What winter jacket for outdoor shoots?

democrates

2 winter jackets I have don't cut it, the heavy one is warm enough for periods of stationary snapping but sweltering after some strenuous lugging, the other is fine for hiking but you're frozen after a while behind the tripod.

Checked out Dunnes Debenhams and Diffneys but nothing jumped out, in fairness they all seem to be about fashion rather than practical outdoor work, and I really should be looking at 5x degrees north or the like, but i've never bought that type of stuff.

Advice from Boardsies outdoorsies would be great.

moralproduction

ive a north face jacket with a removable fleece inner,grand without the fleece for walking etc and the fleece is quite thin if you have to store in your bag,plenty of pockets also

City-Exile

I combine a windproof jacket with a rain proof coat.
Both are light enough, but together they keep me quite warm.
I always wear a base layer, when I'm at games in the winter.

This is a little side note. I recently discovered TK-Maxx and while I couldn't find casual clothes to fit me, I did find all the top brands in outdoor wear.
I'd definitely go back there, if I need new weather gear.

sineadw

Your best bet is to go to a proper outdoor shop. The stuff you get in the shops you mentioned is purely for fashion. You want something *actually* water and wind proof but light and breathable enough that you won't be sweltered as you said. If you get something decent it'll do you for years and years.. Try Great Outdoors off Grafton Street and the like. Lowe Alpine have a few outlet stores here too now I think?

whyulittle

I'd normally wear a hoody and a light Portwest wind/rain jacket - water just pours off it. Make sure you keep your head and hands warm though.

City-Exile

The stuff in TK-Maxx was coming in around half the price of Great Outdoors, or Millets.
With outdoor gear, you're not particularly if it's last season's range.

sineadw

City-Exile wrote: »

The stuff in TK-Maxx was coming in around half the price of Great Outdoors, or Millets.
With outdoor gear, you're not particularly if it's last season's range.

True - but you need to talk to someone about it first unless you really know what you're buying. And the Lowe Alpine stuff in the outlet store is up to 70% off anyway so just as cheap as TK Maxx.

No point in forking out 200 euro for a Carhardt jacket even if it *is* reduced from 540 (I was in there too this week ) if its not what you need...

City-Exile

I always know exactly what I'm looking for & would rarely ask the advice of a spotty teen, on a summer placement.

By the way, Sinead, I doubt very much that you were in TK-Maxx in Bradford, this week!

13tsoptuo

Definitley check out Tk-maxx. I got meself a decent columbia jacket, waterproof, warm, breathable, fleece lining and most importantly cheap. Think it was 99e. You'd pay at least 200e for it in a shop.

You don't need to talk to expert sales staff to goad you into buying this and that, (unless you're a 70year old granny who can't read or understand highly technical terms such as "breathable" or "waterproof") just read the labels to make sure it's waterproof & breathable and go for north face or columbia, you can't go wrong with them guys.


ALSO make sure it has a high enough neck/collar on it to keep the drafts out! Try and get one whose collar goes up to your chin at least. You'll be well cozy then.

sineadw

City-Exile wrote: »

I always know exactly what I'm looking for & would rarely ask the advice of a spotty teen, on a summer placement.

By the way, Sinead, I doubt very much that you were in TK-Maxx in Bradford, this week!

In fairness, the staff in GO are for the most part (or were anyway a few years back when I knew most of them) neither spotty nor teens, although they wished they were at least still the latter. They knew their stuff. And no-one would admit to being in Bradford :P

@OP - if you know what you're looking for then yep TK maxx away. The place is something of a private hell for me, but if you're lucky you can get some fantastic bargains. And make sure there are big pockets! Don't know how many people here listed combat-style trousers as a major part of their gear for that reason in a post last year...

democrates

Thanks for the replies folks, I was too tunnel-visioned about temperature so your specs help a lot - light, breathable, rainproof, windproof, and it may be that two types give more flexibility.

Thinking back it was the icy wind up Killiney Hill one morning that really evacuated heat rapidly. Gloves are on trial whyulittle, got an old leather pair and cut parts from the thumbs and first two fingers to keep the tactile feedback bit going, need to look into practical headwear, my ears act a bit like cooling fins .

Thanks for the retail tips too, seems Lowe Alpine and TK Maxx get marks for value versus Great outdoors and Millets. I'll visit a few stores to try stuff on and do the old price-comparison spreadsheet.

