Here at Swoop, we often get asked about the pros and cons of buying kit vs hiring kit for an Antarctic adventure. As a passionate polar traveller and a packing obsessive, let me provide some clarity!
An expedition cruise trip to Antarctica may require some cold weather gear you don’t already own, though it’s often surprising how many things you already have. For more on what clothes you need to bring with you, watch our detailed video and read our comprehensive packing list. Although many people will choose to buy new, we have increasingly found renting items to be a great choice for sustainably sourcing your Antarctic gear.
Happily, all ships operating Antarctic expeditions provide waterproof neoprene boots (Wellington style) that you will be wearing any time you leave the ship. The vast majority of ships supply these once you are on board and all you need to do in advance is complete your boot size when you are filling in your passenger forms (if requested). A very small number of ships require you to complete a rental form and pay for the hire of these boots – if necessary, this will be made clear on the information provided in your booking.
The boots provided are good quality, keeping your feet warm and dry as you walk through the snow and step into the water during wet zodiac landings on the beach. As the bulkiest item of your polar gear, it’s great that you don’t need to worry about squeezing these into your suitcase.
Some operators may also provide a complimentary expedition jacket, but please check your booking documents to see if this applies to your trip. If your ship operator offers one, think about whether you’ll use it again after you return home, and if not, consider hiring one instead.
Hiring kit
Polar kit hire has become much easier in recent years, with high quality gear available that can be ordered in advance and delivered to you at your hotel in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas for you to check and try on before your departure.
Why hire polar gear?
We are always looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact. While the carbon footprint of travel is well understood, the clothing industry alone is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions – more than both international flights and maritime shipping combined. By renting gear that you don’t have or can’t borrow, instead of buying new, it’s possible to reduce that personal impact. This is especially helpful if you live in a warmer climate and are unlikely to use the cold weather clothes again. Hiring gear locally also means you have less to pack.
How to hire polar gear
For the hiring of polar gear, Swoop has partnered with New Headings, who can provide high quality rental gear in both Ushuaia and Punta Arenas. We’ve thoroughly tested the gear out in the ice to ensure its quality: you can learn more about how it works in our blog How to hire kit for your Antarctica cruise. It’s an easy process: gear must be reserved at least seven days before arrival, and they’ll bring you your chosen size (plus a couple of alternatives) to your hotel to try on before you depart. The most common items to hire are parka jackets, waterproof pants, waterproof mittens and a waterproof backpack.
At the end of your cruise, your kit is returned to the New Headings office in Ushuaia, next to the port. If you’re flying back from the Antarctic Peninsula, there’s also the option of having someone collect your gear at Punta Arenas airport, or your departure hotel.
Buying gear
It is important that the clothing you are wearing is comfortable and fits well as you are going to be really putting it to the test as you explore Antarctica. Here at Swoop, we usually give any new gear a road test at home before heading south. That way, you can discover in advance if anything is a bit tight when you’re sitting down, rubs in an awkward spot, or isn’t quite as waterproof or windproof as it claimed on the label. It also gives you the ability to see how your layering technique works in practice – for example, do these waterproof trousers fit comfortably on top of my thermals, and can I easily get the ankle opening over the top of a pair of boots?
Price
With the improvement of online shopping, it is now very straightforward to get hold of adventure clothing, even if you live in a hot weather location.
One tip I’ve learned is to look for deals at the end of the winter season when retailers are bringing in their summer ranges. This is equally valid online and in-store. Often your Antarctic trip is booked months or even years in advance, so it is usually possible to pounce on some significant reductions on high-quality gear, and then keep it stowed ready for your trip.
You don’t always have to spend a fortune to get good quality gear. Famous name brands often have a price tag to match. Of course, it is very important to carefully check exactly what you are buying – showerproof is not interchangeable with waterproof! I have found some fantastic gear by looking in unexpected places, such as local builders’ merchant catalogues. Here you sometimes find gems with hardwearing, high-performance gear priced with economy in mind, but without the flashy looks of a slick designer brand.
If you realise you have forgotten or lost any essential gear, the port cities have multiple adventure clothing stores where you can pick up replacements. Being in remote locations the prices in these shops are often higher than you might pay at home, but the selection and quality are generally good.
Most ships will have a small onboard shop with some handpicked gear, often including gloves and hats.
Once you have got your gear, it’s surprising how much you can reuse it back at home. Even in the relatively mild climates of the UK where I live, I’ve used my Antarctic thermals on chilly winter days, my waterproof overtrousers have come in handy on splashy summer boat rides, and my waterproof jackets have been great in the British drizzle. I should also add that polar travel is highly addictive and you may well find yourself being drawn back to the polar regions (north, or south again) to get that icy fix.
For those who don’t want to take their Antarctic gear back home, most ships will offer the option to leave it behind on board, where it is gratefully received. This is a great way to ensure that the gear continues to serve its purpose and reduce environmental impact. Often this is used as a backup for any unfortunate passengers whose luggage has not arrived (another great reason to always make sure you pack some waterproofs and thermals in your carry-on). I know the behind-the-scenes crew who keep the ship running hugely appreciate it.
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