Wearing loose boots will allow you to fit two or three pairs of heavy wool socks comfortably. If your shoes are too tight, improvise a pair by wrapping your feet in strips of canvas cut from your wing covers, motor covers or any other heavy material at your disposal. Loose footwear and clothing will allow circulation of warm air trapped between your apparel and your body.
Layering allows air circulation to the body. Layers close to the body should be made of light and airy material, which helps to wick--or pull away moisture--from your skin, especially if you will be walking, hiking or doing any activity that will cause you to sweat. Cotton thermal underwear does not draw moisture from the skin, so it isn't an ideal base layer material, but there is thermal underwear made with synthetic materials conducive to wicking. Your next layer may be a large sweater, followed by a sleeveless insulated vest. The outer layer should be windproof to fight off arctic gusts.
Protecting your face is as critical as covering any other part of your body in arctic climes. Many options of face masks and gear are available now, covering as much of your face as you wish. Whatever area is not covered with cloth, you should cover with protective goggles for your eyes and the tender skin surrounding your eyes.
You would find the best hat and gloves for any cold environment, and you should ensure that you find even better than the best if you plan to travel to the arctic region. A warm hat will help to maintain your body's warmth since heat escapes through the human head. Proper gloves will protect your hands as you perform any practical tasks and keep your fingers from suffering frostbite.
Snowshoes are helpful in high snow areas, but they are tricky to get used to wearing. The key to some modicum of success in maneuvering in snowshoes consists of taking steps sufficiently long to bring the widest portion of the stepping shoe beyond that of the other, keeping the feet rather far apart and stepping pretty high, as suggested by the Survival & Self-Reliance website.
Other vital survival items include: waterproof matches; knife; cold-rated sleeping bag; backpack; signal mirror; compass or GPS unit; binoculars; tools such as a hammer, pliers and screwdriver; water filter/purification tablets; pain reliever; cooking utensils; instant foods such as oatmeal and protein bars; and wet naps.
