Guess what its cold and I need a Coat.

[fudtone]

What do you recomend? I live in Iowa and its about 0' here now and will be for the next couple months.

Everyone and there brother has a Columbia and I hate trendy things... Are they the best? What do you guys up north wear?
Links pics I want it all... I might spend up nears $300 US if I find what I want.

[FLG]

Ive been using Columbia for the past 3 years and though they are pricey, its well worth it. I have this jacket, and its very warm though not overly bulky that you cant move in it.

http://www.rainydaymagazine.com/RDM2...xFirstLook.htm

[(51)]

I've had a Columbia for 7 years now so I'm not sure about a new "trend". The thing is well made and damn warm!!!

[Hi Ho]

I have a Nautica coat (not sure if that link is to the same company). I believe it was around $200. It is very toasty. It has a Gor-Tex-Like technology called "Nautex" which works great. It's actually three coats in one. You can wear just the inner fleece, the outer wind jacket, or the two combined. I really like it.

[thefultonhow]

I have an L.L. Bean jacket and it works great. I got it for $100 and I don't see how the Columbias have any advantage over it. It is the shell/fleece design, and if it's above 35-40 degrees I'll only wear one or the other because it gets too hot.

The one thing that annoys me about it is that the sleeves of the fleece get all bunched up when you put the jacket on. I'm not sure whether or not the Columbia jackets have this problem.

EDIT: They've discontinued my particular model, but their new Wildcat Jacket seems to be similar. I got the Tall version; it works better overall for keeping in heat, but can be a bit awkward when you're sitting down.

[fudtone]

Originally Posted by (51) I've had a Columbia for 7 years now so I'm not sure about a new "trend". The thing is well made and damn warm!!!

Your in Florida! Not a new trend just seems trendy.

LLBean looks cool though I will look at those as well.

Nuatica I'm sure also makes a very nice coat... the web site only shows a jacket that I can find there.

I am looking and have not ruled out Columbia just want options and hoping to find some.

I have a few friends that say if the Columbia is not the higher end models ($250+) they are really not that warm.

[flanzig1]

I've been wearing an Eddie Bauer down parka for the last 10 years. I don't have to add any extra lining until it gets around -20f. It was pricey back then so it is probably around $450 now.

[tigstah]

a big heavy leather coat.
have had it for 4 years now...i love it.
i want another coat like the columbia, when i am out taking pics in the cold morning air.

[Hi Ho]

Nuatica I'm sure also makes a very nice coat... the web site only shows a jacket that I can find there.

I can't either. I tried Google and came up with nothing. My coat is a "Nautica Competition". Maybe they are not around anymore or simply don't have a website.

[lil Jimmie]

It was 14'F last night and tonight calls for 6'F been wearing my levi's jean jacket without lining....might break out the leather in the morn. I usually get by with the jean jacket during the winter.

[sgtspector]

I have a Columbia Whirlibird (I think thats the name) jacket. They dont make this one anymore but the liner is a thick, quilted zip-in liner filled with an unknown material. It is kindy bulky but its warm as all get out.

[bizzle44]

lots of people here have columbias, but the real big company is north face. i have one, its awesome, its been around 20 degrees F here last couple weeks and ive actually sweated walking to class in it. but it does keep the moisture away from you too, great coat.

[fudtone]

Originally Posted by bizzle44 lots of people here have columbias, but the real big company is north face. i have one, its awesome, its been around 20 degrees F here last couple weeks and ive actually sweated walking to class in it. but it does keep the moisture away from you too, great coat.

Good call I have been checking out the North Faces as well and they look like a sweet spot.

[HAL9000]

I've never been one for a single "warm" coat... layers has always been the best form of warmth. Today, I have a shirt, a fleece pullover, then my plain old leather jacket... plenty warm.. if I'm too warm, I can remove a layer if necessary.

[Litespeed]

I lived in Summit Co, CO for 8 years and North Face was about the best thing out there. I got a light weight jacket/coat that kept me warm and dry in all weather conditions.

