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lalalinda
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Posts: 260
From: nevada
Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 04, 2009 07:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lalalinda     Edit/Delete Message
This is so bad I'm almost embarrassed to ask.
For those of you who live with severe winters
What kind of Jackets/Coats do you wear?
Is there one brand that is better than the others?
Which keeps you warmest?

Flexibility is a MUST
I don't want my son to get stuck on the ground like a Roly poly unable to get up.

All responses are greatly appreciated.

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Lucia23
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Posts: 1299
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Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 04, 2009 07:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lucia23     Edit/Delete Message
I used to live in a very very cold place and I wore down coats...don't remember the brand...I always buy stuff secondhand.

BUT I am posting here because I have some good advice--layers!! Layers of long underwear, especially silk long underwear (so thin and pretty, yet so warm!), thin wool or cashmere sweaters, and warm shirts under your coat--plus obviously a good ear-covering hat, a muffler, some gloves--will keep you warm without feeling like you can't move around well.

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Azalaksh
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Posts: 728
From: New Brighton, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 04, 2009 08:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Azalaksh     Edit/Delete Message
Lands End. Primo coats and parkas!!
My kid has made it thru many winters (including sub-zero temps) since he was small, in these:
http://www.landsend.com/ix/boys-clothing/Boys/Outerwear/index.html?seq=1~2~3&catNumbers=318~338&visible=1~2~1&store=le&sort=Recommended&tab=3

You don't have to spend over $100 but if you have it I would get the 3-in-one Squall Parka. My boy has worn the Squall Jacket and has been fine with a sweater or fleece windbreaker under it ( http://www.landsend.com/ix/index.html?store=le&action=newSearch&search=boys+fleece+pullover&imageField.x=0&imageField.y=0 ) -- their ThermaCheck Fleece is wonderful stuff and insanely light and warm

Lands End has great boots too. Get thick socks for those boots, buy them a little bit big (the boots).

I know how you feel -- when I moved to MN I didn't know anything about how to dress for such cold weather, and my kid *WAS* a roly-poly Michelin-man
It was trial and error -- the natives here grow up knowing how to layer, and dress for weather so cold that your nostrils stick together when you breathe in thru your nose.....
Layering is the key, the lighter the better, ie polyester turtleneck (Cotton Kills, they say), fleece windbreaker then parka. Get him some long underwear too -- this is a good site: http://www.winterkids.com/product_detail.cfm?CatID=Search&PID=2098

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katatonic
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posted October 04, 2009 08:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for katatonic     Edit/Delete Message
wonder why they say "cotton kills"? i wore wool and cotton "first" layers as a kid..? winters can get pretty cold in NY too!

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Dee
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Posts: 334
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Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 04, 2009 09:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dee     Edit/Delete Message
EDIT

i see someone already gave you the link i was going to

for myself i wear a cape
http://cgi.ebay.com/RED-GERMAN-Designer-WOMEN-WOOL-Dress-Coat-CAPE%2fL-XL_W0QQitemZ400075932427QQcmdZViewItem

as for warm boots Bunny Boots
http://wintersport.suite101.com/article.cfm/alaskan_bunny_boots_give_warmth_to_frigid_feet

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koiflower
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Posts: 689
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 04, 2009 09:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for koiflower     Edit/Delete Message
It's all about layers...

*** singlet
*** shirt/bouse
*** wollen jumper
*** coat that zips up and over a scarf.

A scarf is a must...!!!!!! It's vital to keep your inner ear and glands in your neck warm! And wollen socks!

p.s. - it's not a dorky question. I think you are being sensible in asking

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Azalaksh
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Posts: 728
From: New Brighton, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 04, 2009 10:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Azalaksh     Edit/Delete Message
Cotton Kills

There's a common saying in the hiking community that "cotton kills." The reason why has to do with moisture management in cold and cool conditions. In fact, there is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing cotton when you can stay dry and warm. The problem is, it is much harder to stay dry and warm when hiking than most people think.

Problems with cotton occur when the cotton gets wet. Cotton does not wick moisture and can become abrasive when wet. When this happens you must watch out for blisters and packsores. Because cotton holds so much moisture, it can hold that moisture against your body and sap body heat from you. This can quickly lead to hypothermia. Cotton also gets heavy when wet. If you wear cotton while hiking, you generally need to carry more "emergency" clothing in case your cotton does get wet (sweat, rain, or falling in while fording a river will all get you wet).

