Suitable Clothing for watching, photographing or filming wildlife?

Whether you're just out walking or planning to get down and dirty in the mud with your camera it's important to wear the right clothing.

 

There's loads of brands out there, each of which are suitable for different occasions. I'm interested to hear about your favourite/recommended garments including....

 

Jackets

Trousers

Fleeces

Hats

Gloves

Boots

etc. etc.

 

What would you recommend to other members?

Tags: boots, clothing, hats, jackets, trousers, wildlife

Views: 93

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Permalink Reply by Helford River Expeditions on March 31, 2010 at 11:20
As I'm generally underwater when I film, I like my drysuit, hood, fins, gloves and anything else that'll keep me warm and cozy in the English Channel....that is of course until my drysuit leaks, water drips down my back and I cant wait to get back on the boat for my bright yellow hoody to keep me warm!

Wish I could afford Berghaus for everything above water! Their gear is fantastic, breathable, ruggid and of course looks cool!
Permalink Reply by Jane Adams on March 31, 2010 at 18:30
I can't afford the expensive stuff - so most of my stuff comes from the local Army Surplus shop - great combat trousers (very soft) and lightweight camo jackets. My winter camo jacket is an old WWII one brought back by my god father from Germany. He's only small... and it fits me like a glove and is VERY warm. Good walking boots essential - plus I've got an old black balaclava (looks like I'm robbing a bank when I wear it) and thermal gloves. I hasten to add I tend to go to places where other people wont see me!
Permalink Reply by Helford River Expeditions on March 31, 2010 at 18:40
Completely agree! Its amazing the bargains that you can get out of Army Surplus! Those little nap sacks are great as camera bags and look far more inconspicuous (big word for this time of day) than the camera bags with NIKON written all over them!

Lookin out for ya on the next episode of crime watch!
Permalink Reply by Jane Adams on March 31, 2010 at 18:47
Yes, I need to get one of those little napsacks to carry all my booty (sorry camera) :). I'm also trying to work out a way of carrying my big ole Canon XL1S and even bigger tripod over fields (because I just can't carry them by hand - I'm such a weakling!). I've thought about trying to buy a 2nd hand all terrain golf cart (put the tripod in the golf clubs bit) and somehow fix the videocamera bag above it. Or does anyone else have any ideas?
Permalink Reply by Helford River Expeditions on March 31, 2010 at 18:54
Ahhh - see the canoe wheels thingy below - reckon this would do the job BUT its not cheap!
http://www.cornwall-canoes.co.uk/equipment/pictures/c-tug.jpg

There are other versions but the plastic one won't rust and the tyres are pretty rugged!

Not available in Army Surplus Stores but maybe a tank might become available for those really ruggid terrains :)
Permalink Reply by Jane Adams on March 31, 2010 at 19:03
Trouble is I need a handle on the trolley - so that I can drag it behind me as I struggle up the hill.I guess something like this might work (fishing trolley) http://www.ecvv.com/product/1750166.html

Don't mention the tank ... my husband keeps threatening to get one for the garden (he's a Military Collector). I've told him if he does I'm going to climb roses up it!
Permalink Reply by Helford River Expeditions on March 31, 2010 at 19:35
Just watched "Ice Road Truckers" on Demand 5 and I'm sure they had one of those fishing trolleys being towed by a truck! Its huge!

Difference between men and boys is the size of the toys! Course he wants a tank! Every man wants a tank! I want mine pimped though with huge stereo,bling LED's around the tracks, a "I love Cornwall" sticker and running on LPG as its more environmental and cheaper to run! Watch out ASDA I'm coming to park! :)
Permalink Reply by Jane Adams on March 31, 2010 at 21:02
He wants to take his shopping!

I've put my foot down...
Permalink Reply by Martin Baldwin on April 3, 2010 at 17:01
I tend to use an Paramo Aspira Smock that I got from Andy Rouse's website. Some of the proceeds also go to conservation projects. It's great in the wet and cold but a bit warm in the summer, so i have bought other Paramo smocks, for warmer weather. They now do ranges for birdwatchers and photographers etc.

I have recently bought a 'Hoody' from wildlife watching supplies, which is made from a camouflage net, making it lightweight and I can also wear it what ever time of year, as just a camo layer, it also packs down small enough so it fits in a pocket. So you don't look too dodgy just walking around ;)

As for trousers again a mix of Paramo Cascada trousers, montane winter trousers and for summer Craghoppers.

Boots vary from year to year as they get used and abused. I am currently using a pair of Meindl's and they are really comfortable as I use them for walking as well.

Most of my kit is born out of experience at work and walking as I sometimes use my kit at work too, I prefer to pay a little extra for quality kit, rather than suffer :O
Permalink Reply by Alexander Batten-Phelps on April 3, 2010 at 20:36
Hmm I'm new to this side so no idea if what I have works or just looks like it works ;)
At the moment I have this: http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/overmind_2000/P1020224.jpg

The jacket and trousers are part of this setup
http://www.deerhunter.dk/Default.aspx?ID=435&ProductComp=2041&a...
And camoflage aspect aside its a very warm top! The inner fleece is also removable so one can use it in both summer and winter - heck when we had the snow this and a t-shirt was all I needed when moving around.
For trousers I've also taken to wearing a set of trouser thermals - these tend to lead to quite a bit of overheating as you move around, but once stopped and waiting they are great at keeping one warm - good for hides and such.
The scarf is one of two scrim net scarves I have which are just from the army surplus store and work well both for hiding and keeping warm.
The hat - no idea where its from it was a gift (and its clearly the best bit of the setup). All it misses is a cord around the neck incase it gets a little windy. It even has earwarmers on it!
Boots I've no idea what brand they are, save that they are the newer sort of leather and fabric combined which don't reqire breaking in to work. Used them as my main shoes for a good half a year now and fantastic, ready to go from the first time wearing rather than going through a breaking process (where one breaks in the boots and ones feet ;)).

Gloves wise I have two sets (and tend to wear one of each). The first set is waterproof and has handy plastic blobs on the fingers that let me retain camera control whilst wearing them. However they are far less wind proof - so that is for the right hand that needs the control ablity. The other set is far warmer and more waterproof as well as windproof, but lacks the dimples that allow control over settings - so that is for the left hand holding the lens.

Finally there is my wellie sock
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24534478@N04/4126165648/in/set-7215762...
which is most important for it hids that white scary lens and is cheaper than official lenscoats (though chances are I will end up with the lenscoat covers eventually since they do allow better access to the camera controls.
Permalink Reply by The Black Rabbit on April 4, 2010 at 7:13
Last week I bought a relatively inexpensive pair of "waterproof cargo pants" from M&S. (About £20 I think). Although they are every so slightly "rustly", the colour is perfect (olive) and they are very comfortable (with an elasticated waist in case you've cough carbo-loaded too much, the shins rip away, if it gets hot (after stalking) and they really are waterproof and breathable.
I can't recommend them enough.
Doug
Permalink Reply by Jane Adams on April 4, 2010 at 7:38
Thanks Doug. I'll have a look at them - they sound interesting - and I have an M&S voucher left over from Christmas!

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