Hello All
I am attending the Inauration and due to lack of getting tickets, going to watch on the Mall.
Since I am a desert dweller from my entire life and I am middle aged with a few battle scars.
What is essential to wear at 32 degrees? Clothing, longjohns, coat?
Yes I have been skiing in AZ multiple times but not at that cold.
What kind of shoes to wear.
I don't think there will be ice, but it would be nice to have some recommends.
I thought the weather would change for the east coast and warm up. Waiting for hours in the cold from 12pm to 2:30 to 4 pm.
Now, I guess that I am layering.
Limited Severely on just backpack space, no luggage.
Thank you
You'll be outside for the entire day, so you'll need a few items.
Key is keeping feet, hands, and head warm.
Insulated boots. Hiking type boots are comfortable for walking, but you will want insulated ones.
insulated socks. Wool or silk. battery powered heated socks are worth considering. Bring extra batteries.
Gloves - ski gloves are best for heat retention. Battery powered heated gloves are worthwhile considerations.
Earmuffs/hat/balaclava/scarf - Earmuffs are a must. You'll want something on your head - beanies, trapper hat, what ever. You lose 50-60% of your body heat through your head, so keep it covered. A balaclava will keep your head/face/neck warm; for 32 degrees may be overkill. Finally, a scarf. I recommend a non-wool scarf - much less scratchy. Wrap around your neck and put the two ends under your coat. Will keep your neck and upper chest warm.
Pants - at 32 degrees jeans are adequate. If you run cold, get either long johns (available in silk as well), or get ski pants, which will provide some insulation and an effective wind block.
Upper body/Coat - I would recommend a base layer (wool, nylon, or silk) to provide wicking of any sweat. You don't want to sweat and get wet under your coat. Over that an insulating layer. I've used Oros sweatshirts, which have a layer of thin, extremely effective insulation. For 32 degrees, a base layer and an Oros insulated sweatshirt would be plenty Over that I would put a weather shell in case there is snow/rain.
I would get a cheap three dollar plastic raincoat to put over all of your clothes if it starts raining so you don’t get soaked.
Also this might sound gross, but if you’re female, there’s some type of an apparatus that you can use to pee into and then discard your pee. I can’t remember the name of them, but you can find it on Amazon. It’s gonna be very difficult to find places to go to the restroom, I would be surprised if they had adequate facilities. If you’re a dude, relieving yourself is much easier than for a woman. So keep in mind that plastic coat that I said to get, could potentially be used for privacy reasons if it’s a female.
Edit: https://www.amazon.com/DIBBATU-Disposable-Emergency-Portable-Suitable/dp/B0B9XN7KXW/ref=pd_aw_sim_hxwPO1_sspa_mw_detail_m_sccl_1/139-8814771-2955536
Thank you, this was informative since I'm female.
Oh good to know… me too. I went to January 6 and I brought two of these with me. Thankfully, I didn’t have to use them while I was there, but I think there’s gonna be almost double the amount of people at the inauguration then there were during January 6. I hope you have a fantastic time and I am expecting to hear a report back. I hear that the weather is dropping down into the 20s, so take everybody’s recommendations on warm clothing, hand warmers and whatever you can do to make yourself comfortable because it’s gonna be a long day and there’s no reason for you to be miserable and cold when there’s things to keep you warm.
My brother went to Bass pro shop when he was visiting for Christmas, and he got one of these heated vests for hunting. It has a battery pack that you used to run it. If you get one of those little vests, I think they’re 100 bucks or something it would be well worth it. Just get yourself an extra battery, so it’ll last throughout the day.
I’m envious that you’re going! But my mom and I are going to Hawaii for a month, and we have eyes on the ocean. God bless and have a great night.🙏
I’d second the silk (or wool) 1st layer if budget allows. Second option would be some cheaper poly - synthetic. Just no cotton 1st layer as it will hold any sweat or moisture
Don’t cheap out on gloves though. Good insulated ski or hunting wear as noted.
I put hand warmers in my gloves!
On my list to buy tomorrow!
Thank you!
Thank you, very thorough!
You said it all ! Great comment !!
a friend on here mentioned a cheap poncho ,, major imp !!! if it rains you’re screwed and those things are packed in a thin envelope. Get a hooded one and if it rains you’ll be dry . If your clothes get wet it doesn’t matter whst you’re wearing you’ll freeze , poncho is a must and as I said they come packed in a thin envelope so won’t take up room in back pac
YES
I made the same recommendation friend. I just read through all the comments and I saw yours. Great minds think alike.
Always felt that way about you Fren ! Can’t wait to meet in person someday!
Love u my Fren
They have a really long list of no-no's. One is an umbrella which I was going to used to shade my face from the sun. Poncho in a small bag.
Just me - but avoid cotton as your next to skin layer or 2, and layer up from there with whatever you have. I’d say some heavy merino wool ski or hunting socks plus the warmest comfortable shoes you have (hiking boots would be my choice).
You’ll likely be doing a lot of walking then just standing. So some exertion then rest. Obviously the ‘rest’ part is where you’ll get cold so, plan accordingly with what you have. In that situation, better to be a little warm than cold and shed layers as needed.
Good hat and gloves are mandatory I’d think, plus a hood.
For this event I’d probably have long-johns on plus a warm layer(s) and a heavy jacket and some lined pants, plus the above hat / gloves, and adjust warm layers based on forecast and wind. Some snacks and a hot thermos of coffee too.
No idea what you are ‘allowed’ to have though. I’d also plan on being out longer than scheduled - bound to be lots of people / traffic.
