Winter Wear . . .

[RJSorensen]

Sorry this will not be of much interest for those of you living in the warmer and or sunnier climes. But I have an interest in what many of you are wearing on your winter shoots. You guys up in Canada, Norway, Sweden & Finland etc, et al.

First how cold do you go out in, and what do you wear to stay warm, yet still be able to function with your camera controls. Tips, tricks and trade secrets are sought here. Please lets trade clothing tips, lol.

Hats, Gloves, Coats, Stockings . . . what works what does not.

[pencapchew]

Well far as clothing goes layers work for me can always take something off if to hot. Good boots are a must in my opinion keeping the feet warm is important, snowshoes if your doing any kind of trekking in deep snow. The hardest thing for me is keeping the hands warm, i like mittens but hard to use a camera with them on so i just take them off when shooting and suffer.

[Jerrytrebec33]

Well I live up in Canada and I can say that more than half of your body heat leaves through your head so make sure you keep something on it! I snowboard a lot to and I can say that a lot of your body heat leaves through your eyes hehe, not that you are going to wear goggles to a photo shoot but there's always that idea lol. You can really keep your hands warm if you buy little heat pads that you shake to warm up there like 10 cents each and really awesome. They sale them at all sports stores. Good luck!

[robertwgross]

RJ, I do not live in a cold climate, but I go into a cold climate for recreation a lot. I can be found in snow country in the Sierra Nevada Range or the Cascades.

Layering clothing is pretty important. You might be walking uphill and carrying your camera gear one minute, and then you might be standing for hours in some cold photo blind. Layers can be opened and closed quickly. Synthetic insulation is much more foolproof than cotton, and it is a little better than wool. Down is fine as long as you can keep it 100% dry.

In many areas of the west, there are snow camping classes taught. Sometimes it is called winter survival, but that sounds too harsh. We don't like to scare off the newbies. I led beginner snow camping trips for years.

One of the things you learn is to keep your camera from getting too cold. Either it stays inside your sleeping bag or between layers of your coat. Batteries will still go to hell, so you need spare batteries in a warm pocket.

By the way, when you get out there to spend a night in the snow, light up a tent with a butane lantern, then set your camera on a tripod about fifty feet away. Get the lit tent in the foreground with some night scenery in the background. It is a reminder that you were there.

---Bob Gross---

[Scottes]

Yep, Layers. I like wicking clothing next to the skin - regardless of the layers you may go through some exertion getting to location and then a long time standing. Any sweat from the exertion will make you very cold. This is particularly important for the feet since you can't layer the feet so easily so warm boots will make your feet sweat.

I have yet to find the perfect pair of gloves. The warm ones are too thick to let you work the controls. A pair of "glove-mittens" (like these (http://www.ems.com/products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444204 7437&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574488339787&fromTemplate=search%2Fresults.jsp&bmUID=1110191280631)) seem perfect but they can be a bit of a pain to get on and off.

[Claire]

I also go with layers. Thankfully it won't go further than to -20 where I live. Usually end up with a pair of thinner sox and then some warmer on top, plus good winter boots. Then I wear knitted gloves (not thick ones) with my leather gloves on top. Long johns/thermo underwear under the trousers. Lighter top under a warm sweater and a good winter jacket. Personally I'm sensitive to cold around my neck, so I love jackets with a high collar. And of course a hat.

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

Layers, wicking and wind-proofing.

Several have covered layers and wicking, so I'll stick to wind-proofing.

Even a light wind will steal body heat very fast. My top layer is a triple-ply gortex rain jacket from Moutain Equipment Co-op, and matching rain pants. i know rain and cold are not the same, but I layer under them and use the heavy rain gear to protect from the wind. The jacket also has an oversized hood to allow for other hats underneath.

Gortex t-shirt and leggings for wicking, lightweight long-sleeve turtleneck and jeans or khakis, sweater and then the rain gear. Winter snow or ski-doo boots with wicking socks and lightweight wool socks.

Lots of water. It is amazing how quickly you can de-hydrate in the cold.

If hiking, bring survival gear and a cellular (treat the cellular battery as you would treat your camera battery.)

I use light wool gloves inside heavy gloves. If I have to take off the right hand for control at least I have something.

Good luck.