Anyone who spends time hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, or mountaineering in winter eventually learns the importance of keeping their extremities warm. Entire catalogs are devoted to gloves, mittens, hats, socks, boots, vapor barriers, and various combinations thereof.
Curiously, very little attention is paid to another extremity that can become remarkably uncomfortable in cold weather.
This omission is unfortunate.
Most winter travelers eventually discover that prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and wind can create a situation that is difficult to ignore and even more difficult to describe in polite company. The problem rarely occurs in parking lots or warming huts. Instead, it tends to announce itself several miles from the trailhead, usually after a long period of exposure and at a point where turning around is no longer an attractive option.
There are several ways to reduce the likelihood of such unpleasant discoveries.
As with most cold-weather clothing systems, layering is important. A supportive base layer helps keep everything positioned closer to the body’s heat source rather than suspended independently in the prevailing weather conditions. Additional insulating layers and wind-resistant outer garments further improve matters. Many cross-country ski garments, particularly those designed in Europe, appear to place considerable emphasis on aerodynamics and visual appearance. Fortunately, some manufacturers have acknowledged that functionality occasionally deserves equal consideration and have incorporated windproof panels in strategically important locations.
Several commercial products have appeared over the years. Helly Hansen produced the Lifa Windbrief, while other companies offered various insulated inserts and protective panels intended to shield vulnerable anatomy from wind chill.
Outdoor enthusiasts being what they are, homemade solutions quickly followed.
Some people stitched fleece panels into shorts. Others modified athletic supporters with synthetic insulation. I have encountered reports involving plastic sheeting, duct tape, rabbit fur, and a variety of materials that probably seemed more reasonable at the time than they do in retrospect.
In emergency situations, improvisation may be required. A spare hat can serve as temporary insulation. An unused plastic bag can provide an effective wind barrier. Neither solution is particularly elegant, but elegance tends to lose importance once certain portions of the anatomy begin expressing their dissatisfaction.
As with many outdoor problems, prevention remains the preferred strategy.
On the other hand, if you possess knitting skills, there are always additional options.