Silk also loses it's insulative properties when it gets wet and does not wick like modern hydrophobic fabrics.

Wool, on the other hand, insulates relatively well when wet. But while some weaves do shed water for a period of time, it will eventually absorb a great deal more moisture than comparably weighted synthetic garments and become very heavy.

All of these natural fiber fabrics take much longer to dry once wet than comparably weighted synthetic fabrics.

The feel of synthetic fabrics has changed quite a bit from the first dark blue polypropelene long underwear I bought. Different brands have different feels. Try a few and see what feels good to you. I happen to like Capilene from Patagonia (both silkweight and other weights) and try to get it on sale (usually at the end of the season when they are trying to get rid of colors that didn't sell.)

So, if you choose to wear natural fibers, think ahead and be prepared for situations when you get an unintentional soaking. Remember hypothermia can set in at temperatures well above freezing.

From: http://friends.backcountry.net/m_factor/cotton.html

For myself, I have several parkas -- one normal fleece-lined one (just below hip length) that I wear layers with (sweater underneath, over shirt), and two long coats, one the Lands End Stadium (long) parka, and the other wool. All of them have non-detachable hoods -- a necessity as far as I'm concerned, because sub-zero-wind-chill wind is VERY uncomfortable whistling down the inevitable gap between hat and coat.....

I don't generally wear a hat, but I do have lots of soft fleece mufflers/scarves, and I can wrap them around my ears if I need to. I have suede gloves (which are not as warm as you might think) and synthetic gloves -- depends on how long you'll be "out" and what you're doing which kind you wear. I just wear plain old mittens with a vinyl or leather palm for driving.

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Lucia23
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Posts: 1299
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Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 04, 2009 10:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lucia23     Edit/Delete Message
Yeah, if you're hiking Everest...or even doing some serious Maine camping...the cotton kills thing might be an issue.

In my case, polyester kinda gives me BO though, so I favor silk, wool, and cotton close to my body.

Kids don't get BO though, so it wouldn't be a problem for your son.

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Azalaksh
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Posts: 728
From: New Brighton, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 04, 2009 10:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Azalaksh     Edit/Delete Message
Lucia,

You don't have to be hiking Everest to get sweaty in the winter
Scenario 1: you put your layers on and leave work, getting into a cold car, which warms up when your heater finally becomes functional, possibly making you break a sweat before you can get a layer off. Granted, you are safe in your car, or are you?? Cars don't like extreme cold either
Scenario 2: You go out to run errands. Car = freezing cold then warmer. Get out of car to walk into store or mall = cold. Inside mall = warm. Very warm. Stripping and putting it back on every time you change temperature locales is a pain (not to mention carting around a heavy coat), so you leave your coat on and you get sweaty

I used to be horrified/aghast when the locals here would walk to the mailbox with no coat or sweater in 0 degree weather -- now I do it too

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Lara
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Posts: 1682
From: aspideronmars
Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 04, 2009 11:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lara     Edit/Delete Message
A HAT!

80% of your body heat escapes through your head

Definitely down coats and layers

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Lucia23
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Posts: 1299
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Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 04, 2009 11:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lucia23     Edit/Delete Message
Zala, I know, I've lived in two very, very, VERY cold places!!!

But polyester and some other synthetics give me BO...even in a climate that's neither hot or cold, even when I'm not really sweating and I am wearing a mega-strong antiperspirant.

If I do yoga (and I do fast, sweaty yoga all the time) in a polyester or blend tank or sportbra, I smell bad. And if I wear cotton, I don't smell bad at all.

My sister, aunts, and mother have this problem too. But, it's not a problem for everyone, and it certainly wouldn't be a problem for a kid.

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Lucia23
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Posts: 1299
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Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 04, 2009 11:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lucia23     Edit/Delete Message
quote:
I used to be horrified/aghast when the locals here would walk to the mailbox with no coat or sweater in 0 degree weather -- now I do it too

EEK! I never got to that point...I just moved somewhere warmer!

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lalalinda
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Posts: 260
From: nevada
Registered: Apr 2009

posted October 05, 2009 07:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lalalinda     Edit/Delete Message
Ladies, Thank you, I really appreciate this.

Lands end it is.

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