Warm Winter Jacket advice

[JessicaTam]

I am heading to northern Europe at the start of next year and I am looking for advice for a warm jacket.

I will probably spend a week in Tromsø which is well north of the Arctic Circle at 69º. Temperatures are likely to be from 0 to -10C and I will be spending a fair bit of time outside. The rest of the 3 week trip will be spent touring Scandinavia. It will also get use back home as I spend time in the Vic high country in winter.

I have been looking at 66º North and Canada Goose online but am looking for other suggestions (or affirmation). My budget is around AU$1,000.

I am happy to buy it when I get to EU, so it does not have to have an AU stockist.

Thoughts?

 

[defurax]

I am heading to northern Europe at the start of next year and I am looking for advice for a warm jacket.

I will probably spend a week in Tromsø which is well north of the Arctic Circle at 69º. Temperatures are likely to be from 0 to -10C and I will be spending a fair bit of time outside. The rest of the 3 week trip will be spent touring Scandinavia. It will also get use back home as I spend time in the Vic high country in winter.

I have been looking at 66º North and Canada Goose online but am looking for other suggestions (or affirmation). My budget is around AU$1,000.

I am happy to buy it when I get to EU, so it does not have to have an AU stockist.

Thoughts?

Who needs a warm jacket when it's only -10 ...
I really like the Kanuk brand, they make warm jackets which are not heavy or bulky. Usually the range of temperature is up to -25 or -45. $85 shipping to Australia.
https://www.kanuk.com/about

 

[Austman]

Having lived there for 14 years and 14 winters, I would not buy anything in Australia.

It's all wrong here. It might be more expensive in Scandinavia but it's right for there. Both fashionably and practically.

Essentially you need a super warm outer garment that is also easy to remove and hang. You hang often when you go indoors. To a restaurant, to a museum, to the office, to a bar, to a friend's home etc etc. It's the norm. You might have to pay a fee for the service. Then, once indoors, you'll have +24 degrees or so - so light clothing only is needed.

But back outside!! There's cold there that can chill you to the bone.

All my Swedish and Finnish purchased jackets are far too warm for an Australian (Melbourne) winter! But were absolutely needed in Sweden/Norway/Finland in their winter.

 

[Austman]

Also a scarf, warm gloves and headwear.

Not always seen in Australian winters either - but pretty much essential in Scandinavian winters if you plan to be outdoors for more than 15 minutes or so.

They are at least cheap and easy to buy.

 

[LadyC]

Helly Hansen are definitely worth a look. A Norwegian brand and they know their stuff. I have a couple of their jackets that I have used in Europe during winter (not quite as cold as what you are talking about though).

 

[Quickstatus]

My 0.1C worth
I ski a lot so maybe its 0.2C

For $1000 you dont get a lot with Helly, but you can get a lot with others

So dress in layers. Repeat dress in layers.

This is what I do when going out to dinner but in cold weather (-20C)

layering from skin to outer:

Thermal (1) - thin top and bottom
Thermals (2) -thin top and bottom
Dress shirt - this is what you wear normally in summer.
Fleece
Outer coat anything you like but recommend one of those puffy coats
The colder the weather the more thermals. Add one thermal layer for every 10C below zero.

Thermals are very thin - sort of like "activewear" but they keep the skin dry and are the most important part of the system.
Same for gloves - wear a liner if extra cold.
Add a scarf if required. I dont.

My goto "fleece" this year is one of those modern "puffy' jackets but are superlight and superwarm. As a result have reduced the thermals by one

This way nothing heavy and you can cater for verying temperatures.

 

[blackcat20]

I got by in Chicago over winter with my wool coat (David Lawrence I think), and a down puffer jacket from Mac Pac.

 

[Austman]

So dress in layers. Repeat dress in layers.

I knew that would be suggested! And it's right for extended outdoor eg sport type activities. But it's wrong for usual day-to-day activities. When you get indoors you need to ditch the outerwear and the layers will make you too warm in Scandinavia - where the interiors are usually toasty warm. People wear light-ish, regular clothing under their outerwear.

Anyway, that's my experience over 14 years at winter temperatures down to the minus teens to minus twenty at night. And the nights are pretty long!

 

[defurax]

I knew that would be suggested! And it's right for extended outdoor eg sport type activities. But it's wrong for usual day-to-day activities. When you get indoors you need to ditch the outerwear and the layers will make you too warm in Scandivavia - where the interiors are usually toasty warm. People wear light-ish, regular clothing under their outerwear.Anyway, that's my experience over 14 years at winter temperatures down to the the minus teens to minus twenty at night. And the nights are pretty long!

Absolutely agree, even at -30 I usually wear only a t-shirt under my coat if I only spend 1 hour outside. When going from -30 to +25 in a matter of second it's more comfortable in a t-shirt!

 

[Quickstatus]

Not necessarily true. I usually plan so what I wear below the dressy bit keeps me just right inside.

 

[get me outta here]

How would a really good HH outer shell with say 2 x lightweight down jackets go in -20 over the Tshirt? I know a few people who paid big money for a great warm jacket and used it not very much. Just had a quick look at gumtree and ebay and there's some nice HH outer shells on there, one red one for $30 (I searched in 'Australia').

