When it comes to facing the elements head-on, military personnel and first responders are often left exposed in the line of duty at the front line. From biting high-altitude winds in the mountains to wet and frozen polar landscapes, being prepared with the right clothing can mean the difference between performing at one’s best and succumbing to the conditions. In this article, we will explore the importance of cold weather clothing and highlight some of the best products from Massif to take on the chill.
Cold Weather Survival (A True Story)
The following true story comes from a former Air Force SERE instructor.
In the heart of winter, amidst the vast expanse of a snow-covered wilderness, I found myself in a situation that put all my training to the ultimate test. As a seasoned military survival instructor, I thought I had seen it all, but the biting cold of this unforgiving winter was a whole new challenge.
The mission was a simple one—or so it seemed. A group of us were dropped deep into the wilderness for a week-long survival exercise. Equipped with our standard gear, we were confident in our abilities. Little did we know that nature had its own plans.
Within hours, the temperature plummeted, and a fierce blizzard rolled in, obscuring our surroundings and making navigation nearly impossible. The wind howled like a hungry wolf, and the cold seeped into every fiber of our being. Panic could easily take hold in such dire circumstances, but I knew our best chance of survival came down to our training and equipment.
The importance of proper cold weather clothing became glaringly evident as some in the group began to show signs of hypothermia. My years of experience have taught me that when facing the cold, it’s not just about warmth, but also about moisture management. Cotton kills, as the saying goes. Sweating during physical exertion was inevitable, but failing to manage that moisture could be lethal in these conditions.
I rallied the group, emphasizing the need to regulate our body temperatures and stay dry. Layering was crucial: moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and waterproof outer shells. Those who had followed these principles fared much better, their body heat trapped efficiently by their clothing.
But there were a few who had underestimated the importance of their gear, and I watched as frost began to form on their inadequate clothing. I knew we had to act swiftly. We set up a makeshift shelter, pooling our resources to insulate ourselves from the cold ground and protect against the relentless wind. Those who had brought proper cold weather gear shared their knowledge, helping others improvise layers from spare clothing and improvised materials.
As the night wore on, we huddled together, our bodies radiating much-needed warmth to one another. The difference in survival outcomes became starkly clear as the night progressed. The ones who had paid attention during the cold weather training were relatively comfortable, their clothing doing its job admirably. On the other hand, those who had disregarded the lessons were suffering, shivering uncontrollably, and struggling to stay awake.
Dawn broke, revealing a landscape transformed by ice and snow. The storm had passed, leaving us battered but alive. Our experience had driven home the importance of proper cold weather clothing. It was not just about comfort; it was about survival. In the end, the right gear had been our lifeline, preserving our body heat, wicking away moisture, and ultimately ensuring that we could face the challenges of the winter wilderness.
As we trudged back to civilization, I couldn’t help but reflect on the valuable lesson we had learned. In the unforgiving cold, nature does not discriminate. It demands respect, preparation, and the right equipment. And when the snow falls and the winds howl, it’s not just about enduring—it’s about thriving, thanks to the wisdom of those who understood the vital role of proper clothing in the dance between man and winter.
How To Dress For the Weather: The Layering Principle
Cold weather clothing operates most effectively in a layering-based system, where each layer serves a unique purpose. Understanding the role of each layer is critical in ensuring optimal performance and protection in cold environments.
Base Layers are worn as a single next-to-skin moisture management layer or combined for added warmth.
Mid-Layers provide optional, additional insulation for extreme cold, periods of low activity, or can be worn for added comfort.
Combat shirts & Pants are mission-specific garments that can be worn with or without base layers, mid-layers, or outerwear. Properly selected combat garments can help manage moisture and enhance the function and utility of cold weather layering systems in the field.
Outerwear is the workhorse of your layering system. These outermost garments can be worn with or without base and mid-layers. They help regulate body temperature, shield you from the elements, and protect you from flash fire events.
Chris Rogers, the Field-Testing Manager at Massif, possesses many years of expertise in effectively layering for high-stakes cold environments. When operating outdoors in exceptionally cold conditions, the appropriate utilization and maintenance of the innermost, insulating, and outer layers are pivotal, potentially dictating the line between survival and peril.
Rogers employs the acronym “C.O.L.D” as a valuable instrument for teaching some of his most effective layering techniques for real-world application. For more information on that concept, check out our article titled C.O.L.D | Winter Layering Guide Made Simple.
Massif’s Cold Weather Solutions
For over two decades, Massif has been equipping military personnel and first responders with clothing that’s not only warm but functional in the most demanding of conditions.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the Massif flagship layering products.
Massif® Inversion Base Layer Clothing For Cold Weather
The Massif® Inversion base layers are meticulously crafted using an advanced tri-blend yarn, delivering unparalleled performance across diverse environmental conditions. This unique blend, with the inclusion of spandex, promotes enhanced range of motion, exceptional comfort, and remarkable post-wash recovery to maintain durability without becoming too loose and sagging with use over time.
Sweat is swiftly wicked away from your body via a cutting-edge moisture-management system designed for rapid drying. This results in a highly breathable garment that enables you to stay dry and fully concentrate on your mission.
