike with these on, I tried them out on the ice for a few minutes. Amazingly, they gripped and I never felt unsteady when testing a variety of different walking speeds.