Question about a coat for you Northern folks

[ElizK]

My daughter is in school in Upstate New York and that is the exact coat that she has and she walks quite a ways from her house to school each day.

Her school runs a snow camp every weekend, so she will be outside for hours on end. I wouldn't worry so much if it were just for walking between classes/buildings.

 

[caytlyn]

I just got a new coat at llbean.com They have lots of different types to choose from. I'm ready for the cold weather now.

 

[disney1990]

Her school runs a snow camp every weekend, so she will be outside for hours on end. I wouldn't worry so much if it were just for walking between classes/buildings.

My daughter is an environmental major and is outside a lot.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I agree it matters where in NY!

I can tell you from experience that a coat that is good enough for, say Binghamton would not suffice for the -20's we got in Potsdam!!!! (worst was -25 without factoring wind chill in.)

 

[Imzadi]

I feel bad saying this because you've already ordered it but ........ it does not look warm enough to me. It is 'warmer' rated (their middle ranking) by Lands End and not 'warmest.' Also, I definitely agree with the previous poster. My DD will be a college student in the fall in that area in the fall and she wanted "something that keeps my butt from getting cold!" I just got her this from Lands End for Christmas and she loves it! She particularly likes that it has a removable hood.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/ChevronD...e&sku_0=::IVO&CM_MERCH=search-_-chevron+parka

Yes, this one is perfect.

As someone else suggested, you want to get a long one. One that covers the butt, at least.

Where in Upstate NY, as in just north of NYC, Central NY (ie. Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse) or Upstate as in Canton, etc?

Personally, outside of NYC or just north of NYC, that jacket doesn't seem all that warm, or warm enough. I do give you a lot of props though for at least not buying a NorthFace jacket.

That first jacket won't do in NYC, either. We still get the wind child down to 10 degrees.

Is this one better?

http://www.landsend.com/pp/QuiltedD...IDX_00007_0000000235_0000001034&origin=index#

Looks like a warmer rating, is longer, and has a removable hood.

Yes, that one is fine, too. Always get a DOWN jacket. Get a half - to whole size larger. A winter coat should not be snug. She needs room to be able to layer clothes underneath, and there should be some movement & air inside for insulation. Her own body heat heating the air inside will be what keeps her warm. Notice down jackets are puffy. That's the insulating air in the jacket. If she has an insulating layer of air between her clothes & the jacket and another insulating layer of air IN the jacket, she should be fine.


And, as others have mentioned, if she is far upstate, the wind chill makes a big difference. If she's near Rochester/Buffalo, the wind whipping off the Great Lakes is brutal. I haven't been up near Potsdam, and I have no intention of being up there in winter. I'm originally from the mid-region and I been through blizzards. While it is not as cold down here, I HATE to be cold.

Get plenty of thermal under shirts & pants. Also get boots a half size larger, so she can wear an extra pair of socks if necessary.

 

[ElizK]

My daughter is an environmental major and is outside a lot.

Ah! that is helpful. Thank you!

Yes, this one is perfect.

As someone else suggested, you want to get a long one. One that covers the butt, at least.




That first jacket won't do in NYC, either. We still get the wind child down to 10 degrees.





Yes, that one is fine, too. Always get a DOWN jacket. Get a half - to whole size larger. A winter coat should not be snug. She needs room to be able to layer clothes underneath, and there should be some movement & air inside for insulation. Her own body heat heating the air inside will be what keeps her warm. Notice down jackets are puffy. That's the insulating air in the jacket. If she has an insulating layer of air between her clothes & the jacket and another insulating layer of air IN the jacket, she should be fine.


And, as others have mentioned, if she is far upstate, the wind chill makes a big difference. If she's near Rochester/Buffalo, the wind whipping off the Great Lakes is brutal. I haven't been up near Potsdam, and I have no intention of being up there in winter. I'm originally from the mid-region and I been through blizzards. While it is not as cold down here, I HATE to be cold.

Get plenty of thermal under shirts & pants. Also get boots a half size larger, so she can wear an extra pair of socks if necessary.