Have Fun!!
thank you, my hiking boots have a good tread. my feet have shrunk 1/2 size though.
Room for thick socks then😀👍
Thank you! All responses are thoughtful!
Bring some high energy snacks for your body to produce more heat.
I was at J6 in 2021 and it was freaking cold and windy, but I did fine with a good warm hat, gloves, and a warm coat. If I had it to do again, I'd wear a long coat instead of the short one I wore. But I had on my open-backed Birkenstock clogs with warm socks and did fine. Make sure the shoes/boots are comfortable. Myself, i do better with cold feet than sore feet. Couldn't hurt to pick up a pack of the little hand-warmers like hunters use.
Enjoy the inauguration, patriot! I'm sure President Trump will appreciate everybody who comes out to cheer him on.
There's some chatter that the inauguration should be held in a more defensible location. I'm inclined to agree. We'll see what happens. Best of luck to you, fren.
im going to look for one at bulington. I have gotten away with only a light jacket here.
I'm out in 20 degree weather for long periods. if you have wool socks, wear those. I don't have wool socks, so I wear two pairs of regular athletic socks. I would wear wool outer pants over any regular pants of your choice. If no wool outer pants, wear ski pants, rain pants, or thermal underwear. My choice of gloves for snow shovelling is a double layer of cheap brown cotton gloves. Undershirt or t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, thin quilted jacket, and hooded coat, with stocking cap. If there's snow or wet ground, I wear cheap irrigation boots with a quality athletic cushioned sole. You should have a cheap waterproof poncho in your pocket.
Thank you, definately a poncho. I have an itty bitty umbrella. Im thinking of wearing fleece lined leggings with nylon pants, thermal under shirt and jacket.
do you have some pocket warmers? they helped me a lot at the winter Trump rallies. And definitely wear leggings. keeping your legs and feet warm will make a big difference.
Buying tomorrow!
A mitten over a glove is even better than double gloves. If you start feeling cold, pull your jacket up over your mouth so you're breathing in the pre-warmed air inside your clothes and exhaling warm air into your coat - this is a game changer for cold survival.
I have both!
i forgot... put the second pair of socks on over the first pair of pants so cold air cant go up your pants
excellent!
Great list by mjs001! I was there in ‘93, yuck! But I was studying there, and had to observe what was happening then, the transfer from Bush Skull and Bones to banker Jackson Stevens’ new favorite Billary.
I think there could be icy pavement /sidewalk. Winter boots with soles that have rubber compounds and treads for better traction. ____ Or Vibram Arctic Grip boots maybe.
Gloves for rainy /icy weather) and plastic glove liners to go inside the gloves. Umbrella, brim hat, a plastic bag to go around your camera / phone just in case it snows or rains.****
The boots that I have, I'm not so sure now about wearing them. have hiking and snow boots.
It is a tough call. Weatherunderground forecasts snow on the 19th, and sun on the 30th so if the snow does fall on the 19th, there could be snow and slush from melting snow.
If you go with the hiking boots, carry a spare pair of socks, and for hiking boots you can do a waterproof spray ahead of time:
Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof or for leather and synthetic materials there’s “Grangers Footwear Repel Plus”. (apply in a well ventilated area and let dry for 24 hours before packing)
Walking in snow boots all around D.C. is a lot of work, I’ll say that!
Have a wonderful and safe time, protect your valuables, maybe a small carrying bag or camera case tucked inside your coat for wallet, passport or other i.d.
Sunglasses too, and Neutrogena moisturizer with SPF because the sun reflecting off the snow can cause sunburn!
Make sure you have a beanie, scarf, gloves and warm socks. If your hands, feet and head are cold, you'll have a hard time.
I gave a a beenie with an insert of some bump plastic. A balaclava, scarf and gloves. The socks and hiking boots I have and need to test. My gloves are leather thinkin
Fleece lined long underwear shirts long sleeve, and pants, mens or womens brand called cuddle duds, they are the best! Layer over the thin next-to-body ones. I stayed warm in South Dakota winters and that's saying something. I've a friend going to the inauguration, I hope you both have a safe and wonderful time!
Just bought the cuddles today at walmart!
Redneck huntin in the woods clothes fren. Insulation. Long Johns are not comfortable. Hit up a sporting goods store.
Bass would be great.
Thank you again everyone. I'll report back, whether frostbitten or not. Slipping on ice and freezing I'm nervous about. Nothing that I have had to worry about here in the valley, except when ice skating or skiing. I am excited to go!
tickets are free, contact your congressional reps office. The tickets get you into a corral on the mall, where you can watch on a screen. Otherwise you may have to watch from the Washington Monument. Bring binoculars if you want to see anything. You will get instructions on how to get to where your ticketed area is. It's a long day but it's a good experience. Have fun!
Thank you!
Thank you to ALL! Going to write all this down for tomorrow.
I Still haven't heard on HOW to get from the Dulles Airport area to the parade route.
I had assumed that there would staging to bring we little people to the parade route. Have not read or have been emailed anything from the comittee yet, Just a "stay tuned for info" email.
went to Washington DC for the first time in December, and we took the train/bus to get around. there's a website that tells you how to get from one place to another. https://www.wmata.com/
best advice from our experience; be early and pay attention. we missed a train, and it took us a awhile to get back to where we needed to be. it was a much different world for us🤠
Thank you. I asked by rep if there were buses like antifa/blm ride in to protest. A laugh then said no. I asked the county and state GOP, apparently nothing but Metro for us regular folks. I'd pay to ride in a charter to go into DC.