Warmth in Focus
Dressing for Winter Wildlife Photography
Article by Michael Hodgson
It’s late January as I am writing this and I’m packing to head north to the Klamath Basin, Oregon, in February to photograph bald eagles and then to the Lofoten Islands in Norway to photograph the Northern Lights. I’m reminded that packing for the cold – be it snowy and cold, wet and cold, sunny and freezing – presents unique challenges for photographers. The challenge is staying warm, but not too warm, and never sweaty in often fluctuating weather conditions. Couple that with the reality that as a nature photographer, walking or slogging through deep snow or rain-soaked or snow-covered underbrush to get to the best location for your desired shot raises the body temperature. Once at the spot for the photo you seek, you’ll likely be standing, sitting, crouching, or lying down without moving for an extended period. You will overheat if you wear too much clothing when you are active. You will get cold if you wear too little clothing when inactive.
As I suspect you may already know, layering is the secret to regulating your body temperature. Effective layering with the right insulation materials will help you manage your body temperature, regardless of the weather conditions or how active or still you are.
While I have spent decades testing and writing about gear for outdoor adventurers, let me begin by crushing your information-seeking hopes…maybe just a little. No one’s tolerance to cold and heat is the same, and one's ability to feel warm in cold environments depends on many variables. Age, metabolism, levels of fatigue or rest, fitness level, health, and diet all affect how one perceives how cold or warm one is in freezing environments.
No hard and fast guide will help you determine precisely how many insulation layers you need to stay comfortable in freezing temperatures. However, the basics of layering and the materials you should rely on are consistent, regardless of the number of layers required. To stay comfortable, you must use multiple layers to trap warm air next to your body. Your layers also need to work to keep you warm even if they become damp, and they also need to allow moisture to migrate outward so you don’t end up with significant moisture build-up on or next to your skin. Trapped moisture is not your friend because when it evaporates, your body will begin to chill through a process known as evaporative cooling. Merino wool is my go-to choice, but alpaca wool and synthetic fleece are effective insulation layers, too. The one firm rule here is NO cotton layers, period. Cotton has no insulating value; if damp, it will only chill your body quickly.
Now we have the basics out of the way, let’s build the layering system.
Base Layer
Any layering system starts with the base layer. This clothing layer is worn directly against your skin, and it's one you’ll always keep on. I prefer merino wool long underwear—tops and bottoms—from brands like Icebreaker, Smartwool, REI, Patagonia, and Helly Hansen. Base layers come in lightweight, midweight, and even thicker fabrics, so you need to choose based on your tolerance for cold temperatures. I usually opt for lightweight tops and bottoms unless the air temperature drops below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. I switch a crew neck to a half-zip for added warmth to provide extra protection around my neck.
Base layers are the foundation. Get this part wrong, and you will have a difficult time staying warm out there.
Base layers are the foundation. Get this part wrong, and you will have a difficult time staying warm out there.
Midlayers / Insulation - Moving
Midlayers are the layers of clothing you will wear over your base layer and beneath an outer shell that protects you from wind, rain, and snow. Starting from the waist down, I’ve found that softshell or lightly insulated pants (always with pockets, because who doesn’t need pockets?) work best. They should be comfortable for hiking and not too thick or insulated that you overheat while moving. Arc’Teryx, Fjallraven, REI, The North Face, Rab, Dale of Norway, and Outdoor Research are all brands that make excellent pants for winter wear.
Choose multiple layers that work well together for the upper body. Make sure to size correctly so no layer feels too tight over another. Almost all my winter mid-layer tops are made of mid-weight merino wool and are either half-zip, full-zip, or pullover, based on my preference and whether I’ll need to vent or easily remove layers throughout the day. I depend on a full-zip soft-shell layer for maximum versatility. If the day unexpectedly warms up, my soft-shell jacket serves as wind-resistant and moisture-resistant outerwear. For particularly cold days, my just-in-case layer that goes over my soft-shell is a Fjallraven lightweight down jacket—essentially a down sweater. It packs easily in my camera pack and weighs virtually nothing.
Midlayer / Insulation – Standing, Sitting, or Lying Down
Once you reach a spot where you will settle in to wait for your shot, you may want an additional layer to maintain your comfort level. For these moments, one option is to pack along insulated over pants, either down or synthetic insulation, and a puffy down parka.
Another option is to choose a heated layer, which includes pants, tops, and socks. This is my go-to strategy. When the temperature drops significantly and I need extra warmth, I activate the batteries in my Fieldsheer mid-layer top and socks, connect them to my smartphone app, and set the desired temperature to low, medium, medium-high, or high heat. Heated clothing is very comfortable, but it also has some drawbacks.