Additionally, tri-blend offers top-tier resistance against abrasion and pilling, combined with advanced antimicrobial properties that significantly elevates the long-term wearability of these base layers in field conditions.
Massif® Rainier Winter Combat Shirt
The Rainier Winter Combat shirt stands out as an essential layering piece for the modern operator. With plate carriers becoming the foundational form of LBE, massif has developed a cold weather combat shirt designed from the ground up to be worn under armor. Engineered for cold-weather combat, this shirt brings together the revolutionary flame-resistant capabilities of two flagship Massif® softshell fabrics.
The torso is built from SABA™, a layered laminate fabric that brings next to skin softness and comfort, high durability, 2-way stretch, and unmatched breathability in a water resistant and inherently FR package. These properties make it an outstanding insulating material for under armor wear that helps to manage moisture and prevent overheating.
The sleeves are crafted from Massif Battleshield™ fabric that integrates Gore® FR stretch technology with a proprietary plaited-knit construction, offering all the benefits of traditional nylon-faced performance fabrics for a balanced mix of durability, breathability, water resistance, and windproof attributes. Battleshield™ provides unparalleled protection from the elements without compromising comfort and flame resistance.
The Rainier WInter Combat Shirt combines exceptional flame protection and unrivaled durability with an outstanding weight-to-warmth ratio into the most advanced cold-weather combat shirt on the market. Most importantly, the meticulously designed fit means the Rainier stays in place under a plate carrier. No more discomfort from bunching or shifting.
For those holding the line against the elements, the Rainier Winter Combat shirt isn’t just another combat shirt; it’s a cold-weather gamechanger.
Massif® FLAMESTRETCH® PULLOVER (FR)
Surviving in cold weather hinges on effective layering. A heavyweight base layer is a vital foundation for thermal insulation, ensuring your body retains the necessary warmth to carry on.
The Flamestretch® Pullover stands out as the superior heavyweight tactical base layer option. Whether worn on its own or in conjunction with our Coolknit® and HotJohns® base garments, our proprietary Flamestretch fabric offers excellent breathability while also capturing and retaining heat, ensuring you remain warm and comfortable even in high activity scenarios.
Furthermore, the Flamestretch Pullover is fortified with DuPont™ Nomex® fibers, a pioneering flame-resistant material selected specifically for military uniforms. If you’re tackling extreme cold and need protection against potential fire threats and burn hazards, the Flamestretch Pullover is your first choice in insulating layers.
Massif® CALDERA™ WIND SHIRT (FR)
Massif® has leveraged its expertise in building combat proven outerwear to create the Caldera™ Wind Shirt. The torso is made from lightweight Massif Battleskin™ fabric, made with DuPont Nomex and Kevlar fibers, and offers both excellent breathability and inherent flame-resistant (FR) protection without compromising on toughness.
SABA®, our wind-resistant fabric used for the sleeves, is an innovative two-layer laminate blend that incorporates unique FR technology with knit construction. Massif SABA is not only lightweight and water resistant, but also provides superior breathability that allows the Caldera Wind Shirt to vent off excess heat through the sleeves while keeping your core temperature stable.
With an advanced Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish, SABA is ideal for use beneath armor or as part of advanced layering systems. The fabric’s knitted nylon exterior is notably smooth, ensuring it feels soft against the skin and quiet against your gear.
The Caldera Windshirt can be worn over light to medium base layers in winter or on its own throughout the year for protection against wind and light rain. Designed with comfort seams for compatibility with backpacks, armor, chest rigs, and parachute harnesses, this combat shirt is tailored for top-notch performance across the full spectrum of tactical applications.
Massif Elements Jacket™
Thoroughly put to the test by operators in some of the most challenging environments across the globe, the Elements™ Jacket line represents a complete range of jackets featuring inherent FR materials, flexible four-way stretch, and reliable defense against wind and water with advanced DWR and Massif Battleshield fabric.
Designed for everyone from first responders, to tactical aviators, the Elements series comes replete with practical features like: convenient zippered bicep pockets for quick access, covered pen pockets, and a pass-through flap for wear with CVC extraction straps. These advanced tactical features have been incorporated into some of the most advanced aviation and tactical focused jackets on the market in order to create a softshell that’s as comfortable and compatible in the cockpit as it is with a loaded rucksack and armor.
In fact, versions of the Elements Jacket have been approved by NAVAIR and have been chosen as the Army’s Intermediate Weather Outer Layer as part of the FREE (Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble) program.
Massif® Cirrus High Loft Jacket and Massif® Cirrus High Loft Pant
The Massif® Cirrus High Loft Jacket serve as a high performance insulation layer in extremely cold conditions. Through innovative materials and design, we’ve reduced weight and bulk while enhancing durability and insulation. We’ve optimized the Cirrus High Loft series to ensure top-tier performance offering protection against the harshest of environments.
Featuring a helmet compatible hood and strategically placed drawcords, the Cirrus Jacket lets you customize the fit to effectively retain warmth and keep out the cold. Insulated with our warm-when-wet synthetic insulation technology to ensure comfort and performance that keeps you warm even in the most wet and frigid conditions.
