warm observing gear.what do you wear observing?

For really cold nights I have to swear by thermal long-johns, two pairs of socks (one thin, the other thick) below, while I wear a thermal vest, warm shirt, jumper and fleese. On top of all this I then get into a one-piece thermal suit that I use to keep me warm when I'm hang gliding (where you're in a constant coooold wind!) The links below will give you an idea of what I'm talking about. They have long, double-ended zipe (neck to ankle) to make it easy to get in and out of even with boots on.

www.shop.freex-uk.com/catalog/product_in...&products_id=146
www.flyfirebird.com/catalog/product_info...1_99/products_id/438
www.parashop.ro/index.php?option=com_con...id=106&Itemid=26
www.ukairsports.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=3_4

Whatever you do, dress in lots of thin layers to trap the air around your body. That's the secret to staying warm. A loose, warm hat is essential - I find modern Thinsulate hats tend to be too tight and I end up being stabbed by my own short stubbly hair!

Stay warm,

Michilin Man.

Starting at the bottom.

I wear my work boots, they are leather, have thick rubber soles and steel toe caps, no need to worry about a dropped counterweight . I wear two pairs of cotton socks for layering.
Trousers are worn over a pair of tracksuit bottoms, not the shiny 80's type, if it's really cold a pair waterproof gold pants are put on.
For the body core two t-shirts are worn over a hooded top, more on this later. On top of this I wear a parka with a deep hood to keep out the worst of the wind.
A woollen hat or balaclava covers the head. If it's the hat I pull the hood of the hooded top up, it's great for keeping the wind from getting down the neck.
I have several pairs of gloves, woollen insulated, skier's and trekking gloves, the latter has good grip.
A hot beverage is essential and I like a bar of chocolate, not that I need the excuse of an observing session to enjoy chocolate :lol:

There are times I feel like the Michelin Man, but it's better to be bulky than cold.

I find these indispensable especially on those stormy nights, westerlies howling, waves crashing across the trusty telescope, ......

www.baconsdozen.co.uk/souwester.htm


JMP

Strange as it may sound, clothing designed for skiers is very good including ski pants and thermal socks. LIDL often carry such specials and are worth a peek.

Yip.
Ski pants are the business.
Snowboarding pants are better as they are a little looser
and give you more freedom to move around in.

Those ski / snowboard jackets are good but expensive.
As said above, layers are the key.
A good set of 'long john' thermals or even just the vest with
2 loose T's, a breathable fleece or hoody and then a breathable
ski jacket.

Don't forget your head.
80% of body heat is lost from it!
Get a fleece lined beanie to keep you skull from freezing!

When a cold winter wind blows down from frozen Eastern Europe Greece can become colder than Ireland ever gets.

Anthony would agree I think.

Peter,

This is very true. Our winters usually have night-time lows around 8-10d C but occasionally we do get hit with a Siberian front and then all hell breaks loose. Although snow around Athens is rare, we do get a "one-day version" probably once every three years or so.

Anyway, I consider our temperatures and clear skies one of our greatest assets.

clothing designed for skiers is very good including ski pants and thermal socks.

Not that you'd have to worry where you come from.

...When it gets below 30C, our Anto just wears the home knitted bermuda shorts

.... with hairy (fat) legs on display. :mrgreen: