How to keep your hands warm in the winter.

[Mike Kennedy]

I just returned from my 1st cold weather shoot of the season (-26c with wind chill) and my hands are still numb.
Having been born and raised in Atlantic Canada I know how to dress for winter weather but have not been able to find a suitable method of keeping the digits workable. Thought I would toss this quandary out to fellow cold weather photographers and ask them how they prevent finger freeze-up.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[André E.C.]

Thought I would toss this quandary out to fellow cold weather photographers and ask them how they prevent finger freeze-up.

Thanks,
Mike

No pain, no game!

Cheers

André

 

[Fintan]

I use these gloves but not in the temperatures you work in. I hate it when my hands get so cold that loading a roll of 120 is difficult.
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Accessories/add_ons_upgrades/Photo_Gloves.aspx

 

[Ed Pierce]

I try to keep moving as much as possible. I also use big fat mittens; inside those I wear army surplus polypro gloves. The polypro is thin enough to enable note taking, knob twisting, etc. When it gets really bad I'll fire up a few chemical handwarmers and keep them in my jacket pocket. If that doesn't work then it's just too cold for me.

 

[jeroldharter]

Fintan, those are summer gloves!

It is impossible for me to keep hands warm photographing in really cold weather. At a maximum, I use polypropylene glove liners inside insulated GoreTex mittens that pop open so you can use your fingers briefly. Sometimes I use chemical hand warmers inside the mittens or in my pockets. Mostly I use my darkroom because the middle of winter is my favorite time to be there.

 

[seadrive]

As with your other outerwear, the trick is to use layers. In this case, a warm mitten (typically ragg) over a thin glove, like this:

http://www.modernmountainman.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=763

over this:

http://www.modernmountainman.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=580

You only take the mittens off when you need to use your fingers.

 

[FrankB]

I thought this was what wives were for...?



Possibly this is why I'm still single...! :rolleyes:

 

[seadrive]

I thought this was what wives were for...?

Hah, hah, hah. I'm pretty sure the women would say the opposite. Most of the women I've known have a real dislike for the cold, especially when it comes in the form of your cold hands anywhere on their warm bodies.

I think you'd have much better luck with a dog.

 

[rbarker]

I used to have a pair of atomic gloves - toasty warm. Unfortunately, they also made my hands glow in the dark, causing problems with loading sheet-film holders.

I like the design of these , perhaps inside a pair of these .

 

[Dave Parker]

I wear silk glove liners and then a pair of gloves designed for duck hunting that have pouches for chemical warmers, the fingers open up to allow usuage of the finger from a spot just below the first knuckle, seems to work for me with no problems.

Dave

 

[wildbill]

I use a waist-level handwarmer "tube" made for bowhunting. You strap it around your waist like a belt and it's line with fleece. Put a hand warmer in there and you're good for hours. Try cabela's.

 

[removed account4]

thermos of hot chocolate

 

[wildbill]

I use a waist-level handwarmer "tube" made for bowhunting. You strap it around your waist like a belt and it's line with fleece. Put a hand warmer in there and you're good for hours. Try cabela's.

Dead Link Removed

$14.95

 

[lee]

live near the tropics

lee\c

 

[Flotsam]

I use a pair of mittens that allow to to flip back the mitten part to convert to fingerless gloves. Very warm until you expose the tips of your fingers while operating the camera. Make sure you get ones that allow you to flip back the thumb too (some that I've seen don't), it really makes turning small dials easier.

 

[roteague]

Thought I would toss this quandary out to fellow cold weather photographers and ask them how they prevent finger freeze-up.

At the risk of being stoned..... move to Hawaii!!!

Sorry, Mike I just couldn't resist!!

 

[bill schwab]

I cheat and have 2 "Johnny Handwarmers". One for each of the pockets in my parka. They look like big Zippo lighters for anyone who has not seen one. You fill them with lighter fluid, light them until the wiick glows, put them in their little felt bags and you're good for 8 hours. Between exposures, I either put my hands in the very warm pockets or slip the warmer into my mittens. Highly recommended for winter shooting!

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Of equal importance is a good warm hat, a scarf for your neck, and if conditions are really vile, a face mask. Your body is more than willing to sacrifice its fingers and toes to keep its innards and brain warm.

Murray

 

[inthedark]

I coat my hands with bagbalm and slip into the nytrile gloves, hands stay toasty warm but I am not at -26. Nonetheless, I have great grip and usable digits and they are warmer if not warm enough. Also I would imagine it would ease the extreme change one would experience when one took off wool or leather gloves. . . ie these could be liners so to speak that would also stop chapping.

 

[nick mulder]

pocket warmers - a plastic pocket of a gel like liquid with a small metallic disc that you 'pop' which starts a chemical reaction of sorts (at leat a change of state) from the liquid to a gooey crystal state at the same time realeasing toasty warmth for yer tots ...

They last about 20 mins or so and can then be recharged by boiling them in water until clear again ... mine have lasted years...

this is the first link i found on the net:

http://www.extremedreams.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/150

There are plenty other manufacturers, suspect they are made in bulk and rebranded by whoever wants to market them

i have even wrapped lenses in them when shooting at night to avoid condensation

 

[Fintan]

At the risk of being stoned..... move to Hawaii!!!

....and miss great B+W winter landscapes, no chance!!

 

[Patricia Langer]

Mike, you probably already know this, but a lot of body heat is lost by handling the metal tripod legs. I have mine wrapped in that insulation that plumbers use on pipes to prevent heat loss. Take your tripod to the hardware store, measure a section of the insulation and diameter and slit it lengthwise and it slips right over the tripod leg (upper section only). It also makes carrying the tripod over your shoulder much more comfortable.
Being a Maritimer myself, here's a 'downhome' solution for you -- two hot hard boiled eggs wrapped in foil, one in each pocket. By the time they have cooled down, you have a snack for the walk back.
Patricia

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Great ideas Patricia!
Thanks to one and all for some wonderful solutions. Think I will combine a few to solve the "popsicle paws" syndrome. A friend of mine works for N.B Hydro and will get me a pair of insulated linesman,s mitts (go 1/2 way to the elbow).I shall make sure they are XL so I can fit a pair of thinsulate gloves inside. Have emailed two companies who make reusable chemical pocket heating sacs.

Thanks Again,
Mike

 

[nick mulder]

Have emailed two companies who make reusable chemical pocket heating sacs.

Thanks Again,
Mike

I reckon go with the eggs ! mind you the sacs can sit and wait to be used for months, just dont eat them

 

[Flotsam]

Mike, you probably already know this, but a lot of body heat is lost by handling the metal tripod legs.

..and never touch your tongue to your metal tripod legs in sub zero temperatures, no matter who dares you to do it.
Take it from me