Cold weather is a fact of life here for 5 to 6 months a year. 

Cold Weather B.O.B.

We've got about 1' of snow and have had temperatures down to -20 Celcius (-4 Fahrenheit), and it's mid-November. Gear in your BOB has to be a little different. Note; not all items I carry everyday are listed. Also, some 'sensitive ' items are not shown, given that I am in Canada  

Clothing- mukluks may be substituted for leather boots. 
- Layers of clothing. Polypro, fleece, goretex and thinsulate. Toque (watchcap) is a must. Avoid overheating, it is easy to dehydrate in the cold. All of my clothing is my old issued uniform, (I'm recently retired) but there are so many other military guys running around that it wouldn't raise any alarms. 

Water- I only keep the Nalgene full, as all my water containers will freeze. I can chip ice out of the wide-mouthed nalgene bottle. The remainder will be partialy filled at the time of need. Partialy filling the water bottles allows the water to keep moving, avoiding freezing. 2 Litre has strap and case to be worn next to the body. A frozen meal can also be thawn/ brought to body temperature by slipping it in the canteen case between the warmed water and the body.

Radios- two radios, as they tend to suck in the cold. Experience tells me to carry more than one.

Batteries- Lithium tends to work better in the cold. Like radios, strobe, gps, etc, they get carried close to the body to keep warm.

Photomap- note seasonal changes. Secluded routes become less so once the leaves drop.

High energy snacks- Lots.

IFAK- (Immediate First Aid Kit) I.V. bags need to be kept warm, so inside parka they go.

Anyhow, here is my list.


1 Underwear- polypro shorts, long bottoms and long sleeved top
2 Polyfleece top and bottom.
3 Cargo pants.
4 Parka and snowpants- Goretex and thinsulate.
5 Polypro necker. A tube that can be used like a scarf and facemask.
6 Fleece toque. (watchcap)
7 Socks- Woolo/polypr blend outer, polypro inner.
8 Goretex & thinsulate boots, vibram sole.
9 Flight gloves, Goretex&thinsulate 3-finger mitts.
10 1 litre canteen with tin cup, windshield andd puritabs.
11 2 Litre flexible canteen with bag, slung under parka to thaw water.
12 Puristraw water purifier.
13 1 litre nalgene bottle. Wide mouth allows me to chip ice out to thaw.
14 2 x frs radios with earpieces, lithium batteries. “2 is 1, 1 is none.” (edit- newer GMRS replaced these, working on HAM license.)
15 Spare batteries
16 Strobe with spare lithium battery.
17 Flourescent orange personal panel.
18 3 x glowsticks. Carried inside parka to keep warm.
19 Compass with case.
20 GPS with spare lithium batteries.
21 Photomap with RVs, routes, hazards, etc, marked.
22 MRE with spare heater.
23 High energy snacks & Medicines.. Powergels, fruit bars, energy bars. 
24 Folding stove with heat tablets.
25 Toilet paper.
26 Lighter with guntape and paracord tie-off.
27 Simple, strong knife, with tie-off and copper wire.
28 Saw
29 50’ paracord.
30 2 zapstraps.
31 Lists-contacts, numbers, pers info, critical documents with photocopies.
32 1G zip drive, extensive pers info and critical documents.
33 Safety pins
34 Waist strap for rucksack.
35 Attachment straps x 2.
36 (Not shown) Reflective patches- IR, visible light and “Ranger Eye”
37 Trauma management kit. Separate waist bag. (Old camera bag.)
38 4 x bungee cords, for poncho.
39 Army poncho.
40 Mini leatherman.
41 Cash; bills and coins, pre-paid calling cards. (Silver added)
42 B.O.B.- Issued NBC bag (was issued for Nuke suit) modified with extra pockets, straps, etc.

Not shown- Skis, boots, poles. Sled with harness and more 72 hour gear (tent, stove, sleep bag, ice block, axe, etc.) in car.