How do you stay warm?

Pinwheel (Doug) · #1 06-07-2010, 03:10 PM

As I'm in the country we have had some crystal clear but freezing nights. Apart from a coat, gloves & beanie I'm interested on what other members have come up with by.........Staying warm while outside stargazing.

torana68 (Roger) · #2 06-07-2010, 03:19 PM

not much I can do except become a popsickle

there are only so many layers of clothes you can put on

erick (Eric) · #3 06-07-2010, 03:29 PM

Like the old Sara Lee adverts - "layer upon layer upon layer". I'm a multiple layer person - also gives me lots of pockets for all those keys, phone, torches, laser pointer, glasses, eyepiece caps, odds and ends.... But I start with thermal underwear - check out the outdoor stores - Anaconda etc. Hands - start with woollen mittens (Edit - woops - I meant "fingerless gloves"). Then add a set of thin thermal gloves as the temperature drops, then add bulky gloves below about -4 deg! Head - usually beannie until it drops below zero, then a fur lined "flying cap". Boots - these ones:-

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=46307

I max out at three layers on hands; five layers up top and three layers around legs. But this is for -6 deg observing!

Unless you want just the one layer - many are big fans of the Freezer Suit! Some refuse anything else next to their skin

http://www.gtbastrowise.com.au/ - goto "Freezer Wear".

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #4 06-07-2010, 03:50 PM

freezer suit -an essential- and beanie-and at least two pairs of socks-one cotton pair as an inner and the woolen on top
gloves-but you have to keep taking these off so not really helpful

astroron (Ron) · #5 06-07-2010, 03:53 PM

I agree with Eric, but I also emphasize good warm BOOTS, NOT JOGGERS, AND A BEANIE.

stephenb (Stephen) · #6 06-07-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroron

I agree with Eric, but I also enfersize good warm BOOTS, NOT JOGGERS, AND A BEANIE.

Well insulated shoes are a must

A big ex-army surplus jacket from Aussie Disposals, and thermals.

cohiba (Robert) · #7 06-07-2010, 04:23 PM

Doug
I will put you onto a mate of mine John Walker he will keep you warm

astroron (Ron) · #8 06-07-2010, 04:35 PM

I also put something on the ground such as a Tarp or in my case some Astro Turf,It helps to stop some of the cold coming from underfoot, Plus saves you looking for things in the grass you drop due to cold fingers

erick (Eric) · #9 06-07-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeker372011

gloves-but you have to keep taking these off so not really helpful

That's why I suggest mittens (edit - I meant "fingerless gloves") - keep those finger tips available for the sensitive work. I must get a pair that don't get snagged on velcro like my cheap pair do - any suggestions, anyone?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cohiba

Doug
I will put you onto a mate of mine John Walker he will keep you warm

But then you end up seeing a lot of stars (many non-existent), then no stars, when you flake out!

sheeny (Al) · #10 06-07-2010, 04:50 PM

Layering is the key.

Layer 0: Body hair and too much chocolate.

Layer 1: Undies and socks (optional).
Layer 2: Jeans, tee shirt and boots/shoes. Shorts may be OK in summer. This is standard summer evening wear for me when in the obs.
Layer 3: Flannelette shirt.
Layer 4: Windstopper jacket and maybe a beanie.
Layer 5: Thermals. The trick is to install these under Layer 2 when conditions are appropriate.

... and Ugg boots.
Layer 6: Throat coat and fingerless woolen gloves.
Layer 7: Freezer jacket.
Layer 8: Freezer boots. Often get to this layer in winter in Oberon.
Layer 9: Freezer Pants and snow gloves. Sometimes get here in winter in Oberon, but not since I've had the obs

.
Layer 10: Heat packs installed inside Layers 7 through 9... never had to resort to this...

