Topic: Winter slope clothing ideas?

Hi all,

With winter fast approaching, I wanted to know if there is any decent slope flying clothing available? Such as gloves specifically designed for use with Tx`s, & what is the better quality stuff to go for?

Also can anyone suggest decent hats, fishing suits, or salopettes?

I am looking forward to the North East winds again, but want to be a bit warmer this time.

Many thanks.

Hi all,

With winter fast approaching, I wanted to know if there is any decent slope flying clothing available? Such as gloves specifically designed for use with Tx`s, & what is the better quality stuff to go for?

Also can anyone suggest decent hats, fishing suits, or salopettes?

I am looking forward to the North East winds again, but want to be a bit warmer this time.

Many thanks.

I find a tx muff works best, along with carpenters gloves (thin gloves with missing thumb and index finger tips) to keep your hands warm when not in it.

For the really cold weather I wear insulated overalls from LIDL - they'll probably be round again soon.

If they do, I'm 6' and 14stone and 'large' is just big enough, 'xl' was a bit too baggy.

I got some Aldi/Lidl Ski pants (with braces) for about £18 last year and I use a decent ski jacket bought from GoOutdoors in the sale last year for £50. Thermal suits, Ski suits and thermal fishing suits all do what you want, ebay has a fair amount, sometimes with 2nd hand stuff. Depends on your style, if you know what I mean. Gloves are a nightmare as holding a tx isn't what most are designed for, stretching a glove gives you (me) hand ache. I picked up a pair of mechanics gloves http://www.mmsgroupshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=93608 which have been the best for comfort/ feel while holding a tx I have tried, not sure how warm they'll be over winter but they've been good in the chilly winds so far. Silk inner gloves are a good starter too. Tx muffs are good but you need someone to launch your plane, gets a bit scary trying to get your hand back in

Try surgical gloves if you can find them. they dont warm the hands but take the bite off the wind and give no restrictions of movement (otherwise surgeons wouldnt use them). I managed three months with one pair earlier this year before i binned them.

Decathlon do great outdoor kit at very reasonable prices. We use their ski pants and lined boots when working outdoors all day in winter (we're a boarding kennels). 
I also like the fingerless woolen mitts with the flip over finger cover, so between flights its a full hand mitt but fingerless when actually flying.
A tx mitt is tempting though. I fly mode 2 (a/e on one stick) so will have to learn to launch left-handed.
Another idea is Maplins heated gloves, they run off AA's so you could use all your old not-good-enough-for-a-flight-pack-but-too-good-to-throw-away nimh cells. 
A 3mm Depron insole in your boots works well too!
Cheers
Phil

windy grippers from mountain warehouse, best gloves i've found yet.
everything else, inc ski goggles, lidl and aldi

If you do find anything to wear that will keep you warm for an hour’s  flying on a north east facing slope in say a 20mph wind plus the usual wind-chill that goes with winter flying; I’d be obliged if you’d let me know what cloths you’ve ended up with..
 
I’ve been flying on the slopes since the late 50’s and on those really bad days when the wind is determined to go through you instead of round you the most I can manage is about 20 minutes before I have to dash to the car for a slurp of hot coffee in an attempt to stave off a fatal bout of hyperthermia.  And it’s not for the lack of cloths ~ I have so many layers on I could easily be mistaken for the ‘Michelin Man’

And it’s not for the lack of cloths ~ I have so many layers on I could easily be mistaken for the ‘Michelin Man’

It helps to have this Michelin man standing in front of you. Even better if there is 2 or 3 forming a wall, its as good as flying the pool.

William.

Artic (army) thermals underneath.

Dress as if you're going serious hill walking in winter. Inner wicking layer, and build out to the outer windproof/waterproof layer. Or an all in one to keep out the draughts completely--downside is that the really nice ones that hang glider pilots use aren't cheap. I bought a cheap one from the local market, and it does the job, but lacks somewhat in the fashion stakes! Radio mitt for flying, and fleecy gloves when I'm not. Most important is headgear, most of your body heat will go through your head if it isn't covered (Down past your ears). I wear Goretex lightweight fell boots.

Try surgical gloves if you can find them. they dont warm the hands but take the bite off the wind and give no restrictions of movement (otherwise surgeons wouldnt use them). I managed three months with one pair earlier this year before i binned them.

Blimey Dr Jimbo, must be the NHS cutbacks!

A lot of sports related gloves these days have thumbs that fold away for use with Ipods and other touch screen devises, great for thumb flyers

Lots of layers to trap air and:-

http://www.aeromodelhut.com/shop/236~johnsongloves-l~Johnson+RC+Gloves+Large.html

Lots of layers to trap air and:-

http://www.aeromodelhut.com/shop/236~johnsongloves-l~Johnson+RC+Gloves+Large.html

Really??
£20 for a pair of gloved with holes in the thumbs 
if you want them then just attack a pair of gloves with your scalpel, needle and thread

No, cos I got mine for £9 on the bay 

Try surgical gloves if you can find them. they dont warm the hands but take the bite off the wind and give no restrictions of movement (otherwise surgeons wouldnt use them). I managed three months with one pair earlier this year before i binned them.

