Gift recommendations needed -- Cold Weather Gear

[Weird Harold]

My younger daughter recently informed me that she's moving to Colorado. Since she's lived most of her life in Las Vegas or other desert environements, she's seen snow maybe four or five times and that in the under two inches range. She has nothing that will cope with a Colorado Winter.

Since her birthday is comming up about the time they plan to move, I'd like to invest in a good set of cold weather gear as a combination Birthday and Bon Voyage gift.

The problem is that I've also lived in the desert for the last twenty-plus years AND have no idea what women's cold weather gear is available.

Any suggestions from the northern contingent?

 

[Guest]

Give her the money instead to buy what the locals wear.

 

[Weird Harold]

Give her the money instead to buy what the locals wear.

I don't have money, I just have credit.

 

[McKenna]

www.cabelas.com
www.eddiebauer.com
www.llbean.com
www.landsend.com
www.rei.com
www.sportsauthority.com

Cabelas is a great outdoor recreation supplier, but mostly seem to cater to hunters and fishermen. I bought my ski pants from them, though. Goretex; good stuff.

Eddie Bauer has excellent winter wear, even if it's a bit expensive. Check their outlet store for bargains.

I haven't bought much from LL Bean in years. Lands End has good stuff, cheaper than Eddie Bauer.

REI has excellent gear, but it's pricey. Unless she's planning an arctic expedition, she probably won't need the kind of gear they sell.

Sports Authority has decent stuff, good supply of ski and snowboard equipment, as well as other outdoor gear.

My advice for your daughter would be to dress in layers. It's easy to take something off if you get too hot, but you can't make something materialize out of thin air if you get too cold. On the really cold days, she might try long-underwear. They make silk stuff (I use it while skiing) that is superfine; no one can tell you have it on when you're wearing it, it's that thin.

Cotton is NOT suggested for winter-wear; wool or synthetics are better because they wisk away moisture and allow the body to stay warm. Fleece is wonderful stuff, and fairly cheap these days. Great for layering.

Happy shopping!

 

[Weird Harold]

www.cabelas.com
www.eddiebauer.com
www.llbean.com
www.landsend.com
www.rei.com
www.sportsauthority.com

Cabelas is a great outdoor recreation supplier, but mostly seem to cater to hunters and fishermen. I bought my ski pants from them, though. Goretex; good stuff.
...
Sports Authority has decent stuff, good supply of ski and snowboard equipment, as well as other outdoor gear.

Thanks, for the suggestions. I'm familiar with Cabela's and L.L. Bean but they don't have any stores in this area. (I don't shop online unless absolutely necessary)

Sprts Authority does hve three stores nearby, so I'm going to run over to the nearest tommorrow and see what they've got.

My advice for your daughter would be to dress in layers. It's easy to take something off if you get too hot, but you can't make something materialize out of thin air if you get too cold. On the really cold days, she might try long-underwear. They make silk stuff (I use it while skiing) that is superfine; no one can tell you have it on when you're wearing it, it's that thin.

Oh, she's going to get the whole "surviving in the cold" lecture -- I was stationed in Denver many, (many, many, many,) moons ago and I grew up in Oregon, so I'm not totally ignorant of cold weather -- I just don't have any current experience with what's available and/or fashionable -- especially for women.

I do know the importance of "Wicking Action" and layering but I don't know that my budget is going to stretch far enough for silk longjohns.

 

[McKenna]

I do know the importance of "Wicking Action" and layering but I don't know that my budget is going to stretch far enough for silk longjohns.

Silk interlock, starting at $19.95. (Cabelas.com)

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/91/10/84/i911084sn01a.jpg

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Silk interlock, starting at $19.95. (Cabelas.com)

First things first in my second post after being gone for a week:

Pounce!

Hiya, Sweetie! How are you and all things in your world? I'm asking elsewhere for any interesting or "need-to-know" AH news – how 'bout McK news?

