Winter....brrrrr!
 

Hi there,

Me and the family will be making the move to Toronto in the next 6 weeks. Just a quick question. I'm sorry to put a downer on the lovely summer you're having but with winter time not that far off, where's best to buy our woollies? Is clothing cheaper here or Canada? We have an 18 month old, so that goes for kids clohes too.

You can pick up some half decent cosy snow & chilly clobber in Milletts or Blacks for only a few quid, is there an equivalent in Canada?

Thanks.

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

apparently here is best for clothing but snow boots when you get out there.
im not sure about the east but theres no big outdoor clothing retailers in the west apparently so items not so cheap.

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

Where on earth did you hear that? Every major department/clothing store offers a range of winter wear, and there are a myriad of more specialist stores too.

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

Im guessing the Cabelas stores in Edmonton, Saskatoon & Winnipeg are not suitable :lol:
Are there any WalMarts, Canadian Tire, Zellers, The Bay & Sears stores west of Thunder Bay?

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

i bought my winter jacket and snow boots from sportsdirect.com whilst still in the UK. They have some good deals if you buy last winter's stock rather than pre-ordering for the next ski season. A ski jacket, and snow boots is all you need for toronto (besides hat and gloves which can be bought anywhere) and it wont get cold till jan/february time. The boots cost me around 5 quid and the jacket less than 100 (last summer). I bought a winter jacket when I first moved to ontario from marks workwearhouse for about 100 dollars but it wasnt anywhere near as warm and was worn out within a couple of years.

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

Cheers, much appreciated.

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

How strange, we all must freeze in the winter then - where are you? The back of beyond?

I would recommend Zelleers if it's still open or The Bay for a snow suit for the 18 month old. For adults then you should be able to find something good in Ontario, if you want really good but don't want to pay North Face/Patagonia prices then check out your local Eddie Bauer for something nice and warm but lightweight. Not too sure of the winter climate where your going but if it's wet/wet snow then you will either need something with water proofing or a synthetic fibre opposed to down, as something like Primaloft will still hold it's 'loft' when its wet still retaining your body heat. Down compacts into lumps when wet.

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

To be fair, the Saskatoon store only opened a few weeks ago. But I think I'm using Marks' Work Wearhouse coat and boots and they've been fine at fifty below zero.

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

woah lol
what i meant was the uk stores such as go outdoors, sports direct where you get good quality products that you dont have to pay through the nose for, may be the better option.
i have friends in canada who have said its better to buy stuff in the uk when theyre over visiting as the value is better.
please dont get your expensive base layers in a twist....it could be painful especially if its cold :lol:

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

Walmart for lowcost stuff.

For adults 'Bluenotes' they are in most malls.

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

Is everyone on this forum just plain cheap? Seriously, you buy your winter clothes at Walmart, Canadian Tire, Zellers?

I'm a cheap Scotsman and you're much better off buying the proper layers with some decent name brand gear - it lasts way longer, its usually lighter and warmer not to mention you don't look like a walking Walmart special.

Try MEC or last years gear at the smaller stores as they are usually trying to move last years stock for this years stuff.

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

What the chuff is MEC?

As for winter gear the only stuff I have here that is different to the UK is a decent pair of boots and a warm coat. The insides of buildings are heated here ;) so extra warm sweaters etc are not needed.

Sporty stuff is different of course but everyday then nothing fancy.

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

Have to be cheap, everything cost a fortune here and is low quality...[

QUOTE=Hawk13;10231450]Is everyone on this forum just plain cheap? Seriously, you buy your winter clothes at Walmart, Canadian Tire, Zellers?

I'm a cheap Scotsman and you're much better off buying the proper layers with some decent name brand gear - it lasts way longer, its usually lighter and warmer not to mention you don't look like a walking Walmart special.

Try MEC or last years gear at the smaller stores as they are usually trying to move last years stock for this years stuff.[/QUOTE]

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

+1. When we first got here we bought "cheap'n'cheerful" and were regretting it by January!

To the OP, it is really worth spending a bit more on winter gear... a lot of it has a temperature rating to help you decide. There are a lot of hi-tech fabrics too, which make the stuff more comfortable to wear.

The winters in Eastern Canada are loooong!

Re: Winter....brrrrr!
 

My OH wear a Marks Workwearhouse down coat in the winter. I found my one not to be so warm. Since working at Eddie Bauer I have had an education. I have a BC200 microtherm jacket, I was lucky enough to win it last year, for something so light it is warm. I comfortably wore it in -30. I also bought a parka last year weather rated to -17, it will be confident wearing it in -30 when walking the dog. This one I bought in the sales for a whole $57.00, but i had to wait until February for it. I would proudly recommend Eddie Bauer down coats and jackets to anyone, it's something they do really very well. I personally wouldn't buy Sears - crap quality.

For those that don't know MEC = Mountain Equipment Co-op.