How Cold Is Too Cold?

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Mar 1, 2014
3,661
4,964
Cold begins at -15 °C.

The issue is not the nominal temperature, per se, but the wind. Without the wind, I don't mind -50 °C; but the wind can make even -20 °C a real bitch.
Indeed, it's more about shelter than temperature.

I smoked a cigar in -30 once and it wasn't the worst thing ever, you just need to be prepared.
My two most valuable pieces of kit (the boots were acquired locally at the time):
 

saltedplug

Lifer
Aug 20, 2013
5,192
5,116
When I smoked I did so indoors. Didn't like smoking outdoors no matter the temp. The outdoors destroyed my concentration. Plus no computer. Would visit Chicago in winter and half the time the wind smoked my pipe.
 
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winton

Lifer
Oct 20, 2010
2,318
772
Today, it was 30. I was OK with this, with a two sweat shirts, heavy garage gloves and heavy winter coat.

FYI, I finished my tin of Briar Fox from 2014.

At some point, I need to either fix or replace my non-functioning heater.
 
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musicman

Lifer
Nov 12, 2019
1,119
6,058
Cincinnati, OH
These days, anything under 60 feels chilly if the sun isn't out. My pipe tolerance is probably 40 F, as long as there isn't any wind. However, my blood has thinned considerably from living in Arizona for the past four years. Back when I lived in MN I would smoke cigars in -10 F weather regularly.
 
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Jaylotw

Lifer
Mar 13, 2020
1,062
4,069
NE Ohio
After about 30F, I’ll only smoke my cheapest pipes or cobs outside. Which is to say, I generally only smoke my cheapest pipes in the winter. I’m scared of cracking them I guess. I’ll smoke the nicer ones in the car, though.

As someone who works outdoors, my cold tolerance is pretty high. I’ve sat on the porch and smoked in 10F (~-12C) and been fine for the duration of the smoke. I once smoked some Gaslight while sitting in a hot tub with an air temp of -15F. That was a neat experience.
 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,211
60,638
The problem here in central N.C. is rain with an occasional wintry mix, but not so much temperature. I grew up in the Chicago area and did a winter in Milwaukee, not arctic cold, but well below zero for days on occasions. Standing still could be challenging, but when I was young, and moving, it was a nice workout, refreshing. I do little smoking outdoors these days. I either walk or go in. If we have ice or snow on the ground, walking can be a hazard, but in three days, it is often gone.
 
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bullet08

Lifer
Nov 26, 2018
10,340
41,836
RTP, NC. USA
38 degrees out there now. Calling for snow today. Watch cap, fleece jacket and shorts. Was good enough for a 45 min smoke. I don't remember smoking in much colder weather. Will see this winter how cold it gets.
 
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goldenmole

Can't Leave
Aug 4, 2019
344
3,383
Copenhagen DK
Ah.. bugger.. one of those nights: craving for a bowl, and the wind is blowing sleet horizontally into my normally half protected spot on the terrace. I will NOT spend 45min in my messy and cold garage, or stink up the family car. To make matters worse I am trying the "one week without alcohol" thing at the moment, just to prove that it is no problem.
Tea!
I think it will need to be tea...