2012Operating forum
Glove selection and hand warming strategies for operating camera equipment in cold weather
14 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Mittens with hand warmers work for one or two takes but then hand numbness sets in, requiring a layered glove system for sustained operation
- Leather-palmed gloves like horse riding gloves with neoprene backing provide durability against gimbal wear while offering water resistance
- Multiple glove layers can be used, switching between thick insulated gloves between shots and thinner gloves during operation to maintain dexterity
- Thin nomex pilot gloves do not prevent cold transfer from metal gimbal components but reduce wind chill and aid hand recovery after shots
- Wool half-finger gloves allow palm warmth to extend to fingertips while maintaining grip and fine motor control
- An open-face light positioned near the gimbal stand creates ambient heat that improves operator endurance in cold conditions
- Sealskinz brand gloves, socks, and hats are effective for extreme cold work
- Operating glove choice varies by hand function, with thicker gloves acceptable for the non-operating arm since less dexterity is required there
Depends on
- Experiences reported range from low teens to wind chills of negative 30-40 degrees Celsius at high altitude, so strategies may not apply uniformly across all cold conditions
- Neoprene and thinsulate gloves experienced rapid wear from gimbal knurled grip surfaces in this operator's experience
- The effectiveness of thin nomex gloves appears limited mainly to wind reduction rather than insulation
- Most recommendations are individual preferences without systematic testing or comparison