I'm having a hard time sifting through all the brands and types of winter jackets to pick one that'll last.

Submitted by kingofallnorway t3_yqa42t in BuyItForLife

I'm after a men's winter jacket, budget is ideally up to $250. I'm in the Northeast US, winters are wet with bitter cold, wind that rips through you, sleet, freezing rain or snow. My uses are daily 2 hour walks and going to and from. No heavy activity besides occasional shoveling.

There's so many choices. Insulated down, parka, soft shell, puffers, 3-in-1, peacoats. I'm not after something super fancy, just enough to wear while out that will keep me dry, snug and warm. Wind and waterproof, hood could be nice.

I was looking at a Columbia like this one, I like the look, just something simple and smart. I've worn other Columbias for years. Some people mentioned LL Bean for their lifetime warranty or other brands. Overall not sure what to do.

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Handball_fan t1_ivngoha wrote

Barn coats or wax jackets are probably best for light yard work

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nozelt t1_ivnh2o3 wrote

I have something very similar to what you linked, it’s good for the cold but if it’s wet I’d want another layer for waterproof (mine isn’t). Lots of quality outdoor wear brands.

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RecognitionOne395 t1_ivni3q2 wrote

Take a look at the Patagonia "Workwear" line. It's amazing ... I have a few of the workwear items and love them.

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stereolithography t1_ivnmh4b wrote

The town I used to live in had a Columbia outlet. Got a jacket for like $30 and that mf lasted me for like 6 years. That said, it would have been miserable in the northeast. Get something with a Goretex shell to keep you dry. I have this jacket from Marmot and absolutely love it. Use it all day snowboarding, shoveling, or just walking around town.

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Pnwmoss93 t1_ivnoinc wrote

I found a wool army surplus peacoat at a thrift store for like $15 bucks. It's quite thick and heavy, I've been wearing a light weight merino sweater underneath and staying toasty on below freezing days.

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_SamuraiJack_ t1_ivnwq1q wrote

Even today, North Face ski coats remain very waterproof and abrasion resistant. Plenty of pockets and adjustable hood/sleeves. Highly recommend.

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KannyDay88 t1_ivoao03 wrote

Not as cold over here in the north west of england but i can relate to 0 - 5 degree Celsius, wind constant wind, sleet and rain.

I bought a wellensteyn winter coat about 5 years ago and never looked back. Not sure if you can source them in the US but they are really worth the money. Mine was ~350€ and I've never been cold in it walking the dog in the wettest and windiest weather.

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AdultDisneyWoman t1_ivomxw9 wrote

LL Bean "lifetime" warranty doesn't exist anymore for most of their products and the quality has gone to absolute sh!t in the last 5 or so years. Last winter coat I bought from them starting falling apart (they used glue instead of stitches) after 10 or so wears. Big waste of $300. I have not managed to find anything in the under $300 range that lasts more than a season or 2 before falling apart.

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SP919212973 t1_ivon7in wrote

For your purpose I do not think the coat you suggested is right. Look for a thigh length parka, with down or down alternative fill, and GORE-TEX.

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Rundiggity t1_ivotuzd wrote

Patagonia is my go to… Not sure why I don’t see it mentioned here more. Between the lifetime warranty and their ethics, it is where I choose to spend my money. I have returned 10 year old jackets to Patagonia and they sent me a brand new one if they couldn’t fix it

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Junior_Ad2955 t1_ivox4w8 wrote

Duckworth has a great jacket, woolcloud. It’s nearly silent and built like a tank. With their sign up coupon it’s within your budget. I would recommend it because of how awesome the company and their products are

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MiWe707 t1_ivp88q1 wrote

Vollebak indestructible puffy jacket or Filson mackinaw cruiser.

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CMYKoi t1_ivpbvcf wrote

Regardless of your choice, I encourage you to think in layers.

Thin long sleeve to wick sweat and in case you are sensitive to wool.

