2.ANTARCTICA

This was the first time in history that people had been to Antarctica and they had to come up with clothing that allowed the exploration of this last place on earth that we discovered and then later to live and work there with the harshest cold climate of all.

The biggest problems were with footwear and moisture retention by clothing and sleeping bags which would freeze hard when removed.

Inuit style fur clothing as used by Amundsen was efficient and already proven. It wasn’t readily available or widespread however and was also expensive and difficult to repair if damaged. Furs and skins were regarded by many as rather primitive or uncivilized and the manner of their use was not well understood. Much experimentation went on with materials, designs, and the layering of different items of clothing. Most garments were made with natural fibers as synthetics were limited in variety and only in their infancy.

People in Antarctica wear different types of clothing depending on the situation, season and what activities they are doing. It is normal to wear long woolen underwear, pants, a shirt and a windproof outer layer when working on the ice during the summer months.

Much of a person’s time in Antarctica is spent inside well-heated buildings on the various research stations, meaning they can wear normal clothing, such as a T-shirt and jeans. However, extra precautions must be taken when going outside in the winter due to the extreme temperatures. Winter expeditions require a person to wear many layers of clothing, covered up by a quilted suit. In fact, wearing multiple layers is always recommended, as it is important to be able to remove layers to prevent overheating and sweating.

antarctica clothing images