Hi,

I was at an infosession last night where I was told that European winter clothes were absolutely NOT appropriate for a Canadian (Québec) winter.

What are the main differences and the brands that people buy? Are any available in Europe?

Un grand merci.

Oh. My daughter who lives in Montreal stocked up on clothes at the hypermarche Jumbo in Switzerland this summer. I'll tell her to send that stuff back.

Hi

We visited eastern Ontario in the February of 2003. It was the worst winter since the big Ice Storm's of about 1998 (or thereabouts). We even had an ice storm while we were there.

I wore my casual riding jacket (padded anorak type thing) over tea shirt and jumper and I was fine.
You have to wear scarf,gloves and hat. If you don't wear a hat the cartilage in your ears begins to freeze.
If you are going to be out for any length of time then waterproof over trousers are good. We only used these when we went skating on the Riddeau canal. It was -15 bright and sunny and we were fine. I must admit after a while my face began to get quite cold.

In England you see people all year round in sandals and flip flops and showing off there middle bits because although it's cold , it's not that cold and although they are probably uncomfortable it's not life threatening.
In Canada they just wear appropriate winter clothing. Layers are the key. Nice big coat for out doors, but layers you can remove once you go indoors.
I didn't see people dressed in anything particularly special. Walmart had some really good wellies with felt lining that were warm and snug.

Penny

Someone should inform them that Canada is in large part heated in the winter, at least indoors, so really it depends in large part if you intend spending long periods outside in the winter. For running to the car and from the car to the office you can get by. If you intend going out in the back yard when its -28 and the wind is blowing, and shoveling snow or using a hose to make a back yard ice rink, then you wll probably need some decent stuff.

Layers are the key. Brands are NOT important at all, cheapo walmart stuff will do the job just as well as name brands for regular usage. Breathable fabrics are a bonus though and nice to have, especially for the outer jacket and gloves. Sweat soaked hand are not a good thing!

Good boots are a must. My insulated winter boots came from "Marks Work Warehouse", which is a national chain (owned by Canadian Tire I believe) and were one of the in-house brands..."WindRiver" or something. They work for me sitting out in the cold during Xmas parades, along with fleece lined pants from Sears and my Gortex shell and polartec fleece (Both jackets came from the UK, but were seriously expensive SprayWay ones. With hindsite I could have bought cheaper Columbia or no name ones from the usual suspect stores here for far less, but to be fair, they have lasted very well). I also have lots of hats with ear coverage now.

One of the features to look for in a fleece (if you go that way) is either a lining or a windblocking fabric. Fleece will keep you warm, only if the wind doesnt cut straight through it, which it will with most cheaper ones. I use my windbloc fleece as my fall/spring coat and even for most of the winter, without needing the shell too.

The main reason to buy here in Canada is its probably cheaper for winter related stuff, and early in the season there may be more to choose from at the lower price levels.

If you are arriving midwinter then selection here might be limited though, thats all.

Toronto doesn't seem to get that cold. We might get a wind chill of -20 on a few days.

Essential items are a toque (wool hat) and gloves.

Oh and you learn not to smile too much as the cold really hurts your teeth !!

Better to buy all the stuff here as the clothes available are designed for the winter. European winters aren't the same - and frankly the summers aren't either.....

Quebec is significantly colder than Toronto though. Even Ottawa is noticably colder, and thats not even that far from TO. Mostly to do with the moderating effect of the lake I suppose, and TO is further South too.

It all depends on how long you expect to be outside, these are popular clothes for working and available in Europe http://www.carhartt.com/

I've noticed that farriers tend to go for this brand (forgive the rather camp ad) http://www.richlu.com/index.cfm?PageID=2

The OH worked and rode north of Toronto outside from January on in an Ariat barn jacket over a fleece and a polo. She suffered cold feet due to not having insulated boots but was otherwise ok.

Clothes from this place are warmish but expensive http://www.mec.ca/Main/home.jsp?&goo...uipment%20coop

My winter attire came from Ends, the poor man's Winners/TJ Maxx/TK Maxx, it's the same as my summer attire but with gloves and a hat.

I wore my quilted knee length coat from M&S with thermals and jeans, t-shirts, vest and jumper when we went to Lake Louise this Feb and I was super snuggly - hubby wore same but with a sailing jacket that was waterproof and kept out the wind and he was lovely and warm too. Definately invest in a good hat and gloves - I didn't realise how much of a difference hats made until I decided to take it off!! Brrrrrrr!!
And also winter is a great excuse to snuggle up more

Wrong!
Have you ever been to Scandinavia? The weather is the same and it gets just as cold in the winter there as in Canada. If you still live in the UK I would suggest that you get your winter gear in H&M, they've got shops all over Europe. Their clothes are def. made for cold winters.

This website says that up 40% of heat loss can occur through the head. So a hat is probably a good idea along with scarf and gloves.

Dozzzzy

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They have stores in Canada (GTA) too I believe.

I dont know though wether the same clothes are sold in all the stores around the world, or if they are "market specific". Somehow I doubt the winter coats for the UK market are the same as the winter coats for the Canadian or scandanavian market?

Yes. H&M is the fashionable store here.

My coat I bought from British Home Stores shortly before we left, cos I accidentally let my skijacket go in the container. It was big enough to wear a long sleeved T-shirt and a fleece or sweater underneath, and it was wind-proof, and I was fine, even walking out in -24 one day.

I would buy gloves, boots and a hat here though. Clothes often have an indication as to the temperatures they are suitable for .... I was lughing at some workboots I saw in a store that were marked as "-45 degrees"! :scared:

When I skied I only wore the two layers .... but I was a bit cold going up in the chairlift at -27 one day! brrrrrrr...........

I'll go for practical over fashionable any day..but especially in the Winter!

Perhaps H&M keeps different stock in Europe. Here the kids get their jail bait outfits from H&M; I can't see facing the winter in a mini skirt and tank top. (Except Halloween, of course).