All good advice above. I would especially echo BillyBob58's recommendation for the torso length CCF pad and head gear. I have a fleece beanie and buff that are mandatory winter items.
What is commonly neglected is leg insulation. Many people complain of general coldness and especially feet, and I think many times this is caused by loss of heat thru the legs. For camp, it's great to have some down pants but you can also use your TQ to cover your lower body when just sitting around (on that CCF pad!) cooking or conversing with companions.
When backpacking, especially in the mountains, we generate a lot of heat, so curiously one of the biggest problems in the winter is overheating, followed by sweating and drenching the base layers. So be very particular about venting with zippers and/or removing layers at the first hint of warmth. It takes quite a bit of body heat to dry out those layers if you get them wet, and in the meantime you're miserably cold. Even so, lower back (due to backpack) and armpits will still be damp but usually dry out fairly quickly if those are the only moist areas.
If it's raining *and* cold—which is by far the most dangerous weather scenario—it is nigh impossible to keep even base layers dry, so it is therefore practically mandatory to have a set of medium-weight synthetic longjohns, top and bottom, to change into after setting up camp. Pile the wet clothing in a plastic bag and don't let it freeze, and change back into the wet clothes in the morning. I've done this a few times over the years, and while it isn't fun it is surprising how quickly you adapt to them in the morning. But you have to keep that dry set dry no matter what.
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Originally Posted by benjid
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