Warm winter hats advice

[Paz]

I'm on the look out for a warm winter hat for observing. I had a big Benny hat you could roll down over your ears but lost it and can't seem to find anything like it again. I had in mind maybe one of those sheepskin trapper hats, has anyone used these out in the field? I thought trapper hats looked promising with no peaked cap to bump into the eyepiece and the ability to cover your ears and neck, or are there other good options people have tried and tested?

[AKB]

I have a sheepskin flying helmet, which looks good in an open top sports car, but probably less good in the garden at night.  Happily it's not easily seen in that state.

[scarp15]

Last night I wore my new down filled beanie hat by Outdoor Research. Snug, pulls over your ears, very warm, weighs next to nothing and practical with my compact head torch and for looking through eyepieces etc. Purchased also as a hat to wear when cold weather camping. Size large will fit normal size adult head, the medium at a pinch. For younger people, my 16 year old daughter has one in medium, good fit, for her D of E and other winter outdoor camping pursuits.

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/socks-gloves-mitts-hats-c151/hats-c154/transcendent-down-beanie-p3354

 

[Skipper Billy]

I teach sailing all year round off the West Coast of Scotland and I wear one of these https://www.furhatworld.com/russian-hats-c-42_45.html

Breathable - very warm and comfortable.

For astro use it doesnt interfere with a head torch.

It dries fast and holds its shape well.

Not cheap and several bunnies were harmed in its making!

[Paul73]

If you don't mind how it looks, the possibilities are endless. £15 fake grey fur Ewok hat in my case.......

As long as it covers neck and ears, it'll do! It is worth spending more than I did to get something breathable.

Paul

 

[RT65CB-SWL]

For the winter nights I either wear a black ushanka/Ушанка (the Russian military service hat), c/w red star, hammer, sickle emblem/badge if it is really cold. These do keep your head warm. Otherwise a 'beanie' with my local astro society logo embroidered on it, (I won it at last year [2016] in the xmas raffle), or another 'beanie' with the South Park characters embroidered on it.

For the hands... a pair of machined knitted mittens. I cannot get on with gloves when focussing or changing eyepieces, etc.

[jetstream]

I use a leather/fur aviator trapper hat- the outer leather breaks the wind well.

[cotterless45]

Just a simple £1 thinsulate hat. There's one over at security light in the Peaks ! Personally , I've found anything too thick becomes far too warm.

The place that you lose the most heat is the neck area . A buff is ideal a star you can pull it up to ear level. A thin wooden scarf is ideal if those temperatures plunge,

Nick.

[Alien 13]

I like my SGL beanie hat 

Alan

[wookie1965]

I have 2 beanie hats and a neck warmer I dont wear the hats at the same time.

[Sirius Starwatcher]

I've found this to be the best one yet. It's also useful for star hopping,once you've trained it up.

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Forgot to mention also I've never failed to find NGC 6334. 

[Owmuchonomy]

1 hour ago, Sirius Starwatcher said:

I've found this to be the best one yet. It's also useful for star hopping,once you've trained it up.

I find the fastenings a bit sharp on that model but my night vision is vastly improved!

[Stu]

1 hour ago, Sirius Starwatcher said:

I've found this to be the best one yet. It's also useful for star hopping,once you've trained it up.

Thank you for that . I have been in agony with acute back pain all morning and that's the first thing to make me laugh today  

[Stu]

I don't now what else to say about this one.....  in all honesty most of the time it is too hot!

[scarp15]

I think that there should be a show us your winter hat (or cat) thread.

[Skipper Billy]

2 hours ago, Sirius Starwatcher said:

I've found this to be the best one yet. It's also useful for star hopping,once you've trained it up.

PLEASE dont post what you use for gloves !!!!!  ;-)

[Peter Drew]

Balaclava!, keeps everything warm and will not blow off in the wind. Cat friendly as well.  

[Sirius Starwatcher]

4 hours ago, Skipper Billy said:

PLEASE dont post what you use for gloves !!!!!  ;-)

Sorry Skipper Billy !! Strange thing is every time I observe I always see the Cats Paw Nebula ?

 

[Paz]

Lots of good ideas there, more than I had found. The photos are inspiring, and make me feel much less of an oddball! If I can find my balaclava later I'll put up a picture and join the dodgy astronomy hat owners club!

[Dave In Vermont]

Over here at least, these are called 'Mad-Bomber Hats.' Super-warm and comfortable - but I think they look like something a North Korean Border-Guard would wear:

 

 

Me like 'em.

Dave

[kirkster501]

It wont be cold in UK, just overcast, grey and wet so I wouldn't unduly worry about a warm hat to keep you warm....

[iPeace]

12 hours ago, Alien 13 said:

I like my SGL beanie hat 

Alan

[laser_jock99]

Lowe Alpine Ninja Balaclava

https://www.snowandrock.com/p/lowe-alpine-ninja-balaclava-A3114756.html

Out of production though now I think

[Islander]

I have a Jack Pyke Tundra hat which is windproof and toasty warm

http://www.jackpyke.co.uk/products/clothing/hats-and-gloves/tundra-hat.aspx