I am going to start this blog by pointing out that this is not fashion advice! The information in this blog is coming from someone who dresses largely in black and wears shorts for the majority of the year.
What this blog is, is advice about which clothing I use to keep me warm/dry/cool/safe when I am in the landscape capturing images.
This isn't intended to be a technical mountaineering clothing guide. If you're heading into genuinely mountainous terrain or severe winter conditions, the clothing and equipment you need goes well beyond what I'm covering here.
This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click one of these links and then make a qualifying purchase, I may receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and is a great way to support the blog.
Trousers
These are a recent addition for me, and they were ‘inspired’ by a walk I had been on which resulted in countless insect bites, largely from horseflies. This meant a few days dosed up on Piriton (other antihistamines are available) to try and reduce the itching. It did not, however, reduce the complaining about them.
I ended up buying a pair of camouflage-style trousers from Amazon, and they did a great job of keeping the flies off. It does become quickly apparent whilst wading through long grass that these are not in any way waterproof (I paid less than 30 quid for them, so I wasn't expecting bells and whistles), but they are comfortable. They have adjustable ties at the ankles, and the waistband tightens up as well, although you still need a belt.
The other thing that they have, which many trousers lack, is a ton of pockets. There are pockets for days on these things: front pockets, leg pockets and back pockets. Great for dropping a lens cap/cover into, keeping hold of a lens cloth, shutter release cable... you get the idea.
Are there better, more technical trousers out there? Yes. Absolutely. But not at this price. I’ll probably invest in something a bit better further down the line, especially if I am going on bigger walks in conditions that aren’t ideal, but as a stopgap, these have been great!
Gaiters
I am not going to bang on about these for ages, but I if you’ve read what I have said about the trousers (and their absorbance), then you won’t be surprised to hear that I have invested in a pair of gaiters. I’ve gone for some Gore-Tex ones so that I know they are going to keep the bottom half of my legs dry!
These aren't going to be something I used all of the time. The day I found I needed these was a warm, dry day, but the temperature had dropped overnight and there was a really heavy dew on the ground - this was great for grabbing some macro shots, but but not so great for keeping myself dry and comfortable! I would really recmmond investing in a pair of these!
Berghaus Gore-Tex Gaiters
Gloves
Winter Photography Gloves
These are something that is definitely a winter item, but are something worth owning, even if you don't need them just yet.
I only use mine, when it's really cold - there is little worse then cold hands, and this is especially true when you are doing something that you are supposed to enjoy and that needs a lot of fine motor control. That last point is why I like gloves that have 'removable' finger and thumb tips - this means that you have full sesntivity in your fingers and can still effectively operate your touch screen wihout adjusting things that you don't want to or didn't mean to.
The one's I have are no longer listed on Amazon, so the ones I have linked here are the best match I could find.
Boots/Footwear
These are important, and you probably already own something similar or appropriate, but the importance of a good pair of boots absolutely cannot be overstated. The same should be said for a good pair of socks to put on your feet before you put them inside the boots.
Boots are a really individual thing. We all have differently shaped and sized feet, and you should absolutely head somewhere that you can be properly fitted for them. There are plenty of places here in the Lake District that can do this for you, and just outside the Lake District, you can head to Kendal, where you’ll find a couple of places that will be able to help you choose the right and most appropriate boots for your feet and the type of walking you are going to be doing.
Don’t scrimp on the socks either. Spend good money here so that you get something you like, that is comfortable and that is going to last. I always find it useful to buy two pairs so that you have a “wear and a spare”. I like the Bridgedale ones made from merino wool. They will wick moisture away from your feet and keep them as fresh as possible. They’re also really soft and incredibly comfortable.
Finally, in this section, I am going to recommend a pair of Wellington boots/wellies. You won’t get as much use out of these, but they’re great when you’re shooting in the snow (not up a mountain; if you’re doing this, you should be in your crampons and have an ice axe, not a pair of wellies!), or if you feel like you need to get into some water that you know isn’t going to come up to your knees, but is definitely going to get your feet soaked.
