Parka ?

[COLOR="Purple"]Okay, I'm not asking about an OTA or how to cool a scope quickly. What I'm interested in is hearing from some of you all about the parka or heavy coat you use when observing for hours while radiating body heat into space. I find that I get pretty chilled in 30 degree temps after several hours under the stars while wearing several layers plus what I thought was a moderately heavy jacket. I've decided that I need a more insulated parka to keep me warm. Can anyone share their experiences with their favorite cold weather coat?
Thanks!
Bill[/COLOR]

I like a snowmobile suit. It is great and keeps the whole body warm. I found an Arctic Cat suit on the other place for about $40. It is toasty down to the teens.
I also use a goose down coat at times if it is not too cold. But the suit is the best because it seals you body completely.

LL Bean makes what they call their Baxter State Parka. It is rated to -50, this is one of the best parkas you can get. I think it is $200.

I use a heavy black body suit like local workers wear which I bought at Kmart for $30 and it's great on windy mountain tops at 25.

Carhartt artic weight insulated work overalls work well for me, they are better than a parka in that the legs are covered and no gaps around the waist to let cold air in. They do look real ugly though!

Dave

Don't forget the most important body part to keep warm - your head! I use a wool cap and a hood (either from the parka or a hooded sweatshirt) and that keeps me warm down to about 10 deg F. Below 10 and the full head gear comes out in addition to the wool hat. Long underwear, sweat pants and ski pants with wool socks and Sorels and I'm good to about -10 F. Colder than that the equipment wonders why it has to work.

Chris
Cedar MN

[COLOR="Purple"]Wow! Thanks for all of the responses!! I decided to go in stages to upgrade my winter outerwear trousseau. I found a set of Carhartt R33 Biberalls for $85.00 and ordered them as a start. I think I'll add an LL Bean Baxter State parka or a North Face McMurdo to top off the biberalls later. Those, with proper layers underneath should keep even this thin blooded, warm weather Texan comfortable on any night I might experience here in the south.
Thanks again,
Bill[/COLOR]

The word "Parka" implies an insulated hood that you pull over your head. I find that this restricts visibility too much. Instead, I use a very warm wool cap with an insulated lining that pulls down over my ears down to my neck and closes in the front with Velcro. I call it my Chinese Peasant Cap because that's what it makes me look like. Not very stylish but who cares in the dark!

This, together with a very warm down parka jacket (with the parka hood left down), neck warmer, ski pants, long johns, Sorel boots, heavy wool socks, and ski gloves keeps me warm at zero degrees Fahrenheit.

What a useful thread, Bill! Thanks everyone for all the information.

Mike

Don't forget your feet. I use N.O.E.S. overshoes over my sneakers and they keep my feet toasty warm for over 6 hours at low 20's. Wind does not even affect it.

Ivan