Warm Clothing

Try looking out for outlet centres - we have one in Braintree that sells craghopper stuff at discount as well as regatta
Debenhams also sell Craghoppers cheap in the sale
 
fracster said:
Paramo has never felt "sturdy" enough for me Cedders. I use my stuff for all outdoor activity from building hides to siting nest boxes to chopping logs. Best I have had is Seeland stuff, gamekeeper jackets are top drawer.


http://www.ardmoor.co.uk/products/10-02-004-33/Seeland-Keeper-Jacket
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I've got the version before that of the Sealand and don't find it as warm as the Paramo, i have to say DOH has the beater trousers that are fully lined and they're now on their 4th season of beating
 
Quite often it's a cold wind that does the damage so wind proof clothes are probably the most important.
1 big tip for you too, don't buy cheap merino wool! You'll do nothing but itch!
 
From my biking days, lots of layers, natural not man made material and the outside layer baggy and wind resistant to keep still air around you.
 
I've not taken the trouble to read all posts, so humbly ask forgiveness if I'm repeating someone else's sage advice...but get rid of the denims! My sister is a park ranger at Glacier National Park. The rangers refer to denims as the "jeans of death" because they are cold and stiff when wet, and lead rapidly to hypothermia. There are so many alternative fabrics that are superior! Buy a pair of pants made from one of them. Live long and prosper.
 
I would like to thank Martin for his kiwi recommendations, they arrived today and are lovely and toasty. Will be wearing them alot I think.
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
Just thinking this reading all the brand names coming through. if your doing stuff then fine but if your just sitting still its a bigger problem by far.

Motorcyclists have to deal with far greater extremes of low temperatures than most just sitting still riding a bike ...Like a 70mph ride at freezing point is producing a wind chill of -35 and at a few degrees below that it can drop as far as -50 ...wind and draughts suck heat energy from you so quickly its pointless trying to layer up to keep warm if you can't keep the draughts out.
I always carry a woolen neck tube, summer and winter, and I've a few spare ones tucked under seats just in case I forget, ...on colder nights is just enogh to block the cold air rushing under my leathers via my neck, such a simple item of clothing makes all the difference between just a bit cold, to painfully frozen, oh my marrow hurts!!. ..hours after getting home, real bad I can tell you. :lol:

Another bikers favourite tricks when caught in the cold unprepared is to buy several newspapers, and stuff the layers of pages all over your frontal area, feet hands and all .... Saved my life a few times.
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LOL. Have you thought about four wheels instead of two? :D

No2 Son is a demon biker - something missing between the ears. OK - it's probably genetic before someone else says it. :lol:
 
fracster said:
Paramo has never felt "sturdy" enough for me Cedders. I use my stuff for all outdoor activity from building hides to siting nest boxes to chopping logs. Best I have had is Seeland stuff, gamekeeper jackets are top drawer.


http://www.ardmoor.co.uk/products/10-02-004-33/Seeland-Keeper-Jacket
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Well it's horses for courses Ade. I like Paramo because with the right layers I can sit for hours in the cold, while with less layers I don't overheat if there's a lot of walking involved, so I find it very adaptable to what I'm doing.
 
In terms of top half of the body I can heartily recommend the Gitzo four seasons coat and fleece. I managed to get a good deal on both, they're exceptionally well made and have some nice touches for photographers like epaulettes to stop your camera strap slipping, padded shoulders to take the weight of your rucksack and big expandable pockets which are lined to take lenses.
 
Dale_d3100 said:
I would like to thank Martin for his kiwi recommendations, they arrived today and are lovely and toasty. Will be wearing them alot I think.
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What were they like for size mate..?

Mark
 
I have the Paramo Andy Rouse Wildlife jacket with cascade trousers and an Andy Rouse smock underlayer if needed.

Like Ceddars, I find them to be versatile and am very toasty usually just wearing the smock and jacket in the coldest of conditions, even just standing around. If walking, sometimes I just need the underlayer on...
 
TBH there are so many other activities that require top notch thermal and water protection that you may well find better / cheaper / more versatile elsewhere. Don't get conned into just searcing the tog market (unless you want something really specific like camo coloured rustle free must work in a bog and down to -50). In serious chill, I use my scuba diving Fourth Element Arctic undersuit, normal fleecy layers then a set of Musto sailing wear for the wet / windchill. If it's less extreme, then it's the trusty 25 yr-old Barbour and waxed overtrousers!!
 
RSMarco said:
What were they like for size mate..?

Mark
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I'm somewhere between 38" and 40" waist and went for the 40" waist and they fit great, quite baggy which I like. I could of fitted into the 38". I've also got rather long legs and the Long leg (33" I think) is a great change from having ankle swingers.
 
As other, Thermals would be my way to go, and jeans are the WORST thing for cold windy weather.

Also if you want to do it on the cheap then ladies tights, lovely and warm, just don't tell the guys down the pub. :)
 
Pretty much agree with the above. Most of the good outdoor brands are designed for keeping you warm and dry, in combination with other layers, and wick moisture away from your body so you don't sweat too much. You may not need these solutions if you're relatively stationary, but that presents other problems. It's a personal choice too, because some people feel the cold/heat more than others, and it depends whether it's cold and dry (down is brilliant for this) or cold, wet and windy.

Paramo is excellent, but I run hot and find it far too warm. Rab works better for me. Both are expensive and may not really be necessary if you're not doing anything too strenuous. A wind/waterproof jacket and decent layers underneath may be enough.
 
