Winter Jacket Bought!

[Joey D]

After years of only wearing a North Face Denali jacket I've decided that this winter I'm going to breakdown and buy an actually winter coat. The Denali jacket is nice, especially around campus since I would never have to be outside all that much but it kept me warm in classrooms that were always cold. I have a snowmobile suit that I will wear when I spend prolonged periods of time outside during the winter, either shovelling snow or racing around the lake on a ATV or snowmobile, but that isn't something you would wear on a daily bases (unless you live in northern Michigan).

For those of you who don't know, in Michigan it gets really cold the end of October and stays cold until April. We should have snow within a month . Temps typically are in the 10's and 20's (Fahrenheit) with days in January and February getting down to single digits or dipping below zero. It's often extremely windy, it's not uncommon to have several days of 30mph winds.

So I need a coat to battle these elements when I do have to go out in them. I don't ski or snowboard so a jacket to suit that really isn't needed. Also I refuse to buy cheap outer wear. North Face stuff has always been good for me but after going into the store today I can not bring myself to pay $450 on a jacket. Ideally I would like to keep the price around $200. It needs to be waterproof, windproof, and able to withstand a Michigan winter (i.e. warm). I've looked at some Spyder jackets and Arcteryx but they are either all hideously overpriced (I'm sure I can find something online though) or unbelievably ugly. I would prefer something in black but various other colours are fine, I just don't want something bright green.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Keef]

L. L. Bean makes lots of excellent rain/wind/cold coats. Some are over $200, but all of them I think offer great value. I've got an L. L. Bean parka that I wore during my trip to NAIAS last January and it was impervious to the 20mph winds in downtown Detroit, not to mention the near-zero temps late in the evening when we left. It has a big hood that covers my head well, a large flap that covers my neck and chin, and lots of pockets. It's pretty big but then again they're all big.

 

[TB]

After years of only wearing Columbia, I broke rank and bought an L.L. Bean Rugged Ridge Parka last year. The listed comfort range is 5 to -40F, so it should keep you plenty warm and at $170 + shipping, it falls within your price range.

Edit: Apparently that burger didn't slow you down, Keef. Still managed to beat me.

 

[Joey D]

Thanks for the L.L. Bean recommendations, I'll check the Rugged Ridge Parka out for sure. I don't know if REI sells L.L. Bean or not but one of the stores around here must. I don't think there is an L.L. Bean store in the area though. I need to try the coat on before I get it, which is why I would like to go to a store (although ordering online is not out of the question once I figure out what I want). My probably with coats is that I'm short and skinny so they always feel HUGE on me.

 

[V1P3R]

I have a Salomon jacket, I can't find a pic ATM but it's nice because it's two jackets in one. Very warm but not bulky. Price is worth it over a company like North Face because they use more premium materials and it has a better build quality.

 

[YSSMAN]

...I've looked at some Spyder jackets...

I'm in a similar situation with you where I've gotta find something that is lightweight, not too "heavy duty," and otherwise comfortable since they apparently don't know what a heater is at Aquinas during the winter.

Anyway, I picked up a pretty middle-weight Spyder jacket about a year ago for $100 (discounted from $160) that I usually layer over a lightweight sweater or a zip-up sweat shirt. Nothing too special, but it gets the job done. I had been looking at your standard North Face stuff, but its a fair bit overpriced and certainly a bit too "popular" these days. Patagonia has a decent offering with their "Storm Jacket" (retails at $225), but I guess at this point I'd regularly suggest a softer shell jackiet. They offer the "Ascensionist" for the same price ($225), but its going to be a little more lightweight.

I tend to stick to the fleecy soft shell stuff and just layer-up. Yeah, it won't keep you super-warm when you've got that 5 minute walk through the crazy winters we have, but at least you'll be "comfortable" in class and be able to work with the layers.

 

[Joey D]

Thanks for the suggestions.

When it's really bad out I've been layering up as best as I can. Last year I got a North Face Kumba jacket and an APEX jacket. Layering them works out fairly well but it's bulky, this is why I need a normal coat.

 

[Joey D]

So where can I buy L.L. Bean stuff at? Dick's, REI, Moosejaw, Sports Authority, and Sears doesn't sell it. Any thoughts?

 

[wfooshee]

That fleece jacket that Sports Illustrated used to give away with subscriptions is perfect.


Oh. Michigan. Your winter might be different than mine. I haven't had to have one of those things since I was 10, and I'm over 50 now!

[/self-serving useless post]

 

[Joey D]

So I went to a different REI tonight and they were having a really good sale on winter jackets. I picked up North Face Varius Guide Jacket, which was marked $199.99 and was on sale for $139.99. It's only a shell but my Apex, Kumba and Denali jackets all zip into it with no problem so I can figure out how warm I need to be.

I really liked the L.L Bean jacket I just needed to be able to try it on, plus this was on sale so I went for it.

 

[Gil]

Nice,
As I get older/wiser, I look for coats/jackets that have reflective strips or that are lighter colors.
I still end up with whatever fits due to my size.
This because I get so damn irritated when I drive at night, and find myself practically on top of people walking (in the road, instead of on the sidewalk) wearing clothes designed to make them nearly invisible.

Granted, I'm never giving up my Black Leather jacket....
But when "real KS winter" hits I have a parka.
It's blue, so If I get stuck the rescuers will be able to distinguish my big ass from the snow.

 

[Joey D]

I wanted a black jacket but Kate wouldn't let me get it, she said I owned enough black. But you are right, coloured/reflective jackets are helpful while walking around at night, but if it's cold enough for me to be wearing that coat there is no way I would be out for an evening stroll, especially where cars may be present .

 

[TB]

It looks very similar to my L.L. Bean (I bought the Deep Red/Carbon). It should probably also be noted that if you do decide to buy the Rugged Ridge Parka, it is only the jacket - there is no zip out liner. Not a big deal for me as I never removed the liner from my Columbia anyway, but might be for you.

 

[magburner]

if its winter jackets you want, then there is only one company in my mind - Alpha Industries!

If your looking for a proper parka, then your really need to look at the N3-B (canvas version), as it has been designed specifically to US military requirements (if you live in the US, you probably already know this!). Anyway, try NOT to go for the nylon versions, as they are lighter, but not as warm as the canvas versions which are heavier but warmer.

I've had a tan canvas N3-B for the past two winters, and I can tell you straight, it is the warmest and most comfortable winter coat that I have ever worn. Even with many layers of outer clothing, these jackets don't get the 'Michelin man' effect, like other cheaper imitations do. On many occasions I have found myself 'stripping off' because I have been too warm!

If you look on Ebay, you can find many great examples at really good prices. Just make sure that they are Alpha industries, and with a canvas shell.

Here is a vintage example: N3-B H1 Modification (circa 1972). I was out bid on the last one of these that was up on Ebay a while back, but if you like parkas, then there is no other choice IMO. 👍