Winter Warming Strategies

[T510]

[skippydiesel]

From another Forum: An Australian pilot : 

 

" I used battery powered Ororo branded socks for a while but found them uncomfortably narrow on the foot and tight around the calves. Over the last few years I’ve used stick on toe warmers available at most pharmacies. I find them to be effective"

 

https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/83839/hot-hands-toasti-toe-warmers-5-pairs

 

At $7.00, I think I should give them a try😈

[BurnieM]

40 years experience on motorcycles, never used an active heater (chest, hands or feet).

 

Keep your core warm - jacket/vest.

Needs a layer to break the wind then a layer under that to hold the air.

 

For feet I earlier mentioned waterproof ankle boots. This is cause most runners/ankle boots now are ventilated and a waterproof layer stops the wind.

White cotton sports socks are a good layer under the ankle boots.

 

Lots of glove options.

 

 

[facthunter]

Eventually the waterproof garment keeps the water IN if you ride long enough.. . How do I know this?  Nev

[skippydiesel]

21 minutes ago, BurnieM said:

40 years experience on motorcycles, never used an active heater (chest, hands or feet).

 

Keep your core warm - jacket/vest.

Needs a layer to break the wind then a layer under that to hold the air.

 

For feet I earlier mentioned waterproof ankle boots. This is cause most runners/ankle boots now are ventilated and a waterproof layer stops the wind.

White cotton sports socks are a good layer under the ankle boots.

 

Lots of glove options.

 

 

All good BurnieM.

 

A very long time ago, I spent 5 years in the UK. My transport, for much of this time, was a Triumph 650. I had leather boots & gloves, the latest (at the time ) in all weather motorcycle gear - Berber/Burberry/Barba(?)  heavy waxed over jacket & trouser. Open face helmet, traditional googles and leather face mask.

 

Despite all sorts of strategies - newspaper under jacket (s),  2 pairs of trousers, wool & cotton socks, oversized rubber kitchen gloves over leather bike gloves, plastic bags over feet - I FROZE!!.

 

The UK was/is a cold wet place - There were times I had difficulty opening my hands, after an extended winter ride. No amount of Dubbin seemed to keep by feet & hands dry, even the rubber over gloves/bags only had limited benefit.

 

There is no doubt that I am a "lizard", much prefer heat to cold, so forgive my rejection of your, well considered, cold weather strategy - no offence intended😈

[Litespeed]

I believe you mean "Belstaff" waxed cotton riding gear.

 

I never found them real warm.

These days they are a fashion brand and sell more to non riders.

 

 

The best to keep feet and hands warm is a flat twin BMW, free engine heating for feet and heated grips.

 

[facthunter]

Those Belstaff Waxed canvas Jackets left Black stuff all over the cream and Blue  seats at the Paragon Cafe. . Full Leathers is your own Body Bag.  Very tidy. There were many times when My only vehicle was a Motor Bike. Nev 

[skippydiesel]

7 hours ago, Litespeed said:

I believe you mean "Belstaff" waxed cotton riding gear.

 

I never found them real warm.

These days they are a fashion brand and sell more to non riders.

 

 

The best to keep feet and hands warm is a flat twin BMW, free engine heating for feet and heated grips.

 

Did a little research(better than faulty memory) - Think I probably had a Barbour jacket & over trousers. Good in UK summer, okay in light, short duration rain - bloody awful in heavy rain, winter cold, sleet, etc😈

 

[PureCaboose]

I tend to wear Ridgeline gear, designed for outdoor people to sit in all weather and enjoy the outdoors. They work on the layer principle. During winter, I wear a thermal layer, then a fleece, then a thicker fleece with a windstopper and so on. On my feet, I wear Oakley boots (I fell in love with them at work), thin socks, then a thick thermal sock inside my boots. Don't get cold feet flying the plane or standing in place when flying the drones.

 

You need to remember to move your feet and legs as well. If you just sit there and don't move them to keep the blood flowing, you will get cold, and it will be hard to warm up within the confines of a small plane cockpit. I am a fidgety person anyway, so I am always flexing my feet, etc.

 

Another big one for retaining heat is your neck (especially the back) and your head. I have either a scarf and/or neck gaiter for winter and a thin thermal hat that fits under my helmet (and I block the air vents with tape in the helmet).

 

As you get cold, your body will reduce the blood flow to your extremities to retain core heat, so staying warm and not letting your core cool is critical. Vests, layers, etc.

 

As a kid, my mother felt the cold, and she had a small metho-powered pocket heater that was the size of a hip flask. You started the thing up, closed up the box and put it in a velvet bag and put it in your pocket to help keep core warmth. Not sure if you can still get them.

 

Greg