Wool for insulation and because it still works when wet.

Waterproof/windproof.

Ex in action: Good for working and various conditions.

  1. Athletic long sleeve, possible with UV protection
  2. Wool sweater, longsleeve, turtleneck, etc.
  3. Waxed Carhartt, field jacket, leather coat, etc.

Pay attention to your wool. Please don't disregard it the second you thrift or buy something low quality or itchy. Good wool is the difference between 8,000,000 burning prickly pins and needles and soft luxurious warmth that can still work up until the dead or summer in which case you might need something thinner than your winter wools. Could still be wool though. At any rate, don't even just look into merino. And research washing instructions. I would just hang dry inside imo.

Either way, I've had hand made in Italy merino wool that is scratchy, and I've had undisclosed 90% wool 10% cotton or acrylic or whatever that isn't. Blends can be good for wool at times because it can help with longevity or its ability to take abuse. Even then, there's multiple types of wool from, from multiple areas in the world, of varying quality, even up to the point of production technique itself.

I believe the best is actually Australian and I can't remember the specific breed but it would be a great jumping in point to find the cliff notes. End of day, just get stuff you can try on or return, OR where it won't matter, like an overcoat. It's also worth noting I find that even cheaper wools I can adjust to over time, unless it's particularly bad.

Alternative: Good for "going out."

  1. Short sleeve T
  2. Waterproof Cycler's jacket (for wind/rain)
  3. Wool overcoat (for toastiness)
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Life-From-Scratch t1_ivpd7v1 wrote

I just got a high vis 7 in one for about $350 CAD. Check places that do workwear.

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gravis86 t1_ivpdm72 wrote

Replying to SP919212973 (#483,266)

Just popping in to add that I’ve tried so many of the “JuSt As GoOd As GoREtEx” brands and can confirm that no, they are not just as good as Gore-Tex.

Granted I live in the PNW and used to ride a motorcycle year-round so my stuff got a bit more wet (and stayed wet longer) than most other people’s, but it really opened my eyes up to how good the Gore-Tex stuff is. Nothing comes close.

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jtmarlinintern t1_ivpjhru wrote

try looking at the Patagonia Lone Mountain, it is water proof, and warm, and they have an Iron Clad Guarantee but not a life time guarantee, not sure if LL Bean still has that

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MotoMateo t1_ivqalaf wrote

Replying to _SamuraiJack_ (#481,802)

I love my north face gear, and will keep buying their gear because it can withstand years of hiking, snowboarding, outside chores, etc, but I notice that after ~10 years the ‘dryvent’ starts breaking down and becomes less waterproof. Eventually making you retire a jacket.

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the_wrath_of_Khan t1_ivqke1h wrote

Columbia is great and will last a long time. Most brands will but Patagonia is what you want. Actually guaranteed for life, made ethically too.

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rhialitycheck t1_ivrbn8n wrote

Replying to Rundiggity (#483,747)

I concur. I bought a winter jacket in 2007 there before moving to upstate NY and as much as I’d like for it to break so I can buy a new color, it just still works perfectly.

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synacsyn t1_ivrp4v7 wrote

Fjallraven has very good outerwear and is quite environmentally conscious as well

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donkeytoe1 t1_ivrpscc wrote

Not sure if anyone mentioned Carhartt yet. If you want to go skiing, it’s not the jacket you’d want. If you’re going to be outside for long stretches or working outside their jackets are great and pretty much indestructible.

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CastaneaDentata7 t1_ivymr2m wrote

I like Oros. You can get one within your budget on Ebay (new but older model), and it’s what I use for my ski jacket.

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Naive_Blacksmith869 t1_ixubmr6 wrote

LL Bean Nor’Easter commuter coat- don’t make ‘em anymore but you can find on eBay. It’s waterproof Gore-Tex & Thinsulate; I’ve been in -20 weather with wind & not noticed.

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