Quick answer
Build your cold-weather kit around three contact points: a thin, grippy glove you can shoot in, a hat that covers your ears without blocking your viewfinder, and a scarf or net that seals the gap at your neck. Add a headnet over the top when midges or mozzies are still active.
Why your hands matter more than your jacket in a hide
In a hide you are mostly still, so your extremities cool first. Bulky gloves keep you warm but make shutter and focus controls clumsy; thin gloves keep dexterity but leave you cold. The practical compromise is a lightweight grippy glove for shooting, with a warmer pair nearby for the waiting stretches. If you only buy one pair, choose the one that lets you operate your camera without taking it off.
The neck gap is the one most people forget
Cold air finds the space between your collar and your hat, and that is where a scarf or scrim net earns its place. A cotton scrim scarf is quiet, packs small and doubles as a little extra cover for your face or lens when the wind picks up. It is not a substitute for a proper insulated layer, but it stops the draught that makes you fidget.
When a headnet is still worth carrying in winter
Mild winters and damp woodland can keep midges and mozzies active longer than you expect. A lightweight headnet worn over a fleece hat or cap adds almost no weight and keeps insects off your head and neck. Look for one with an elastic section across the nose so it stays put while you are looking through the camera.
Cold-weather kit questions answered
What should I wear on my hands for winter wildlife watching?
Choose a thin, grippy glove you can shoot in and keep a warmer pair in your bag for the waiting periods. The B29.5 3D Leafy Dot Grip Gloves are lightweight, one-size polyester with a grip pattern, which suits camera handling better than thick insulated gloves. If temperatures drop below what they handle, add a liner or switch to the warmer pair between shots.
How do I stop my neck getting cold in a hide?
Seal the gap between collar and hat with a scarf or scrim net. The B13 Army Scrim Scarf Net is 100% cotton, 0.55m by 1m, so it wraps easily and stays quiet when you move. It also gives you a little extra face cover when the wind turns.
Do I need a headnet in winter?
Carry one if you are watching in damp woodland or mild weather where midges and mozzies linger. The B22 Headnet/Hood is lightweight and cool, with elastic across the nose to hold it in place, and it works over or under a fleece hat or cap. It adds almost no weight, so it is worth keeping in your bag even when you do not expect to use it.
How do I keep warm in a hide without moving around?
Layer for stillness: warm core layers first, then a hat that covers your ears, then gloves you can shoot in, then a scarf at the neck. Keep your hands out of your pockets and on the camera only when you are ready to shoot; between times, use the warmer gloves. A headnet over your hat is the last piece when insects are about. Test your full kit at home before you go: can you operate the camera, focus and fire the shutter without removing a glove?
Products that suit this setup
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Hats, Gloves, Scarfs/Nets: The B22 Headnet/Hood is lightweight and cool in a Hardwoods Green pattern, with elastic across the nose, and works worn over or under a fleece hat or cap. The same range includes B29.5 3D Leafy Dot Grip Gloves in one-size lightweight polyester and a B13 Army Scrim Scarf Net in 100% cotton, army green, 0.55m x 1m. These three pieces cover the head, hands and neck without adding bulk, so you can stay still and ready in the hide.
Hats, Gloves, Scarfs/Nets