7

I'm debating what equipment to buy to prepare for a cold weather in mountain terrain and felt it might be useful to test what different temperatures feel like while wearing chosen equipment. My companion disagrees that some heavy duty items are required and we would both gain from finding out who is right, if only to settle the argument.

Rather than flying away to find colder climates, I vaguely recall seeing something about test facility which can simulate cold, wind and rain conditions on demand in a retail store in London. I never went in, so my imagination may be running wild, but I guess it was a some kind of giant fridge with fans and hoses to simulate wind and rain as well.

Unfortunaltey I don't recall which store had this set up and most importantly, what that kind of facility is called, which has made it hard to Google for. Any ideas?

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    Aside from just walking into a meat freezer, I've never heard of anything like what you're asking. But to be more clear, this is not something that people usually do when buying gear.
    – john_science
    Commented Mar 11, 2013 at 15:27
  • I think I have located one in Munich: retail-square.com/shops/globetrotter-0
    – requiem
    Commented Feb 9, 2016 at 7:53
  • 1
    this would be of limited use. Spending 10 minutes in a freezer does not simulate a cold and wet 10 hours on a Scottish Monroe. Your answer is layering. Take multiple layers and use this to moderate/maintain your temperature. Too cold, add layers, too warm remove layers, etc.
    – user2766
    Commented Feb 9, 2016 at 8:21

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
3

Maybe you're thinking of the Vertical Chill, at Ellis Brigham in Covent Garden? This is like a giant refrigerator for ice climbing but not rain and wind.

http://www.vertical-chill.com/vertical-chill-london.htm

Improve this answer
2

Could it be the Indoor Skiing Snow Centre near London?

The temperature in The Snow Centre ranges from -2 to -6 degree Celsius

Improve this answer
1
  • It was not, but that's an option certainly.
    – Simon Gibbs
    Commented Mar 7, 2013 at 9:31
1

In the Top Gear Winter Olympics special Richard Hammond (and the car he is inside) are subjected to extreme winter conditions (-40°) at the MIRA test labs. Hilarity ensues.

Top Gear segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM46RoD3-yM

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.