How do I stay warm at a Denver Broncos game?
December 2, 2013 11:39 AM Subscribe
We're going to a Broncos game in Denver this Sunday. I've never been to an NFL game, nor to Denver - how should we dress?
My husband and I are flying to Denver this weekend to go to a Broncos game. If the forecast is any indication, it's going to be COLD. How should we dress to be comfortable and (mostly) warm during the game? We recently moved from Virginia to Minnesota and are still figuring out cold weather clothing, but we do have a few things at our disposal. We both have Serious Winter Coats™, wool socks, wool hats, lined gloves, and scarves. Neither of us have thermals, but I'm sure we could find some if need be.
Seeing Peyton Manning play is a nigh-lifelong dream for me, and I'd like to enjoy the game instead of being seriously uncomfortable because I didn't plan appropriately. Can y'all help us?
My husband and I are flying to Denver this weekend to go to a Broncos game. If the forecast is any indication, it's going to be COLD. How should we dress to be comfortable and (mostly) warm during the game? We recently moved from Virginia to Minnesota and are still figuring out cold weather clothing, but we do have a few things at our disposal. We both have Serious Winter Coats™, wool socks, wool hats, lined gloves, and scarves. Neither of us have thermals, but I'm sure we could find some if need be.
Seeing Peyton Manning play is a nigh-lifelong dream for me, and I'd like to enjoy the game instead of being seriously uncomfortable because I didn't plan appropriately. Can y'all help us?
Best answer: The little crush-to-activate hand and foot warmers are great for these things. Make sure your feet are going to be warm/stay warm.
Anything extra you bring, make sure it's in an NFL-approved bag (this rule is dumb). I have one I can mail to you if you don't mind it having a large Buffalo Bills logo.
posted by troika at 11:53 AM on December 2, 2013 [3 favorites]
Anything extra you bring, make sure it's in an NFL-approved bag (this rule is dumb). I have one I can mail to you if you don't mind it having a large Buffalo Bills logo.
posted by troika at 11:53 AM on December 2, 2013 [3 favorites]
I live in Denver and your list sounds pretty good! I would also recommend bringing a blanket for you lap/legs (thermals optional), and also to layer... it's not uncommon to have 60° weather a day after 6 inches of snow.
Oh, and it goes without saying that anything you wear must be orange and blue. :)
posted by mrrisotto at 11:56 AM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oh, and it goes without saying that anything you wear must be orange and blue. :)
posted by mrrisotto at 11:56 AM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
craven_morhead has the right idea, but I'd just add that you really want multi-layered head/face protection. A big scarf, a warm hat and a wind/water resistant hood would be ideal.
posted by Rock Steady at 11:59 AM on December 2, 2013
posted by Rock Steady at 11:59 AM on December 2, 2013
To reiterate craven_morhead's point about socks: make sure you get socks that are specifically for cold weather (i.e., wool or wool blend), rather than just wearing an extra pair or two of regular (cotton or acrylic) socks. Layering cotton socks won't actually keep your feet warmer, and if they make your shoes or boots too tight you'll restrict circulation to your toes. (on [non-]preview: just saw that you said you had wool socks. So... good!)
posted by scody at 12:19 PM on December 2, 2013
posted by scody at 12:19 PM on December 2, 2013
Don't underestimate how much heat you'll lose through your butt/back on the seat.
I'd wrap myself in a blanket. Maybe also one of those foil space blankets?
posted by sarah_pdx at 12:21 PM on December 2, 2013
I'd wrap myself in a blanket. Maybe also one of those foil space blankets?
posted by sarah_pdx at 12:21 PM on December 2, 2013
Seconding @troika's NFL-approved clear bag -- according to the link above, you should be able to bring blankets by tossing them over your shoulder or arm, sounds like the blanket does not need to fit in the small bag.
Seconding @Rock Steady: "you really want multi-layered head/face protection. A big scarf, a warm hat and a wind/water resistant hood would be ideal."
* Don't forget Earplugs, or noise-cancelling headphones that could double as earmuffs for the noise (NFL stadiums are LOUD).
posted by hush at 12:31 PM on December 2, 2013
Seconding @Rock Steady: "you really want multi-layered head/face protection. A big scarf, a warm hat and a wind/water resistant hood would be ideal."
* Don't forget Earplugs, or noise-cancelling headphones that could double as earmuffs for the noise (NFL stadiums are LOUD).
posted by hush at 12:31 PM on December 2, 2013
I like the sodium based gel hand warmers, because you can boil and reuse them. Go for a larger size than a smaller one, they'll stay warm longer. This is the kind I'm thinking of, although don't buy those as they're rather small. I have one designed for a bad back that's about 9" long.
posted by Solomon at 1:04 PM on December 2, 2013
posted by Solomon at 1:04 PM on December 2, 2013
Best answer: Also consider an inflatable cushion. It'll keep your body from making contact with cold metal/plastic benches.