We Bring the same attention to detail and innovative technologies to our Massif® Cirrus High Loft Pant. As a vital protective layer against the cold, we’ve added an elastic waist and cuffs to keep wind out and heat in, and included internal suspender tabs to hold them in place during high levels of activity. Full length 2-way side zips and a zip fly make accessing under-garments easy and for simple donning and doffing over boots. Reinforced knees for added durability and warm-when-wet insulation round off these feature-packed pants.
Massif® ELEMENTS™ Military Bib (FR)
In the face of extreme cold layers should prioritize both warmth and function, and our Elements Military Bib is tailor-made to face the harshest terrain.
Made from our trusted Battleshield X ® FR fabric, a flame-resistant, nylon-faced laminate infused with the power of Gore ® stretch technology, the Elements Bib offers enhanced mobility, water resistance, and breathability even in the coldest conditions.
Offering a unique fit system across the shoulders and waist to ensure a snug and protective fit for extended wear, as well as 6 pockets and plenty of reinforcement, these bibs are designed to surpass our legendary FR and durability standards. Side zips, pass-throughs, and a 2-way center zip allow quick access to pockets in lower layers and an easy fit over boots. This isn’t just another layer, but armor against the cold.
Massif® FLAMESTRETCH® BEANIE (FR)
Wearing a hat in cold weather is crucial, as a significant amount of body heat is lost through the head. Keeping your head insulated can help to effectively maintain your body’s core temperature.
The Massif® Flamestretch® beanie is made from our Flamestretch fabric, a lightweight stretch fleece that promises a soft and comfortable feel while effectively managing moisture, and enhanced with DuPont™ Nomex® fiber, a pioneering flame-resistant material designed specifically for military applications. The stretch fleece conforms perfectly to your head for maximum coverage, and utilizes flat seams making it ideal for wear under a helmet or on its own.
Whether you’re venturing out in chilly conditions or need protection against unexpected fire hazards, the Flamestretch Beanie has your back.
Caring For Your Cold Weather Clothing
It’s essential to maintain your cold weather gear to ensure longevity and performance. To be sure you don’t compromise your gear while cleaning, take care to wash and dry dirty gear according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. As a rule, avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals and regularly inspect your clothing for damage. This is especially crucial for garments with flame-resistant properties and DWR coatings that can be easily compromised by physical punctures and tears. It’s a great habit to clean your gear and make repairs as soon as possible when returning from the field, to be put away in good condition and so that you can be sure it’s always ready to serve you when you need it most.
Cold Weather Clothing FAQ
How should cold weather clothing fit?
Proper fit is key when it comes to cold-weather clothing. The right fit ensures both comfort and functionality. Cold-weather clothing should be snug enough without being overly tight for mobility and to reduce bulky, loose material. This allows for effective insulation against the cold and compatibility with other layers in a system.
Outside of your base layers, there should still be enough room to layer underneath for added warmth. There should be enough space between each layer to avoid compressing the layers underneath, which allows the system to trap heat against your body and maintain the loft of insulating materials. Pay attention to sleeve and pant lengths to ensure adequate coverage for your extremities, and to provide a seal against wind and snow ingress. Overall, a balanced fit that allows for movement while maintaining the warmth and loft of your insulating layers is ideal for a cold-weather clothing system.
Can I use regular detergent to wash my flame-resistant Massif products?
It is not recommended to use bleaches or fabric softeners when washing your flame-resistant Massif products. These specialized garments require gentle care to maintain their flame-resistant properties.
It’s best to use a detergent specifically designed for flame-resistant clothing or one that is recommended by the manufacturer. This will help preserve the integrity of the fabric and ensure the continued effectiveness of the flame-resistant features.
How often should I replace my cold-weather clothing?
The frequency of replacing your cold-weather clothing depends on factors such as frequency of use, wear and tear, and the quality of the garments in question. Generally, high-quality cold-weather clothing can last for several years or more with proper care and maintenance.
Inspect your clothing regularly for signs of damage, such as fraying, fading, or loss of insulation. If you notice significant wear, or if the clothing’s warmth and functionality have noticeably decreased, it might be time to look for a replacement.
Ultimately, replacing your cold-weather clothing when it is visibly damaged or no longer effectively protects you from the cold ensures that you will have reliable gear to keep warm and comfortable when you need it.
Are Massif products suitable for extreme cold weather conditions?
Absolutely. Massif products are specifically designed for extreme conditions and are trusted by military and first responders worldwide. Our products are engineered with advanced materials and insulation technologies to provide reliable protection against the coldest temperatures and harshest conditions.
The right cold weather clothing can make all the difference when facing the elements. Surviving the chill is not just about endurance but equipping oneself with the best tools and garments available. Whether you’re facing frigid temperatures in the outdoors, or working in the most demanding arctic and alpine environments, Massif offers a range of products that are well-suited to help you stay warm, comfortable, and safe in extreme cold weather.
Visit us at massif.com to find out more about how Massif uses technology to help you stay warm and safe in the harshest environments, and to view our complete line of technical layering essentials.