.

 

[Viridianne]

I lived in Canadian winters with a North Face or Fjallraven down jacket. Definitely have to layer properly - thermal, wool sweater or fleece, down jacket, mittens and a toque. Don't forget the shoes (Sorrell was fantastic in Canada)
Don't buy in Oz unless you can get it in similar overseas price

 

[JessicaTam]

Wow, so much advice so quickly. Thanks all.

Who needs a warm jacket when it's only -10 ...
I really like the Kanuk brand, they make warm jackets which are not heavy or bulky. Usually the range of temperature is up to -25 or -45. $85 shipping to Australia.
https://www.kanuk.com/about

Tempting as online is, I would much rather try before I buy with clothes.

My 0.1C worth
I ski a lot so maybe its 0.2C

For $1000 you dont get a lot with Helly, but you can get a lot with others

So dress in layers. Repeat dress in layers.

<snip>.

I appreciate the advice, and I do dress in layers when skiing. However I would much rather the convenience of one heavier jacket I can take on and off as I go in and out of various stores/pus etc. Inside I am usually fine in a t-shirt.

Also a scarf, warm gloves and headwear.

Not always seen in Australian winters either - but pretty much essential in Scandinavian winters if you plan to be outdoors for more than 15 minutes or so.

They are at least cheap and easy to buy.

Don't worry, I already have them sorted!

 

[Boca68]

My 0.1C worth
I ski a lot so maybe its 0.2C

For $1000 you dont get a lot with Helly, but you can get a lot with others

So dress in layers. Repeat dress in layers.

This is what I do when going out to dinner but in cold weather (-20C)

layering from skin to outer:

Thermal (1) - thin top and bottom
Thermals (2) -thin top and bottom
Dress shirt - this is what you wear normally in summer.
Fleece
Outer coat anything you like but recommend one of those puffy coats
The colder the weather the more thermals. Add one thermal layer for every 10C below zero.

Thermals are very thin - sort of like "activewear" but they keep the skin dry and are the most important part of the system.
Same for gloves - wear a liner if extra cold.
Add a scarf if required. I dont.

My goto "fleece" this year is one of those modern "puffy' jackets but are superlight and superwarm. As a result have reduced the thermals by one

This way nothing heavy and you can cater for verying temperatures.

I tend to agree with Quickstatus here. Especially as you suggest you may be spending quite sometime outdoors in a northern winter.

I knew that would be suggested! And it's right for extended outdoor eg sport type activities. But it's wrong for usual day-to-day activities. When you get indoors you need to ditch the outerwear and the layers will make you too warm in Scandinavia - where the interiors are usually toasty warm. People wear light-ish, regular clothing under their outerwear.

Anyway, that's my experience over 14 years at winter temperatures down to the minus teens to minus twenty at night. And the nights are pretty long!

Honestly, I'd rather have to ditch the layers, than be 'exposed' to the elements. Horses for courses.

Absolutely agree, even at -30 I usually wear only a t-shirt under my coat if I only spend 1 hour outside. When going from -30 to +25 in a matter of second it's more comfortable in a t-shirt!

A T-shirt? Seriously? Must be an incredible coat! That aside, what would you do if you had to spend most of the (shortish) day outside? Which I'm thinking is the answer JT might be looking for? Rather than tales of bravado.

My 2 cents?

North Face is quite good and not overtly expensive. HH is probably going a step to far in price. A quality jacket combined with light to medium thermals and an over shirt. For light thermals, check out merino wool thermals (from various suppliers) Kathmandu and Mountain Adventures have quality. Over shirt should just be a nice cotton shirt, think Zara, Uniqlo etc..

 

[defurax]

A T-shirt? Seriously? Must be an incredible coat! That aside, what would you do if you had to spend most of the (shortish) day outside? Which I'm thinking is the answer JT might be looking for? Rather than tales of bravado.

No tale of bravado. I lived 30 years in a place were the temperature goes from -35 in winter to +35 in summer. It is extremely rare to be cold from the torso, usually extremities (fingers/toes) and legs will get cold way before one feels cold on the upper body.As others have mentioned, spending a day out skiing or doing skidoo with winds up to 150 km/h is quite different than a little stroll in the park at -10.To get back to the t-shirt, it is the same as sleeping naked in a sleeping bag, the coat/jacket is doing the job to protect from the elements, not your shirt/t-shirt. YMMV

 

[Boca68]

My 0.1C worth
I ski a lot so maybe its 0.2C

For $1000 you dont get a lot with Helly, but you can get a lot with others

So dress in layers. Repeat dress in layers.

This is what I do when going out to dinner but in cold weather (-20C)

layering from skin to outer:

Thermal (1) - thin top and bottom
Thermals (2) -thin top and bottom
Dress shirt - this is what you wear normally in summer.
Fleece
Outer coat anything you like but recommend one of those puffy coats
The colder the weather the more thermals. Add one thermal layer for every 10C below zero.

