Clothing (Cordova: home, job, recreation)

[KWBoyd]

Lynn,

Are you looking for serious outdoor clothing, or just everyday stuff. When I moved up years ago I had Sorrel boots and a heavy knee length coat. Now, after living in Alaska 20 plus years, I have a ski jacket and hiking boots for playing outside, and for normal going to the grocery, running errands type stuff I wear Dansco shoes and a wool car coat. It's really not as bad as people make it sound.

[ltdontcare]

Does guys, straight guys, wear mukluks? Sorry, I had to ask.

[Rance]

I don't recall seeing them to much around town, but I'm sure some do. My ex father inlaw has a pair of black bear mukluks that are very nice and warm. Back in the day there were no store to buy boots and stuff. Everything was handmade.

[mal_flisk]

The most fur I see in Anchorage is on 4th Ave downtown. Most of the folks around the city wear Columbia and North Face stuff. If you're working outdoors, my previous comments apply.

[GSD101]

KW, I would like to get practical clothes that I won't get wet in. Right now I live in TN and a have a couple of heavy sweaters and when it gets cold-- in the teens -- I have a jacket from Kmart I wear with a cap and some cheap gloves. But, the family would also need clothes, My husband and a 14yr old boy and a 8 yr old girl.
Thanks, Lynn

[kelwood]

Best purchase I ever made was a Cabella wind shear fabric jacket. That material is amazing. The interior gets fantastically high winds and in the winter it will slice right through you. This jacket is light weight and I was very warm. I think they make pants as well.

And my feet just loved wool socks and sandals or the ever popular Lobben boots. The interior is very dry so the Lobben boots worked great.

[JustT&Me]

Ditto on what the other posters noted: LL Bean, Carhart (which you can actually buy at Fred Meyers if they are still in operation in AK - I heard they weren't), Cabela's. If you are taking a female with you... have her invest in a several pairs of Cudl Duds brand long johns. They are a poly-blend and come in various styles and basic colors. I "discovered" them when I first moved to the Upper Midwest and wouldn't go a single winter now without them. We have weather here with windchills of -20s regularly and this winter even as cold as -43 windchill recently. I wear them constantly! In nicer stores, they are about $20/piece (top and bottoms), but if you can find them at Sam's (they *do* carry them, but maybe it's a hit and miss), then you can get them for $10/piece. Cudl Duds. Best long johns I've ever worn! And not so ugly like the cotton thermals that do totally nothing for keeping you warm. These are so thin, I can wear them under tight jeans (!) and no one knows the difference. And you can feel them begin to warm you from the moment you put them on! Just like Alaska - there's nothing like 'em!

And... I always tell folks, whatever you truly *need* in AK, you can buy in AK - usually for less, second-hand. So if you are buying to bring things from the L48, save your dollars and use it towards the cost of getting here. The rest will fall into place!

[Barkingowl]

I'm wearing my fleece lined Carharts right now. Its friggin cold here. Raccoon & mink are also very warm.

[ASpilot2be]

Fred Meyers is alive and well in Alaska

I will agree with all the recommendations so far. If you do alot of outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowmachining, etc. I recommend a pair of Klim snowpants.

[RayinAK]

Cabela's is a good place to buy winter clothing before you come here. Once you get here, then buy clothing at the numerous stores in town.