I hadn't put enough thought into this before beacause I wanted to avoid my old bad habit of doing everything surrounding the core activity at it's expense, but the boiling-freezing trials on the last few outings have taken some of the buzz out of getting out there and taking lots of shots to learn the craft so it's a case of "don't spoil the ship for the ha'ap o' the tar".

Edit: high zip collar and lots o' pockets added in, combats - deadly plan, won't care about the muddy knees with them.
Sinead, you've got me wondering if there's something about TK Maxx to beware...

City-Exile

I got lined Craghoppers trousers for GBP£24.99.
They were over GBP£40.00 in Millets.
Also, TK-Maxx do a lot of ski stuff, so you can get warm socks, gloves, hats, etc. too.

ThOnda

To avoid advertisement, could anyone send me a PM with explanation what and where is tkmax? Sounds more like fire extinguisher to me :pac:

whyulittle

I've been using the little chemical reaction hand warmers at our last two games (albeit I didn't have camera in tow). Nice to have inside your gloves or inside your pockets to warm your hands up now and again.

City-Exile

ThOnda wrote: »

To avoid advertisement, could anyone send me a PM with explanation what and where is tkmax? Sounds more like fire extinguisher to me :pac:

TK-Maxx have an outlet in Blanchardstown Retail Park.
If you know where Harvey Norman's is, you'll find it.
They basically get well known brand clothing, which is typically the end of a line and sell it for cheaper than it would have been in a shop.

For fashion items, you may not find your size, or it will be last season's style, but for other stuff, it's a handy place to shop.

When I moved to the UK, I found it great for bed linen, towels, underwear, etc.

democrates

ThOnda wrote: »

To avoid advertisement, could anyone send me a PM with explanation what and where is tkmax? Sounds more like fire extinguisher to me :pac:

Lol, did a google to find it and as often happens I found a link to a thread here:

There was a chat on the Gerry Ryan show I think one day a while ago about how the staff in Tk Maxx in Blanch let the women try on the underwear

I hope to God it was chaotic placement and random size range that made it hellish for you SineadR.

I was in the one down in Tralee about 2 years ago and I was looking at this fab Giorgio Armani 2 piece white suit, not something i would normally go for, but I had a good tan at the time and the white really complimented it.

So I go to try it on, head into the changing rooms, I'm about to put one leg into the trousers when to my shock and horror I found that the crotch/backside region of the trousers were stained brown... and it wasn't melted chocolate either I can tell you that!

:eek:

Will head to the Carrickmines branch tomorrow in toxic hazard gear.

sineadw

democrates wrote: »

Lol, did a google to find it and as often happens I found a link to a thread here:
I hope to God it was chaotic placement and random size range that made it hellish for you SineadR.
:eek:

Will head to the Carrickmines branch tomorrow in toxic hazard gear.

Actually, those were my trousers...

soccerc

whyulittle wrote: »

I've been using the little chemical reaction hand warmers at our last two games (albeit I didn't have camera in tow). Nice to have inside your gloves or inside your pockets to warm your hands up now and again.

If I've no camera with me at a game I find a hip flask of whiskey does the trick:D

sheesh

I have a northface mountain jacket that takes a fleece lining and has venting pockets and zips on in the arm pits to let out heat. :eek: so very good a regulating temperature.
I got it at staff discount in the place i was working but it retails at the time at around €400.
Really you should be looking at other means such as neck gators, hats, warm socks and gloves to be regulating your heat when you are not moving.

Also bring spares of socks and gloves so that they can be changed around if they get wet.

phog

There's a Lowe Alpine shop in Tullamore and a TOG shop in the Kildare Village retail centre - both would normally have reductions on their gear. I usually go with a fleece, goretex jacket and a thermal type vest (not sure of the exact name), it reduces sweating but keeps you warm, I find it great for matches and hill walking.

democrates

sineadw wrote: »

Actually, those were my trousers...

Outrageous, but I bet you're just covering for Maggie after your attempt to cheer her up with some retail therapy didn't quite go 'any which way but loose'.

