Cold weather coats

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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Feb 2, 2005
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Well, not trying to start a WSS fashion thread here. It is damned cold out there tonight, and it just the beginning:eek:. I have a pot of soup going on the stove, couple cans of dollar store vegetable soup, gonna put some beef cubes in there. El cheapo dinner.

Back on topic. What is your best coat? My first real parka, an old Moose Creek job, was my warmest coat, until I got a Columbia parka. I have left this coat in my truck overnight in temps around 0, and when I put it on, it feels like a furnace. The hood is one of those jobs that goes inside the collar, it is POS compared to the rest of the coat. But for the quality of the coat, I don't mind wearing a knit cap or balaclava (spelled right?).

I also have an old plaid zipper coat, with a surprisingly good hood, some Walmart brand, but it is very warm. My "work" coat, it is shredded in spots, has been sewed closed, padding falling apart.
 
i just layer. i dont really like the feal of coats, so typically when its cold ill wear a t-shirt, then a columbia thermal shirt, then a henly, then a flanel, then a wool button up shirt. never really get cold in that set up.
 
I use a simple three season coat from bass pro. It's sleeves are nylon lined, the rest including the fully attached hood and pockets are fleece lined.
Total price ... $40 (compared to a NF coat in the multi-hundred) I had bought one on sale and liked it so much, i went back for 6 more while on sale. My main coat the last 8 years.
I just choose what layers to use under it. I wore it the last two days in -11 F weather with layers and was warm.
 
what's a NF coat?

I have been using a woolrich wool shirt as my coat, with a Campmoor 300 fleece vest underneath while hiking. If it's real cold like in the negatives I'll put on some under-armor rgw a long sleeve cotton tee and then the vest and shirt.

If I know I'm going to be stationary then I have a Duluth trading Co. Wool coat that goes over that.

I always wear a wool derby and gloves.
 
Layering is key. I keep the top half covered, kinda skimped on the long johns these past couple years. Cold toes and diabetes don't work well together.
 
USAF N-3B Extreme Cold Weather Parka - without a doubt the warmest coat I've ever owned.

Honorable mentions - Field Jacket with liner, Schott wool Navy Pea Coat, and some of the three-in-one parka's by Columbia, North Face and such. North Face Nuptse 700 down filled coat.
 
another layer-er here...

i have experimented (and been happy with):
base-light, thin synthetic pajama style pants + spandexy long sleeve shirt
second- any old pants. whatever is comfy + thin cashmere sweater
third- (occassionally, an extra pair of pants) + fleece jacket (sometimes two)
outside- waterproof rain pants + waterproof/windproof shell

this keeps me dry in the snow, blocks the wind, and allows the loft of my layers to trap alot of my heat against my body.
 
I am always cold...ALWAYS. Best jacket I have ever had(have now) is a North Face 2 piece....outstanding!! I can't say enough about it. I can't remember the name/model off hand but it really is that good. It has been in the minus 40's here with the windchill the last week and it has kept me nice and toasty:thumbup:
 
Marmot 8000 Meter parka for really cold stuff. For moderate cold, a Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket. Very warm and weighs a total of 12 oz. in the XL size. A great choice for backpacking. I would also consider the lightweight Hyperion from www.featheredfriends.com. I think they make some of the best down coats. I have one of their bags and it is excellent.

DancesWithKnives
 
Back in the 70's, when Eddie Bauer was a REAL store, they sold the best goose down parkas I've ever tried. I used them in -40 C/F many times, and was always warm. Nowadays, I don't know who makes the best ones.
 
....layering too works for me. Next to my skin I like something that wicks moisture especially if I'm very active. For around town warmth in cold weather I have returned to a wool coat as an outer layer. When I'm not extremely active I find nothing beats wool's warmth. Down is effective too, but high moisture here in the PNW can often mitigate down's virtues. Wool keeps working for me in cold drizzle and wet snow.

During high activity pursuits I like my outer layer to be a Gortex-like material.....for it's breathable, wind-blocking capabilities. I over-heat and really perspire when I wear a wool outer coat during heavy exercise in cold weather.

- regards
 
Last edited:
sodak said:
Back in the 70's, when Eddie Bauer was a REAL store,....
Click to expand...
Their catalog back then was one of the things that got me into good knives. Back on topic, I have an LL Bean coat that is fairly light yet extremely warm. I also have an old Oshkosh coat that I got off ebay for ten bucks that is awesome. Both are thigh length with hoods.
 
I like my Carhartts.

I have a nylon Arctic model that I wear unless it gets real cold then I go to cotton shell, over sized, thigh length, blanket lined one that I can layer under.
 
By far the warmest coat I have is this one from Canada Goose...

CanadaGooseParka.jpg


It's actually too warm for anything other than long periods out in bitter cold.
 
DSCF0026-1.jpg


TOP: Base layer, Fleece anorak, fleece jacket, Helly Hansen shell
LEGS: Base layer, Gortex snow boarding pants
FEET: Heavy wool socks Danner type Boots with gortex layer
 
My Arctic Carhartt is my favorite coat. I sometimes team it up with a pair of Arctic Carhartt overalls, which makes for a great outer layer when fishing during this time of year.
 
My warmest coat is a Cabela's Arctic Parka. Goose down, and the hood is edged with real coyote fur. As others have noted, it's way too warm for all but the most frigid weather. Haven't needed it this year yet.
 
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