The main drawback, in my opinion, is that you must manually turn on the battery pack before you can start dialing in the heat level with your app. And that can mean having to partially disrobe or do contortions to get to a battery tucked in a garment’s battery pocket to flip the switch. Companies such as Fieldsheer are working on ways to put a battery into hibernation without it drawing too much power. And that is the other drawback. Power. On a low setting, I can get up to 10 hours of warmth for either socks or my top. However, if I am sitting and temperatures are in the low teens, low is not often enough warmth. On a medium setting, I can get four to five hours of warmth but only two hours on the highest (which I rarely use). I have had the power run out on my mid-layer top once, and I can tell you it is not fun IF you have no more layers to put on. I now pack an extra battery for my top layer as a result.
Outer Layer / Moisture & Wind Protection
This is your last line of defense against the elements. It should be a wind- and waterproof layer that you put on to stay dry and shield yourself from the wind. This will ensure that your warmth-retaining layers underneath can do their job effectively. Be sure to buy a size that will fit over numerous layers underneath.
I depend on a Gore-Tex shell jacket with a roomy hood and Gore-Tex shell pants featuring a full side zip for each leg. Pants with side zips are much easier to put on and take off over bulky layers and insulated boots, and they allow for effective venting when needed. Brands to consider include Arc’Teryx, REI, The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Rab, Marmot, Dynafit, and Columbia.
Hand Protection – Gloves, Mittens, or Both?
Many companies have attempted to create the ideal glove system for photographers, but none have succeeded; however, a few have come close. The challenge lies in designing a windproof, water-resistant glove system that offers a good grip, provides adequate warmth, and maintains enough dexterity to enable the wearer to operate camera dials and buttons with ease. If you Google “gloves for photographers,” you will find numerous discussions about the perfect solution, yet very few agreements on any as the best.
I have tried many options, including a very thin layer with touch-sensitive fingertips placed under thicker insulation. More often than not, I end up with bare hands because I simply don’t like using my camera with gloves on, even the very thin ones. I tolerate the cold much better than my wife and fellow photographer, Therese Iknoian. She has made it her life’s mission to find the perfect glove system, and she’s still searching. However, she has some excellent solutions for anyone whose hands get chilly while handling a camera in the winter. Check out her article, Tips To Keep Your Hands Warm During Cold Weather Photography, if you want to learn more.
I usually go for a cozy medium-weight wool or fleece glove, and when it gets really chilly—like below 0 Fahrenheit—I simply add a thicker insulated mitten on top for extra warmth!
Editors Note
I spend a lot of time in sub-zero temperatures. This year, for instance, I found myself photographing in Yellowstone National Park while it was negative 37 degrees Fahrenheit. And in these types of temperatures, simply throwing on a pair of gloves will not protect your hands.
Hands should be treated much the way our torso or legs are when it comes to cold temperatures. Meaning: it's all about the layers.
A thin pair of glove liners work well, for which we then add a warmer outer layer glove. Similar to how a base layer works for the rest of our body, glove liners are designed to trap body heat next to your hands. Then, the outer shell works to keep cold out.
This year, I experimented with a new pair of outer shell gloves made by KUIU, called the Super Down Pro Glassing Glomitt to be worn over my Smartwool glove liners.
KUIU specializes in gear for adventure hunters and these gloves were designed to be used while operating binoculars and spotting scopes in extreme cold. For all intents and purposes, the gloves are like a big down puffy jacket for your hands. And like a puffy jacket, they compress where needed, which means you can still operate your camera while wearing these gloves.
So warm were these things, that I had to take them off at times in order to let my hands actually cool down - if you can imagine that.
KUIU is not a sponsor of PhotoWILD Magazine or of myself. This is simply an incredible pair of gloves that I found to be a game changer for my photography this winter.
- Jared Lloyd
Editors Note
I spend a lot of time in sub-zero temperatures. This year, for instance, I found myself photographing in Yellowstone National Park while it was negative 37 degrees Fahrenheit. And in these types of temperatures, simply throwing on a pair of gloves will not protect your hands.
Hands should be treated much the way our torso or legs are when it comes to cold temperatures. Meaning: it's all about the layers.
A thin pair of glove liners work well, for which we then add a warmer outer layer glove. Similar to how a base layer works for the rest of our body, glove liners are designed to trap body heat next to your hands. Then, the outer shell works to keep cold out.
This year, I experimented with a new pair of outer shell gloves made by KUIU, called the Super Down Pro Glassing Glomitt to be worn over my Smartwool glove liners.
