Cold Weather Gear

Winter weather and cold climates require clothing that might not be what you wear at home. Think Yellowstone in winter, Yosemite in winter, Antarctica, Svalbard inside the Arctic circle and other cold climates. Particularly if you live in a warm climate like I do in South Carolina. But, I like skiing and winter scenes and wildlife, so I have learned how to stay warm. When it is really really cold, I work with outer mittens, hand warmers and inner liner gloves. My right hand protected by the inner liner comes in and out of the mitten to work the camera. The mitted left hand works great to hold the camera and change the focal length. You can’t put hand warmers in too many pockets!

Cabela’s and REI are my normal go-to stores for clothing, etc.

  • Gloves - I have mittens, gloves and inner liners

  • Boots - with a winter rating! These are different boots and sizes than my normal hiking boots.

  • socks - smart wool

  • Long underwear - smart wool

  • Coat

  • Hats - with ear protection

  • Pants - Insulated

  • Handwarmers

  • Gaiters

  • Yak Trax

Wet Weather Gear

If you are going to stand in water in winter you need to be prepared. I bought a pair of Cabela’s waders for a trip to the Chesapeake Bay in February 2019. They worked great. But you need to learn that when the water is chest deep, you can’t drop your hands to your side or they are under water, cold and wet. A coat with chest high pockets is the answer.

  • Cabela’s Men's Classic Series II Neoprene Stocking-Foot Waders

  • LensCoat for cameras and lenses.

  • ThinkTank for 70-200mm lens and camera. Superb design!

  • Tilley Hat

  • I have a Columbia rain jacket and rain pants for wet weather. These are available at Amazon, Cabela’s and REI.

  • Mindshift ground cloth