Whats a good winter coat for washington?

MEJ

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Jul 24, 2011
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I need a decent winter coat that i can use on a multi-day camping trip in the woods. It will be around november or december.

Also are there a kind of hiking snowpants that are lightweight but very warm and would you say they are necessary?
I have snowpants but there are for snowboarding... will they work?

150-200 is my coat budget

http://www.proboardshop.com/bt3pu00..._campaign=shopcomparefeed&CAWELAID=1040944561

I have this burton snowboarding jacket... Could I use it as my camping jacket?
 
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I will be somewhere in the lower cascades (western cascades)... im planning on hiking for a day and making a basecamp for 4 days after that.
 
I'd prepare for a rain/snow mix. Some sort of water resistant breathable outer shell with synthetic fill in your inner layers. You could end up with snow-lots of snow. So snow shoes might be helpful. Do you have an idea on the elevation? The prediction is for a mild winter but on any given day.....
 
I'd look into one if the Eddie Bauer first ascent synthetic fill jackets. they're warm for the weight and compress really well for not being down. probably best to avoid down for the wetness and anything with a built in waterproof layer as they aren't that breathable and limit your layering options.
 
Why is down so bad in the wet?
I have also been looking at doubling a fleece jacket with a shell but im not sure...
 
Why is down so bad in the wet?
I have also been looking at doubling a fleece jacket with a shell but im not sure...

A fleece jacket with a shell is basically what the Buffalo system is that I gave the link for. If they are good enough for Ray Mears and his team then they are good enough for me !!!
 
Why is down so bad in the wet?I have also been looking at doubling a fleece jacket with a shell but im not sure...

when down gets wet it looses its insulative value until it gets dry and it is hard to dry. The synthetics loose a lot of their insulative value when soaking wet but regain a lot when wrung out and are much easier to get dry. IMO wet down is as bad as wet cotton, except cotton is easier to dry.
 
Cold is going to be your friend here. There's no reason at all why you can't use the jacket you have provided it doesn't rain really hard. Up to a point cold is going to be your ally because it will play to the strengths of the jacket you have. The downside of your jacket is if it is warmer and wet, because although your jacket should shed snow quite readily it won't hold out against rain pounding down on it for very long. Drizzle yeah, but wind driven rain no chance. The other shortcoming of your jacket is the MVP figure, but hey, if you don't find it a sweat box now the chances are you won't then, especially since you mention a lot of camp loafing rather than load hauling. If it were my money I'd be loading up on a good light dedicated rain shell to take in addition to the jacket you have. That'll have you optimized for all eventualities.
 
Cold is going to be your friend here. There's no reason at all why you can't use the jacket you have provided it doesn't rain really hard. Up to a point cold is going to be your ally because it will play to the strengths of the jacket you have. The downside of your jacket is if it is warmer and wet, because although your jacket should shed snow quite readily it won't hold out against rain pounding down on it for very long. Drizzle yeah, but wind driven rain no chance. The other shortcoming of your jacket is the MVP figure, but hey, if you don't find it a sweat box now the chances are you won't then, especially since you mention a lot of camp loafing rather than load hauling. If it were my money I'd be loading up on a good light dedicated rain shell to take in addition to the jacket you have. That'll have you optimized for all eventualities.

^ That. Plus I would add a fleece liner and maybe a light wool sweater/shirt.

If you take along a fleece liner (any lightweight fleece jacket will do) and a good quality rain shell like mentioned above in addition to your snowboard jacket, those 3 items will provide you a layering system that should get you through just about anything; any one or two of those combined will probably cover 90% of the situations you'll be in, and all 3 (fleece, then snowboard jacket, then rainshell) should cover the worst case scenario.