She's about an hour north of Albany. I know it gets windy there, but not sure how it compares to Rochester or Buffalo. And I have no idea where Potsdam is! I'll have to find a map.

Thank you!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I've always bought Lands' End Squall jackets. I will only buy jackets from Lands' End, LLBean or Eddie Bauer, as those are the ones that have lasted, often for years and years. They will also repair or replace if there's a problem. (The first two, anyway, not sure about EB.)

Here in New England it's tricky to find one coat that fits all. We keep several types of coats because it could be anywhere from warm-cold, cold-cold, bitter-cold, or blizzard!

I agree with those who've said a longer coat may be best for walking around town or campus. But she'd probably enjoy the shorter one better. I'm thinking if she's going to be there for 4 yrs, you might consider getting both, then she could pick the most appropriate one for conditions and occasion. Sales should be going on now, and Sears stores have them on clearance right in the store (she'd have to buy).

This is a great, longer coat: http://www.landsend.com/pp/Lightwei...U&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000142&origin=index

 

[Imzadi]

Her school runs a snow camp every weekend, so she will be outside for hours on end. I wouldn't worry so much if it were just for walking between classes/buildings.

I didn't see this earlier. IF she will be outdoors, then yes, you might want to get some type of wind-proof pants for her. Again, it's the wind chill that will be a problem as well as the chill of being outdoors for several hours.

And I was about to recommend the long (knee length) down coat Pea-n-Me recommends below. That will cut the wind hitting her thighs. IF she wears the new, high, knee high boots, it will keep her legs quite warm. Look for Ugg Boots.

Here in New England it's tricky to find one coat that fits all. We keep several types of coats because it could be anywhere from warm-cold, cold-cold, bitter-cold, or blizzard!

I agree with those who've said a longer coat may be best for walking around town or campus. But she'd probably enjoy the shorter one better. I'm thinking if she's going to be there for 4 yrs, you might consider getting both, then she could pick the most appropriate one for conditions and occasion. Sales should be going on now, and Sears stores have them on clearance right in the store (she'd have to buy).

This is a great, longer coat: http://www.landsend.com/pp/Lightwei...U&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000142&origin=index

She can also get a second coat once she's up in the area. The coats will be on sale, and she will have a better idea of how much clothes she will usually wear underneath, and what length she wants.

I get my coats now from Burlington Coat Factory. Since they are a factory, they literally have every coat & jacket in every size, style & color.

 

[ChiCat]

OMG no. I live in Chicago, and I don't drive so I spend a lot of time outdoors. This is more along the lines of what people up here wear in my neck of the woods

http://www.landsend.com/pp/LuxeDown...O&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000159&origin=index

long, and filled with down. I would also suggest cuddleduds, she can easily wear under jeans, and warm boots like Uggs or Emu. Down is bulky but I honestly don't know anyone in the city who doesn't wear one daily in the winter. When it gets to be January no one cares about fashion anymore

Hope that helps some!

 

[RNMOM]

I agree with a longer jacket or coat length but what does she want? I will include a link to a coat my DH has the men's equivalent of and he is very warm in it. It replaced a down jacket that just wore out and he has no complaints. It washes very well too.

Hood, high neckline and tush covered are all important.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/Insulate...=IDX_00007_0000000535_0000001028&origin=index

 

[Terrie..]

I agree with a longer jacket or coat length but what does she want? I will include a link to a coat my DH has the men's equivalent of and he is very warm in it. It replaced a down jacket that just wore out and he has no complaints. It washes very well too.

Hood, high neckline and tush covered are all important.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/Insulate...=IDX_00007_0000000535_0000001028&origin=index

Both my 20 year old daughter and I have this coat. I honestly think it is one of the warmest coats I have ever worn. It's been pretty cold here and it really seems to stand up to the wind and snowy conditions. My daughter wears it to college and she said it really keeps the wind out walking across campus. I also have this one which is extremely warm and lightweight. Got both at my local Sears.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/StylePag..._MERCH=REC-_-FPPP-_-GGT-_-4-_-396512-_-396509

 

[Imzadi]

I agree with a longer jacket or coat length but what does she want? I will include a link to a coat my DH has the men's equivalent of and he is very warm in it. It replaced a down jacket that just wore out and he has no complaints. It washes very well too.

