Cold weather clothes

[Dublte]

Next month I'm due to go to Sweden, until then the coldest place I have been is probably the West Midlands!

Everybody has been saying that a 3-in-1 style coat is the best option because you can alter your temperature quite easily. There won't be a lot of outside time, more hopping in and out of buildings and cars but there's always the potential for a wheel change or total breakdown.

Any suggestions on coats? I've seen a North Face Down Triclimate Parka which is supposed to be very warm - however there doesn't seem to be a female version. Any female coats that don't make you look too frumpy?

I found this coat but I'm concerned it won't be warm enough - opinions? I do have thermal base layers and fleeces etc.

Any advice is much appreciated

Thanks

[sawman]

It depends what you are doing when you get there. If you are being active you dont need much insulation really, if standing around down is good.

Whats the expected temp where you are heading?

I lived in canada for a couple of years, I used to walk to work every day for 30 mins, in temps as low as -30c, wearing an oakley snowboard jacket, and long johns under my chinos - never really felt cold. I was wearing the same jacket last week in Newcastle and felt chilled to the core!!

My wife and daughter have north face down jackets which they say kept them nice and warm.

You need to make sure you have a decent hat and warm gloves too, decent ski stuff will work.

[llewop]

As Sawman says, depends on what temperatures you're actually expecting also what the wind is like. I've been in sub-zero temperatures in Ukraine which felt 'warmer' than +5 in the UK but blowing a gale!!

The usual 'rules' are layers, so you can adjust as required. I've only felt the need for thermals under jeans when it's consistently below -15 to -20, but I'm better at coping with cold weather than most - I ps off the locals going between the offices without a jacket when it's sub-zero!

Having said that - even I admit gloves and a hat are a must.

[Dublte]

Apparently it is around the minus twenty five mark. Pretty scary!

Yeah, hat and gloves are definitely high in the list. Interesting to hear the down coats are a good choice as I had been looking at some. Bit fearful to buy online so will hopefully find someone with them in stock to get a good idea of size, there's nothing worse than a short coat.

Thanks for the information

[sawman]

Dublte said:

Apparently it is around the minus twenty five mark. Pretty scary!

Yeah, hat and gloves are definitely high in the list. Interesting to hear the down coats are a good choice as I had been looking at some. Bit fearful to buy online so will hopefully find someone with them in stock to get a good idea of size, there's nothing worse than a short coat.

Thanks for the information

minus 25 is not too bad, you don't need anything waterproof at that temp. And dont leave your skin exposed for too long - something to wrap around your face and neck would be helpful, such as fleece scarf or balaclava.

Dont forget plenty of lippy!