Dude, let me tell you surgical gloves are not a good look....

If like me you are "circumference challenged"! these are very good, got a pair at the end of last winter
http://www.thebigmansshop.com/ProductGroupItem.asp?PrGrp=5062

Me going out on the pull 

When I were a lad, we used to wear "Tank Suits" from the local Army Surplus... a heavy-duty, one-piece waterproof and well insulated khaki suit...  zipped from neck to toe... everyone wore them, it was like a club uniform in winter    Wonder if you can still get them?
Cheers
Phil

Many thanks everyone!

I will never forget how cold it was at the end of January, & spending all day at Bopeep. It was a case of having a 15 minute fly, followed by a 1/2 warming up again.


I thought I had wrapped up really well, but even that was not enough, so I am going to go the extra mile this year.

In extreme conditions the sea anglers' flotation suits are very good,i use one and haven't been cold yet.

I use winter golf gloves, which have padded backs & thin grippy fronts with a small area removed on thumb & forefinger, PLUS a pair of oversized fleece mitts, for inbetween flights, with a Zippo handwarmer inside, which is pricey but does the job for many hours.
Happy landings
Andy

Snowboard clothes + North Face E-Top gloves works the best for me. 

http://uk.thenorthface.com/tnf-uk-en/etip-gloves.html

In extreme conditions the sea anglers' flotation suits are very good,i use one and haven't been cold yet.

I second the Floatation suite. Sometimes just the jacket (they are usually thigh length ) - sometimes bottoms also.
I originally got it for beach casting at night in the middle of winter - but last year it was superb up the Bwlch in a wind chill of -15 for several hours. (especially with a Zippo handwarmer in each pocket   ).

Got this one here a few years ago - http://www.cheaplifejackets.co.uk/two-piece-flotation-suits-blue-yellow-from-99-free-shipping-c-23-p-1-pr-16167.html

By the way - as an aside - tesco just started selling two disposable handwarmers for a pound - I thought I'd try one for fun - it was quite warm (especially in the pocket) and lasted about 7 hours. Not as good as the Zippo (6 to 12 hour's on one fill) - but still enough to keep those pockets and hands toasty.

If you do find anything to wear that will keep you warm for an hour’s  flying on a north east facing slope in say a 20mph wind plus the usual wind-chill that goes with winter flying; I’d be obliged if you’d let me know what cloths you’ve ended up with..
 
I’ve been flying on the slopes since the late 50’s and on those really bad days when the wind is determined to go through you instead of round you the most I can manage is about 20 minutes before I have to dash to the car for a slurp of hot coffee in an attempt to stave off a fatal bout of hyperthermia.  And it’s not for the lack of cloths ~ I have so many layers on I could easily be mistaken for the ‘Michelin Man’

Hi,

It is funny how we all suffer differently with the cold. I`ve often had funny looks & comments from other flyers for wearing shorts & t-shirt, whilst they have needed to literally have winter woolies on. I`m not talking about winter here lol.

So what kind of models did you fly back in the late 50`s? I had no idea radio control was around then & must have been really basic at that time.

It is funny how we all suffer differently with the cold. I`ve often had funny looks & comments from other flyers for wearing shorts & t-shirt, whilst they have needed to literally have winter woolies on.

My 16yo is the same - fine in thin trousers and a T-shirt when everyone else is in gloves hats and ski jackets. He genuinely doesn't seem to feel the cold.

Strange thing is, if he puts say a hat or gloves on, all of him then feels the cold and he has to dress up like everyone else.

I work outside every day ,
              I don't feel the Cold as others do , and Yes i wear shorts when others are Thermal-ed up .
                      It does not stop your fingers from going blue in wind chill though .

                  Be safe guys , it may not feel cold , but make sure you always have the Option to cover exposed parts , especially Head, Hands , and Feet .
                     But that's not just a nice woolly hat ,gloves and socks . then thinking its OK to go out in your Leopard skin thong ,
       Just 1 good quality Waterproof/windproof Coat (personally i like Trespass Snow Kit )
                            Good woolly hat ,
                                 and something Comfortable to walk in,
                                                      rather than a rugged stiff pair of Walking boots. I kinda like the Light weight walking boots , with extra welly socks   
                   Just stay warm and just as important , Stay Comfy guys. nothing worse than uncomfortable and cold .


                                         Bob

                                                             

Years ago I used to do quite a bit of potholing - and it was good fun on the whole.

We used to wear wet suites (6mm) which we used to wear 2 or 3 t-shirts underneath - a bit like the layers that are used these days.

Many used to wear ladies tights under the wet suite which were really effective against the cold (and I'm talking wet caves with snow melt running through)

Probably not the sort of thing you would want to be wearing on a slope but hellish effective.

