warm clothing - howto

[OrangeCounty]

Is there any HOWTO/useful links for shopping around for winter clothing? How to go about "layering" clothes? Sorry about these naive queries, but it is genuine concern for people not used to severe winter weather. Looking to complete shopping within $500-600 with the objective of getting good protection (something in the mid-range; neither expensive nor cheap).

Thank You
OrangeCounty

 

[Suin]

which province you live in?
there's a good site for settlement in Ontario: http://www.settlement.org/index.asp
you can get some info about clothing there too. also you can google about cheep clothing in Canada.

 

[Leon]

Clothing does not have to cost you that much. Layers are definitely good. You can have a wind resistant/water resistant outer jacket and you can wear it with a fleece, a sweater, a shirt, a t-shirt depending on the weather, if really cold, wear it with all of the above. For your legs, you can get long underwear under your pants but I found it more convenient to get sports warmup pants to wear over my pants. You can get the ones with snaps on the sides and then you can take them off easily without taking your shoes off when you get to where you are going whether it's work, the mall etc. If it's really cold, it's important to have warm mittens or gloves, a hat and scarf. You don't want to expose any skin. Good waterproof boots and warms socks are also a must.

Like I said, it doesn't have to cost the world. You can get some good stuff at Zellers without paying too much or you can even go to Goodwill or Value village and pick up some used clothes and you can get good stuff there too if you are lucky.

 

[toby]

Before my blood thinned during 6 years in Costa Rica's marvelous climate, in Ottawa, Canada I NEVER went to the extent that Leon recommends. Never found it necesary to put anything over my pants. Used a nice sheepskin jacket in the coldest part of Ottawa's winter, and mittens or good gloves. No hat. Galoshes over my normal shoes. That was enough.

But while in Vancouver (I think Orange Country is headed for Vancouver, no?) last December, I still needed only a wind-proof jacket and sweater underneath, no gloves, and certainly no hat (I hate hat hair!!). I wore tough shoes, but no boots.

ANyway, I'd wait until arriving, take a week or two to decide what you really need, and look for sales rather than load up on clothing you may never need while still in the USA. You're likely to find a better range of clothing here than over the Internet.

A key component (if you're going casual) is an outer layer (whether wind breaker or fully-insulated jacket) that cuts the wind and still breathes. Like Gortex or equivalent).

I always test the fabric by trying to blow through it from the outside (should block your breath) and from the inside (should let your breath pass through).

 

[PMM]

Hi

Is there any HOWTO/useful links for shopping around for winter clothing? How to go about "layering" clothes? Sorry about these naive queries, but it is genuine concern for people not used to severe winter weather. Looking to complete shopping within $500-600 with the objective of getting good protection (something in the mid-range; neither expensive nor cheap).

Thank You
OrangeCounty

1. As you are coming to Vancouver, good quality not cheap, Mountain Equipment Coop, Serviceable reasonable quality reasonable price, Marks Work Wear.

PMM

 

[OrangeCounty]

Thanks you all for the tips!

I am actually planning to Land in "balmy" Vancouver sometime this winter. We chose Vancouver since it is on the West coast and closer to Southern California; the weather also helps. Later on in summer we are planning to move to wherever my job takes us; hopefully we will find something in Vancouver.

Here in Southern California, we occasionally use a Fall jacket - even in winter Right now it is about 60F compared to 32F in Vancouver. So, we want to be prepared for the cold shock rather than go shopping after landing.

 

[toby]

Since you are not sure where you will end up, I'd definitely go with the minimum: a Fall jacket (wind proof. breathable) and a fleece underneath for the colder days will do quite well in Vancouver. In Ontario you'd need something warmer, but you can't really buy your final "clothing" until you know your final destination.

.

 

[Suin]

I am not from California, but still wear a winter jucket and sweater underneath, and put double pants on me, - the recent -10'C temperature really keeps me cold. I guess it's individual case.

 

[jes_ON]

BTW - Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) is the Canadian version of REI, which is another great source of winter wear. Not cheap, again - but I HIGHLY recommend their silk long underwear for layering - not too heavy, will be comfortable under most clothes, but sooooo comfortable and warm.

I don't know if it is the same in Vancouver as in Ontario, tho, but:

1) Clothing is generally a lot more expensive in Ontario than the US. But really warm clothing (for -40) is not widely available in the US, either. And there's a lot more choice of waterproof boots, etc. available here - ESSENTIAL!!!

2) Post-Christmas sales are no where near like what I was accustomed to in the US. It seems like Canadian retailers don't "overstock", a lot of things are "understocked" so that pretty much everything is sold out by Christmas (if you wear a common size). I moved in January and it was next to impossible to find a lot of winter items then.

Here, a "sale" is 5-10% off, 20% off is a big deal. In the US, it's not a sale until it's at least 50% off...

 

[OrangeCounty]

jes_ON - you have a good point ! That is the reason I am looking for some good Christmas deals, in US, for warm clothing. Talking of underwear, http://www.underarmour.com/ products are also great

 

[Suin]

almost all winter stuff should be on discount now, as some stores have spring clothes in.

 

[jes_ON]

Other good places for winter wear are stores like Cabela's, Bass Pro, and Gander Mountain. Whatever your politics on hunting, that stuff is really made to keep you warm and dry - and is often less expensive than REI etc.

Also - I gather that -40 is not common in Vancouver So clothing from Lands End is likely more than adequate - and I like that they have a good selection for short people (AKA somewhat misleadingly as "petite"), and is available from Sears in both the USA and Canada

 

[Suin]

Other good places for winter wear are stores like Cabela's, Bass Pro, and Gander Mountain. Whatever your politics on hunting, that stuff is really made to keep you warm and dry - and is often less expensive than REI etc.

I haven't heard about these stores in Ontario. Any ideas?

 

[jes_ON]

Hi Suin,

I mentioned these stores for the OP who is currently in the USA. However, Cabelas is now in Canada (no stores in Ontario yet, to my knowledge):
http://www.cabelas.ca/

And, Bass Pro Shop is in Ontario:
http://vaughanmills.shopping.ca/retrievestore?id=18822&mallid=vgm

 

[Suin]

thank you for your reply, jes_ON. happy holidays!