Slight threadjack over. Here are two good sources for good gear, cheap:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/
www.campmor.com

I don't have experience with silk underwear. Here is my basic-basic: Polypro long johns top and bottom, pile/fleece jacket, wool or fleece pants, and gore tex or equivalent parka and pants - just a shell, no insulation (that way it's useful rain gear in the summer). I like a poly or fleece balaclava rather than just a plain hat – you look like a geek but there is no comparison to a plain hat for head warmth. That basic setup has seen me through a number of winter camping trips. In northern climes I carry pretty much the same outfit on summer camping trips too, except probably no pile pants. To convert this from a 20 degree (f) to a -20 degree outfit add a down or qualofill jacket under the Gore-Tex. With this outfit you have tremendous layering flexibility plus all the high-tech advantages. Check out sale items at the catalogs McK cited also – they are always trying to unload something, cheap, and often you can find just what you need.

Best wishes to darling daughter. Nice dad to think of keeping her warm.

Er, um - I just noticed you used the "f" word - fashion. The above is quite pragmatic. Well, it can be your starting point . . .

You may want to reconsider not shopping via internet or catalog for this sort of stuff - local stores just can't compare in selection and special deals.

PS to McK: Nice, um, T-shirt in your new av, you sexy babe, you!

 

[CopyCarver]

Sorel boots. They aren't kidding when they offer to pay medical bills if anyone frostbites their feet while wearing them. I've never worn the women's boots, obviously, but the men's Sorels are also damned comfortable.

 

[McKenna]

First things first in my second post after being gone for a week:

Pounce!

Hiya, Sweetie! How are you and all things in your world? I'm asking elsewhere for any interesting or "need-to-know" AH news – how 'bout McK news?

Slight threadjack over.

Roxelby!

<Pounce!>

Read the West Nile Virus thread... That's about the most exciting thing that has happened to me.

How was your vacation?! Did you take pictures?

/threadjack

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

DOWN, Harold. There are lots of Factory Outlets out here where Down Jackets and such are quite reasonable. And water proof boots. Add Levi's, warm socks and that's how I survive winter here.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Sorel boots. They aren't kidding when they offer to pay medical bills if anyone frostbites their feet while wearing them. I've never worn the women's boots, obviously, but the men's Sorels are also damned comfortable.

Good point. The pink sorels are even kinda cute! They don't breathe, though, so are impractical for some applications, like anything that requires walking a whole lot, vs. standing on a frozen lake ice fishing, and so they are not tremendously versatile. But - oh yeah, they are warm.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

DOWN, Harold. There are lots of Factory Outlets out here where Down Jackets and such are quite reasonable. And water proof boots. Add Levi's, warm socks and that's how I survive winter here.

Pounce No. Two in my post-vacation posting (McK posted first ). Hiya, Jenny! Fancy meeting you here. Gosh, all the cute babes are providing the useful info here - are there no manly-men from cold climate about?

(If there are, let me introduce you to my friend McK . . . )

I gotta quibble with you on the Levis for any active pursuits, Jenny. For looking good in a cold situation where you won't be working up a sweat they're OK, though, because I guess they cut the wind pretty good.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Roxelby!

<Pounce!>

Read the West Nile Virus thread... That's about the most exciting thing that has happened to me.

How was your vacation?! Did you take pictures?

/threadjack

Thanks, McK. I got a pic or two, but nothing to knock your sox off. I'll check out the thread.

Hey Harold - Spud-girl there lives in climate that ensures she knows whereof she speaks on this stuff - pay attention!

 

[LadyWhiteWolf]

Cold Weather Gear

Hello!

As a Texas native who moved up to the Great White North of Minnesota I can most certainly and highly suggest Cabela's like some of the other posters have. I have shopped their online shop and find it completely and totally professional. Their service is fast and very reliable. I bought a parka from them online last winter and cannot comment enough on the top quality of their stuff.

What your daughter needs is a good heavy down jacket or gore-tex, a good pair of winter boots with removable liners, a good hat that covers the ears, a god pair of mittens or gloves, mittens are preferable because they keep the fingers together, thus keeping the hands warmer. Chapstick is also a good thing for her to have, also moisturizing lotion for hands and face. Also a pair of long underwear either wool or cotton. The silk long underwear that you are looking at has no thermal properties whatsoever. You can find these items at any sporting goods store in your daughter's area. And also at Wal-Mart, Target or K-Mart. Also Sam's Club or Costco.

