recommendations for winter coats or jackets?

[shpongle]

if anyone can be me in the right direction. just moved to NYC from LA and i have no winter clothing. i am freezing lol. i dont know if puffer jackets or wool coat would be better. also i am going to get some wool socks because my feet are gettin fucked

[JJ_Skates]

Layers are your friend. It really depends on the temps but I'll lay out the idea.

Base Layer: For me, I wear a long sleeve tee but you could wear a thermal or compression shirt if you wanted.

Insulation Layer: Something with down that will keep you warm. I wear a shorter Uniqlo down jacket puffer (It's thinner so I can throw it in my bag)

Shell Layer: This is gonna keep you dry in the rain + snow so your insulation layer doesn't leak heat too much or get soaked/snowed on. For this one I went with a Patagonia shell off of eBay in my size.

I like this layer system, it works for me. You could say fuck it and just get a parka for the winter. I don't know if you're trying to stick to skate brands or not but as a general rule Patagonia, Colombia and Carhartt are all solid as fuck. I'm in north jersey, so we get roughly the same weather as NYC. Hope that helps!

[l1ll1ll1]

The Polar and the Stussy Puffs are the shit – have one of each and I'm in love.
If you have more money: The Patagonia nano puff jackets are the best thing if you're going down the "onion"/layer route.

[chris.]

I got a thin Columbia puffer on sale for like $80 and it’s one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. I’m in the mid-Atlantic so my layering is more like long sleeve tee, flannel, puffer.  I hate skating in anything bulky, even hoodies are too much often.

Wool socks forever. I wear em year round.

[JJ_Skates]

I got a thin Columbia puffer on sale for like $80 and it’s one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. I’m in the mid-Atlantic so my layering is more like long sleeve tee, flannel, puffer.  I hate skating in anything bulky, even hoodies are too much often.

Wool socks forever. I wear em year-round.

Facts. Actually, I bought like 7 pairs of Darn Tough wool socks 6 years ago and finally got a hole in one sock. They have a lifetime warranty, I returned the pair and got a gift card for the amount I paid to get a new pair. Highly recommended!

[LebowskisRug]

I would shop outlets or sales for any of the major outdoor brands: Patagonia, Black Diamond, North Face, Outdoor Research, Mountain Hardwear, Arcteryx, Columbia, Marmot, etc.

These brands usually design with some sort of warmth or wet performance whereas skate or fashion brands just design for looks. Don’t get me wrong they can still work fine but I think you’ll get something that might last a bit longer and perform better.

[manysnakes]

REI is probably having some last-minute Christmas sales, and they'll usually have the best deals for real (not fashion) puffy coats and wool socks. Their house brand shit isn't chichi, but I've been relying on the same "Stratocloud" jacket for years now, and living in the Northwest, I depend on it literally year round.

I'll echo everyone else's advice though: thick, high quality wool hiking, skiing or snowboarding socks in the winter and dress in layers.

[animalflesh]

I usually wear a long sleeve tee, a flannel, and a hooded carhartt duck jacket all winter

Get some flannel lined pants too trust me

[yourbreakfsat]

Alpha Industries. The Heritage Collection (MA1, B15, N3B, etc) jackets will trap heat easily.

MSRP is around $160 - 200 but you can find them second hand or on sale for way cheaper.

[Joe Davola]

This has very little to do with jackets.

Buy a nice moisturizer/lotion and rub up after showers.
Buy some waterproof footwear before you drop money on expensive socks.
Don’t shave your body.
Some puffers aren’t designed to get wet. I’ve worn a standard Carhartt for more than 15 years and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
If your car was made this millennium then you really don’t need to let it “warm up.”
I fucking hate when people talk like this. You know, with such a sense of finality to their thoughts.
The warmer you keep your home, the colder it’s going to feel outside.
I find my Smartwool and Icebreaker socks to much, much better than my Darn Toughs.
I luuuv my humidifier.
It’s OK to hate winter, but nobody likes hearing people complain about it.
Ear muffs are a power move.

[RichardBarkley]

I recommend this

https://www.snickersworkwear.com/detail/146491

[biaherl]

Get one that has a string that goes behind your shoulders and extends out of each cuff. That way you can tie your mittens to your cuffs for quick access and no loss

[funeral_tuxedo]

if anyone can be me in the right direction. just moved to NYC from LA and i have no winter clothing. i am freezing lol. i dont know if puffer jackets or wool coat would be better. also i am going to get some wool socks because my feet are gettin fucked

In an NYC winter its good to own some thermals to layer with. Snowboarding jackets on sale can be a really inexpensive.

@shpongle if you need a winter jacket ASAP like today I have a trashed old black Carhartt work jacket you can definitely have for free if you can come to Queens to pick it up. I bought it used awhile back and it's a badly tailored small,  but it's cold out and I'm sure it would be good enough until you get a better one. Its a size small but I'm 5'10" and weigh 155lbs and it fits more like a medium for reference.

