Help with winter coat (Minneapolis: fit in, to buy, college)

[PDX_Home_Inspector]

My daughter moved to St Paul from Portland ( mild cold and wet) and wants to know what kind of down coat to buy for all uses ( she is athletic outdoorsy, swims every day and has no fat to keep her warm!) is a REI Sub zero 600 fill power down too warm? does it rain too much for down? She is a college student at MAC ( and loves it by the way) thanks for your suggestions as to what to buy and maybe where to find a good one.

[crazyme4878]

It doesn't rain in the winter here. I'm not familiar with the coat you mentioned, but don't go overboard. If she likes to hike in the winter, she will be way too hot in a heavy coat. I still remember the first winter coat I ever bought with my own money--it was a superduper heavy, down-filled coat. It was a huge waste of money! I never wore it, it was too much. She is better off layering and wearing a good hat and mittens.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by PDX_Home_Inspector

My daughter moved to St Paul from Portland ( mild cold and wet) and wants to know what kind of down coat to buy for all uses ( she is athletic outdoorsy, swims every day and has no fat to keep her warm!) is a REI Sub zero 600 fill power down too warm? does it rain too much for down? She is a college student at MAC ( and loves it by the way) thanks for your suggestions as to what to buy and maybe where to find a good one.

Down Jackets are somewhat popular. Problem with them is they don't breath real well and you can get them sweaty if you are active. Down dries very slow, and we down is worthless for keeping warm. Same style of jacket is availble in synthetic fill for a lot less money and will keep her plenty warm.

600 fill is typically considered standard level, where 700 or 750 fill is warmer. You want goose down not mixed goose and duck if you go with down. Cheaper down jackets tend to use mixed and leak out tiny feathers that are hard to get off your clothes.

Many people have multiple jackets for various types of things. I prefer wool as it still keeps you warm if it gets wet and they wear very well.

Women always want to look good, so what paticular look she is after matters a lot.

[moving123456]

I would forget a big down coat. Look at something thinner and breatheable. Columbia Sportswear is a brand to check out.

Maybe something like this.....

Columbia Sportswear: Women's > Jackets > Bugabooâ„¢ Parka

[crazyme4878]

I agree with moving123456. I clicked the link--that is in line with what you will see women wearing in the northern midwest, if it isn't a fashion coat of some kind. It will keep her warm and be stylish and good in the city and hiking/skiing. It is important to have a wind break layer. And serious on the hat and mittens (not gloves). I can go with less on my core if I am wearing a good hat and mittens.

[K-Luv]

If you are going to get down, get a down vest and not a full on jacket.

My mom bought me a down jacket for my first winter in Minneapolis; I only wore the thing a few times as it was too hot and I would sweat. I wore a snowboard jacket for a long time. Worked well and the vents on the sides came in handy if I was getting too hot. My preferred method is a sweater underneath a medium coat; if that is not warm enough then I might put on a thermal top (those Under Armor tops and bottoms work great).

It is easy to keep your trunk warm, I would be more concerned with the head and hands.

[TimtheGuy]

Defintely skip the down. Look at jackets that are waterproof and breathable (ie gore tex or it's equivalents) that have a removable liner. When it's really cold (below zero) then add layers under the jacket. Jacket should probably have a hood on it too in case she gets caught without a hat. Most do and are usually removable. Most popular brand is probably Columbia, but there are many others.

Any ski shops or large sporting goods stores will be the place to go. Skip the department stores.

[knke0402]

Columbia and NorthFace are you best options. They usually have two layers, one for lighter weather, usually a fleece, and then it zips into the big coat, which is for the 0 degree days. They are the best for your dollar, trendy, and quality.

[Haver]

Everyone else has covered the jacket so I'll move on to hands, ears, nose, and feet which are the most prone to frostbite and windburn.

Stock up on gloves (the kind with a water-resistant outer shell and thermal inner layer, but thin and flexible enough so you can fish keys out of your pocket or out of the snow when you drop them) and keep spares handy in the car, coat, and home. Have something heavier duty for the severe cold, but preferably something your gloved hand will fit into so you'll never have to risk exposed skin at those temperatures.

For the face a good scarf is nice, but it can get in the way at times, or work loose and leave exposed skin and be hard to manipulate so some sort of pullover (don't know if there's a different name for those) that covers the neck up to the nose can be very efficient, and of course a hat or hood or combination. You'll want something that you can pull off and keep in your outer pocket, mostly.

Biggest threat to the feet is when they get wet, which can happen pretty easily. The big heavy boots are fine if you're walking across somebody's farm field in the middle of January, but mostly it just comes down to style and comfort, and keeping the water out. Make sure you're comfortable in them and that the extra weght and encumberance won't wear you out.

[Elialia]

Haver, i think you are refering to what is known as the Arctic Hat for the hood/neckwarmer part. they are adjustable