Help me buy a winter jacket

[Kelvrick]

How much would you consider being a drain on your bank account?

 

[xanis]

How much would you consider being a drain on your bank account?

Anything above $250 would be pretty hard to stomach. Basically, I need a nice "middle of the roat" coat – a little better than a $35 Walmart coat, but not as good as a $400 North Face.

 

[zinfamous]

I'm in Berkeley, CA, so it's different, I haven't even seen snow I think since I was back east decades ago. I have a down jacket I picked up cheap at Costco, or was it Walmart? If you hunt around you can find deals. Water proof is something I don't have in a warm jacket, but it's never very cold around here when it rains. If I needed that I'd wear a rain out gear and warmer stuff underneath.

I checked them out when I needed a jacket but didn't like the prices.

Man, if you need anything more than a simple, thin fleece out here, then I suggest you hit up your PCP for a blood test.




OP: after having lived through 5 Chicago winters, I would suggest layers--one big quality down jacket is nice (northface), but you have other issues like rain, snow and ice to deal with.

I would go with a nice thermal undershirt, a "performance" fleece jacket, then a light waterproof shell-ski gear, more or less.

add a scarf and you're good to go. Layers allow you to adjust temperature more effectively and believe it or not, you aren't really adding any extra gear--the light fleece and thermal undershirt (silk is great) don't really need to be removed too often during the cold months.

 

[The_Dude8]

patagonia.

 

[irishScott]

Hmm... there's an REI out in Conshohocken. Might have to check it out, thanks.

Yes there is and I've actually been to it. They've got a pretty expansive selection, if it's not too far go check it out.

Best thing about REI, you can go online, read the reviews, make a list of potentials, then call the store and ask if they have a particular jacket in stock.

Also if you become an REI member ($20 one time for a lifetime subscription) you get 10% of your yearly purchases back as either store credit or cash (they sum it all up once a year and let you know).

 

[Schadenfreude]

Went to the local goodwill, found a gorgeous full-length cashmere peacoat w/ silk lining, and intricate accents in perfect condition.

Paid $12.99 + tax for the wife.

/tangent

(Go check out what they have at goodwill)

 

[Arcadio]

Subscribed due to a personal interest in this particular topic.

 

[The_Dude8]

Man, if you need anything more than a simple, thin fleece out here, then I suggest you hit up your PCP for a blood test.




OP: after having lived through 5 Chicago winters, I would suggest layers--one big quality down jacket is nice (northface), but you have other issues like rain, snow and ice to deal with.

I would go with a nice thermal undershirt, a "performance" fleece jacket, then a light waterproof shell-ski gear, more or less.

add a scarf and you're good to go. Layers allow you to adjust temperature more effectively and believe it or not, you aren't really adding any extra gear--the light fleece and thermal undershirt (silk is great) don't really need to be removed too often during the cold months.

i concur. Get a patogonia cap 2 or 3 as your inner layer, a goosedown jacket as your mid layer, and than a hardshell for your final layer; the hardshell acts as your windproof and waterproof jacket.

here's an indepth discussion on the clothes layers system:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi...rums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=9378

here's an example of layers of clothes:

1) Cap 1 SS (bought at patagonia.com 50% off sale $12) 5 oz.
2) R1 Hoody (bought at patagonia.com 50% off sale $75) 12 oz.
3) Houdini (bought at patagonia.com 50% off sale $60) 5 oz.
4) Nano puff no hood (bought on BPL forum used $60) 9 oz.
5) Ultralight Down Hoody (bought with 20% off REI sale $250) 9 oz.
6) Torrentshell Pullover (bought at patagonia.com 50% off sale $50) 10 oz.

if you want a great down jacket, i would recommend getting a feather friend jacket for $260, the ferrari of down jacket. Made in U.S.A. and with great warranty as well

http://featheredfriends.com/Picasso/Garments/Lt/Helios.html

 

[JEDI]

This. I just got one for $70 and it's better than most jackets I've had in the past.

what was it?

 

[Jumpem]

Carhartt. I'm looking at this one: http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/...angId=-1&categoryId=10928&top_category=10926# in the green color.

 

[Bignate603]

Synthetic has its place, but in general down is the best material for insulation when it comes to clothing.

Down >> Synthetic.

Down is great. Until it gets wet. Then it turns into a soggy mess and offers you very little insulation. If you're going to get wet you'll be better off with a high quality synthetic.

For a jacket you'll only be wearing when its well below freezing you don't need to worry too much about getting wet. However, if you're going to wearing it for many different kinds of conditions including the sloppy wet slush that falls in the northeast and midwest you'll be better off with a nice waterproof shell over layers of stuff like fleece.

 

[irishScott]

Down is great. Until it gets wet. Then it turns into a soggy mess and offers you very little insulation. If you're going to get wet you'll be better off with a high quality synthetic.

For a jacket you'll only be wearing when its well below freezing you don't need to worry too much about getting wet. However, if you're going to wearing it for many different kinds of conditions including the sloppy wet slush that falls in the northeast and midwest you'll be better off with a nice waterproof shell over layers of stuff like fleece.

Can vouch for this. I use a cheap ($60) Gor-tex non-breathable rain shell over a Mountain Hardwear wind-stopper microfleece. Works better than my Land's End synthetic. I just throw on an undershirt when it gets below 20.

 

[DirkGently1]

The only company i would buy a Jacket from is Schott NYC:

http://www.schottnyc.com/products/men/

 

[DaWhim]

patagonia. nice stuff. there was only one time i don't feel warm in this jacket, when i was climbing this mountain at almost 20k feet with fierce wind. should've put on 1 more layer underneath.

 

[xaeniac]

Did you make a decision?

 

[xanis]

Did you make a decision?

I did. I went to a few different stores and looked at jackets... and I wound up buying a Reebok on sale for $80. The material feels almost identical to North Face's, it has two very warm, fleece-lined layers, a detachable hood, and it's water-resistant. No complaints.

 

[shiner]

L.L. Bean

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Karpa

 

[sjwaste]

I have a ($150) LL Bean wool/poly fleece that is pretty good with knocking down the wind and, per the store, is rated to -5F. For wetter or more windy days, I have an EMS shell ($100 a couple years ago) that I can wear over it - or alone if it's milder outside. I wore just the fleece today when it was 10 degrees on my way to work, but I don't have a long walk to my office from the car.

I'd suggest LL Bean if you want a store to shop. It was founded up here, where I'm pretty sure it's a lot colder than what you'll get in Philly this winter, and for the most part, their stuff is still function-first.

FWIW, I'm a Philly native living in Maine - but today was my first really cold day here

EDIT: This is the exact jacket I have from LL Bean.

 

[maziwanka]

canada goose is pretty nice from what i've seen

 

[zanemoseley]

I just got a Columbia Venture Creek Jacket @ Belk dept. store for $50 this last weekend, supposedly 50% off. Just noticed they have it for $37.50 now but you probably have to pay shipping. http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/Belk_P...bia+Sportswear+Venture+Creek+Jacket.jsp?off=1

Its more insulated that it looks. I walked the dog the other day at 6am when it was 15 degrees and it kept me warm.

This is the time of year to get a jacket/coat. Early in the season use an older jacket, then after Christmas when stuff goes on sale and they're attempting to clear winter outerwear inventory snap up a good deal.