What materials/brands of clothing really keep you warm?

[Mike03]

Now that I have a dog that requires daily walking (long walks) and it is turning very cold where I am, it would be helpful to know where to look for jackets/coats, etc... that are truly effective against the cold and extreme winds.

This morning I was browsing through an REI catalogue and it was overwhelming, because all of the products made claims, but they were all quite different, different brands, different materials.

Any advice? I tried to walk my dog twice today and it was so damned cold that the walks were half as long as they usually are. It was not fun at all, and my dog seems to think I'm punishing him, when it's obviously not that at all.

[Frosty1]

1. Goose Down

Couldn't live without it in Minnesota

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=goose-down-jacket,-men's&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=51590&guideCategoryId=502579&feat=502579-dg&from=GL

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. Yeah, Bean's parkas are the way to go

[YankeyMCC]

27. Wool

It wicks and keeps you worm. If you're like me and don't like having 100% against your skin for long and don't want to ruin the wick flow get something like this for underneath: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=trail-model-coolmax-shirt&categoryId=38337&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=502684&cat4=502683&shop_method=pp&feat=502684-tn

The polyester blend materials for hiking cloths works well for wicking.

You also want warm wool socks and good water resistant or water proof boots and a nice hat. Keeping your feet and heat warm is key.

And remember to use layers, a down jacket over a medium weight wool sweater would do nicely or if you wear a couple of wool sweaters, one light one heavy you may only need a wind-break/water resistant - shell as a jacket.

What I'm suggesting is based on rules I follow for hikes but still the basic rules apply: wool, wick, head and feet, keep dry - just scale down for less strenuous walks and hence another advantage of layering.

[coffeenap]

2. GoreTex or equivalent--windproof makes all the difference. nt

[GOPisEvil]

3. Gore-Tex. Wind and water proof.

[malta blue]

4. I live in upstate NY

and I bought a coat from Kanuk:
http://www.kanuk.com/

I found the coat in Canada and it is, BY FAR, the warmest coat I have ever owned. I have been through many an LLBean coat, and they are also very warm, but for hardcore cold, this is the best I have had.

Do your dog need a coat too?

[Kat45]

23. I just looked at the site-those are extremely expensive!

[Mike03]

5. Thanks for the advice--I'm taking notes

and will print all this out.

It does help, because it looks like it's going to be a cold couple of months. Not to humiliate myself (of course, that is one of the purposes of the Lounge), the last couple days my nose has been dripping for the entire walk... I can't even feel my fingers and feet.

[malta blue]

6. I didn't realize it got that cold in AZ...nt

[Kali]

19. Northern AZ has real winter, but even the lower deserts can get pretty dang cold.

The dry air lets all the daytime heat radiate right back out to space. It can go from 70's in the daytime to below freezing at night. Especially in low lying areas.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

7. Layers of long sleeved cotton and fleece.

I don't have a coat right now, but I'm going with light layers and the top one is a columbia fleece jacket. It's working to keep me warm while walking the pup.
Duckie

[nytemare]

11. I second the fleece.

For the warmth it provides, it is very thin, and can be obtained for decent prices.

I have a thin fleece blanket that is warmer than a big comforter.

[XemaSab]

8. Wigwam socks

:)

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Hells yes! They are teh warmest!

:hi:

[femmocrat]

10. Lands End and L.L. Bean both have good quality coats, IMO.

I just bought the Lands End Stadium Squall (perfect for outdoor playground duty) and I love it. I also have a down coat for really frigid days.

[Gormy Cuss]

12. I'd trust REI, LL Bean, and other outdoor retailers on their claims.

It's the core of their business to outfit people for all weather conditions.

[Deep13]

13. A fluffy layer like wool or polyester fleece...

...with a windproof jacket. A good parka is built that way anyway. It it's really bad do the same for your legs.

I use snow clogs in the winter. The most important thing is keeping a thick sole between your feet and the ground. Pretty much any knit hat, unless it is windy, in which case you will want something with wind-resistance (which could just be your hood).

I know it can get cold in AZ. In 2002, mty wife and I landed in Pheonich in March. It was 91 deg. F. after driveing six hours, we arrived at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon at 8800 ft. above sea level. It was snowing.

[dropkickpa]

14. Columbia

I just got my second columbia and I love it. First one is 4 years old, but I am VERY HARD on clothing, so I'm surprised it lasted that long, I've NEVER had a coat last more than a year. I like the columbia's with the zip-out fleece-ish liner. The shell is wind/waterproof, the liner very comfy and warm, and, best of all IMHO, the jackets are NOT bulky at all so I can wear even more layers underneath if it get's THAT cold, which it rarely does, I usually just wear a t-shirt (long or short sleeved) underneath, even at 10 degrees. I HATE big bulky jackets, I feel like the stay-puft marshmallow man, so this coat is awesome.

**edited to add - I get powder cuffs (can be adjusted) and a powder belt thingy, so I can close up the waist on the inside of the jacket to stop drafts from going up my back.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

16. patagonia

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/intern_landing.jsp?OPTION=SAR&assetid=15546&target=%2Fhome%2Findex.jsp%3FOPTION%3DHOME_PAGE%26assetid%3D1704

Patagonia is a major contributor to environmental groups. Patagonia commits 1% of their total sales or 10% of their profit, whichever is more, to environmental groups. Since 1985, when the program was first started, Patagonia has donated $25 million to over 1,000 organizations.

