Quick Tip: Invest in top notch weather gear

You will work in the shit. It's going to happen. Pouring rain (sometimes real, sometimes fake), freezing cold, blazing hot, hurricane winds, long winter nights in the desert, you name it, you’re going to have to spend 12 hours in it. Trust me when I tell you that when you say to yourself We aren’t going to actually work in this are we? you are. And not only are you going to have to work 12 hours, but you are going to have to do exceptionally hard, technically demanding, and often very exhausting work in all kinds of weather. So be prepared.

Get rain gear, get cold gear, get goggles for wind. Trust me when I tell you that you will never ever be frustrated by having too much weather gear or having bought too expensive weather gear.  I’m not necessarily saying that the more expensive stuff is better, but in weather gear, the good stuff often tends to cost a lot. The first time you show up at the east river in NYC in January at 5 PM where its 10 degrees without the wind, snowing, and you have another 12 hours until dawn, you’ll realize how important this is. I’ve done 12-hour days in temps below zero, above 100, wind that makes it hard to see and hear, and worse. Get good gear as soon as you can and you won't be sorry.

Some things you should have in a weather bag you take on every set. Yes, some of this may seem like overkill, but, remember, you aren’t walking to the store in the rain and snow, you are standing outside in the middle of it for 12 hours. 

Wet

Waterproof pants, waterproof jacket, waterproof hat, waterproof gloves, and waterproof boots or overshoes (Neos rock on every level). If you have equipment you will also want to have waterproof coverings for any of your gear as well. Gore-Tex, Gore-Tex, Gore-Tex. You’ll want to have rain gear that will be cool in the middle of the summer and that also can go over any cold gear you have as well. Think breathability.

Cold

Warm waterproof jacket, warm waterproof snowboard pants, several thicknesses of gloves, leggings, thermals, socks, socks, socks, boots or overshoes, hats, hats, hats, and anything else you can think of. Everyone has a different way of dealing with the snow, but I find that layers are key. I usually have several, and I wear my least breathable rain gear on the outside as it tends to cocoon in the heat. Also, too much won't work if you need to be nimble, so there is a constant fight between being warm enough and not ending up like the kid in A Christmas Story. Lately I’ve been using an electrically heated vest that has a battery that lasts six hours. Lightweight and warm, it's often enough inside a windbreaker shell. Also, on the foot front, the key to keeping your feet cold is mostly about the sole. Especially if you are on concrete, the cold will come right through the bottom of your shoes or boots, so soles thicker than you can imagine will be your friend. Shows will often offer up hand and feet warmers and, while these can help, if you don't have a good set up going, that heat will slip through and disappear.

Hot

While it would seem that less is more this isn’t often the case. First there is the question of sun damage. There is a lot of SPF clothing that’s available and great. Also, having something against your skin that will wick away sweat and something over that (a loose long sleeve spf button down shirt) will actually keep you cooler, as that sweat will cool down and help you maintain body temps. And of course, sunglasses, head covering that covers your neck, breathable footwear, and on and on.

Misc

Goggles for sand, wind, and stunts involving flying debris. Ear protection (gun range noise canceling electronic headsets work great), knee wraps/neoprene supports, baseball hats for the sun, and anything else you can think of.

As you move forward, you will continually add to this bag (or bags) and find exactly what works for you. If you live in a cold climate, put everything on and go outside and shovel to test it. If you live where it rains, go garden in a rainstorm in your gear. If it’s hot, make sure you have the right things to keep you protected from the sun. 

Finally, when you are on set, look at the people who seem comfortable and find out what they own to help them with this. It's the single best way to figure out what to get.