Thermals are very thin - sort of like "activewear" but they keep the skin dry and are the most important part of the system.
Same for gloves - wear a liner if extra cold.
Add a scarf if required. I dont.

My goto "fleece" this year is one of those modern "puffy' jackets but are superlight and superwarm. As a result have reduced the thermals by one

This way nothing heavy and you can cater for verying temperatures.

I knew that would be suggested! And it's right for extended outdoor eg sport type activities. But it's wrong for usual day-to-day activities. When you get indoors you need to ditch the outerwear and the layers will make you too warm in Scandinavia - where the interiors are usually toasty warm. People wear light-ish, regular clothing under their outerwear.

Anyway, that's my experience over 14 years at winter temperatures down to the minus teens to minus twenty at night. And the nights are pretty long!

No tale of bravado. I lived 30 years in a place were the temperature goes from -35 in winter to +35 in summer. It is extremely rare to be cold from the torso, usually extremities (fingers/toes) and legs will get cold way before one feels cold on the upper body.As others have mentioned, spending a day out skiing or doing skidoo with winds up to 150 km/h is quite different than a little stroll in the park at -10.To get back to the t-shirt, it is the same as sleeping naked in a sleeping bag, the coat/jacket is doing the job to protect from the elements, not your shirt/t-shirt. YMMV

Aaahhh, see this is what I mean. You lived for 30 years there. Acclimitisation(sp?), ever heard of it? i.e for you, not a problem, JT its A problem!

And you are right, its the extremities that suffer first. But, at the moment we are concerned with being comfortable. But, I will take you up on the point of the coat/jacket 'protecting' you from such danger. If you sweat, and you do, at -10 your $1000 coat will not help you. A light thermal (wool) will. Perfectly fine if your sitting at the bar enjoying some schnapps. Sure, I'm going to go with the t-shirt idea.

Core body heat is most important, not your fingernails

 

[phily]

I'm just back from icy Iceland where I spent most of a week outdoors on a photography expedition, where the temps were mostly from 0 to 5, with varying winds from 0 to 30 kph. I took my usual cold weather gear that includes Icebreaker thermals, merino mid-layers, etc, and a 300-weight fleece jacket. I was surprised how cold I was when the fleece jacket was my outer layer for the wind came right through me. I then tried two solutions, both of which worked. The first was to put my Gore-Tex jacket over the fleece jacket, and the other option was to replace the 300-weight fleece jacket with a Kathmandu rain jacket that had a built-in 200-weight fleece liner. Both of these kept the wind out and kept me warm.

You'll also need a beanie that is woollen rather than acrylic; and two pairs of gloves, and I had one of them being a pair of woollen "Tokyo" liner gloves from Hedrena that have two fingertips free that allowed me to operate my camera.

The problem with having too many layers is that there comes a point when it all reduces the mobility of your elbows and to a lesser extent your shoulder joint, so the ideal is to try all the likely layers on at home before you travel and see if it's all wearable, or if you're buying the jacket overseas then try on all your layers in the shop before you buy.

 

[Austman]

Honestly, I'd rather have to ditch the layers, than be 'exposed' to the elements.

How do you do that when you go indoors to places that are not your home/hotel room?

It's toasty warm indoors in Scandinavia! And they have it down-pat with the hanging of outer garments procedure at the door.

It's not acclimatization - it's practical living in the cities and towns in Scandinavia.

It's different if you are outdoors for hours on end or doing outdoors sports-like activities.

Less of a concern I guess is looking like a complete dork. But many Australian visitors do with their "wrong" winter outer clothing. lol

Shopping for outerwear in Scandinavia (on the day you arrive) would at least avoid that and you don't need to pack it for the trip there! Even department store staff can be very helpful with advice. But Scandinavia is not known for being cheap!

 

[JessicaTam]

Aaahhh, see this is what I mean. You lived for 30 years there. Acclimitisation(sp?), ever heard of it? i.e for you, not a problem, JT its A problem!

And you are right, its the extremities that suffer first. But, at the moment we are concerned with being comfortable. But, I will take you up on the point of the coat/jacket 'protecting' you from such danger. If you sweat, and you do, at -10 your $1000 coat will not help you. A light thermal (wool) will. Perfectly fine if your sitting at the bar enjoying some schnapps. Sure, I'm going to go with the t-shirt idea.

Core body heat is most important, not your fingernails

I have spent a few years working in the Australian Alps and most of that was in a t-shirt. For me, the most suitable jacket at the time was a Colombia Titanium. It had an inner and an outer layer, however I never separated them. It was perfect for going from inside to outside often.

I am most comfortable inside in a t-shirt, so layering would just be frustrating for me. The longest period I will spend outside will probably be 'Northern Lights' hunting, and then I will be wearing a thermal top and bottom underneath.

As I have said upthread, I would rather a heavier jacket that meant I didn't have take multiple layers on and off, than a lighter one.

 

[PLANT]

800 down north face \ etc
Try it in a freezer somewhere.... Check REI website as all the stuff you buy is 100% returnable if unhappy for any reason!