This is the jacket I got. It is 11 F today and this is what I threw on and I am not bothered a bit by the weather.

http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/...=NA&model=ASL7

Check out their other coats.

http://www.thenorthface.com/na/gear-...ategory-1.html

[Stuey]

I've had a NorthFace Vortex for about a year now and I love it. I was looking at Columbia jackets and Eddie Bauer but I've had an EB jacket before and I had to return it b/c the sleeve stitching came out and then it came out again on the replacement. As for why I chose a NorthFace over Columbia... I liked the NF inner liner better. I wear it alone sometimes in the Fall and Spring when I'm not wearing the EB jacket or a sweatshirt.

In addition, the hood is detachable but it's a very good hood. On ost of the other coats I saw, the hood was either flimpsy or thin material that folds up and zips into the hood. Beware the a NF coat is rather expensive, but if you look at it as a several year investment, you'll enjoy it well and never regret it. For the same amount of money, you can buy a nice leather jacket or a business-type heavy long coat.

[Litespeed]

Oh yea all North Face products, except their shoes, have a lifetime warranty. And I have numerous NF products and I have followed up on the warranty a few years back and they replaced it with a new one.

[fudtone]

Great input yall!

I'm looking for a coat so warm my feet dont get cold 8)

[jayb1234]

If you need one for working outside, look at Carhartt, among the best. They have some pretty nice regular looking coats too.

[MakeYourslf2012]

I agree, The North Face makes some high quality products (I'm sportin' one of their fleeces in the Members gallery!). Check out some camping stores - they usually have the best selection when it comes to warm coats.

Some good brand are:
-The North Face
-Padagonia
-Columbia
-REI
-Marmot

I can garantee from experience that all coats from these companies will last and are plenty warm for that weather. I've used North Face and Marmot gear in backpacking trips in Michigan winters and was very warm.

[Floppyman]

I actually own two columbia coats, one of them I've had for probably 5-6 years, the other is more recent. They are nice coats and they do keep warm for the most part, but I personally think it's not that good anymore when the temp dips a little ways below 0. Thus, I'm myself looking for another more heavy duty winter coat that can be worn in temps of -20F and below and still keep me plenty warm.

Any suggestions for that?

[fudtone]

Originally Posted by Floppyman I actually own two columbia coats, one of them I've had for probably 5-6 years, the other is more recent. They are nice coats and they do keep warm for the most part, but I personally think it's not that good anymore when the temp dips a little ways below 0. Thus, I'm myself looking for another more heavy duty winter coat that can be worn in temps of -20F and below and still keep me plenty warm. Any suggestions for that?

Right there is the chance I don't want to take. I'm so tired of buying a new coat every 2 years because they are crapy. I have about 1/2 the Columbia wearers talk to tell me that the coats could be warmer. Ok for -10 but its pushing it. The other half tell me the first half is nuts... Thats alot of quacks if you ask me..I want to be able to sleep in -20.

Maybe its just a bad year in Iowa, but I remember thinking I should replace my coat last year when it was only a year old. Here is my coat http://www.weatherproofco.com/1966.html
Its not the worst coat a guy could buy but its sure not keeping me warm -'20 - +'5.

I Understand the "bubble" "Pillow" coats are the warmest but I'm not so sure I want to go there... some of them seem really ((((BIG)))).

I'm also now looking for a pair of boots if anyone wants to give a shout out for there favorites. (just relized mine Timberlands are 16 years old.)

[Floppyman]

It is an awful cold start to the winter here in IA this year, that's certainly true. And as I said, when temp drops below 0 I'm not so impressed with Columbia any more. I just talked to my friend from Nepal today (oh yes it gets cold in the mountains up there) and he told me to look at the high end North Face coats ($300) as they tend to wear them over there. So I might be looking into one of those in the future. I won't get rid of my Columbia coats, but the next winter coat I buy will be more heavy duty, and not Columbia. I want to be comfortable at -50F......yes I know, who would is insane enough to be outside during such temperaturs.....but if I ever have to be, I want to be prepared.

[Hi Ho]

And here we think 25 F is cold. I've never experienced -20 F.