Winter is Coming – Let us Look at Some Cold Weather Clothing For Photographers
As I sit here, the snow is beginning to fall outside my office window. It made me pull out all my winter gear for the trips I will be leading in the Yukon this winter. There is nothing worse than going on a winter photography workshop and realizing that you didn't have the suitable clothing once you are at your destination.
Let's look at what I wear when I am headed into the grips of winter on a photography workshop.
Boots and socks –Insulated winter boots should be rated for -20Fahrenheit or colder. Single-layer insulated boots with the equivalent of 400 grams of Thinsulate insulation or the equivalent are recommended. Just make sure you size your boot by wearing a thicker sock or sock liner to make sure blood circulation isn’t compromised.
Some winter conditions won’t be so extreme in temperature, and waterproof boots will suffice. We always recommend the Merrell Moab Waterproof boots for all hiking needs that don’t require additional insulation for extreme winter temperatures and deep snow. For destinations that will be EXTREMELY cold, and the snow can accumulate, I love my Snow Master Baffin Boots
When it comes to socks, I like the SmartWool mountaineering crew socks. These socks are made of Merino Wool - Nature's most technical, high-performance fiber. Its complex structure makes it remarkably soft against your skin, helps regulate your body temperature, and stays looking great wear after wear. The socks have what they call High-Density Impact Zones with WOW Technology - Higher density SmartWool Duroyarn in the heel and metatarsal areas offer added protection and durability. They also offer moisture management - SmartWool fibers absorb and evaporate moisture so feet stay drier for longer. You can find these on Amazon. Learn More
Baselayers – The key to successful winter photography? Be warm and dry. Properly outfitted, you’ll be able to focus on your subject, not your personal discomfort. The best material for your base layer is Merino Wool. Both my bottoms and top are made from Merino Wool. You can find these at any outdoor retailer… North Face, Patagonia, or Columbia. Even Amazon carries Merino Wool baselayers. I own baselayers from both North Face and Columbia. Both do the job in the extreme conditions I visit.
Mid-layers – A commonly overlooked area of winter clothing, but every bit as important as your winter coat or snow pants. The three areas I want you to consider are the following:
1– Mid layer pants – Think track pants that are fleece pants. Stay away from cotton, and purchase a pant like my favorite Burton Microfleece pant. This is going to give you an extra layer of protection between your base layer and snow pants on those cold weather days.
2– Sweaters or fleece tops – All my winter tops that I wear when I travel are Columbia fleece. A warm and versatile winter staple, my half-zip fleece pullovers keep me comfortable anywhere. Alternatively, you can wear Merino wool, or traditional wool sweaters. Stay away from cotton though…
3– Thin insulated down coat – My favorite is the Arcteryx CERIUM SL Hoody. This mid layer jacket is a superlight, highly packable down hoody that can perform as a mid-layer or standalone piece. It is thick enough to wear on its own, but as a mid-layer on those cold weather days, it’s a lifesaver.
Winter pants – I have tried everything. What I find works the best are an insulated snow pant that is water repellant. They don’t have to be thick, but they must be water repellant with some insulation. I wear the Columbia Men's Bugaboo IV™ Pants. They protect you from the wind and offer enough warmth with the base layer and mid-layer that you will wear under these pants.
Winter jackets – I wear the North Face McMurdo Parka. It is a relaxed-fit parka. It is a 3/4 length men's coat, with an equally lengthy list of must-have features like waterproof, breathable DryVent™, lofty 700-fill Down insulation, and a three-piece adjustable hood with a removable faux-fur ruff. It is a functional coat that repels water and covers my tushy. The hood also really helps keep my head warm and dry when the snow falls.
This coat may not be in your budget. The things you want to look for when buying your coat are length to cover down to your legs, water-repellant properties, and have a decent of synthetic, or down woven into the body of the coat. One last thing to consider when buying a winter coat. Make sure you buy the right size. I purchase my winter coat by wearing a sweater and a puffer coat when buying a coat. You want to have some room to wear these mid-layers when going out in extremely cold weather.
Gloves and mittens – When choosing photography gloves there are a few factors to consider. Wind-proofing, water-resistance, and a good grip… each are all desirable features, while it's also important that gloves enable tactile control of camera dials and buttons. I have tried every configuration by a multitude of companies. I have narrowed my choice down to one configuration that keeps my hands warm and allows me to work the controls of my camera. It is a two glove configuration with the air of chemical hand warmers. On the outside, I wear a large mitten. this keeps my fingers together, thus keeping them warmer than a glove. I wear the Canada Goose Snow Mantra Mitt. Inside that mitt, I have a chemical hand warmer inside. On my hands, I wear a thin layer glove made of merino wool. Everyone sells them, just do a google search. I always make sure I bring a few pairs of these thin-layer merino wool gloves on every trip.
Hats – Select a hat based on the temperature and length of any hiking you may do. A lightweight wool or synthetic hat is best for warmer days. A warmer, heavier weight hat is best if temperatures are very low. I find that hats don’t always stay over my ears. I like to wear a Buff headband under my warmer hat. This way, my ears and the top of my head stay warm, even if the hat rises over my ears.
Just remember that it’s not a fashion show when out taking photos… function and warmth should be your focus.
Stay warm out there this winter.