Hood, high neckline and tush covered are all important.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/Insulate...=IDX_00007_0000000535_0000001028&origin=index

If I hadn't read the description, I would have thought that was even less warm than the one the OP picked out. That looks so thin. I'm still pretty leery of the high tech material they used. For something like that, I'd have to wear it in the store for several minutes to see how hot I'd be getting.

However, OP, notice it does say it's an exceptional wind breaker. Notice the theme we are all mentioning: wind + chill.

It's kind of like sitting in a restaurant or office. Suddenly you find you are right in front of the air condition vent wich blows non-stop. The cold would have been fine, but, by the time you leave, you are frozen because the constant air blowing on you made you 10 degrees colder.

Your DD could be out in the cold on a nice day of 34 degrees. But if the wind chill is 23 degrees, that's what she will feel. If she has something that insulates her from all the wind, it will just feel like 34 degrees.

In Feb., here in NYC, when the temp goes up to 40 degrees, it is a nice WARM day for us.

The average temp around Albany/Saratoga Springs/Lake George would probably be between 10 - 30 degrees, not including wind chill. Nights could go as low as 5 degrees. Winters last here till mid-April. Sometimes we one last winter storm in April, usually after it has been incredibly warm and we're all ready for spring to arrive.

OMG no. I live in Chicago, and I don't drive so I spend a lot of time outdoors. This is more along the lines of what people up here wear in my neck of the woods

http://www.landsend.com/pp/LuxeDown...O&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000159&origin=index

long, and filled with down.

Oooh! I love that one. My next down coat will be that length.

 

[2binak]

I grew up in the Albany area and am currently living in the Northeast. Even though I've lived here all of my life, I have never gotten used to the cold! I can't imagine being from TX and having to experience Upstate NY Winters! All of my Winter coats are from LL Bean. For your DD, I would go with one of these coats. Especially the 3/4 length ones which would give great coverage from the cold while walking around campus.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/42358?feat=610-GN1
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/65929?feat=610-GN1
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/65886?feat=610-GN1

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I am from the Buffalo area. I would say the seond coat would be fine Does she also have gloves scarfs and lots of sweaters. Even living in Alaska I didn't wear a big giant coat. Sometimes just my wool pea coat I think she needs to layer up get some thermals too.

Snow pants are also a good idea never know when you want to go tubing sledding or learn to ski.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

What about Columbia?



http://www.columbia.com/womens-jackets/women-jackets,default,sc.html plus add a fleece

http://www.columbia.com/womens-fleece/women-fleece,default,sc.html?sz=12

 

[Imzadi]

I am from the Buffalo area. I would say the seond coat would be fine Does she also have gloves scarfs and lots of sweaters. Even living in Alaska I didn't wear a big giant coat. Sometimes just my wool pea coat

You moved from Buffalo and lived in Alaska, too???

Wow, you must be a glutton for snow, or are part polar bear.

 

[woodkins]

Where in Upstate NY, as in just north of NYC, Central NY (ie. Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse) or Upstate as in Canton, etc?

Personally, outside of NYC or just north of NYC, that jacket doesn't seem all that warm, or warm enough. I do give you a lot of props though for at least not buying a NorthFace jacket.

Why do you give props for not buying NorthFace? I had a Lands End down coat for the past 2 yrs and this year switched to a NorthFace and it is much more comfortable (less bulky) and I feel much warmer. Both had 600 down so should have been comporable. NorthFace also comes with a lifetime guarantee so I don't understand the issue.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

I have this coat from L.L. Bean, and although it doesn't look cool by ANY means, it is AWESOME!

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/42359?feat=504728-GN2

The long length makes a huge difference. The hood is also filled with down, so it is very warm, especially over a hat. I live in the south (although the past two winters we are regularly in teens/single digits), but I am incredibly cold-natured and I'm not sure I would have made it without this coat!