PaulieC

I've jut been in TKMaxx in Carrickmines and they have loads of outdoor gear - Skiing and snow jackets, padded and waterproof trousers, hats, gloves, boots etc. All very cheap - a pair of Hitec waterproof hiking boots were 43 euros and most of the jackets were around 60-80 euros

democrates

cambo_gueno wrote: »

I've jut been in TKMaxx in Carrickmines and they have loads of outdoor gear - Skiing and snow jackets, padded and waterproof trousers, hats, gloves, boots etc. All very cheap - a pair of Hitec waterproof hiking boots were 43 euros and most of the jackets were around 60-80 euros

Cheers, I'll be up there in the next hour for forensic bargain extraction.

PaulieC

democrates wrote: »

Cheers, I'll be up there in the next hour for forensic bargain extraction.

I'm going back over to get some stuff too!

challengemaster

Since I got my prodrift jacket at mondello i've never once been cold wearing it. Went out one night it was _FREEZING_ wearing it and just a tshirt underneath. Was snugly warm. Waterproof too
it

PaulieC

just got a jacket and boots there in TKMaxx for 110. They will be tested out with a pre-dawn trip to glendalough on Sunday...

13tsoptuo

While we're on the subject of shotting out in the cowld, what gloves would people recommend? They'd have to be thin enough to be able to press little camera buttons, but warm enough too. Any recommendations?

democrates

Ok TK-Maxx is the dogs for ebineezers like me.

I found the odd bit of mis-placing tolerable (shirts also on the jeans rack etc), nothing a good reconnoiter won't sort, budget an hour for a good root if you're there to check a lot of gear.

There was no evidence of soiled clothes but I wasn't investigating cacks or sniffing lingerie, they have an easy return policy so caveat &c.

Got a dare2be jacket for €69.99 - waterproof, windproof, breathable, under-arm zipped extra ventilation, removable hood, the in sleeve wind-barrier (lycra?) has a thumb-hole and optionally extends out covering as far as the knuckles, the removable stretchy waistband is the biz and should avoid a repeat contraction of "Devils Grip".

Thinking ahead to summer evenings a fleece for €24.99 seemed a wise precaution.

Just before I left, a desperate Pierre Cardin jacket jumped off the rail and insisted it was a life or death situation so out of mercy I bought it for €69.99. In case it would fear the skulking fleece, accompanying cuff-links were necessary for €12.99. And a leather wallet also €12.99 since the old one has served buttock duty long enough and is due it's own early release.

In short there's a wide range of stuff though they're fresh out of mohair jocks at the moment. Many things are at seriously knock-down prices in stark contrast to the 5% you'd get in Blackrock after much gnashing, or zero discount offered in some retailers causing me to walk out on principle.

+1 for TK-Maxx on this visit to the Carrickmines outlet.

City-Exile

Seems like you got ski wear there.
It's all about preference though.

Don't see any mention of suitable trousers, or head gear.
I find the lined Craghoppers trousers great for keeping you warm & the dry quickly.

democrates

City-Exile wrote: »

Seems like you got ski wear there.
It's all about preference though.

Don't see any mention of suitable trousers, or head gear.
I find the lined Craghoppers trousers great for keeping you warm & the dry quickly.

Yes skiwear seems to be the primary focus for the dare2be brand but luckily this particular jacket has subdued rather than garish colour and style so shouldn't startle fauna or other pier strollers of a Sunday or what not.

I have a woolen cap and the jacket has a hood for rain, unless I notice problems they'll do for now. Will check out those craghoppers on the next visit, nice one, thanks.

kensutz

cambo_gueno wrote: »

I've jut been in TKMaxx in Carrickmines and they have loads of outdoor gear - Skiing and snow jackets, padded and waterproof trousers, hats, gloves, boots etc. All very cheap - a pair of Hitec waterproof hiking boots were 43 euros and most of the jackets were around 60-80 euros

Got a pair of the hiking boots which will do me for the matches too. Spent quite a bit out there

PaulieC

13tsoptuo wrote: »

While we're on the subject of shotting out in the cowld, what gloves would people recommend? They'd have to be thin enough to be able to press little camera buttons, but warm enough too. Any recommendations?

There's a pair of neoprene gloves in the Argos catalog that have opening fingers. They are in the fishing section as far as I remember and only available in the Extra stores

kensutz wrote:

Got a pair of the hiking boots which will do me for the matches too. Spent quite a bit out there

yeah, it costs a lot to save that much money

kensutz

Tomorrow will be a good test in Thomond.