Keeping Warm!

[You can't be Sirius]

Layers are the key to keeping warm. Good technical base layer, preferably merino. You need a technical mid layer, try the sales at places like Webtogs who specialise in hiking/mountaineering clothing, then a decent waterproof jacket. For head gear I wear a Sealskinz waterproof beanie which is as warm as toast. On my feet I wear 4 season hiking socks and Mammut hiking boots. No chance of getting cold in that gear as long as you don't think about it too much. Berghaus make some excellent thinner gloves which don't stop you using your fingers but keep them warm enough.

I think as much thought and investment should go into clothing as into your scope and kit, after all it's an easy way to stop enjoying your hobby if you are as cold as a "brass monkey" all night long.

[astroimpulse]

I think as much thought and investment should go into clothing as into your scope and kit, after all it's an easy way to stop enjoying your hobby if you are as cold as a "brass monkey" all night long.

Couldn't agree more

[simon84]

STAR JUMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[iamjulian]

Just got one of those pocket warmer things and they are great. Liquid in a plastic wallet, with a little metal clicker inside. Click the metal and the liquid solidifies and gives off loads of heat. Might get a load from the pound shop and sew them inside my clothes

[simon84]

I got some of those from my local chemist, they were getting shot of them for 30p a pair. Needless to say I stocked up. Very handy

[sbooder]

Food. Especially sugary foods like biscuits for instant energy that can be burnt off by the body as a reaction to the cold and thus produce heat. Lots of tea.

And red wine, so you do not care so much that you are cold.

[dmahon]

I'm still new at this - the excitement seems to keep the cold out. Each time I set up I've got something new to try out! I don't remember wearing a coat/jacket yet, just a thick jumper.

Living in the south probably helps (below 51 lat), and I'm usually finished by 1am. The only time I feel the cold is when I'm packing up.

[James]

I used to find when I went out to the hills (Blackdowns south of Taunton) that with a few layers, a hat and a decent coat I'd be fine. Huge supplies of Jaffa Cakes and a flask of hot tea would keep me going through to dawn, even on those few occasions when the temperature headed towards -10 C.

However, ever since taking up imaging and doing more sitting down I've had to invest in some more serious cold weather gear. Most stuff in the shops is designed to keep you warm assuming your actively moving around, unfortunately I'm often sitting down as much as moving around and my clothing is changing to reflect that. Hopefully Father Christmas (well, OK, my wife) will bring me a nice Ushanka hat. I already have a McMurdo parka (somewhat akin to wearing a thick duvet) and I'm going to upgrade the boots I'm wearing.

Needless to say, the supply of Jaffa's will still be needed...

James

[darkly]

REAL FUR COAT is the doggys do da's

A few years ago I was given an unused but old style canadian work / mountie style coat (down to knees type) by a friend.

It's lined with real wolf fur and I've seen me chuck it on over the top of a t shirt and be fine outside in winter.

It's not PC but it's real warm and comfy!!!

Oh, and a large glass of warm brandy towards the end of the session.

[sbooder]

I think I might give Wolf fur a miss, but I will go for the brandy.

[msinclairinork]

I use a combination of...a pair off long johns and then jeans ontop of that, a pair of normal socks and then ski socks ontop of them. then a couple of long sleved tops and a fleace on top, then and most importantly...a floatation suite! super warm! and of course one off those hats with the ears on it?! lol, and a pair of gloves with the fingers exposed but has a flap sowen on to make them into mittens! lol.

You can imagine...i am toasty! infact a little to toasty sometimes...nearly falling asleep! lol

Michael

[MG1]

Have to say the ushankas Jen and I got from furhats.com(I think) have made the world of difference. I don't really agree with fur in fashion, but where it is being used for practical purposes there really isn't much better.

Below the ears it's merino all over. Helly Hanson do a great merino/tech base layer system that is just toasty. The only place we seem to suffer is my hands from fiddling with the kit (Santa is bringing some down over mitts!) and Jen's feet (although this my be a circulation problem....)

Brandy for me is replaced by a wee dram of highland park or glenlivett.

Ummmmm....

[msinclairinork]

I live 5 minuites from the highland park distilary!

Michael

[MG1]

......oh man....nice!

It's certainly on this list of places to visit. I was on Jura this summer and we head to Mull at leAst once a year so have been to Tobermory a few times.

Can you tell I'm a low phenols kind of guy....generally.

If we ever make it up that far we'll let you know!

Highland park coupled with aurora....now that's certainly a good way to put the world to rights....

[msinclairinork]

haha. Well I watched the Aurora the other night as the scope was imaging...forgot the nip though! darn! lol

and do give us a shout if you head this way!

Michael

[vesper]

hi,

I sometimes where leggings under tracksuit bottoms and a body warmer e.c.t.... but I have been known to wear leggings, tracksuit bottoms and jeans in the ice. other wise a flask, a decent coat and some jeans usually does it.

vesper

p.s. don't forget the bobble hat if I'm feeling really trendy.

[jasondh]

One slightly off warmth thing is, vasoline or blistex for your lips.

I hate having the pain of chapped lips!

[Venus_is_my_friend]

T-shirt tucked into a pair of jogging pants, with a cosy jumper over the top and a pair of jeans. Two pairs of socks, thick cotton hat and clothe biking gloves, they still give you dexterity and warmth.

Plus I would rather go back inside for an hour mid-session and warm up. Rather than stick it out a few more hours and end the night early.

[DrNeb]

Nipple tassels, davy crockett hat and knee high boots.

seriously though - Thanks for the tips.

[darkly]

I think I might give Wolf fur a miss, but I will go for the brandy.

Best worn inside out at full mooooooooooooooon

[darkly]

Nipple tassels, davy crockett hat and knee high boots.

If caught outside like that you'd have to tell the officer that you were an MP - it's the only way you'd get away with it.

Seeing as George Michael's busy dropping the soap in the showers at HM's convenience at present. :D

[brianb]

No-one's yet mentioned the fact that the best way to avoid feeling cold outside is to avoid getting too warm before you go out. Sweat will make you feel as though it's freezing even when it's far from unbearable. Start off "light" and add layers as you cool down.

[RikM]

My old Underarmour ColdGear top from when I was still playing rugby, keeps me nice and warm as a base layer. Then a thin fleece pullover, a hoody and a either a Berghaus Fleece jacket or a if its really cold a skiing jacket with hood. Underarmour ColdGear leggings under windproof Kooga warmup track suit bottoms. Two pairs of thermal socks and Karrimor KSB eVent walking boots to keep the toes toasty. The hoody hood plus a thinsulate beanie hat and some thin leather gloves to complete the ensamble... I tried a few different pairs of gloves from fleece ones to the thick waterproof/windproof MTB ones I wear biking to work in the winter, and the old fashioned leather gloves work the best for me.

Rik

[simon84]

My Norwegian from the army surplus is just fantastic, its so long it comes half way down my legs and the neck bit goes up over your eyes if you want it to. That and a sweatshirt and I'm cooked.

[E621Keith]

Essentially my hiking gear. 5 layers: T-shirt, a tight Nylon jumper, 2 fleece and a wind proof jacket. Tracksuit bottoms and a wind resistance trousers, gloves, scarf, hat, thick hiking socks, hiking boots ... A Thermos full of hot tea or chocolate.