How to keep your feet warm for 1000 miles across Alaska:

Dan and I have been running dogs in Alaska for over a decade, and it is safe to say we have learned a lot. More then I care to admit through error and trial. But I like to flatter myself to think that all those hard knocks taught us a thing or two. And one thing we have really worked hard at is learning how to dress so we are safe, warm, and comfortable on the trail.

Both of us still have all our fingers and toes; so we are doing something right.

It really is a system, of technical fabrics, different layers, and pieces that are all designed for performance in extreme conditions. Layers give us the flexibility to adapt to changing weather conditions over the course of the winter (or 1000 miles, cause it is amazing how much variety you can run into in 1000 miles across the arctic!) Picking gear that has been designed for the conditions we travel is is also key, we need to know we can trust our gear to preform when we need it. For a general primer on working in cold weather, concerns, and how to handle it the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has a nice handout you can read here.

Now the specifics of this system are based on what we know works in cold climate. But the specifics need to be personalized. We have learned over the years that Dan and handle cold slightly differently. He can be warm and comfortable in fleece gloves on the same day I am wearing my sheep-skin lined beaver mitts. Of course you also have to take into account personal preference and taste. I have a horrid lime green sweater I adore (which Dan hates becuase of the color) and he tends toward more reserved blacks and dark blues.

The one area where we seem to have found agreement is NEOS overboots for the feet. Hard to beat insulated overboots with studded soles for the Yukon Quest or Iditarod trail. I can honestly say that without those Stabilicer soles I can think of numerous situation that would have gone from Bad to WORSE in seconds. Case in point, leaving Rohn this year I hit the icy stretch of river and my team got confused and a bit tangled. I could confidently hop of my sled and stride up the the leaders, deal with the tangle, and calmly walk back. Pretty sure in that instance I had better traction then even the dogs.

Ultimately we have learned that dressing for long distance mushing has everything to do with function and nothing to do with fashion. (except for maybe my really really wonderful dog fur hat which I think looks adorable! it is functional AND fashionable, read more here)

Because of their proven functionality under our extreme conditions NEOS makes the ‘must have’ list at Dew Claw. We are very pleased to be working with warm, tough, NEOS again this race season, and hope you will join us in thanking them. And look for Dan and I sporting out Stabilicers this race season.

Have some gear you want tested, really tested? well we might be able to help. Companies interested in working with Dew Claw please feel free to contact us~ jodi@dewclawkennel.com