Not a stupid question. Most don't understand much about the arctic.
The mammals that live up there have an amazing coat of fur. Natives have been using their hides for thousands of years to stay warm. Don't think there are any "man made" materials that are as warm. I have used beaver hat and mitts, caribou (reindeer) mukluks when it's real cold. A beaver hat is too hot if it's above zero. The parka squirrels, martin, fox, and wolverine are also used. While the hair on moose and caribou are extremely warm, the fur is brittle and makes a mess when you use it. They don't make many garments out of them. The native were using mouton for parkas and put a cloth cover over them back in the days when we lived out there.
The birds are what amaze me. Never could figure out how they keep their legs/feet from freezing??? Ravens seem to love bad weather and go out and play in the wind. I have had camp robbers land on the edge of a hot frying pan and it doesn't seem to bother them.......go figure.