Hope this helps!

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Hello!

As a Texas native who moved up to the Great White North of Minnesota I can most certainly and highly suggest Cabela's like some of the other posters have. I have shopped their online shop and find it completely and totally professional. Their service is fast and very reliable. I bought a parka from them online last winter and cannot comment enough on the top quality of their stuff.

What your daughter needs is a good heavy down jacket or gore-tex, a good pair of winter boots with removable liners, a good hat that covers the ears, a god pair of mittens or gloves, mittens are preferable because they keep the fingers together, thus keeping the hands warmer. Chapstick is also a good thing for her to have, also moisturizing lotion for hands and face. Also a pair of long underwear either wool or cotton. The silk long underwear that you are looking at has no thermal properties whatsoever. You can find these items at any sporting goods store in your daughter's area. And also at Wal-Mart, Target or K-Mart. Also Sam's Club or Costco.

Hope this helps!

Oh dear, that was all excellent advice up until "cotton" underwear. No, no, no! Not the thing at all. The primary function that long underwear should serve in a cold climate is wicking moisture away from your skin. Cotton holds it there, which can be literally deadly in extreme situations. The old fashioned concept was to put on really thick heavy underwear for insulation, but if you need to strip down a layer due to activity, you can't very well start on the inside and work out! Heavy-weight polypro or comparable synthetic long johns are good for extreme cold, but aren't really versatile, so I recommend the light stuff. Insulation should come from your middle layers, between the long johns any the outer goretex shell. Wool long johns are better that cotton, but recall we are discussing items for a young lady, presumably with soft and delicate skin that will not appreciate itchy wool from head to toe!

 

[Weird Harold]

Hey Harold - Spud-girl there lives in climate that ensures she knows whereof she speaks on this stuff - pay attention!

Yep, I know. That's one of the reasons I asked here -- and am asking a bit further north in Sand Point where my Brother, "The Ski Bum," lives. (What better job could a "Ski Bum" find than running Schweitzer's Big Lift for the last twenty years or so?)

Sounds like I'm definitely going to have to check out Sorel Boots.

 

[LadyWhiteWolf]

Glad I could help, but sadly I must disagree with you completely on the silk. The young lady is going to want to be WARM. Granted, she'll want to keep dry. But if she happens to get wet, that silk underwear isn't going to help her in the least and hypothermia can and will set in quickly. I had gotten silk underwear to wear under my clothes because I thought that it was pretty and practical. I learned the hard way that it doesn't work for squat if you happen to get wet. Two years ago I was breaking in a 2 year old colt that had bolted into a frozen pond with me on him. The pond was just off the side of the road. We went headlong into the ice and water. He had been scared by a large truck driving by. I managed to get him out of the pond with the combination of the windchill, the wind and the water soaking me hypothermia was already setting in by the time we got back to the barn which was just a few hundred yards down the road from the farm.I had to get a soaking wet colt back to the barn, get him unsaddled, dried with a towel as best I could and then put him away. Because I was wet, the silk underwear didn't work worth a hoot for keeping me dry and warm. Thank goodness the barn owners were home at the time because by the time that I was done with the colt, hypothermia had set in and an ambulance had to be called. Definitely not a good day and an experience that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I was also wearing an insulated jacket and ski pants.

I was your daughter's age when I moved to Minnesota, young with soft and delicate skin. I was 22 at the time. I made do with what was available and I do just fine. I also work long hours in the cold and if a transplanted Texan who was born and raised in the desert southwest of El Paso can adjust to the climate without silk underwear, then the young lady can adapt too. I'm not overly fond of wool because my skin reacts very badly to it. I stick to the cotton and it works dandy.

Please know that this information also comes from a Minnesota born and raised housemate of mine who knows what he's talking about. You see, he was a scout leader and the boy scout troop that he was a scout leader of went camping in the dead of winter. In the snow, ice and all. If 3 men and 20 young boys can survive in those kind of conditions without having to resort to wearing silk underwear to keep dry, then anybody can. *Chuckle*

If the young lady has any questions about the best gear for her then perhaps she can call Cabela's to see just what they would recommend for winter weather gear.