Patagonia co-founded the alliance 1% For the Planet. This is an alliance of businesses who, like Patagonia, commit at least 1% of their total sales to the environment.

Patagonia uses organic cotton exclusively. Patagonia was the largest purchaser of organic cotton at one time .

Patagonia is a member of the Fair Labor Association. Inspections conducted by the Fair Labor Association rarely finds violations at factories producing Patagonia clothing .

Because of its high prices and perceived yuppie image it is known as Patagucci or Pradagonia among many hikers and climbers.

[CabalPowered]

30. Big pati fan here

My skiing jacket is over 20 years old and is still in great shape. I have several fleece jackets that are over 10 years old and they look great as well. Money well spent.

I'm damn glad I no longer live in a city with a Patagonia outlet, it was getting a bit out of hand.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

36. excellent quality

:hi:

[Flaxbee]

34. yup, Patagonia. I have family members who have worked in Antarctica,

and they use Patagonia. For me, that's a pretty damn good endorsement! AND you can feel good about buying from the company, for the reasons Tuesday Afternoon posted....

[Tuesday Afternoon]

37. thanks, Flaxbee!!

:hi:

[Vanje]

17. Sorel boots

Its hard to be warm anywhere if your feet are cold.

[skygazer]

20. Love Sorels

And you're right - if your feet, head or hands are cold, its all over. Good boots, gloves and a hat and layers for your body.

A pair of tights or nylons add a thin layer that helps keep the legs warm (used to wear them skiiing). Turtlenecks are nice because they keep your neck warm.

[China_cat]

22. Backpacker's tip for keeping feet warm.

Put 1/2 teaspoon of DRY mustard powder in your socks. It stimulates circulation and keeps your feet warmer.

second solution..inner pair of thin white cotton socks with a pair of wool ones over them.

[NMDemDist2]

25. on the ski slopes I learned

if my feet are cold, put on my hat

[LeftyMom]

18. if you go with polyester fleece, get something made with malden mills polartec or windpro

There are a lot of imitations because they didn't patent the process, but the real thing is warmest and holds up the best. I have a pair of windpro (windpro is polartec with an added waterproofing treatment, DWR is another additional treatment, the material is also graded by weight, 100 is thin and light for insulating undergarments, 200 is good for a sweatshirt, 300 is heavy for outerwear) snow pants and they keep me warm for a whole day of sledding with LK, no problem.

[China_cat]

21. Natural materials are more heat efficient than man-made.

Wool is especially good, retaining heat even when wet. Down is wonderful but problematic when wet. Silk is good but very expensive.

Of man-made materials, Thinsulate is your best bet. Best bang for the buck.

Your truly best bet, though, no matter what fiber you use, is to dress in several thinner layers than in one heavy one.

[NMDemDist2]

24. be sure to get a good hat and gloves

wool socks help too

Lands End makes good windproof jackets that can stand up to the cold and they actually give you ratings on temp, wet and wind to help you make the right choice

and they are priced OK too for the quality. check out the links on this page for some info on fabrics and terminology

also their call center staff and the BEST! if you have questions, just call em or once you know about the fabrics, hit the thrift store for a used jacket that is fine for walking the dog and saves your pocket book too

http://www.landsend.com/cd/landing/0,,newCoidInd=y:storeNum=1:navColor=1:tabs1Sel=n:tabs2Sel=n:tabs2StructNum=69522:midNavDisp=n,00.html

[GoddessOfGuinness]

26. You need wicking as well as warmth...

Walking up a sweat, and keeping that moisture next to your body is a good way to develop hypothermia. Get yourself some long underwear that will wick the moisture away...materials like silk, Capilene3, MTS microfleece, all of which REI carries, will be a good first layer for cold weather. Get yourself some flannel-lined jeans to keep your legs toasty, a microfleece shirt, and top it off with an insulated, waterproof parka (don't forget to check REI's Outlet online!). Gloves, hat, and warm shoes and socks are important, too. I have a friend who swears by those hand/foot warmer packets that you find in sporting goods stores.

[Callalily]

28. Try Smartwool!

It's light weight, doesn't itch, and wicks great!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartwool

[taterguy]

29. Go to your local outdoor outfitter and ask there

It's not just a PC thing of supporting small businesses. The folks who work in those places use the products they sell and can offer great advice.

[GenDem]

31. North Face

My daughter has asked for one for Christmas. They are very light weight and claim to keep the bitter cold out and the warmth in.

http://www.thenorthface.com/na/index.html

[NV Whino]

32. Goose down

Really, make sure it's goose down and not duck or a combination. And Thinsolite gloves. Wool socks. Silk undies (long).

[Inchworm]

33. A tank top

covered with a t-shirt covered with a flannel shirt covered with a Navy flight jacket with liner (green ones not leather) a wool hat and fingerless gloves.

I've passed out in snow banks wearing this setup :P

:hi:

[UTUSN]

35. In far LESS cold than yours, nylon windbreaker over polyester shirt & other unnaturals n/t