phat
although your temps are lower than I often see, I have been in some nasty stuff in my mountaineering gear and I must say that down bibs over long underwear with overshells (preferabley also bibs), with my Marmot 39 ounce coat (700 down - marmot model 40) are good for just about anything. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> I was toasty warm at -5F in a 50 mph wind for extended time. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I have high top down pants too, but the bibs are the way to go.

Bibs make such a difference not just because of the extralayers over your kidneys, but they close up the thermal gap at the waist where pants and coats overlap. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />AND they take some strain off your belly <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> by not having waist bands. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> and they add a lot of torso insulation.

The Hood makes a tremendous difference. A really good hood is worth its weigh in gold.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />