THE Winter jacket recommendations

[burnstar]

Snugpak sasquatch. Well made, British and reasonably priced.

www.snugpak.com

[NRS]

toasty said:

Well, if you must. I got a nice Rab insulated layer last year so this year might as well look at a waterproof shell to go over the top.

I want something massively over-engineered for the occasional drizzle (100% waterproof but breathable) while out walking the dog but a bit more stylish than your average rambler gear.

Are Arcteryx worth the money? Any other ideas?

Arcteryx, Nørrona and Mammut are generally very very good. Patagonia too, although I haven't tried their waterproof stuff. They will last a long time and keep out really bad weather. The only thing is if you want something a bit more breathable (which may keep you warmer as a result) but that will wear out more quickly. However due to the expense of the above it can often be you can buy two cheaper jackets for the price of one of the top brands. Personally I go for the brands mentioned at first since I'm often out in quite "extreme" conditions (arctic Norway) so I need to be 100% sure it will work if things go wrong.

[Mothersruin]

I've a Arcteryx Gamma MX Hoody and it's been through the wringer during Mountain Rescue training and my own bimbles.

It's kept me warm and dry in conditions where it shouldn't have coped.

I'd buy another one instantly if I lost it.

Extremely versatile and looks great.

[Faust66]

Rawwr said:

Seems like from next week it'll be that time of year again. Sad Excellent, fantastic times.

Fixed that for you.

Can't wait to be bundled up in a bloody great winter coat again!

This year I have a choice of NF McMurdo Parka (only an xl so slightly small), Swedish army M1909 sheepskin parka and a Russian Bekesha which I bought from the Rodina last year (via ebay).

Oh, and a knackered old NATO parka. Had it for years so each Autumn it's like meeting an old friend again. AND I found a tenner in one of the pockets on Monday. Result!

I like to sit outside the pub no matter how cold it gets - hence all the coats. No children running around, no part-time drinkers yapping away, nice and quiet and you can watch frost forming around the base of your pint glass as you read a good book or have a civilized chat.

[Rawwr]

To be fair, I'm going to be in Trondheim, Norway in January and then Vasteras, Sweden shortly after that and I love their winters. They have proper winters.

[Faust66]

Rawwr said:

To be fair, I'm going to be in Trondheim, Norway in January and then Vasteras, Sweden shortly after that and I love their winters. They have proper winters.

Lucky man!

I'd love to take my Volvo Amazon on a winter road trip around that area... one day though, one day.

[Rawwr]

I'm not going to get too excited because it's work

I know that last year on the dates I'm going that Trondheim had a high of -15°c one day and they went for 8 days without reaching 0°c.

[Mothersruin]

Rawwr said:

To be fair, I'm going to be in Trondheim, Norway in January and then Vasteras, Sweden shortly after that and I love their winters. They have proper winters.

I used to be in Norway for race training back in the day. I've never seen snowflakes so big due to the perfect and very cold conditions. Plus the people are awesome.

Thankfully we'd take our own booze with us cheap from the NAAFI.

[Rawwr]

Hah, well I'm quite fortunate in that I don't drink and will be staying with a friend out there. I may also get the opportunity to ride an R1 over a frozen lake, which will be... interesting.

[NRS]

Rawwr said:

I'm not going to get too excited because it's work

I know that last year on the dates I'm going that Trondheim had a high of -15°c one day and they went for 8 days without reaching 0°c.

Generally the coldest Trondheim will get down to is around -25C. It's more normal to be between -5 to -10C or so. I'm pretty sure during winter there will be a lot longer period than 8 days below 0C though... That said, last year was a pretty mild winter. I lived there for 3 years before moving another 1200km driving further north to where I am now.

Rawwr said:

Hah, well I'm quite fortunate in that I don't drink and will be staying with a friend out there. I may also get the opportunity to ride an R1 over a frozen lake, which will be... interesting.

Just don't get caught - you're not allowed to drive on lakes over here and they do tend to get very unhappy if you are caught. Unlike Sweden snowmobiles are banned, as a lot of people don't like noise when in nature (plus the issue with potential pollution).

Faust66 said:

Lucky man!

I'd love to take my Volvo Amazon on a winter road trip around that area... one day though, one day.

I used to get a huge amount of strange looks when driving the MX-5 all winter long, even more so with the roof down, Trondheim is not as good driving as further south as it's a lot more flat. That said, most of the best roads towards Bergen would have the mountain passes closed until around late May.

[Rawwr]

NRS said:

Just don't get caught - you're not allowed to drive on lakes over here and they do tend to get very unhappy if you are caught. Unlike Sweden snowmobiles are banned, as a lot of people don't like noise when in nature (plus the issue with potential pollution).

The reality is it's just a very large pond on private land.

[ZOLLAR]

I got this for my birthday in May so have only just been using it as the cold sets in, very comfy and it has a very nice cut to it

https://www.outdoorandcountry.co.uk/mens-barbour-i...

[Mothersruin]

Rawwr said:

NRS said:

Just don't get caught - you're not allowed to drive on lakes over here and they do tend to get very unhappy if you are caught. Unlike Sweden snowmobiles are banned, as a lot of people don't like noise when in nature (plus the issue with potential pollution).

The reality is it's just a very large pond on private land.

Can't remember exactly where it is but there's a huge lake next to one of the main routes North from Oslo where there's a wicked optical illusion where it actually feels like you're driving on the flat and the lake is tipped up and not level. It's really odd, and if you stop it sort of feels normal again but if you let the brakes off the vehicle it starts rolling backwards quite fast!

[R1gtr]

toasty said:

Well, if you must. I got a nice Rab insulated layer last year so this year might as well look at a waterproof shell to go over the top.

I want something massively over-engineered for the occasional drizzle (100% waterproof but breathable) while out walking the dog but a bit more stylish than your average rambler gear.

Are Arcteryx worth the money? Any other ideas?

Haglofs kit is top notch, definitely worth a look

[VEA]

I've just got myself this. Very happy with it.

http://www.johnlewis.com/barbour-greatcoat-ranger-...

[Mothersruin]

These guys are near me - http://www.trekitt.co.uk/ - and only do top notch stuff so you can't really go wrong, especially if you want a technical piece.

[hora]

burnstar said:

Snugpak sasquatch. Well made, British and reasonably priced.

www.snugpak.com

Great as a boot coat or working outdoor but not stylish.

If it gets really cold I'm getting a PHD designs coat

[Hard-Drive]

ZOLLAR said:

I got this for my birthday in May so have only just been using it as the cold sets in, very comfy and it has a very nice cut to it

https://www.outdoorandcountry.co.uk/mens-barbour-i...

And I'd also suggest the classic Barbour Border wax jacket with the A295 fleecy liner. Mine is at least 15 years old and once again looks good as new having been returned to the factory for a re-proof and some repairs. Nice to see that in today's throwaway society.

It just works all the time...country walks, working in the garden, and looks just as good with jeans as it does with a suit. Toasty warm with the liner, totally waterproof, and perfectly usable in the spring if you take the lining out. Never goes out of fashion and as British as Mary Berry driving Austin Powers' E Type down The Mall.

Granted it's not much cop for serious sub zero stuff or climbing mountains but out of the loads of jackets I have (North Face, Quba X10, Musto offshore stuff, down jackets etc) it gets the most use by miles.

[slugelise]

Paramo - as worn by most of the UK mountain rescue teams. I've been up snowdon in january over the snow line in my alta and still felt toasty.

Currently a bargain £150

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/paramo-alta-2-mens-wat...

[LordHaveMurci]

slugelise said:

Paramo - as worn by most of the UK mountain rescue teams. I've been up snowdon in january over the snow line in my alta and still felt toasty.

Currently a bargain £150

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/paramo-alta-2-mens-wat...

Very heavy though.