I also like sailing - and the obvious thing to do if you're helming is to wear a really wind proof top layer - thats worth 6degs of wind chill.

ski goggles back at Lidl again soon

If you do find anything to wear that will keep you warm for an hour’s  flying on a north east facing slope in say a 20mph wind plus the usual wind-chill that goes with winter flying; I’d be obliged if you’d let me know what cloths you’ve ended up with..
 
I’ve been flying on the slopes since the late 50’s and on those really bad days when the wind is determined to go through you instead of round you the most I can manage is about 20 minutes before I have to dash to the car for a slurp of hot coffee in an attempt to stave off a fatal bout of hyperthermia.  And it’s not for the lack of cloths ~ I have so many layers on I could easily be mistaken for the ‘Michelin Man’

you have no staying power there mermaid    lol

hi all I'm new here but have been on the slope for a while . last year i got a Stillwater fishing suit from the angling shop in Hessel near Hull for 40 quid   2 piece and flew the whole winter 

hi all I'm new here but have been on the slope for a while . last year i got a Stillwater fishing suit from the angling shop in Hessel near Hull for 40 quid   2 piece and flew the whole winter 

Thank OLFI & welcome!

Those fishing suits are a lot better these days, & I think I am opting for my all in one floatation suit, if I still fit into it lol.

They used to feel like wearing a cardboard suit, but the newer ones are lightweight & warmer as well.

I wear a sheepskin hat with ear flaps and wooly lining. and a nice bit of string under the chin to hold the lot on  .....   look a bit of a pr*t,  but who cares !   

Good old fashioned thermal underware is also recommended  ..  Damart etc.

Bit of a flap if you get caught short though !   

Years ago I used to do quite a bit of potholing - and it was good fun on the whole.

Surely that should be" it was good fun in a hole"

This is crazy weather at the moment with it being sooo mild. Even lots of plant life thinks it is spring.

Lets hope it last until spring lol.

Bit of a flap if you get caught short though !   

Is it like wetsuits? Just let rip and it'll keep you warm, as long as the outer layer is windproof you'll be toasty 

Thank OLFI & welcome!

Those fishing suits are a lot better these days, & I think I am opting for my all in one floatation suit, if I still fit into it lol.

They used to feel like wearing a cardboard suit, but the newer ones are lightweight & warmer as well.

Thanks for the welcome Flew at Harcom last December in -4 without wind chill and was fine had a Radio warm as well but I found it hard work with the aurora as its so bulky.

Winter overalls are on at Lidl next week:

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_26452.htm

Cheers

IDD

Winter overalls are on at Lidl next week:

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_26452.htm

Cheers

IDD

To avoid anybody having the same problems I had last year, as a guide I'm 6'0, 15 stone and generally 'regular' sized legs and stuff. I found the 'Large' overalls to be only just big enough and the XL to be a bit on the baggy side. I bought both, intending to return one after trying them, but kept them both in the end

Are these thick enough for sloping in our winter? Don't look that warm to me. Can you confirm what they are like 400ft up.. Hope so as I could do with something.

Winter overalls are on at Lidl next week:
http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_26452.htm
Cheers
IDD

Good pointer. Many thanks.  At that price, it's worth a punt with no question, as part of the layering strategy. ... 

To avoid anybody having the same problems I had last year, as a guide I'm 6'0, 15 stone and generally 'regular' sized legs and stuff. I found the 'Large' overalls to be only just big enough and the XL to be a bit on the baggy side. I bought both, intending to return one after trying them, but kept them both in the end

Useful info. Thanks also. .... 

Ro.

Went into a Yeomans Outdoors shop today in Gainsborough today. Because of this thread I looked at the gloves that they had there.

There was one pair of knitted gloves that was fingerless with a mitt flap to go over the fingerless bit and a leather type patch on the palm to provide a secure grip. In addition the thumb had a small leather patch on it with a slit in it.

Looked on the website and found them:

http://www.yeomansoutdoors.co.uk/products/outdoor-clothing-accessories/hats-gloves-scarves/peakland-thinsulate-shooting-mitts-sm-olive.aspx

Apparently they are for shooting.

May well suit us though

I've just bought one of these suits - worn over jogging bottoms and a hoodie it should keep me roasty toasty and it don't stick out like a sore thumb.
Price was pretty good too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370564682062?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I've just bought one of these suits - worn over jogging bottoms and a hoodie it should keep me roasty toasty and it don't stick out like a sore thumb.
Price was pretty good too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370564682062?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

That looks impressive

it does... learnt a long time ago money spent on staying warm when sloping is money well spent

New one piece suit arrived today.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370564682062?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Should do the job perfectly. Colours are nicely subdued, so I won't stand out like a sore thumb. Suit is about half the weight of my fishing floatie and is easier to move around in. Hood is detachable, which is handy. It has a breast pocket and 2 hip pockets with hand warming slots. I'm 6'0" and 42" chest and the supplied XL size suit fits fine. Can't knock it at the price - £29.99 & P&P. 

it does... learnt a long time ago money spent on staying warm when sloping is money well spent

Oh yes!! Getting warm and dry due to inappropriate clothing is nigh on impossible on the slope..