My son is in a football academy which means standing at the side of a football pitch 4 times per week for approx 2hrs at a time!
I need:
Warm socks - need to be thin ish
Warm base layer - is merino the answer?
Warm long coat - don’t want to spend a fortune if possible
What are peoples recommendations? Mountain Warehouse gets a lot of good reviews on their stuff, but then it’s no cheaper than any other brand for the good stuff !?
Any bargains out there?
Thanks
No.1 buy: a golfing umbrella. I resisted for a while before common sense kicked in. Other than that, down vest under a lightish down jacket, wind/waterproof over the top, merino base layer, woollen socks. Gloves and hat, obvs. Just layer up what you got I guess. But don’t forget the brolly.
Golf umbrella is essential. I’d be looking for a synthetic insulated jacket though, something that you don’t mind getting muddy or wet. I did this for well over a decade as a player and when starting as a sub my Mountain Equipment synthetic jacket was a lifesaver.
If looking for bargains I’d start on Go Outdoors or Sportpursuit.
+1 brolly - when the rain is horizontal you want as much coverage as possible.
Just layer up whatever you’ve got for now. I’ve always been in the buy cheap buy twice camp so will make do until I can afford what I’d really like. After 6 years of standing on touch lines my go to cold weather gear is a pair of fur lined Ugg boots (yes they make decent mens stuff) and a Fjallraven Parka. Expensive but gets a lot of use and well worth it.
I’m guessing you don’t need to run the line? Otherwise just a couple of layers under a rain jacket does me.
Those heat pads where you click a little disc and the liquid turns to warm gel are good to keep in your pocket. Warm your body and your hands anbd pretty cheap now
Gore bike/running tights not bib ones underneath whatever else your wearing, pretty poly if your on a budget
It's a bit different because of the mud and handling bikes but a lot of the cyclocross folk just wear the high vis style work jackets and pants. I think you can find less high vis options.
It's normally cheap, water proof and warm. What it lacks is light weight and breathability but that's not an issue if standing still*.
The other option would be cheap outdoor clothing. I have a sythetic insulation jacket from craghoppers. It's warm, tough and cheap. Far heavier than my nice down jacket but it is great for post mtbing when it's likely to get muddy putting bikes away etc.
*this makes me think of my Holiday in Iceland. I had been walking so had expensive waterproofs. We were about to spend 10 days riding over the centre so I took up the offer to borrow kit rather than wreck my own. Most of the group did the same. It looked like we'd just escaped from prison!
Fladden survival suit,you can get similar for course fishing in just green. Some conservationists I know use them for sitting on cliffs/hills doing bird counts etc
Unless I needed to be there though I'd not be standing watching for 8 hours a week. A bit at the beginning and the end unless it was a fixture, otherwise I'd have other things to do and let my son play his footy.
Those heat pads where you click a little disc and the liquid turns to warm gel are good to keep in your pocket. Warm your body and your hands anbd pretty cheap now
You can get electric rechargeable one now - warmer and last longer.
I have just bought a great coat from Decathlon - £100 ( with £20 in vouchers back too) and it’s rated to -20deg.
Don't worry about what you're wearing, just huddle up tight with the other mums and dads as though you are penguins. 🐧 🐧
Something from here might be useful.
Fishing clothing from decathlon is warm and good value.
Massive umbrella is a must as is a shooting stick. I can't stand for long periods and a shooting stick to rest my bum on is a fantastic luxury.
Paired with a brolly and decent warm boots and you're invincible!
As a Rugby dad in the NE of Scotland I've had my share of long cold mornings.
I've actually got 12v heated motorcycle\car clothing from blazewear.com which has been excellent so I ended up getting some battery powered socks and gloves from them as well - with 3 heat settings. With your extremities warm and decent layers covered by a Buffalo™ jacket and trousers I'm never cold. They also do battery powered jackets and gillets which would make you even more comfortable and require fewer layers.
They often have sales on their site but I've just been on and all items are priced at £0.00 which is odd.....
I'd find something to do in a warm space. Do they have a gym - 8 hours a week for the next few years is a lot of time getting old ( and that's without the driving time!)
Other than that, insulated tractor suit
Down-filled gilet, three layers, a decent waterproof coat and waterproof trousers that also keep the wind off. Hat and gloves are a must too. And an umbrella. Wind is not your friend.
Done my rugby duties on the sidelines.
Get some of these wellies.
Mine are 10years old and been abused up and down railway lines all over the country. My feet have been warm down to -18° C in them .
And they grip really well. And add an inch or so to your height.
My boys did football and also used to ballboy for Stirling Albion.
From the feet up:
Merino socks
Themal tights under jeans
Merino long-sleeve, t-shirt, fleece, Rab jacket with hood, Buffalo over the top.
Mountaineering hat.
Windstopper gloves.
+ cup of Bovril.
When they were training I used to go for a walk with the dog.
Thump plays basketball now. Makes his own way to training and spectating is inside 🙂
Alternatively use the time to go for a run...thats what I used to do when my lad switched from rugby to football!
Thermal Buff
Buy some insulated overalls. Add a good hat, good books and waterproof and you should be golden with some normal decent mid and base layers
The full Wenger, obvs.
Insulated/neoprene wellies. You can get spenny Muckboot ones but there are cheaper clones. Warm and waterproof and with a set of cheap over trousers you’ll be warm and dry regardless.
i have been watching my son play rugby since he was 7. he is now 30 and still playing.
i wear walking boots, with cheap overtrousers in the rain. and a big padded waterproof coat from arco. cheap and toasty.
