Opinions wanted on jackets

PerfectCreature

So, I am in the area for a new jacket. Looking for some input from people that live in cold climates. My old jacket is falling apart and is just not very warm anymore.
Looking for opinions on the types of jackets people own and the brands. I link would be cool as well. I plan to buy online since most of my store don;t carry quality jackets. So that is why I am asking those who already have them.
Thanks so much.

cfrizz

If you want to stay warm, down is the only way to go.

wz2p7j

cfrizz wrote: »

If you want to stay warm, down is the only way to go.

Yeah, as in "down" south, then you'll be warm. :biggrin::biggrin:

Chris

PerfectCreature

Ah, that is true. I wish I could. Unfortunately....college calls me to stay, and so does the money issue. Otherwise, hell yeah I would move to someplace warm.

audiobliss

I HATE big, bulky, heavy jackets. I hate layering. I hate having my movement impeded. Hence, when I was looking for my last winter jacket I wanted something as thin and light as possible. I have an Eddie Bauer EB800. I don't see it on their website at the moment, but it appears to be really similar to their "Mountain Guide Down Jacket". It's down, so it's really warm and light, and it's stitched in fairly regular sections, so it's not too poofy. I really wanted to get the "Downlight Sweater" since it has even smaller sections so it's even thinner and is INCREDIBLY light, but it just didn't hang right on me.

I hardly ever wear the EB800 as it usually isn't cold enough outside to warrant it. It's gotten down to the high-20's here the past few days, and I just go out in a t-shirt and a fleece. It has to be cold, or I have to be outside for a good while, before I'll really bundle up. But the EB800 does a good job of keeping me warm when I need it, withot being encumbering.

The only thing I don't like about it is that while the material it's made out of feels soft and smooth, it also seems like it'd be rather easy to tear. It's very flexible and comfortable, but compared to my friend's almost identical North Face, I feel like I'd be worried wearing mine in the woods for fear of snagging it on a branch. However, the North Face is a lot stiffer and therefore that much more uncomfortable. Guess it's all a personal preference.

Here's a picture of me wearing it here at school last winter. Playing around in the snow was definitely excuse enough to wear my fleece and the EB800 over a t-shirt.

inspiredsports

All six of us ski and could spend upwards of $1,800 for coats if we went with North Face, Marmot, Columbia, etc., and my wife and 3 girls tend to get cold so warm is critical.

If you need top brands and have a Burlington Coat Factory nearby, their prices when they closeout are very good, and they carry the ZeroXposur brand which we have found to be very warm and stylish with low pricing.

For guys, I've found Free Country at Sam's Club to be exceptional and have found $100+ ski/winter jackets marked down to $19.99 on the closeout rack at the back corner of the store several times. I gave up down years ago. All of the new stuff is Thinsulate, and warmer than anything I've owned before at 1/3 or less of the bulk.

Yes, if you are at -60 ascending Everest, down is still the bomb, and recommended (these are the 4 warmest coats on the planet: North Face Baltoro, Mt. Hardwear Absolute Zero, Marmot 8000 meter, Feathered Friends Rock & Ice)

polkfarmboy

I always buy lacoste jackets

cheif pontiac

The only way to stay warm and dry is to layer. Buy a good outer shell that is wind and water resistant, or waterproof with taped seems. You can then use various fleece jackets depending on temp and need for warmth. If it is a rainy spring day you can wear the outer layer only or on a cool fall day the fleece. This will give you a jacket system that can be used for various weather conditions.
Here is a link to a local store to me that does a lot of online sales.
www.moosejaw.com

Libertyc

Try Lands End. They make very nice stuff. Soon all stores will be blowing out the winter jackets. Sam's Club is a great place and you should check it out. I also like my Spyder jacket.

