suitsack

Overview

A suitsack is a cold‑weather survival suit used in the extramuros world, especially in polar and high‑mountain regions during sledge travel. It functions as insulated outerwear for long rides and treks in blowing snow and is worn continuously—even for sleep—though wearers describe it as uncomfortable. Both migrants and smugglers are observed using them, and avout traveling outside the walls also rely on suitsacks during difficult over‑ice routes.

Description and Use

• Insulation and hood: Wearers draw up a hood (described with a synthetic‑fur fringe) to shield the face from wind.
• Fuel and heat: Each suit carries a refillable fuel bladder; travelers also handle separate cans labeled as “suitsack fuel.” Heat management is adjusted during long rides (e.g., setting a catalytic heater low to keep hands and feet viable). Melting snow or running warm components consumes energy drawn from body food stores and/or suit fuel.
• Water pouches: Pouches on the front are packed with snow that melts over time into drinking water. Suits are described with a drinking tube leading from these pouches.
• Carry options: The body has cargo pockets and exterior equipment loops for stowing tools and personal kit (e.g., an improvised ice pick). Avout are seen carrying the bolt, chord, and sphere in these pockets when traveling.
• Visibility: Some examples are bright orange, as seen on smugglers moving between sledges.

Provenance/Ownership

• Common extramuros gear: Suitsacks appear as standard cold‑weather gear among migrants, smugglers, and other travelers outside the walls. Drivers on smuggling routes may cache fuel and rations for stranded passengers and refer to the suit’s specific fuel.
• Avout usage: When traveling under sanction, avout have been observed wearing suitsacks during over‑ice journeys, using the suit’s storage to carry personal kit. See avout and extramuros for context.

Notable Mentions

• During a transfer from a giant sledge train to a small smuggler’s rig in a blizzard, multiple passengers wore suitsacks (some orange) and traveled in a tent‑covered sledge.
• After being left on a mountain slope while the tractor searched for fuel, a small party refilled suit fuel bladders, packed snow into water pouches, and set out roped together over crevasse‑prone terrain; the suitsacks’ pockets and loops were used to carry tools and avout kit.
• On reaching a coastal port after an arduous descent, a traveler remarks on having slept “one more time” in the suitsack, underscoring its utility and discomfort in extended use.