Two tips from me:

1) Get a windproof outer layer on. Jacket and trousers. "pack a mac" type things will do the job just fine.

2) Get a warm hat that covers your ears.

And do it quickly BEFORE YOU GET COLD!

Unless you are in really proper dangerous cold (and clearly the OP wasn't if he made it back alive in a pair of jeans!!!), these two things will make all the difference and can be achieved really cheaply...

There's a vast difference in purpose between all of the kit described in this thread. Some is for walking, some is for sitting, some is for biking, some is for sailing. Sure, its all warm, but to achieve a comfier position for our OP, my suggestion is perfectly good enough - he clearly just doesn't understand what makes you feel cold on your average "UK cold day".

Personally, as said elsewhere on here numerously, I like to use a set of (Russian) gorka and good old plain wolly hat, maybe a fur one if its really cold!
 
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Have a look at the UK made STEALTH gear. Built for photographers in the outdoors, reinforced knees for kneeling, reinforced seat for sitting.....big pockets and collar. Good value too.
 
Some interesting posts on trousers, which is probably the one part of my gear I haven't really addressed properly. I invariably wear jeans with long johns underneath when it's cold, but the weak point is definitely the jeans which don't stop any wind at all. I sometimes wear rainproof over trousers, but by the time I put those on my legs are usually cold anyway.With all three layers on it's a real faff to get to your trouser pockets under the top layer and don't even ask about attending to a call of nature. :D

Anyway, long story cut short, I've picked up a couple of pairs of Craighoppers - fully lined with lovely warm soft material and I'd say they're very warm on their own without the long johns or any other layers.. They also have a total of 7 or 8 really useful pockets so I'm well chuffed with them.
 
I bought a few pairs of craghoppers yesterday from go outdoors in the sale, nit worn them outside yet really impressed with them, lined and warm.
David
 
CT said:
Anyway, long story cut short, I've picked up a couple of pairs of Craighoppers - fully lined with lovely warm soft material and I'd say they're very warm on their own without the long johns or any other layers.. They also have a total of 7 or 8 really useful pockets so I'm well chuffed with them.
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dav_83 said:
I bought a few pairs of craghoppers yesterday from go outdoors in the sale, nit worn them outside yet really impressed with them, lined and warm.
David
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Which type did you get chaps? Craghoppers site lists 73 variations (and I'm easily confused) - http://www.craghoppers.com/webapp/w...s&freeText=trousers&langId=-1&catalogId=13552
 
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I'm at Go Outdoors (waiting while the missus tries on every pair of trousers in the shop) and the Craghoppers Kiwi trousers are £25 - bargain!
 
They are the ones I got, kiwi winter lined, they are lined with a fleece like material and have plenty of pockets, some zipped ones hidden well, bargain.
 
dav_83 said:
They are the ones I got, kiwi winter lined, they are lined with a fleece like material and have plenty of pockets, some zipped ones hidden well, bargain.
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I'll have to try some of those. Can't go wrong for £25.
 
Ozei said:
I'll have to try some of those. Can't go wrong for £25.
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They had a different type of craghopper trouser for £16, more of a lightweight summer trouser, my dad bought some yesterday and after looking at them when we got home I'm thinking of getting some to put away for the summer whilst they are on offer. Couldn't find this type online.
 
Lensflare said:
Have a look at the UK made STEALTH gear. Built for photographers in the outdoors, reinforced knees for kneeling, reinforced seat for sitting.....big pockets and collar. Good value too.
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Got a pair, made in China bud.

http://www.stealth-gear.com/product.../rural/extreme-photographers-trousers-2n.html

Version 1 fell apart after one month, in fairness they sent me a new pair of the second version, they are much better made, are very comfortable, very practical, but very heavy. The weight does not bother me, but I would recommend using braces rather than a belt.
 
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Another vote for craggies here, I have a couple of pairs of winter lined and a couple of pairs of the summer zippy ones that you can turn into shorts. Great trousers for the money :)
 
I came across a guy wearing gear from Fjallraven, a Swedish company, whilst up in the Highlands a couple of years ago. It looked fantastic, well made and purposeful.

After checking around, I have ended up with a pair of Fjallravem Vidda trousers which are superb, and a Montt Hydratic jacket, also excellent. If its very cold I will put merino wool leggins on underneath and a Montane squishy down liner under the jacket.

I find that there a good deal of walking about when out taking pictures, and more often than not the problem is one of being too hot and sweaty than too cold.

http://www.fjallraven.com/outdoor-equipment/trousers/
 
Ozei said:
Ok, thanks CT.

Btw, just found this - Craghoppers Kiwi Winter Lined for £19.95!!!

Trekwear - http://www.trekwear.co.uk/s/craghoppers-mens-kiwi-winter-lined-trousers/20717/Product.aspx

Offer ends 2nd January.
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Good link and great price! Even with the postage they come out a bit cheaper than Go Outdoors sale price and they have the full range of available colours, all waist sizes and long, regular and short legs sizes.

Get in quick if you want some - offer ends 2nd january.
 
Tobers said:
I find that there a good deal of walking about when out taking pictures, and more often than not the problem is one of being too hot and sweaty than too cold.
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That's very true - clothing which is suitable for long static periods could easily cause you to overheat even in the coldest weather if a lot of walking is involved so it's important to choose the right gear.
 
craghoppers have a massive sale on, use COOP15 for an extra 15per cent off.

I've just ordered a few pairs for mountain walking etc.
 
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