Oink

In Vancouver you just need an umbrella.

Geordie Lass

I know it hasn't hit the real cold temps yet but I bought some T-Max Heat thermals - bottoms and tops and I think they are the best thing since sliced bread. I went out sledging in -15 for 2 hours with my son with them on under my jeans, got my jeans soaking and I was as warm as toast. Also wore them on Halloween. They are great because they also manage to stop you sweating too.

I know you asked about coats etc but seriously these thermals are good....

sheadboy

I agree, for me as long as my head and feet are warm, the rest of me pretty much follows suit

I wear either a hoodie, or just a dickies hoodie jacket, with a nice warm toque and gloves.

http://www.dickies.ca/mens-clothing/...cket-D3053.jsp

caretaker

Although the arctic gear is mostly for when I spend all day on the ice fishing, or if I have to walk across town when it's -35, it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Quite a few people here take a snowmobile suit or insulated coveralls and a pair of boots and keep them in the car during winter in case of a breakdown in the country, as well as a little kit with some candles and lighters and chocolate bars.

sheadboy

I definitely have a winter kit in the back of the car with a blanket, etc

BristolUK

The label says Northern Spirit. It belonged to my wife's ex and I've been wearing it since winter 2004.

A three in one jacket. The outer piece is a nice windbreaker. The inner one good for keeping warm in late fall. But I have something suitable for those conditions so I keep the two parts zipped together.

It feels heavy when taking off the hanger but not bulky at all. Good for walking, waiting, cycling and clearing snow.

geedee

Had a look and they make some nice stuff... not stupid money, either. I will have to find a local stockist and try one on.

Can you remember what brand it was? We have a couple of those stores nearby (here it's called L'equiper or something).

I do have a pair of men's tights for when it's really chilly! They do make a big difference.
Looks like they've gone out of business, but thanks for the tip.

Souvy

I'd agree with the comment about army surplus. My missus said her winter gear, including boots, was very warm (ditto sleeping bag).

It gets cold here but not horribly. I can only remember a few days below -30 (not including wind chill). I generally get by with felt-lined boots, long-johns plus jeans, or lined snow pants on their own, T-shirt, some sort of shirt and my Columbia ski jacket. I don't often wear a sweater. I wear a stupid toque with pigtails. I do have a balaclava but the only time I wore it was when the risk of frostbite was high. Mittens are certainly better than gloves but are not always practical. I have ski mittens and wool mittens and trigger mittens, the second two hand-knitted in Newfoundland (they are very warm). I do a lot of DIY in my unheated garage even in mid-winter. You can't wear mittens. I have workman's gloves from Home Depot. Not perfect but better than nothing.

Has anyone told the Hungarians their country has been moved?

caretaker

When we get a cold snap in Sask it can stay below -30 for a couple of weeks, and that can happen 2 or even 3 times during the winter. It doesn't always happen, but it can. There's a lot to be said for staying inside and watching movies sometimes. Everyone learns how to dress for the weather according not only to the climate and what they have to do, but their personal tolerance to cold.

BristolUK

Funny how we adjust so that -30 doesn't seem horribly cold.

I'd never heard of trigger mittens before. They look like alien clothing.

Souvy

Very useful if you are a smoker.

Joolschweetie

'Rab' Jackets are amazing...they were a small brand from my neck of the woods (Sheffield) initially designed for hiking & climbing that made it big. They make amazing, really lightweight down-filled heavy duty jackets.

Not really needed it over here yet as last winter was pretty mild but it's been good for several trips to Norway with -20 and below. Just dug it out the wardrobe in the hopes of wearing it soon

I believe they sell them over here too, and you can order them online.

tallperson

Have a look at allsales.ca
There are lots of warehouse sales around Montreal esp. this time of year for the winter gear.
I haven't ordered from them but thelasthunt.com have brand name reduced outerwear too.

geedee

Thanks a lot for those links... very useful, cheers!

MostlyYank

I've skied most of my life (although the coldest I've skied is -17 actual). Columbia (with layers!) has been warm and durable for me.

The US army has a rating system for layers:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extende...lothing_System

Pete