Winter Gear

by Tom McGowan, Ed Reno, LE Herrick, Pete Schumann, Dave Proctor


Tom McGowan:
Don't wear cotton, just polypro on a cold day. I wear two layers on really cold days and vary light weight and expedition weight depending on how cold it is. I also use a pair of winter biking gloves (and polypro liners depending on how cold it is) in the winter. Plus, I have the sheepskin bar mitts. My experience is that bar mitts can keep your hands a lot warmer than gloves. Plus, I can't use my hands well with heavy gloves or mittens. I just wear enough of a glove to keep my hand warms for 10 minutes so that I don't have to keep my hands in the mitts when landing etc.

When air temps don't get above 40 on launch, I wear a one piece ski suit. Mine was just a cheap suit on sale for $100, but it is still much warmer than a pants-jacket combo. I also have insulated boots and wear one or two pairs of polypro socks, depending on the temperature.

For a balaclava, I have a neoprene face mask with a silk top (because my helmet is tight) and polypro neck gater.

This is a lot of gear, but you can use it for XC skiing or other winter stuff. Anyway, with the protection of the harness, helmet and bar mitts, I can stay warm in pretty much any weather.

LE Herrick:
Ski suit and mountaineering boots. Ski suit should have zippers all the way up the side, so that you can put it on just prior to launch without having to take off your boots. Bips and jacket also works well

If you fly in hunting areas, you may want to invest in those bright orange coveralls, unless of course that would clash with the colors of your glider.

Ed Reno:
For head: Balaclava, Helmet, Ski goggles.
Hands: Motorcycle gloves
Upper Body: Thermal undershirt, long sleeved T, two layers of fleece, sweat shirt, windproof.
Lower body: Thermal underwear, jeans, sweat pants, ski bib.
Feet: wicking socks, wool socks, insulated boots.

Pete Schumann:
Flashlight! You can extend your flying, knowing you will be able to break down in the dark.

Dave Proctor:
I use my red-neck camo thinsulate coveralls for winter flying. They have zippers all the way up the sides of both legs and the zipper down the front of the chest. I will put this on while setting up, but adjust the zippers to avoid getting too hot. I got mine from Cabelas. I think it was around $60 but the nice thing about Cabelas is that they sell stuff that actually FITS. They offer tall sizes in almost everything they sell. I almost always fly with a turtle neck tee shirt. About the only time I don't wear one is in the stinking hot summer. In the winter it is important because it gives some overlap with the balaclava. I of course add a windproof jacket over the coveralls. If it gets really cold I will add a sweatshirt under the coveralls.