Al.

suma126 (Shane) · #11 06-07-2010, 05:06 PM

i wear 2 layers of tracky pants 1 blue singlet 1 long sleeve short 2 jumpers 1 Bean 1 pear of ugboots and if this doesn't work i sip on a bottle of cheap port

[1ponders] (Paul) · #12 06-07-2010, 05:10 PM

from the ground up, Astrofest wear.
thick socks and huskies
long johns and freezer pants (only ever resorted to additional trackie layer once)
singlet, long johns top, T shirt, flanney, freezer jacket
IIS Beanie ( a must) and polar hood on the freezer jacket.

Fallen asleep in these a few times LOL

Get a two piece an not a one piece. Its easier and less chilling when those calls a nature come at 3 o'clock in the morning

ArcaneMagik (Craig) · #13 06-07-2010, 05:37 PM

Hoodie with a Beanie is a nice combo. Easy way to layer on the head as some times it can either get to cold for even the beanie to do it.

Good socks. No matter how good your boots are, you still need good socks.

My friend raised an interesting point recently. While you may start out just looking at astronomy based websites, you end up branching out in to searches like "How to keep warm" and camping stores for compasses and thermal underwear. Amateur astronomy is as much as an outdoor activity as Fishing or Bushwalking is.

Barrykgerdes · #14 06-07-2010, 05:45 PM

I just sit by the fire and let the others wear their freezer suits and take their pictures. I just have to look at the results.

Barry

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #15 06-07-2010, 07:19 PM

Top Half
Singlet/t-shirt, Long sleeve thermal top, Polar fleece jumper, Woolly jumper
all topped off with a Fleece lined hooded jacket.
Added extras..... a fleece neck muffler, fleece lined wool beanie with ear flaps and fleece lined woolen fingerless gloves with flip over mittens. (I don't know if I've mentioned this, but fleece is very warm and cosy

)
Bottom Half
Water/wind proof Snow pants as an outer. They're great, they have velcro tabs on the waist band so they are expandable if you need to add more layers underneath. And I do....
Home made polar fleece long johns cut extra long and extra high to keep ankles and lower back warm.
On my feet I wear my Aldi snow boots. Insulated soles and lined with fleece.
2 pairs of socks... Cotton followed by thicker hiking socks.

Don't wait till you're freezing cold before rugging up. It'll take ages for you to thaw out.

DavidU (Dave) · #16 06-07-2010, 07:41 PM

Well it's already 3.9 deg here at 7.30pm.
Long sleeve T, long sleeve shirt, thick cotton jumper, fleecy zip up jacket then a pure wool or leather coat. 2 x tracky pants, BUT I lack in the warm boots department.
Ski gloves and beenie and scarf. All good except for my poor feet.
I expect it to reach 0 deg by 3am.

acropolite (Phil) · #17 06-07-2010, 07:51 PM

I just wear a one piece freezer suit, I unzip the various bits to keep cool, nothing particular underneath. I agree with Paul if you're buying a Freezer suit go 2 piece, the hat is essential, by preventing heat loss from your head it keeps your hands and feet warm.

Rick Petrie · #18 06-07-2010, 08:04 PM

Can't recommend highly enough a freezer suit.

You can wear it down to 2 degrees temp. with only a T shirt and undies underneath. If you put just a little more on under you can survive down to about -6.
The beanie or lined hood, good lined boots, gloves and now your not cold, comfortable and ready for anything.

As Phil said you can unzip to cool down a bit if need be.

smurf (Simon) · #19 06-07-2010, 08:12 PM

If I'm still living here next winter, I think I'll definitely be trying to find myself a freezer suit - would make viewing much more comfortable.

Not that I've gone out using my telescope much yet, but the other night I went for two pairs of socks, two pairs of tracksuit pants, two hoodies, a woollen beanie and a pair of gloves - after an hour or so my toes were still going numb (sort of understandable as my scope was covered in frost even before midnight!).

I would have to say my weaknesses were my shoes, being just joggers. Some nice thick/big boots would be much better, as has been suggested above.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #20 06-07-2010, 08:18 PM

Aldi usually sell their insulated snow boots for around $30. I've had mine for just over 3 yrs now, and I swear by them.