Armies have spent a long time working out how to keep people warm while they stand still outside for hours. That makes surplus cold-weather kit some of the best value winter clothing you can buy: it was designed to work, not to look good in a shop window.
Layer, don't bulk up
The military approach to cold is layers. Several thin layers trap more warm air than one thick coat, and you can take one off when you start working hard. A typical stack is:
- Base layer next to the skin, to keep you dry.
- Warm middle layer, usually wool or fleece.
- Outer layer against wind and rain.
Base layer: thermals
A thin thermal next to the skin does more than any coat. British Army olive thermal long johns are light, quick-drying and cheap. For really cold days, the ribbed Swedish cold-weather thermals are thicker and very warm.
Middle layer: the wool jumper
A heavy wool jumper is the classic middle layer. Wool stays warm even when it is a little damp, which synthetic fabrics often do not. The British Army commando jumper is the best known, with its patches on the shoulders and elbows.
Head and neck
You lose a lot of comfort through an uncovered head and neck. Three options:
- A ribbed wool balaclava, which covers head and neck and rolls down into a neck warmer.
- A snood or cap comforter, which works as a scarf, hat or face cover.
- A knitted beanie or one-hole balaclava, the simplest of all.
Hands
Gloves are where people usually go wrong, buying something thin that looks smart. For real cold, extreme cold weather mittens are far warmer than fingered gloves because your fingers warm each other. For working with your hands, wool wristlets keep your wrists warm and your fingers free.
A few tips from the field
- Stay dry. Sweat chills you as soon as you stop. Take a layer off before you get hot, not after.
- Loose is warmer than tight. Tight clothes squash the air out of the layers and cut circulation.
- Dry spares. A spare pair of socks and gloves in a bag is worth more than an extra jumper.
Shop the kit
Cold-weather kit in stock now.
Army Commando Balaclava British Military Cold Weather Bala
British Army Green Colour Long Johns Thermal Underwear Bas
Army Commando Jumper British Forces Issued Combat Pullover
ECW Extreme Cold Weather DPM Camo Mittens Inner MVP Combat
Snood Cap Comforter Thermal Neck Warmer Head Scarf Stealth
Genuine Swedish Cold Weather Ribbed Thermals / Long Johns
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