The Cold Facts on Equipment to Help in Handling Frigid Weather : Specially designed products include the ‘Fingermit,’ mini-heaters for the feet, and an all-weather video camera.
While photographing harp seal pups on the frozen ice of Canada’s St. Lawrence River last February, I had my first experience with temperatures so frigid that removing my insulated gloves froze my hands to numbness within seconds. I couldn’t shoot with my gloves on, but I couldn’t stand the pain--and danger--of removing them.
The problem could have resulted in no pictures had not a fellow photographer lent me his “Fingermits.” The thick wool gloves have the five fingertips cut off. A Thinsulite-lined mitten-flap and thumb-cover envelope the fingers for regular wear, then flip back when dexterity is required, attaching to the back of the mitten with Velcro.
The wool base kept my hands warm and the blood circulating for a reasonable period of time, even with my finger tips exposed, and I avoided having to take my gloves on and off to handle my equipment even when the temperature warmed up a bit. Had I needed extra warmth for my fingertips, I might also have worn a thin stretch glove under the Fingermit.
The Fingermit ($26) comes in five shades and two sizes, small (5-8) and large (9-12). The gloves have suede leather palms and thumb patches for grip. To order, contact Photak, (800) 723-9876.
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What about cold feet? No matter how many layers of socks I wear or how thick my boots, my toes still freeze. Before cold-weather outings, I lay in a stock of “Grabber Mini-heaters.” The small gauze packets contain a concoction of iron powder, activated charcoal, sawdust and salt that heats up by an oxidation process when the plastic outer wrapping is torn open. The ingredients are disposable and, according to the manufacturer, nontoxic.
Stuffing the Grabber packets inside boot toes (or pockets or gloves) keeps you warm for several hours. The packaging says the pouches stay warm “seven hours or more,” but in frigid weather, I’ve found three hours more realistic. A word of caution: The heaters can get hot enough to become uncomfortable; a layer of sock between the foot and the boot solves the problem, as does a thin glove between the hand andmittens.
This year, to keep heads warm, too, the manufacturer has created a line of colorful fleecy headbands with pockets over the ears for inserting the Grabbers. The pockets hold the heating material in place, keep the heat going longer, and act as a comfortable barrier between the warmers and sensitive ears.
Grabber hand-warmers ($2.25 a pair), slightly larger toe heaters with adhesive backings ($3.75 a pair), and heater headbands ($5.25) are available from Grabber International, (800) 423-1233.
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In winter, keeping feet dry often is the key to keeping them warm. REI, a longtime maker of rugged outdoor gear, has found one solution with its Gore-Tex Oversocks. Worn over regular socks, the waterproof, but breathable, calf-high socks stay dry even when boots get soaked. It’s taken several generations of Gore-Tex to achieve a product that is substantially waterproof and breathable. I find that perspiration still gets trapped in the clothing (despite claims that vapor passes through the breathable material), creating a clammy feeling. And repeated washing will weaken the waterproof element. Still, after several winter hiking expeditions through slushy snow, I can say that my feet certainly stayed warmer and drier with the Gore-Tex socks than without.
REI Gore-Tex Oversocks (item No. E121-002, $35), in black/blue, come in a full line of unisex sizes, from women’s size 6 to men’s size 14. To order, contact REI, (800) 426-4840.
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For picnics on the slopes or huddling on a cold stadium seat, Cascade Design’s Therm-a-Rest Sportseat provides padded insulation and, thus, warmth, underneath. This is a mini (12”x16”x1 1/2”) version of the company’s tried-and-true, self-inflating mattress, long a favorite with campers. Open the air valve and the seat inflates, then tighten to keep the pressure on. To deflate, open the valve and press-roll, then close the valve to keep the air out. The seat, which has a waterproof nylon cover, rolls into lightweight (seven ounces) nothingness for storage or carrying and fits easily into a jacket pocket or carry-all. I take mine along for hikes in all seasons.
Therm-a-Rest Sportseat ($20) is available at many sporting goods stores. For the closest dealer, contact Cascade Designs, (800) 527-1527.
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Video cameras have become standard gear for capturing the sights and sounds of travel, and now they, too, have evolved into winter-ready versions. One of the most popular all-weather entries is Hitachi’s Surf and Snow (VM-SP1) water-resistant, 8-millimeter camcorder, which recently won praise from Outside, Camcorder and Popular Photography magazine reviewers.
With its high-impact plastic white-and-pink housing, rubber-sealed controls and hatch, and coated lens, the camera can go along on skiing excursions, winter hikes and anywhere the wet is. The camera is not submersible and thus not for underwater photography, but snow, rain--and even a momentary drop in the pool--will not penetrate the seals, according to testers. The camera has an auto-exposure system, 16X digital zoom, zoom special effects, flying erase head for smoother editing, insert editing and a graphic titler which can superimpose as many as 53 different graphic images over a scene to “title” it. A credit-card-size remote control, stored inside the unit’s cassette door, allows the user to control the camera from a remote location.
The incorporation of the non-removable, high-impact case makes the Surf & Snow heavier than some camcorders (it weighs in at 2.6 pounds, without battery), but that’s a reasonable trade-off for its hardiness, reviewers noted.
Hitachi Surf & Snow VM-SP1, $1,500, at camera stores.
