My first few years in the Marine Corps I was in a cold weather infantry unit. We trained in Norway, Alaska, etc. It got COLD. Anyway, my layers were polypropolene (this was pre UA), the thick polypros we were issued that were great, a warming layer, another warming layer, and then our Gortex outerwear. I am telling you, you can make it through anything in that. A good outer layer that stops the wind is absolutely key to comfort in the cold IMO. I still have an "extra" pair of extreme cold weather boots too if you want them.