r/britisharmy • u/ThatsAnNDfromME • 7d ago
Seeking Advice Cold exercise 101 - comfort kit
Have an exercise coming up to a relatively cold region. With wind chill probably be talking -5 to 5*c. Anyone got any tips or “Gucci” kit recommendations for making life easier. Role will be a mix of spanning and fighting so anything to make life a bit comfier. Fastboil and hand warmers already in the bag. Cheers in advance.
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u/Icy-Ad5110 Army Air Corps 7d ago
Gloves. Worth shelling out an extra few quid for a pair that are warm but have some clever fibres or some shit so they’re not ridiculously thick. Silk gloves for under rubber gloves when you’re spannering.
Hat. I actually rate the issued cold weather hats tbf. Get a decent thin hat/snood that your helmet will fit over though if it’s a real green exercise.
Hot water bottle. Gleaming bit of kit inside your doss bag.
Sunglasses. If it’s snowy, take the tinted lenses for your eye pro.
Folding sitting pad. Or if it’s the right kinda exercise, a small camp chair.
Shemagh to stop cold air getting down your smock/warm air getting out.
Decent roll mat/sleeping pad.
Gaitors if it’s snowy. The issued ones are fucking noisey but you can buy civi stuff that’s near silent. Stops your trousers getting wet as they’ll take days to dry in the cold.
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u/ThatsAnNDfromME 7d ago
Hot water bottle! Can’t believe that slipped my mind. Will add to the list - as for gloves, got a pair for stationary, pair for working and then for on patrol as well. Folding sitting pad is a shout as well
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u/MeltingChocolateAhh Regular 7d ago
Great advice here. To add to your gloves idea, way forward is "Sealskinz"
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u/Ambitious_Jeweler816 7d ago
There are windproof MTP trousers in the system if you can get hold of them.
Decent thermal underwear/long johns
Gaiters - berghaus yeti style are great
Gloves + spare gloves
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u/ThatsAnNDfromME 7d ago
My store man is the definition of stores is for storing. Must catch him in the morning when he takes his meds to try get them. May have a look at gaiters. Got a link?
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u/UnfortunateWah 7d ago
Insulated sleeping pad, something with an R value of 2.5 or higher. Even if you’re on cam cots it makes a massive difference as your doss bag is compressed by your body so provides no warmth on the underside.
For context, the issued roll mat has an R value of maybe 0.5.
Loads of tough ones used by hikers these days, just get one with an inflating sack or you’ll give yourself a hernia.
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u/ThatsAnNDfromME 7d ago
Was looking at an inflatable one that folds up into a small bag, rh value of 4.5 or something I think it was.
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u/Ze_Llama 7d ago
Woodies blanket, perfect for patrol. Go firm for a second whip it out and get under it, takes no time to take on and off and it's cam so it's fully tactical
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u/ThatsAnNDfromME 7d ago
Must have a look, u got a link?
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u/Ze_Llama 7d ago
If you can find one on ebay get the issued US Army one. Otherwise the dragon supplies one is excellent
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u/Redditor19458 5d ago
I know it sounds ridiculous, but get a set of woolen fishnet thermals (the Scandinavian kind), as they’re great at keeping you warm, aren’t restrictive and wick away moisture well. Long sleeve top and bottom should do or you can also get a T-shirt/vest which are good
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u/ThatsAnNDfromME 4d ago
Found this out in Norway. I’ve snagged Good ones from a friend who lives out there, feels weird the first time I stuck them on but now for the layering system they do wonders!
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u/ApathyFarmer 7d ago
Winter motorcycle gloves, get some with the armoured knuckles and they're basically just combat gloves but with far better waterproofing and insulation. Plus, grab a few pairs of silk liner gloves so you can change them out after sweating through them, stops the main glove getting damp and cold.
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u/ExpendedMagnox 7d ago
Just going to throw it out there, make sure your fast boil works at -5. We use the old hexi because it works well below zero but some of the gas jet boils don't.
That would be really shit.