Thermals for cold workshops (and hiya intro)

#1

Hellooooo I’m new here :wave: Have started a woodworking course, am a machine learning person by day.

I’ve not yet been to the space, but have defo noticed that the workshops I have been in so far have been heellllaaaa cold in the winter (heating bills, cozzie livs, I understand). But wanted to ask: any tips on good thermals (particularly thermal leggings + fingerless gloves) for standing quite still in cold spaces tryna get things done?

(I’m not going to be on any machines for a while I’m sure. I’m guessing gloves in that situation are not a good idea, even fingerless ones)

I was having the usual pokearound on reddit, and someone mentioned that lots of the heat tech on the market are designed for people on the move, where you’re generating heat or sweating, and that activities like fishing where you’re quite still for lots of the time have different requirements. Anyone got any good reccs here?

2 Likes
#2

the Uniqlo heat-tech stuff seems to be pretty alright

#3

have you found it good for standing still? some redditor mentioned that the uniqlo stuff in particular, the tech is about converting moisture to heat, i.e. it’s particularly meant for sweating / wicking

#4

That’s probably the case, but I find that I’m pretty much always active and moving around in the wood shop, and very rarely am I just standing around. my usual winter attire when I go to the shop is wool socks, jeans, cotton shirt, and a hoodie, with a thermal or flannel shirt if its particularly cold. I’ve felt alright with that this winter. I’m usually a bit cold when I first arrive, but get comfortable kinda quickly.

We have no heating in arch 2, but its definitely a bit warmer than outside.

1 Like
#5

good to know :+1: ta

#6

Uniqlo for sure, cheap and really warm, kept all of us warm in Norway in full snow. They have two range, a light version and an extra warm one.

They have a shop in London Stratford shopping center.

#7

layering

either you dress hot and get super sticky when you start hand planing or you dress cold and then do lots of hand planing.

#8

IMO🤣 from experience working outside all seasons for years and years

I like merino wool leggings and shirt as base layer if it’s below freezing temperatures -
Helly Hansen does good stuff

Bamboo leggings and shirt if it’s above freezing.
BAM is a great brand I like

From experience I always recommend natural fibres like wool or bamboo for base layer as it wicks moisture away and is naturally antimicrobial, unlike polyester which holds stink really bad😂

Then polyester fleece and softshell mid/outer layer.
Don’t get anything waterproof unless you are planning the go out in the rain.
It’s way better to wear fast drying breathable materials and be comfortable - Have a rainproof somewhere handy for emergencies

#9

Wool is Cool don’t let anyone tell you otherwise :grin:

2 Likes