KUIU specializes in gear for adventure hunters and these gloves were designed to be used while operating binoculars and spotting scopes in extreme cold. For all intents and purposes, the gloves are like a big down puffy jacket for your hands. And like a puffy jacket, they compress where needed, which means you can still operate your camera while wearing these gloves.
So warm were these things, that I had to take them off at times in order to let my hands actually cool down - if you can imagine that.
KUIU is not a sponsor of PhotoWILD Magazine or of myself. This is simply an incredible pair of gloves that I found to be a game changer for my photography this winter.
- Jared Lloyd
Head Protection
Contrary to a popular myth that continues to circulate, the human body does not lose as much as 45 percent of its heat through the head. That figure originated from a U.S. Army study in the 1950s, but more recent scientific studies have found that the body loses at most 10 percent of its heat through the head. That means wearing insulation on your head is still important, but not as important as once assumed.
In addition to the top of your noggin, keeping the ears, nose, and cheeks warm is also important because these regions have unique blood vessels that help regulate body temperature. That’s why wearing a balaclava, donning a hat with wool or fleece ear covers, or wrapping a scarf around the face and neck—a practice long embraced by Europeans in everyday life—significantly aids in maintaining warmth.
As a glasses wearer, I usually choose an insulated or wool hat with a brim to prevent snow and moisture from hitting my glasses—I detest that. I also wear a merino wool Buff, a fabric tube around my neck that I can pull up to cover my cheeks, ears, and nose when necessary. This combination keeps me incredibly warm.
Keeping the toes happy
Stand barefoot or in socks on a cold tile floor, and you will feel a chilly sensation throughout your body. This occurs because the soles of your feet, similar to the palms of your hands and areas like your cheeks, nose, and ears, have thermoreceptors that inform your body when it is too hot (the body increases blood flow and you may experience sweaty feet) or too cold (which leads to constricted blood flow to preserve core temperature and the feeling of very cold feet).
To keep your feet warm, you should wear thicker, insulating wool socks. My favorite wool socks are from Darn Tough, but the ones from Smartwool and Point 6 are also very good. If I anticipate standing in the snow or on frozen ground for extended periods, I will wear heated socks from Fieldsheer. There are certainly other heated clothing brands out there, but Fieldsheer is the one I am most familiar with.
Your footwear should be sturdy, waterproof backpacking boots at minimum. The boot brand you choose should best suit your foot type and size. A very good, supportive fit that is not too tight is essential to ensure you can comfortably walk long distances and stand or remain still for extended periods. In general, opt for a Gore-Tex boot that will help keep your feet dry from moisture build-up inside and wet conditions outside. Some boots have a bit of insulation in them; others do not. La Sportiva, Lowa, Merrell, Columbia, and Asolo are all super boot brands.
I sometimes add another layer to my system if the anticipated conditions are cold and wet enough to warrant it: Neos Overshoes. These are designed to fit over a boot and extend over the calf for extra protection. They come in insulated and non-insulated versions.
Winter can bring extreme challenges for us. Some of which are potentially life threatening. But the rewards are worth it. Photo by: Jared Lloyd
Winter can bring extreme challenges for us. Some of which are potentially life threatening. But the rewards are worth it. Photo by: Jared Lloyd
A Few Extra Warming Tools to Consider
If you plan to stand, sit, or lie down on the snow or frozen ground for an extended period, add a small sheet of closed-cell foam to your pack. Exped makes a very light and compact closed-cell foam pad called the FlexMat, that folds like an accordion and can be opened partway for sitting or standing or fully opened for lying down.
Pack along some chemical or battery-powered hand warmers. As I have aged (as in over 65 years old), my hands are no longer as resilient to cold air as they used to be, especially when touching my camera’s ice-cold metal and plastic surfaces. While I still shun gloves when working with my camera, having a warming device to hold or tuck into my jacket pocket and curl my fingers around is heavenly. Chemical hand warmers, activated by exposure to air, work well, but I hate the waste, and if they get damp, there is no heat. My preference is rechargeable hand warmers. Look for 360-degree heat (meaning all surfaces are heated, not just one side) and silicone casing, which feels warm and comfortable next to your skin.
While the number of layers needed and used will vary with every person and situation, the concept remains the same. A well-designed body insulation system adds layers to keep you warm and reduces layers when you overheat. Base layers, mid layers, wind and moisture protective outer layers. All work together to ensure you stay comfy, dry, and safe, no matter what. Oh, one last word. No amount of layering will work if you are feeding the furnace. In other words, heat is energy, and energy is consumed and burned in calories. This means you must eat well and give your body’s furnace the fuel it needs to generate heat. Otherwise, even the best layering system will not work as well as hoped.
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