I have a great pair of Barbour wellies, which I picked up quite cheaply from a country store, but you can find good-quality wellies in most places these days!
Base Layers
I am going merino wool on this one as well. It’s light, comfortable, wicks sweat away from your body and packs down nice and small into your kit. You’re probably not going to need to take a spare with you all of the time, but there are times when you might want one. If you’re doing some kind of multi-day hike with some camping or bed and breakfast involved, then a fresh base layer is always really welcome.
In my experience, this stuff dries out quickly as well, so it’s worth the extra money for that little luxury too. There are ‘hundreds’ of brands of these, so I’m not going to recommend anything specific, but you can have a browse around here on Amazon as a starting point.
Waterproof Trousers
Waterproof trousers are one of those things that spend most of their life stuffed into the bottom of a bag, right up until the point that you suddenly become very glad you brought them. They’re great for heavy rain, wet grass and those occasions where getting the shot somehow involves kneeling on something cold, muddy and unpleasant.
I prefer the overtrouser style because you can pull them on over whatever you are already wearing when the weather turns. Ideally, you want something lightweight, properly waterproof and easy enough to get on and off without having to perform some kind of balancing act while removing your boots at the side of a path.
Breathability is worth thinking about as well. There is not much point keeping the rain out if you end up just as wet from the inside. They don’t need to be especially glamorous or technical, but as an emergency layer to keep in your bag, they are definitely worth having.
Waterproof Jackets
This is another area in which you are going to find an absolute ton of choices. In my experience of buying this kind of clothing, cheap does not necessarily mean good, and vice versa. This is an area in which it is worth spending a good chunk of money to get something that works for you, that you like and that is within your budget.
A quick look around your local Go Outdoors will give you an idea of just how many different materials, brands and styles there are. My biggest recommendation is that you get something which is brightly coloured, as if you’re ever in trouble, it makes you easier to spot.
I have put some links below, but you need to try these on and you need to do your research. I’ve got several waterproof jackets and have no doubt that before the end of the year I will have another. They’re worth having, not just for photography. I will put some links below to get you started.
I would also recommend a down jacket for the colder months. This is part of your layering setup, and they generally pack down relatively small and weigh next to nothing. The same story is true here as it is for the waterproofs above. Do some research, find what works for you and find something comfortable.
This Is Not an Exhaustive List
I can’t list everything. I would be here all year and still not cover everything, but this is a good starting point. There’s plenty of stuff I haven’t listed here, or have simply forgotten, but I will revisit this list periodically and add things as and when I think of or remember them.
Most of the things on this list are personal, and what works for me might not work for you. You might have a preferred brand or colour, or you might prefer a shoe to a boot; that’s up to you!
Final Thoughts
There isn’t really one perfect set of clothing for landscape photography, and what works for me might not work for you. A lot of it comes down to where you are going, what the weather is doing and how long you are planning to be out for.
The most important thing is that you are comfortable, dry enough, warm enough and, above all, safe. Landscape photography can involve a lot of standing around waiting for the light to do something interesting, and there is nothing worse than being freezing cold, soaked through or having wet feet while you are trying to concentrate on making images.
You also don’t need to go out and spend a fortune all at once. Some things are worth investing more money in, particularly boots, waterproofs and decent layers, but other bits can be added or upgraded as you go. I’m still doing exactly that myself.
I’ll keep coming back to this list and adding things as I find something useful, replace something that has worn out or remember something obvious that I have completely forgotten to include.
For now, dress for the conditions, take more layers than you think you need and don’t underestimate how quickly the weather can change. And if you are going anywhere properly mountainous or heading out in serious winter conditions, make sure you have the right equipment and know how to use it.
Most importantly, stay safe, stay comfortable and enjoy being out there taking photographs.
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Photo Credit: Cover Image Alice Donovan Rouse @alicekat on Unsplash