Caribou Jones

I've been here three weeks and as I type its -23 out there close to midday.

Depends if you have a car or not, as if like me you don't, the cumulative time getting around is different to hopping in and out.

Footwear, I picked up some decent on sale Helly Hansen boots for general out and about (or oot and aboot in your boots), but also went to Walmart and have some deep snow bargains just in case as I walk to work.

Hat / toque is essential. Thought I could get away with if for ten minutes yesterday and it wasn't a good idea.

I've been using a Sports Direct Karrimor puffa jacket with a layer or two depending how frigid it is. Also make sure your neck is breeze free with a scarf, collar or buff. Gloves of course.

I've also ordered a Mountain Warehouse ski jacket for dual use. It's a UK company which is cheap back home, but they have a branch here. I ordered online two weeks ago thinking it was being sent from Canada, but no. It's coming from Middlesex, still not here, lesson learned.

Also, below -20 think about covering your face (ugly or not), at -32 with a windchill of-49.8 in Montreal once, it was another lesson learned.

hydrographer2004

Thanks for all the tips - will try and grab some thermals from M&S (in theirboxing day sales) before we head over!

Might see if I can hunt a decent pair of gloves as well.

Initially we wont have a car so lots of layers to be bought!

Cheers

Souvy

Try hitting an army surplus store. Even the outdated military stuff is likely to be better than what you'll find in regular shops. I used to borrow my wife's army thermals. A bit tight on me but very effective.

I don't wish to alarm you but have you seen the weather report for Calgary today?

magnumpi

As said before the wind is the issue more than the actual temp. The other day in Toronto it was +4c and absolutely freezing out with a vicious wind. Today is -4 and I am walking around in a sweater no coat on, difference being, no wind :@)

evets

These items appear to be popular in Australia

Shop & Buy Onesies Australia for Adults and onesies for children – Onesie Zoosie Australia

Wearable Blankets - your buying guide to Slankets, Snuggies, TV blankets, blankets with sleeves, and blankets that you can wear.

Even though a UK website, had not really heard of them prior to moving to Australia.

GC44

When you get over find out where your local Winners stores are and get your winter gear there. Winners is basically T K Maxx. Probably not so good for boots but you can't beat there prices for coats, trousers etc.
Picked up a Under Armour Storm 2 down filled coat last weekend for $150 in the Winnipeg store. We brought over winter gear from the UK 5 years ago and find that we very rarely use it, warm enough but very bulky.
We are on the prairies, its -31 at the moment (-38 with wind chill). Layer up with a half decent coat on top and you will be fine.
Before I forget, for gloves look into getting decent mitts whilst using glove liners. Sounds a bit child like but spending most of my time outdoors working on the oil I find this option by far the best.
Good luck

TheThornes

Coming in January you might get some good bargains in the sales. I picked up a nice winter coat last year in the sales for $1.49!

Marks do some good warm gear. My work environment isn't the warmest and I live in their fleecy thermal socks. They also do fleece lined trousers that are great for cold days.

Atmosphere is an outdoosy type of store where you can get lots of branded warm clothes such as North Face, Columbia etc. They also do some good footwear. Personally, I have some Merrell winter boots; they are lace up ankle boots but have a great grip for icy conditions.

Where possible, I prefer to wear some really warm mitts as opposed to gloves. Definitely keep your fingers warmer!

suzeandmatt

My husband and I are moving to Calgary on the 4th January- so this has been helpful- so thanks for asking!! :-) We're fairly outdoorsy here anyway so have a range of kit. I spent this summer in the Andes as well so I'm happy that the kit I bought for that will likely be used again pretty soon.

Thanks all! (Sorry for jumping in!)

Bleepedy Bloops

https://www.mec.ca/en/stores/calgary

Steve_

The answer is, frankly not much, unless for some reason you have to spend lots of time outside, in which case the answer is, don't move here.

I never thought I'd own so many different pairs of gloves. You need thick gloves to keep your hands warm but you need thin gloves so you can manipulate things for a few seconds before you put your thick gloves on again. And you need gloves with grip for certain things.

And you need a toque. The rest of it is pretty obvious, in reality everywhere is heated including the parkades so it's more a question of being tortured by your frozen steering wheel. Or, occasionally stepping foot in a freezing puddle downtown.

I'd say a good selection of pyjamas of various thicknesses is a good idea actually. When it's really cold, i.e. lower than -20, it's a good idea to have a ski mask if you've got to spend more than 5 minutes outside.

Steve_

Understand the English language doesn't have enough words to describe the weather here. -5 is warm. -10 is livable. -15 is uncomfortable but bearable. -23 is the temperature of a walk-in freezer and the snot will freeze in your nose in 5+ minutes when it's that cold. -30 is "I can feel the inside of my lungs when I breath" weather. And -40 is "I can feel the inside of my lungs when I breath and it really hurts" weather. -45 is "watching people die from exposure because they're desperate for a cigarette" weather.

-23 is really the temperature where you give up going outside if you can because you've got to start putting stuff on your legs to spend more than a few minutes outside and it's too much hassle.

Shakyuk

Good post!

cheeky_monkey

I used to do a lot of walking at the weekends all year round when I lived in Calgary...not once did I not go out because it was too cold..i did have a big duck down parka..which I wore if it was -30c or below..man was that coat was toasty..but I think I only wore it 3 or 4 times...so rarely is it brutally cold in Calgary. I think I experienced as many days at +15c in winter as I did -20c days.

Almost Canadian

Really? I have skied when the temperatures were -30 and nothing in my nose froze

ookie123

Look on Mountain Warehouse online before you move over they have some good bargains.
Thermol ski type gloves are a must as is a scarf and hat. IMO a down jacket is a great investment, get one at least 650-750 fill, they are light and keep you really toasty.

When you get here Costco do some great long sleeved marino wool base layer tops for $29.99 they come in a variety of colour's and are great for keeping warm.