PerfectCreature

I picked up a Columbia Titanium jacket for $80....so far it is shocking. literally. Everytime I take it off it shocks me.
There is another store that has north face jackets at closeout prices that I am going to check as well. The Columbia was a layered concept....it did not fare to well in the -2 degree weather this morning to my car....so. Who knows...Maybe north face will bring better news.

audiobliss

I also have a Columbia jacket with a fleece liner and a fairly thick outer shell. Supposed to be pretty nice, but I absolutely hate it. It is the 'thick, bulky' jacket setup that I can't stand.

fatchowmein

I'm down south (DFW) and we did have an 8 degree wind chill day but nothing like you northerners. I have the Eddie Bauer Geddes Parka with 650 fill down. It's rated for 0-20 degrees. I don't think it's waterproof and I believe down loses its warmth once wet. However, it worked well for that day. The synthetic fur is detachable. A bit short but makes a decent jacket. It's on sale.

Geddes Parka

Willow

my wife bought a Marmot jacket last year. She was always cold. With this one she never says a word. I wear to work a long pea-coat made of wool, for the most part it does the job. When I am using the snowblower or it's very cold, I either wear my 2in1 Columbia coat outer shell is made of vertex the inside is a fleece which also has a water repelling shell which can also breath, or a Tommy Hil. down coat in which I usually sweat in.

cheif pontiac

audiobliss wrote: »

I also have a Columbia jacket with a fleece liner and a fairly thick outer shell. Supposed to be pretty nice, but I absolutely hate it. It is the 'thick, bulky' jacket setup that I can't stand.

I am not sure what you have for an outer shell, or where you have lived. Bulky is subjective. For the most part columbia makes nice stuff. Layering should be more efficient and offer more maneuverability than a single piece designed for warmth. After all layering came about as a way to stay warm while be active outdoors it should offer maneuverability.


All I really know is it is 12 degrees here today, I just got done clearing ice and snow outside and I was warm . I like having 3-4 pieces that I can interchange and use for different conditions.

I'll take the Columbia off your hands if you are unhappy. :biggrin:

cnh

DUDE! You live in Maine! L.L.Bean is your friend.

http://www.llbean.com

If you can, get yourself down to Freeport to their OUTLET store where you can buy discounted items?

Take care..

cnh

audiobliss

cheif pontiac wrote: »

I am not sure what you have for an outer shell, or where you have lived. Bulky is subjective. For the most part columbia makes nice stuff. Layering should be more efficient and offer more maneuverability than a single piece designed for warmth. After all layering came about as a way to stay warm while be active outdoors it should offer maneuverability.


All I really know is it is 12 degrees here today, I just got done clearing ice and snow outside and I was warm . I like having 3-4 pieces that I can interchange and use for different conditions.

I'll take the Columbia off your hands if you are unhappy. :biggrin:

I am sure you are right about the effectiveness of layering, as everybody says it's the way to go. I suppose I just haven't ever really been out in the cold that much. In NC and here in AR, the coldest we get is high teens to low-20's on the really cold days, and that's not for a very long period of time.

Rivrrat

I used to be a ski instructor and fish for winter steelhead before I moved to perpetual warmth, and a shell with fleece underneath is the wayto go.

concealer404

I've always done the layered parka/ski jackets from Columbia or Eastern Moutain Sports.

I've been comfortable in them down to -40 degrees. Literally.

The new ones have been getting much slimmer. My girlfriend's new one is warmer, yet carries half the bulk and has twice the manueverability of my decade old on.

renowilliams

If you don't mind a less dressed up look you might consider a coat designed for pepole who work outside.I am a welding inspector and have worked outside all day in -40 weather in the past,thank god not anymore. Anyway,there is a company that makes workwear called Carhartt. I used to buy there jackets and never found them lacking for warmth.

greyford1979

renowilliams wrote: »

If you don't mind a less dressed up look you might consider a coat designed for pepole who work outside.I am a welding inspector and have worked outside all day in -40 weather in the past,thank god not anymore. Anyway,there is a company that makes workwear called Carhartt. I used to buy there jackets and never found them lacking for warmth.

I wear my bibs and jacket in the winter all the time, whether laying under the truck in the snow or doing other activities in the outdoors. Never let me down in the warmth department, in fact sometimes I tend to get hot in them lol. I like the fact that the jackets are not bulky and you don't look like a giant marshmallow or the Michelin man when you wear them

decal

You can't make a decision on your own,even if it's just buying a freaking jacket? Jeez,dude.