[Lame_Fella]

They’re pricey but carharts are popular for a reason. They’re bulky but the keep you warm.

I bought a dickies coat (the one with the hoodie type hood) and it’s kept me warm while it’s been in the 30s

[Lukabrazi]

Typical layering for me in Colorado where the high today is 20 degrees, and it was -4 this morning

Thermals / base layer under my pants

Tshirt or long sleeve, sweatshirt / hoodie and then a fleece jacket zip up either a north face Denali jacket with hood (thrifted for $20) or another deep pile fleece I thrifted as well with no hood .

This is just for warmth; not planning on snow / precipitation . But the north face Denali can def handle some snow . But if prolonged exposure I’d layer like I’m going snowboarding.

Base layer , fleece 1/4 zip(if under 15 degrees) midweight fleece zip up or melanzana pull over fleece , then shell jacket

[layzieyez]

Uniqlo heattech line. I refuse to be out in the cold without. Best bargain garments for foul weather. I try to buy most of it when the season is ending and they're drastically discounted.

https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/search?q=heattech

[Mbrimson88]

if anyone can be me in the right direction. just moved to NYC from LA and i have no winter clothing. i am freezing lol. i dont know if puffer jackets or wool coat would be better. also i am going to get some wool socks because my feet are gettin fucked

From my travels for work to some pretty chilly places, I got quite used to layering up to save on having too much in the way of clothing or one big jacket that would always just get in the way when I would have to take it off, but the single big jacket option does work really well if you are doing the go outside for a bit, then go inside on and off.

As others have said, layering worked really well for me too, having my usual tshirt (medium), flannel shirt (medium or large), optional thermal pull over or zip up (large), crew neck or hoodie (large) and then spray jacket (XL) over all that.

Having layers without too many hooded options was really good, as more than one hood just got in the way a lot, so crew neck pullover type fleece was easier.  Also having a large thermal pull over was more comfortable than having a medium thermal tshirt, but each to their own really.

There are some branded thermal lined flannel shirts (Antihero) or others, some with removable thermal lining which are good if it doesn't take too much effort, but most of the time I leave the thermal lining in as it is easier and stays where it should when wearing the flannel shirt.

I do own a pair or two of flannel lined 874 pants (which are nice and toasty), but sometimes it was easier to just use a pair of plain looking pj flannel pants under my normal 874 pants, which I could take off if needed more easily than just the one pair with built in flannel.  This was easy as I usually wear a size up with a belt in 874s anyway.

Having layers of socks can help too, but if you are used to running normal fitting shoes, they can be a pain, so it just depends on whether or not you are going to be skating from here to there, or just wearing something to work or whatever, but a specific (bigger) pair of winter shoes is good too.


I almost forgot to say, most of the under layers are pretty cheap and easy enough to get from anywhere, not so much skate brands or specific clothing brands, so if you are on a budget, it makes it a whole lot easier from department stores for that sort of thing.

[Ankle_Lift]

I am Canadian, so I know a bit about staying dry and warm during the winter.

I don't know what the weather is like in NYC, but I assume it's fairly wet, and probably hovers around 0°C. I know you asked about jackets, but I work outside all year and  this is my advice for you, trust me.
My biggest tip would be to be buy some nice waterproof boots. I don't know what the style is in NYC, but something
Like this https://www.bogsfootwear.ca/shop/style/72754-001.html
Or some other waterproof boots. Vans makes some nice waterproof boots now.
When you leave the house, wear two pairs of socks. The first pair should be a very thin summer type sock, not made of cotton, and the second pair of socks over top should be either wool, or murinowool. Avoid cotton socks that shit doesn't stay dry or warm. Without the first layer of socks your feet just get all sweaty and cold in just one pair. Two pairs of socks is key to living a comfortable life in the winter.

[braksabbath]

Just manifest that shit

[bombsaway86]

I usually wear a long sleeve tee, a flannel, and a hooded carhartt duck jacket all winter

Get some flannel lined pants too trust me

This. There’s nothing warmer and more durable than a Carhartt jacket.

https://www.carhartt.com/product/C003/loose-fit-firm-duck-insulated-traditional-coat

[mj23]

Carhartt gear is warmer than you’d expect (talking about the shit construction workers wear, not the WIP fashion line). When I lived in NYC I got a few secondhand carhartt jackets with the wooly blanket lining that impressed the shit out of me. Almost not even worth getting a new one, just get one that’s already broken in a little because they can be hella stiff when they’re new. I got a solid 4 years on one of them before it got too worn in to do winter duty, but I still wear it for lighter duty. The downside here is that they’re bulky and might not be good for skating.