Getting up and moving around will also help keep your circulation going.
posted by Solomon at 1:07 PM on December 2, 2013
Getting up and moving around will also help keep your circulation going.
posted by Solomon at 1:07 PM on December 2, 2013
Not in Denver, but I once kept myself toasty-warm at a football game by standing in a sleeping bag.
posted by chainsofreedom at 2:23 PM on December 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by chainsofreedom at 2:23 PM on December 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
Be sure to take the stadium bag/belongings policy seriously. You won't get a backpack or a stuff sack into the stadium. Wear as much as you can.
posted by shew at 10:12 PM on December 2, 2013
posted by shew at 10:12 PM on December 2, 2013
Best answer: Lava Buns - a microwave gel heated seat cushion looks perfect for these types of outdoor games. Yesterday a discussion of "what was the coldest you have ever been?" included someone saying it was in Denver when our hometown played them in a game even though they thought they were well dressed.
posted by maxg94 at 8:30 AM on December 3, 2013
posted by maxg94 at 8:30 AM on December 3, 2013
Response by poster: Here are some notes for posterity, should any football-loving ladies wish to attend cold-weather games. I wore three layers:
-Base layer was microfiber thermals (these). I was dubious about how thin they were, but they did the job admirably.
-Second layer on bottom was thick jersey leggings; on top a merino pullover.
-Top layer was my heaviest jeans on bottom, and my Serious Winter Coat™, a Lands End down parka.
I wore the heaviest, manliest, waterproofiest gloves I could find, this fleece-lined Broncos hat, Cabela's wool boot socks, a windproof balaclava, a scarf, sneakers (more on this in a second), and giant sunglasses. I also had toe warmers and hand warmers, plus a fleece lap blanket and a Broncos seat cushion. (I also cheered like a maniac, per craven_morhead.)
We were lucky enough to be on the sunny side of the stadium, so for the first three quarters I thought I was a bit overdressed. However, after the sun went down, I was grateful for all those layers. The only thing I would have done differently was to wear boots (I hadn't bought any yet, since we just moved to Minnesota) or waterproof shoes instead of sneakers. It had snowed in Denver the night before the game, and while my socks kept my feet from getting super cold, wet shoes were a little annoying and uncomfortable.
Anyway, I got to see four touchdowns, a ridiculously long field goal, and stayed warm and comfortable in the process. Thanks, everybody!
posted by timetoevolve at 9:10 PM on December 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
-Base layer was microfiber thermals (these). I was dubious about how thin they were, but they did the job admirably.
-Second layer on bottom was thick jersey leggings; on top a merino pullover.
-Top layer was my heaviest jeans on bottom, and my Serious Winter Coat™, a Lands End down parka.
I wore the heaviest, manliest, waterproofiest gloves I could find, this fleece-lined Broncos hat, Cabela's wool boot socks, a windproof balaclava, a scarf, sneakers (more on this in a second), and giant sunglasses. I also had toe warmers and hand warmers, plus a fleece lap blanket and a Broncos seat cushion. (I also cheered like a maniac, per craven_morhead.)
We were lucky enough to be on the sunny side of the stadium, so for the first three quarters I thought I was a bit overdressed. However, after the sun went down, I was grateful for all those layers. The only thing I would have done differently was to wear boots (I hadn't bought any yet, since we just moved to Minnesota) or waterproof shoes instead of sneakers. It had snowed in Denver the night before the game, and while my socks kept my feet from getting super cold, wet shoes were a little annoying and uncomfortable.
Anyway, I got to see four touchdowns, a ridiculously long field goal, and stayed warm and comfortable in the process. Thanks, everybody!
posted by timetoevolve at 9:10 PM on December 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
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Layer 1: Thermals (heavy), wool socks
Layer 2: Something fluffy; a down midlayer like this would be good. Otherwise something heavy and fleecy. If you want to go all-out on your legs, add fleece or flannel pants.
Layer 3: Something to stop the wind. A softshell or vest would work well here.
Layer 4: Your shells. Something to stop the wind on your legs works well here; fleece or flannel-lined jeans will do in a pinch. And your big heavy winter coats.
Top it all off with heavy shoes or boots, heavy mittens, hats, and scarves.
Also make sure you get up and move around during breaks -- cheer actively. No matter what you're wearing, standing or sitting still means you'll get cold a lot faster. Run up and down the stadium steps at halftime. Hot chocolate or other hot beverages will also help a lot. Have fun!
posted by craven_morhead at 11:53 AM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]