Report - gear that kept me warm

[RandomLemming 0]

I don't like the cold... but more than that, I don't like not jumping...

I asked a lot of questions here and with the help of the kind people that frequent this forum, I found a solution that works for me. I thought I would post a gear report on the kit that kept me warm, dry, and happy (well, ecstatic really!) throughout this weekend.

The trick, as everyone has said, is layers. I'll start at the bottom and work my way up to the top.

Feet:
- 1 x pair of thin work type socks
- 1 x pair of Hitec hiking socks
- Salomon boots (goretex)

During the heatwave on Saturday (7C) I didn't bother with the thin socks, I just wore one pair. On Sunday the second pair was a blessing!

With the amount of crud and muck in the fields at the moment, the Goretex on the boots is a nice feature; it kept the water on the outside where I like it. Having water seep into the boots would have meant wet socks and far more uncomfortable jumps later in the day.

Legs:
- Icebreaker Bodyfit 200 leggings
- Craghopper fleece lined trousers

The only thing I might change here as it gets colder is to move to Bodyfit 260 leggings. I was definitely warm enough during the ride and during freefall. Even under canopy I was quite comfortable.

Torso / Arms:
I went mental on layers here :)
- IceBreaker Skin 200
- IceBreaker Bodyfit 260
- Long sleeved shirt (thin material)
- Short sleeved t-shirt (Sunday only)

I added the short sleeved t-shirt on Sunday just for more protection for my chest. I didn't want to go for another long sleeved layer because I didn't want to restrict my arm movement or elbow flexibility. Even though I'm not allowed to jump with other people yet, I'm still doing what FS practice I can.

Other:
- Fleece lined leather gloves from the Kit store at Headcorn.
- Silk glove liners
- Buff neck warmer / mask
- Bonehead Pimp Daddy helmet

I mention the lid here because the Bonehead is lined and is nice and warm.

I might move the glove liners to icebreakers if I can find these anywhere.

The Buff neck warmer is just the bomb (or whatever the cool kids are saying these days). Because it is so long, I get two folds of fleece at the base of the neck, tucked into my jumpsuit. Above that, covering the exposed part of my neck and face, I have the windproof component. This really is windproof and I felt no cold during freefall or canopy. The only downside to this is that I misted up my goggles on the plane ride, hardly a real problem :)

Over all that, I wore my trusty Symbiosis jump suit. This made me comfortable mainly because of the booties - the Salomon boots have those metal hooks for the last bit of the lace. I normally don't jump in these boots because I worry about something catching on that hook. With all of this tucked away under my suit, I was less worried.

This was jumped at Hinton (although sadly with rented gear because of their 50 jump rule before I can jump a 190) and then at Headcorn (with my gorgeous Pilot 188). I was warm and comfy at both places, except while packing... while packing I was too hot, but that might be because I suck at packing and my canopy is slippery as a well lubricated eel in an oil bath.

The other option is a warm suit - Symbiosis make these as well and they will only run you about £150.00. That's actually pretty cheap as I spent about £120 on all of the above. The upside to going for a layered approach is that as things get colder, you can wear some of the layers. With a warm suit, it's an all or nothing affair.

Everything except the gloves were bought from Blacks. Their Lakeside store is pretty well stocked and the staff there are helpful. I'd like to say the same about the Bluewater store, but I'm trying to post an honest report free of lies here :)

Hopefully this will be of some use to someone like me - utter coward who hates the cold but has to jump :D

[Jumpah 0]

Nice info, thanks...

I've been jumping with a wind jacket made for cycling worn under a sweatshirt...extremely lightweight and no wind gets through, moisture hasn't been a problem. Coldest I've jumped with this is about 20F at altitude. Just two shirts under the jacked and a hoodie sweatshirt over. The jacket isn't cheap, tho...I got mine as a door prize at a party that was hosted by a cyclist club. As one of the few non-cyclists some of them were pissed that I won. I learned that cyclists don't liked being called "bikers".

[voltage 0]

Thanks for that. I am in a similar situation - want to finish to get my license and the weather here in Germany is about freezing at the moment

One more question - could be by english. What is a Buff Neck Warmer / Mask - where to get it? From what temperatur did you feel you need such a warmer more than just googles and helmet?

brrr.... (just thinking about it)

[RandomLemming 0]

They call it 'multi-function headwear'. You can see more about them at http://www.buffusa.com/

I have the Typhoon Buff which has the Goretex Windstopper fabric. I'm not sure where in Germany you are, but my limited German makes me think that http://www.steppenwolf.de/ sells them. I might be wrong though :(

I didn't just get this because of temperature on the ground (but I use it when the temperature drops below about 6C). I mainly got it to keep some of the icy wind from cracking my lips and nose :)

[icevideot 0]

Just be cautious about anything with a knit or weave across your nose and mouth. If it freezes from your breath you could suffocate and loose consciousness. It would likely need to be well below freezing though.

Brrr... In South Carolina it is usually just annoying and uncomfortable when it is cold.

"... this ain't a Nerf world."

[voltage 0]

Thanks again, thats really multi-function headwear. If my account is drained from too many jumptickets a can just go rob a bank with that, don't even need to take it off.

haha next week jumping... I can't wait ...

[diablopilot 2]

I've found nothing better than this for cold weather jumping. http://www.02xs.com/index.php?cPath=21_36&oscsid=43092d81bc2761929c0f67e3b8d6479d Heck I've used it for Skiing, riding a motorcycle and under a Drysuit when SCUBA diving once. I have the 2 piece option, which gives versitility. I originaly got it as a wind tunnel instructor, but still use it.

Add a pair of Newman's (or similar), and a turtle fur neck warmer or baklava, plus my helmet, and I'm sweating on the ride to altitude when most are freezing.

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