Muck boots.I know you didn't mention footwear but they are waterproof and very warm.Other parents sloshing about in soaked trainers may give you odd looks but frankly f--k em.
Buffalo jacket. Actually warmer to wear it next to your skin than over layers. You only wear layers with them if you think you might want to take it off. Get a good fit.
I got one for days spent standing around hillsides counting sheep, waiting for walking groups and watching rally cars.
One of those surfer changing coats. They look toasty. Dryrobe, might look odd.
I’d be in the car, or pub.
Thanks for the ideas, some good stuff to look at.
Currently I wear a standard cotton long sleeve T shirt, fleece and then a synthetic padded jacket from Inov8, Salomon GTX trainers. Fleece lined trousers.
Or if it’s raining, cheap waterproof trousers over fleece trousers, same as above under layers and Berghaus Goretex shell jacket
I guess the bits that get cold are my feet and torso
When it’s raining it generally isn’t too cold. It’s the dry days when there’s a cool breeze that really gets you standing still
I’m guessing my base layer needs looking at and then looking through the above jackets!
Running - used to all the time but hip on its way out so can’t run anymore
Cafes become expensive x 4 every week, sitting in a car is boring and cold, and I actually like watching my son
The hi viz workwear is a good shout, there's a guy on morecambe market selling it cheap as chips. I bought the waistcoat for my nephew as a secret Santa present and he loves it, only a fiver so no worries if it gets lost.
Feet, hands, spine, neck and head. Mainly in that order. You can always walk up and down the sidelines/spectators area? Stomp your feet to send warmth through you?
Decent walking boots and thick socks, leather gloves, neck windproof sock, wool hat, your choice of jacket. Umbrellas are nice, but out on a field in heavy wind? I prefer a jacket with a hood.
Nike do a football manager style double zip jacket which is quite long and really warm and dry. I use it for walking the dog.
8 hours a week? Not wearing per se, but how about a campervan with heating?
Sit in the warmth with the heating on and enjoying a hot chocolate? Can you park with a view of the pitch?
Personally, sod being stood about for 8 hours a week on a muddy field!
When I worked in Norway we had these suits you pulled over everything else you were wearing as a winter layer.
I’d be looking for winter rated work clothing as an outer layer. It’s cheaper then any of the branded mountain stuff and has to conform to minimum standards.
Take a bike and practice wheelies and skids on an empty pitch?
Don’t forget with all the layers, make sure they don’t impede comfort breaks!
Try and get something to stand on. A 500x500 piece of roll mat (or other closed-cell foam) will insulate you from the cold ground. This is what I do when I have a multi-hour Dr Bike session to do outside in the colder months.
APF
The hi viz workwear is a good shout, there’s a guy on morecambe market selling it cheap as chips.
Yeah, but it’s cheap as chips for a reason. I was issued a hi-viz jacket for work when I started, although I already had a cheap yellow one from when I was plating for BCA, we use orange ones. Horrid things, they make you sweat like a boil-in-the-bag human if the weather’s mild, and if it’s cold and wet they just get clammy. Now we’re Cazoo, we’ve been issued with these:
https://www.hivis.co.uk/portwest-s591-extreme-bomber-jacket.html
Much better quality, properly breathable, with a fold-over wind baffle to cover the zip, and the collar, when it’s turned up, comes practically to the top of my head! Much better for layering, if it’s mild, then just a tee shirt, then more or thicker layers as it gets colder.
My work boots are Portwest as well, and they’re so damned comfortable, especially as my day is spent outdoors on a 2.2Ha expanse of concrete, they’re like wearing slippers, I just put slightly thicker insoles in them.
Apparently the company has been around since 1904, so they ought to have a bit of a clue about making protective gear.
+1 for a Buffalo P+P shirt, the one with the hand warmer pouch and the cinch belt . Mine is over 20 years old, and was unwearable when new as it was so warm. No joke these things are mental warm. Wind wont get through them, it has to really rain to penetrate the outer layer, but that doesnt matter as your body heat warms any ater which seeps through in no time. Also takes not much time to dry out, give it a shake to knock any water droplets off the pile lining and shove it on a radiator. Easy.
For a combo which kept me warm in -40 up a mountain in Alberta, i wore a long sleeve base layer, like a lifa, a hooded jumper, and my Paramo over it, along with hat and gloves. Absolutely fine, and I didnt climb the mountain either, i got a lift, so wasnt warm from the exertion. Not much clothing but very comfortable in extreme low temps.
Personal experience of standing round watching winter running events is:
Merino socks
Gore-tex lined walking boots
Old passing skiing trousers with the option of waterproofs over the top and some thick running tights underneath
Thick UnderArmour base layer
Some kind of fleece
A long, padded down jacket from Decathon or a shorter down jacket and a long waterproof if it’s wet.
Fleece lined hat
Ski gloves with silk liners.
Large flask of hot tea.
Massive umbrella.
I also try and move around a bit, so in your case just walking up and down the touch line would work.
@countzero how does their stuff size up? Is it true to their size charts? They do lots of jackets that are not just in high viz colours. Also like the look of their heated jacket !
What are peoples thoughts on DHB Merino base layers? Can get them for £30 at the minute....
Just then need to work out footwear! (socks)
Link to heated jacket
I've got a Fjern Terreng base layer from Sportpursuit that's a bit heavier and warmer.