 

[Weird Harold]

Glad I could help, but sadly I must disagree with you completely on the silk. The young lady is going to want to be WARM. Granted, she'll want to keep dry. But if she happens to get wet, that silk underwear isn't going to help her in the least and hypothermia can and will set in quickly. I had gotten silk underwear to wear under my clothes because I thought that it was pretty and practical. I learned the hard way that it doesn't work for squat if you happen to get wet. Two years ago I was breaking in a 2 year old colt that had bolted into a frozen pond with me on him. The pond was just off the side of the road. We went headlong into the ice and water. ...

I don't think anything woud have helped keep you warm in that situation.

My personal choice for long-underwear is a Cotton/Poly blend "Waffle Weave" style. It's always served well, and the waffle weave holds condensation/moisture away from the skin.

I do NOT expect my daughter to be spending a great deal of time outdoors in the winter, but she doesn't drive and walking to the store and/or waiting for the bus is going to require signifigantly warmer gear than she owns now.

She does own a couple of heavy jackets that will serve as a "top-layer" over heavy sweaters or fleece-liners, but she's going to need warmer pants, boots, gloves, and a hat to survive the winter comfortably.

 

[LadyWhiteWolf]

Precisely Harold, nothing would have kept me warm in that situation.

I, too, prefer the "waffle weave" cotton blend over anything else. It's warm, it's comfy, etc...

Cabela's also sells a type of winter pants that will keep her warm, especially if she has to walk to the store or wait for the bus. It's called Under Armor ColdGear. It's ideal uses are: Cold weather base layer for warmth without bulk.

Oh, and I highly recommend the Sorel boots too.

 

[R. Richard]

Visit your local ski shop. Even in Las Vegas, they have the gear and the expertise.

 

[impressive]

Pity you don't shop online. I hit L.L.Bean regularly. If you apply for their Visa, you get free shipping & free monogramming when you use it to shop at llbean.com

A few years back, I decided that wrapping paper was an evil waste of trees. Since then, the kids each get some type of monogrammed bag (tote, backpack) from L.L.Bean each Christmas with all their gifts tucked inside. Very functional.

As for the cold weather gear: GOOD GLOVES are a must.

 

[RogueLurker]

I would also recommend silk or silk-like long johns and shirts .. they aren't really that expensive and they are great because they keep you warm when outside and you don't overheat when you move back into a heated environment (like the mall or classes if she is a student). She's better to buy them in Colorado than in warmer states ... they will probably be cheaper and more readily available.

Layers is always best. Invest in a fleece jacket/vest .. and a wind resistant shell ... that will insulate and keep the biting wind away. And a hat. Tell her to wear a hat ... hairstyle be damned.


If you're in Vegas, there was a London Fog outlet in the one of the Outlets. London Fog makes wonderful winter wear ... I bought a micro-fibre parka when in Vegas and brought it back to Canada .. and I only use it when its really cold (below -30 Celcius) They have a more casual/sporty line called Pacific Trail (I think) .. for bomber jackets and such. With the advances in fibres and weaves, big and bulky isn't necessary anymore to keep warm ... so pay more attention to the labels/tags that indicate how effective a jacket is in cold weather than on how thick the material is.

 

[Weird Harold]

She's better to buy them in Colorado than in warmer states ... they will probably be cheaper and more readily available.

I know all too well that Las Vegas doesn't have the largest selection of cold weather gear possible -- especially at this time of the year. Just finding good boot socks for hunting season is difficult.

If you're in Vegas, there was a London Fog outlet in the one of the Outlets. London Fog makes wonderful winter wear ... I bought a micro-fibre parka when in Vegas and brought it back to Canada .. and I only use it when its really cold (below -30 Celcius) They have a more casual/sporty line called Pacific Trail (I think) .. for bomber jackets and such.

Thaks for the London Fog tip. I'll definitely track down their outlet store.

With the advances in fibres and weaves, big and bulky isn't necessary anymore to keep warm ... so pay more attention to the labels/tags that indicate how effective a jacket is in cold weather than on how thick the material is.

I have some "thinsulate" gloves for hunting so I'm definitely going to be looking at "high-tech" materials.