For skating in cold my move is a quilted puffer mid layer with a wooly flannel shirt jacket over it. The synthetic puffers people have mentioned are like the best ratio of warmth to light weight and mobility imo. Outdoor brands like north face or whatever are great, but I got a cheaper one at Uniqlo that has held up well too. Then I’ll put an oversized wool flannel shirt over it to protect from abrasion since the nylon material is somewhat delicate compared to canvas or whatever

Beyond that, everyone else is right to say that layers are key. When it’s really cold I’ll just wear a full long underwear suit under my clothes, and strip off the outer layer when I get home. Then I’m chilling in a merino pajama suit which is kinda fun

Fingerless wool gloves are my move for keeping the hands usable but also semi warm. Order em for hella cheap thru military surplus. In general wool and wool blends are your friend. As others have said Uniqlo and workwear stores are among the most cost effective. Snowboard and hiking/camping gear are also great but more expensive, worth keeping an eye on REI or similar for sales.

Edit for more specifics: the L Train Vintage chain of thrift stores has tons of workwear for cheap, the one near Morgan Ave L train station in particular usually has a whole rack. For new stuff Dave’s NYC (I think it’s at 16th and 6th in Manhattan) is kinda the shit.

Also I second what people say about boots. It took me way too long to quit wearing skate shoes all winter. Keep those ankles warm and avoid wet socks. Boots are unfortunately the one area where I don’t think you cans really skimp. I bought too many pairs secondhand that didn’t fit quite right before I finally dropped the cash on some fresh doc martens and north face hikers, which have both held up for years and kept my feet and ankles cozy. Depending on the style you like there are tons of options, but Docs, Wolverine, Keen, Red Wing, Chippewa, Adidas Terrex, and Merrill are all brands that me or my friends have had good luck with. A decent pair will last thru several winters.

[tom]

For working in cold locations I have the REI 650 down hoodie, smartwool base layer, and smartwool/darn tough socks. It’s all really lightweight and moveable. A perk of down jackets besides retaining heat is that they’re naturally wind resistant. You can feel the chilling effects of wind when it’s cold out and you don’t have something that stops it from penetrating your layers. Downside of down jackets is that they’re not usually water resistant unless you spend even more money for water resistant specific ones

[beandemon]

Layers, avoid cotton base layer & socks - I often cheat with a blend for everyday, but not if I’m working or doing stuff outside all day. Workwear and outdoor brands are great but stay away from their more fashion stuff -i.e. real carhartt’s have model numbers, not names & puffy jackets rely on trapping air in some type of insulation for warmth, so a slim fit stretchy one ain’t gonna be as warm. Not all beanies are equal, either. Look for thick, tight weave. Oh, shit - protect ya neck! A fleece gator is like adding a layer. My favorites are made from the sleeves of an old fleece jacket.

Seems obvious, but highwaters aren’t the move in winter.

[al_cvbrera]

Carhartt J140 Active Jacket.

[Lhotse’s Pit of Death]

Arc’Teryx, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Osprey, North Face Summit Series, Moncler, and Stone Island all make warm and affordable jackets

[braksabbath]

No one mentioned leg layers. Running tights are thin but make a big difference. Even better is these fleece grid leggings from any military surplus place. I’ve had the same pair for years https://www.mcguirearmynavy.com/products/ecwcs-gen-iii-level-2-thermal-grid-fleece-underwear?variant=39301040439390&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzfuNBhCGARIsAD1nu-_aMohWZa4qbWHhRYWBt3pRgkiBZ3SaNPXAFScAAwlf_PALThhUdPcaAtNQEALw_wcB

Kinco gloves and mitts are the go-to for ski resort lifties for a reason.

[mj23]

Arc’Teryx, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Osprey, North Face Summit Series, Moncler, and Stone Island all make warm and affordable jackets

We got a comedian over here

[goingapelikenigo]

[streetmeat]

melanzana

classic colorado

[streetmeat]

A puffy with an adequate amount of down in it will be your best final layer. Most 'fashion puffies' dont have an adequate amount of down in them tho. If you're going to buy a nice down jacket ignore the '600,700,800,900 fill power' bullshit and see if they list the down fill amount, if they are worth anything they will tell you. 3oz+ is a good starting point.

North Face is notorious for this, they will blast the '700 FILL POWER!' on everything, they'll even embroider it on the jacket sleeves and it literally means nothing if they don't tell you the fill weight too (they dont). The average jackass sees it and thinks 'damn, that sounds like a high number, must be good!'

Any basic ass fleece midlayer is the workhorse piece of your layering. Fleece wicks moisture away from your body and it also insulates when wet. A fleece is your preferred layer if you wanna be active (skating). Dont skate in down. Other than looking cool it literally does nothing, when down gets wet it fails and does nothing. Also, the fabric of down jackets doesn't breath for shit, it basically a wind blocking layer and after awhile you're going to be sweating your fucking ass off being active with a down jacket on.


I suggest a Montbell Superior Down Jacket or Parka

As for a fleece, just find one you like but dont spend a lot, they are basically all the same.


-nerdy ultralight backpacking guy shit over-