Merino wool socks make all the difference for starters. I wear Under Armor 2.0 Baselayer top and bottom under my uniform for central IL work. The 2.0 works well if you're moving but I would actually go up to the 3.0 if I did it again as a lot of the time when I'm standing outside and need it, I'm stationary. I do wear my winter jacket's liner jacket fairly often too though.
She ended up buying a set of the Cabela's brand extreme cold weather. I've looked at it before and it has a very similar construction to the .mil stuff. Not sure if she worked last night or not. It was 18 here when I woke up this morning and felt cold. Not sure what it was in Central Ok but probably was cold there too.
Thanks all for the help.
That Cabelas stuff will work; I've got a set for real cold (for here) nights and predator hunts.
One issue L/E has is uniform requirements - outdoor sport color and mil colors may well not match agency requirements. I can use bottoms from several differents companies but only Under Armour tops.
Spent a winter in Oklahoma. The descriptions of its type of cold are on target.
Lots of merino wool companies have pro deals for LEOs. Smartwool, Minus33, First Lite, Icebreaker, etc. Definitely worth signing up for.
Perhaps also invest in some handwarmers? I've not tried them yet, but I've recently purchased a couple of catalytic hand warmers in anticipation of my winter trip, and I can see them being useful when standing by to stand by.
I'm pretty used to working in the cold. I spent 10 years as a commercial lobsterman here in RI. Jan and Feb got pretty sporty some years.
I like nice stuff for hunting, cheap stuff for work. I love smart wool but normal thermals from Walmart are fine. Get enough to wear for a week. Wool socks with dress socks or liners underneath are good. Neck gaters, wool or fleece stocking cap and thin fleece gloves are all good to have. I have a pair or insulated mechanix gloves that rock.
Check the sportsman guide for surplus/unused stuff.