Cold day, aeroscreen, no heater . . . what to wear?
Discussion
I suppose the most sensible ansswer is "a tintop boringcar", but if I want to take the kitcar out for a blast on a bracing december morning, what would you all recommend to prevent frostbite? Some kind of biker jacket and a lid; a big leather flying coat with sheepskin and a "biggles" helmet; perhaps one of those heated wetsuits that deep-sea divers use? (I might look a bit odd with the snorkle on the A1 though, and the flippers might upset my heel-and-toe . . .)
You don't need an aeroscreen or a December morning to end up in that predicament. I have that problem with a full screen now. Currently I've taken to wearing a hoodie. Not the ideal solution, but the look on people's faces when they see what appears to be a classic sports car for the more mature gentleman being driven by a twenty-something in a hooded top is classic. "He must have stolen that..."
In direct answer to the question I'd say a flying jacket is a pretty sound idea. A flying hat looks desperately pretentious even if you are in a Blower Bentley, so I'd say that's a no. It's not glamorous, but I'd suggest some good quality, grippy, gloves, a scarf and a beanie (or indeed a bobble hat if you're of the more bearded persuasion). Some form of wrap around glasses might be good as well to stop your eyes watering frantically too - I always wear my Oakleys in open cars even if it's overcast for that very reason.
In direct answer to the question I'd say a flying jacket is a pretty sound idea. A flying hat looks desperately pretentious even if you are in a Blower Bentley, so I'd say that's a no. It's not glamorous, but I'd suggest some good quality, grippy, gloves, a scarf and a beanie (or indeed a bobble hat if you're of the more bearded persuasion). Some form of wrap around glasses might be good as well to stop your eyes watering frantically too - I always wear my Oakleys in open cars even if it's overcast for that very reason.
JoePublic said:
Some form of wrap around glasses might be good as well to stop your eyes watering frantically too - I always wear my Oakleys in open cars even if it's overcast for that very reason.
You might want to invest in a set of stylish safety glasses if you would prefer a clear lense.http://www.safetysupplies.co.uk/trolleyed/3/index....
Munter said:
JoePublic said:
Some form of wrap around glasses might be good as well to stop your eyes watering frantically too - I always wear my Oakleys in open cars even if it's overcast for that very reason.
You might want to invest in a set of stylish safety glasses if you would prefer a clear lense.http://www.safetysupplies.co.uk/trolleyed/3/index....
Do need to invest in a pair with clear or yellow lenses for mountain biking though...
If you've only got an aeroscreen than a full-face helmet is a GOOD idea! Bumblebees and gravel really hurt at 70mph, and both can take your eye out.
When I'm out in cold weather I wear a helmet, windproof jacket and Gerbing electrically heated motorbiking gloves - I won't freeze for anyone! Oh - trousers as well...
Under the thin windproof jacket I wear a fleece or jumper (or both!) according to the weather. Keeping the wind out is the biggest benefit.
My hands always suffered the most, but the warm gloves have beaten that - they're good gloves before plugging into the 12v socket, but nice and cosy when switched on.
When I'm out in cold weather I wear a helmet, windproof jacket and Gerbing electrically heated motorbiking gloves - I won't freeze for anyone! Oh - trousers as well...
Under the thin windproof jacket I wear a fleece or jumper (or both!) according to the weather. Keeping the wind out is the biggest benefit.
My hands always suffered the most, but the warm gloves have beaten that - they're good gloves before plugging into the 12v socket, but nice and cosy when switched on.
Edited by Jerkins on Thursday 15th October 12:52
I had a Gerbing heated jacket (from a 12V supply and their own controller) and it keeps you toasty warm. As long as you keep your body core warm, when the blood flows around to your heart it'll get heated up again. You shouldn't really need heated gloves, although the jacket has a jack plug to connect them if you like.
You need a big leather flying coat with sheepskin and a beardhead.
http://www.beardhead.com/
I have the coat but have a Russian fur hat with the flaps down.
http://www.beardhead.com/
I have the coat but have a Russian fur hat with the flaps down.
garethj said:
I had a Gerbing heated jacket (from a 12V supply and their own controller) and it keeps you toasty warm. As long as you keep your body core warm, when the blood flows around to your heart it'll get heated up again. You shouldn't really need heated gloves, although the jacket has a jack plug to connect them if you like.
That varies from person to person. I've experimented with a heated jacket and that did indeed keep me very warm, but my hands still get very cold.JoePublic said:
Munter said:
JoePublic said:
Some form of wrap around glasses might be good as well to stop your eyes watering frantically too - I always wear my Oakleys in open cars even if it's overcast for that very reason.
You might want to invest in a set of stylish safety glasses if you would prefer a clear lense.http://www.safetysupplies.co.uk/trolleyed/3/index....
Do need to invest in a pair with clear or yellow lenses for mountain biking though...
I have a tinted pair and will be buying a react - o - light pair next time I'm in the US.