Wool provides warmth even if it is wet - wool comes in handy to wear if you have to dry out your other layers, or as a base layer if you need to be bulletproof;

Just remember that cotton is a killer in the cold and wet, so pay attention to your base layer next to your skin, and ensure it is some sort of poly or moisture-wicking fabric that is not cotton. It doesn't have to be a high-dollar poly shirt, either; get a package of 3 tshirts in the underwear section that are 100% polyester, or poly-wool blend and you're set for your base layer.

Lastly, dont pile everything on and overheat/get sweaty. Keep the spare layers in your pack in case you need them. Same thing for layering on your legs:

Long undies made of polyester or poly-wool blend, then a layer of fleece, then a waterproof/resistant layer like your snowpants. Not necessarily all at the same time. mix and match according to the conditions just like your upper half. One spare set of wool/fleece to wear while the others dry out.

Same with the socks; a layer of very thin polyester socks for wicking moisture, then some sort of wool/wool-blend sock like you probably already wear boarding. I use dress-socks like you would wear with a suit for my base layer. You can buy expensive poly or silk sock liners at the outdoor stores, but dress socks are the same thing, work just as well for a fraction of the price. Same for the poly underwear-you can usually find it cheap at a suerstore like Target, and it works just as well as the high dollar stuff for a base layer. Spend your money on a very good quality rain shell like 'taco says, and you'll never regret it.

Don't forget a warm hat. :)

Sheez, I got on a roll here...sorry if I rambled.
 
Take a look at the condor softshell jackets. I own the rothco version, and it is phenominal for the price. Plenty of pockets, and since they corrected the sizing issues, they work great when dressing in layers.
 
Alright... very helpful advice... ill have to give this some serious thought
 
Go to REI and ask them. You're too close to real experts to be wasting time here.
 
For Washington?

It appears he preferred a woolen cloak:

george-washington-valley-forge.jpg


TF
 
Go to REI and ask them. You're too close to real experts to be wasting time here.

They'll tell you pretty much the same things we did, but they will have the clothing to show you. Also, they might have someone on staff that is familiar with the area you will be hiking into. If so they can advise you as to potential hazards. Are you planning on going with a group or solo?
 
Go to REI and ask them. You're too close to real experts to be wasting time here.

True, Definitely seek advice from REI - they know what they are doing and can show you examples of everything. Don't take our word for it. But then I would shop around. REI has quality stuff, but often you can find the same quality for a fraction of the price elsewhere, especially given your budget. The one exception is your outer waterproof rain shell. REI has great quality shells, and that is one piece of equipment that I would not scrimp on. As for the rest, wool is wool, fleece is fleece, no matter whose name is on the outside. Back in the day, I bought my fleece liner at a bargain store for $15, and it is still going strong as my inner layer years later.
 
True, Definitely seek advice from REI - they know what they are doing and can show you examples of everything. Don't take our word for it. But then I would shop around. REI has quality stuff, but often you can find the same quality for a fraction of the price elsewhere, especially given your budget. The one exception is your outer waterproof rain shell. REI has great quality shells, and that is one piece of equipment that I would not scrimp on. As for the rest, wool is wool, fleece is fleece, no matter whose name is on the outside. Back in the day, I bought my fleece liner at a bargain store for $15, and it is still going strong as my inner layer years later.

I agree, spend your big bucks on a waterproof/breathable shell parka w/ a full integrated hood, a 2-way front zipper, and pit zips. Get one big enough to fit over your long underwear (wool or synthetic) and 2 other fleece/wool/ or syn fill layers (these can be from a thrift shop if need be). Then get an inexpensive lightweight no frills synthetic parka w/ a hood (look for sales online or in thrift ships) Make sure it is big enough to fit over ALL your other layers. Bring a pile/wool or thick fleece balaclava for a hat. If you want you can also add in a basic windbreaker or windshirt. Legs; long underwear, another fleece, wool or synfill layer, wind pants, and lightweight rainpants. Wool or synthetic socks. Mittens w/ removable fleece or wool liners, liner gloves. This combo will keep you warm/dry no matter what. (I used to work at REI :) !)
 
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