PerfectCreature

decal wrote: »

You can't make a decision on your own,even if it's just buying a freaking jacket? Jeez,dude.

No, it is called making an informed purchase. Much like reading reviews on a speaker. Or listening to it. You cant tell me that you would go out and buy a speaker without listening to it or even reading about it could you?
Ah well. No matter. The shop that I bought the jacket from is shipping me a soft shell that is thicker than the one already in the jacket for free. So I will be keeping the columbia one. All the other brands are good to have in mind for next time though. It is kind of hard since I live in a sort of "out in the woods" area. Not to many big stores to shop.

Anyway. Thanks for all the help. LL Bean jackets are nice but super expensive.

cheif pontiac

I'll give a thumbs up to the work clothes like Cathartt too. That can even be fashionable.Of course I live in Detroit. Nothing beat a pair of flannel lined Carhartt jeans. I will also admit that even though I layer, Carhartt bibs are the way to go for Ice Fishing and general work outside like clearing ice and snow.

Conradicles

Get a Members Only from the 1980's and call it a day.

dekuda

I just put a leather coat/jacket on ebay if interested I will sell it for $30 plus shipping/It is heavy enough for cold winters. It has only been worn two or three times.So it is in very nice condition. Size large.

PerfectCreature

Those carhartt jackets are warm, depending on which style you get but I just look odd in them. I am a size medium....so it may be to big for me.

muncybob

cnh wrote: »

DUDE! You live in Maine! L.L.Bean is your friend.

http://www.llbean.com

If you can, get yourself down to Freeport to their OUTLET store where you can buy discounted items?

Take care..

cnh

Gott agree! My aunt gave me my uncle's 2 LL Bean jackets when he passed. The lightweight parka keeps me warm in the coldest of temps with just a shirt on underneath. First LL Bean stuff I ever had and unless you get things on clearance/sale they are a bit pricey but the quality is there.

Demiurge

Living in Wisconsin where it gets downright nasty cold 2-3 months a year, I've always been satisfied with my North Face gear and would recommend that.

I've been buying it before it started becoming somewhat of a fashion statement over the last 10 years or so, but I think while pricey the gear still holds up with its value.

If you're serious, check out their higher end jackets. Buy a bigger jacket than you need. Its all about layers.

Lands End and L.L. Bean are OK alternatives.

PerfectCreature

Well, I bought a size that fits just about right. I can fit one more decent layer before it is snug. I did drive a bit to check out northface, but I had to decline do to price. Columbia was much cheaper. I picked up a Titanium series at the same location for well over 75% less than the Northface that appeared to be of the same quality....while it was nice, it had a price tag of $289.99 that is pretty steep for a jacket. I am used to wearing the "whatever is on sale" specials at my local stores.
For the first time I have a good quality jacket. I plan on buying a thicker soft shell, that does not shock me like the current one does.
I will be looking out for sales on those northface jackets though, I liked the how they felt, sturdy and and weightless fit.

Freeport is a LONG ways away.

Tony M

inspiredsports wrote: »

All six of us ski and could spend upwards of $1,800 for coats if we went with North Face, Marmot, Columbia, etc., and my wife and 3 girls tend to get cold so warm is critical.

If you need top brands and have a Burlington Coat Factory nearby, their prices when they closeout are very good, and they carry the ZeroXposur brand which we have found to be very warm and stylish with low pricing.

For guys, I've found Free Country at Sam's Club to be exceptional and have found $100+ ski/winter jackets marked down to $19.99 on the closeout rack at the back corner of the store several times. I gave up down years ago. All of the new stuff is Thinsulate, and warmer than anything I've owned before at 1/3 or less of the bulk.

Yes, if you are at -60 ascending Everest, down is still the bomb, and recommended (these are the 4 warmest coats on the planet: North Face Baltoro, Mt. Hardwear Absolute Zero, Marmot 8000 meter, Feathered Friends Rock & Ice)

I bought one years ago and it was awsome. I only worked in it, and it kept me warm through many wet,cold days. Best 20.00/30.00 coat I ever had for working in the cold and rain!

PerfectCreature

Makes me think about moving to an area more city like....oh well. That is why online shopping is our friend.