They are much cheaper over there than here.
HTH
garethj said:
I had a Gerbing heated jacket (from a 12V supply and their own controller) and it keeps you toasty warm. As long as you keep your body core warm, when the blood flows around to your heart it'll get heated up again. You shouldn't really need heated gloves, although the jacket has a jack plug to connect them if you like.
As said above - everyone varies!My hands are just in the airstream when I'm driving my car, so thay get so cold that they hurt - when you calculate the wind-chill factor it's not surprising. After one outing a couple of years ago everyone was laughing at me because I was warming my hands on the car's bonnet... while parked, of course!
The rest of me stays warm enough as long as the wind can't get into my upper-body clothing - I can always arrange the layers of clothing underneath to get sufficient insulation. A leather flying jacket would be nice - If I could afford one!
I might get a biker's jacket this winter, if I can find one that isn't too stiff due to armour-plating.If I am driving the Phoenix I use a 2-piece motorbike suit, with the body-armour removed ( I also use the suit with the body-armour back in for Snowboarding, but that is another story...) Get my money's worth! If it is good enough for a bike, it is good enogh for a bike-engined car, that is a good general rule. I always use a full face helmet for anything other than a blast to the shops, I have had a few instances of blood running down my face from flying gravel. Not very funny, if it got you in the eye it would be very serious. Heated gloves would be nice if regularly driven in the cold thats for sure.
Jerkins said:
As said above - everyone varies!
My hands are just in the airstream when I'm driving my car, so thay get so cold that they hurt
Ah, that's pretty chilly!My hands are just in the airstream when I'm driving my car, so thay get so cold that they hurt
About the same as riding a motorbike, so gloves of some sort are a necessity. I had no problems on my bike when the temperature was down to about 1 or 2 degrees C, even cruising at *cough* moderate speeds on the motorway, with non-heated gloves but with the heated jacket. You're right of course - whatever works for you but keeping the core temperature up will help a lot more than heated gloves on their own in my experience.
Although I've got a screen on the Cobra , I wear the following on cold days. Shirt, fleece, sheepskin flying jacket, Ski hat (thermalite), leather insulated gloves, and unfortunately jeans which means that it's always the tops of my legs which get cold before anything else.
Therefore, as I have unhappily outgrown my longjohns I used to wear when spectating rallying, I will be buying some more once the weather gets colder.
A couple of all weather cobranauts swear that a blanket over the legs works wonders and at least one uses an electric blanket working off a voltage inverter.......he claims the inverter is really for computer tuning his megasquirt ecu but we know different. (and are just envious really)
Cheers,
Tony
Therefore, as I have unhappily outgrown my longjohns I used to wear when spectating rallying, I will be buying some more once the weather gets colder.
A couple of all weather cobranauts swear that a blanket over the legs works wonders and at least one uses an electric blanket working off a voltage inverter.......he claims the inverter is really for computer tuning his megasquirt ecu but we know different. (and are just envious really)
Cheers,
Tony
luckily with my aero the wind mostly gets deflected to the top of my head although the wind does catch my right hand a bit.....last winter i used a roll neck fleece under a thick synthetic ( looks like wool ) jacket. full face for m/way, always safety glasses or googles for anything else. Best buy this year - new army outer jacket - totally waterproof + windproof, rolls up quite small and stays in the car all the time - used it last w/end when it was raining - excellent and cost about £20.
But am thinking of a tank suit - dont know if you've seen them? like normal coverall but insulated, they do look good......also thinking about a snugpak jacket they're rated at -10, and whether they'll be any good ( read safe ) have a pair of army shooting mitts on order - they're over mitts and would wear normal driving gloves under - if there's enough feeling/grip etc they could be excellent as they're goretex and again just a few quid. head wise - beanie type hat - tried the russian style furry things with the ear flaps for a gentle drive fine, not for a 'spirited' drive.
But am thinking of a tank suit - dont know if you've seen them? like normal coverall but insulated, they do look good......also thinking about a snugpak jacket they're rated at -10, and whether they'll be any good ( read safe ) have a pair of army shooting mitts on order - they're over mitts and would wear normal driving gloves under - if there's enough feeling/grip etc they could be excellent as they're goretex and again just a few quid. head wise - beanie type hat - tried the russian style furry things with the ear flaps for a gentle drive fine, not for a 'spirited' drive.
When I'm out during the winter in mine, I tend to wear a pair of long johns and thermal unders if it's really cold, with a vest t-shirt thing, a long thermal long sleeve top (that also covers my arse) a helly fleece zipped into a helly water proof jacket. I always wear my full lid with a neck warmer of the type that I can pull up and over my whole head. I then have a pair of biker gloves too. That lot has seen my down to -4.5 C with no real bother. Ok, I'd been warmer but it wasn't uncomfortable. And my exhaust is on the other side of the car too, although the interior panels can get nicely warm which does help a bit.
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