The mercury might not reach minus 49 degrees, but for those sleeping rough on Hobart streets it can be more chilling than an Antarctic winter.

This week, the Australian Antarctic Division is hoping to change that for some at least by donating extreme weather gear that has previously helped Antarctic expeditioners survive blizzards and snow storms.

Hobart City Mission has been presented with polar fleece jackets, thermals, socks, gloves, sleeping bags and fleece liners to assist some of their efforts in providing clothing, food and shelter, food to an estimated 1000 homeless and vulnerable people in the Hobart area each year.