Edmund Hillary's Mount Everest Gear: A Look at His Climbing Clothing

Sir Hillary chose to wear a down jacket made by a British clothing firm called Peter Lloyd and Co., which was based in London. To prevent wind chill, the suit had a windproof fabric on the outside, and the sleeves were insulated with goose feathers to keep him warm. In those days, there was a limited selection of synthetic materials on the market, so wool and down were two of the most reliable materials available for effective clothing. Sir Hillary also sported a wool balaclava that hid his face, woolen socks, and ski trousers in addition to the down suit.