warm observing gear.what do you wear observing?

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

www.baconsdozen.co.uk/souwester.htm


JMP

Man, you must be a sucker for sucker holes in the clouds :lol:

Just catching this thread now. Some interesting ideas popping up. Coincidentally, this type of topic will feature in the upcoming December Podcast.

Just catching this thread now. Some interesting ideas popping up. Coincidentally, this type of topic will feature in the upcoming December Podcast.

Please remember to express my gratitude to Dave Grrrrrrennan for the home-knitted bermuda shorts. I must confess it was very kind of him to find the time to knit them. :mrgreen:

I frequently dive/swim during winter in Irish waters. While the outer dive suit is a science to itself additional insulation under the suit is a must so here are some points:

Avoid Hypothermia at all costs (got a couple of tee-shirts for this)- uncontrolled shivering is a serious symptom in itself and a warning sign that you are in trouble it can be followed very quickly by even more severe symptoms, be aware that when you reach that stage you become clumsy and don't think straight as well as feeling very ill - a danger to yourself, your expensive equipment and others.

Do not take cold food or drink of any kind prior to exposure - it can bring on the severe shivering stage even faster. ( This was confirmed to me by a Norwegian acquaintence who had undertaken National Service Artic Training) we both experienced this effect while on an outing in Iceland during September many years ago.

Layers are important- aim for 3 minimum but 4 are better. In windy and wet conditions the outer layer can be thin but must be waterproof and windproof ( evaporation from the outer layer due to wind causes big heat loss since the evaporation process needs heat and gets it by drawing heat from the inner layers similar to the way a fridge works ).
For the same reason even a little shelter directly from the wind is of benefit.

Thermal long johns with a long sleeved vest are essential and even better if they are micro-fibre and 'wick' any sweat or moisture away from the skin keeping it dry.

Good insulation on your head is essential, a large proportion of you total heat loss is from the skull, this is due to the number of veins in this area and they are not protectd by fat layers. Another area with a protection deficit is the groin (applies to both sexes).

For the underlayers -fleece type material is good because it traps air which the body heats and provides good insulation.

If you suffer a lot from the cold for €100+ try any dive shop and ask for an 'Under Suit' for use with a 'Dry suit' these are full length insulated suits worn inder a 'Dry Suit' by divers, they come in many qualitiies the better ones have quilted finishes containing 'polystyerne' spheres. Ask for those providing the most /thickest insulation sometimes called Artic or extreme level.

Other posters have mentioned ski clothes and if you can get them cheap they are ideal- they give you 2 of the 3 layers. ALDI had some only last week at €59 for a jacket and trousers- as it happens I bought a set but to wear to stay warm before a dive or after. Your local store may just have some left. They also had ski trousers at €29 again maybe there are some left. Also look out for 'Warming Pads' (sometimes on offer from Aldi and Lidl) these will fit around your back and kidneys (another Low Fat region or into your gloves.They can provide heat for hours.

Finally it is not a myth that when you feel cold you experience the urge to urinate- your body initiates a protective sequence part of which is to minimise the mass which it needs to keep warm and disposing of excess is one step in the process.

Lastly although taking hot food and drink will help the effect is temporary and may even make you colder in the long run, unless you have a continuous supply (other posters may wish to comment on this).

As Rice says, those undersuits for diving can work very well.
However, I just wear a semi-dry suit when diving, but can't do a second dive in winter as a result.
But back to astronomy.
I wear thermal ski-socks, which i got from TK Maxx at about £12 for two pairs...lovely. I go for layers...T shirt under jumper or fleece.
The outer shell is my pride and joy, a North Face McMurdo parka, which costs about £250. I get no cold thru it at all, not surprising as it must weight about 5 kg, and is much the same as wearing a duvet.
Warm leather fleece lined gloved (bought in Greece!) and a Russian army style long earflapped hat or a woolly hat on milder nights complete the picture.

I wear a woolen hat on my head that covers my ears,a woolen scarf (wrapped around my face below the eyes) to cover my mouth and nose, a padded sleeveless "bubble" jacket with a long sleeve top underneath, a pair of well padded/insulated Umbro fingerless sports gloves on my hands(fingerless so i can twist and turn knobs on my scope easily), jeans and thick cotten socks and shoes.

Also by my side is a flask of hot tea or coffee (keeps you warm and the caffeine keeps you awake). On a cold night the only part of me that is exposed to the elements is my eye balls...................and even they are protected by glasses. I am usually as snug as a bug in a rug.............because if not i would only be out for about 30 mins (or less). 7 hrs outside in winter is my record.

When i am in the mood....................nothing can or will stop me.