Moving here soon, looking for shoe/clothing or any other important item recommendations

Submitted by kevalopez t3_zt28hu in Pennsylvania

Hi, I will be moving to Erie, PA from South TX in the next few weeks for a new job, my family and I are not used to snow or really cold weather.

My wife and I have ordered a few winter clothing items like parkas, wool socks, gloves, hats and neck warners, but we’re struggling to find the right shoes for the weater there.

Do we need the heavy winter boots like LL beans or Baffins? Also if there are other purchase recommendations thay’re all welcome.

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PPQue6 t1_j1bbqca wrote

So you definitely want a warm jacket, gloves, boots (preferably ones that are at least water resistant), thermal underwear is a good idea, warm hat that covers your ears, and just generally anything that is good at retaining warmth.

Also some other items I'd recommend if you can financially afford it is winter tires on a cheap set of rims, at least a 2 stage snowblower because lake effect snow isn't a joke. Beyond that you should be set.

And finally since you're going to be new here I highly recommend hitting up Presque Isle when the weather is nice. It's a beautiful state park with some pretty nice beaches considering it's the great lakes.

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lIllIllIllIllIllIII t1_j1bj17l wrote

The DCNR used to do winter evening hikes at Presque Isle every week starting in January. Idk if they still do, but Presque Isle is beautiful in the winter. People go ice fishing and cross country skiing, and the trails are beautiful in the snow. Definitely worth checking out in winter!

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kevalopez OP t1_j1bijqu wrote

I totally forgot about tires, what would be some of the best I can get for my suv?

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PPQue6 t1_j1bis29 wrote

I currently have Bridgestone Blizzaks on my Si and they're fantastic. Well worth the money imo.

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NerdyRedneck45 t1_j1bqjpc wrote

+1 for Blizzaks. They make my subie unstoppable. Actually I guess stoppable is better but you get the point.

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kevalopez OP t1_j1bpc68 wrote

Thanks will look into those. As for the snow blower, how big are those things? As a potential renter idk if I’ll even have the space to store it. It’s good to know about though.

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dayoftheduck t1_j1brdpb wrote

Are you renting a house or an apartment complex? If an apartment you might not need to worry about snow blower

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PPQue6 t1_j1bpoey wrote

Mmmm depends on what size you get, but generally speaking they're mostly about the length and width of a lawnmower but have a much bigger height because of the auger and shute.

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jcaino t1_j1dcb8k wrote

Strongly recommend a 2nd set of wheels for the winter tires, makes switching over between seasons sooo much easier. OEM wheels (unless you are already running after market wheels) is the way to go so you don't have to worry about fitment or issues with lug nut compatibility.

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Inner-Figure5047 t1_j1ecwb1 wrote

Yokohama geolanders AT, and a Subaru got me everywhere I needed to go in Pa snow.

A jump pack, blanket, flashlight, and snow/ice brush are all car necessities here.

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IamSauerKraut t1_j1bd87m wrote

Get a really good pair of warm, water-resistant boots. Not uggs. Those ain't boots.

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misjessica t1_j1cv6ki wrote

Ugg actually makes a pair of really good water resistant boots for snow etc that are extremely warm and useful. I highly recommend those despite their price tag. They were the best of any winter boots I’ve ever used.

But not the ones you’re thinking of. That style is not for snow, no.

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russ257 t1_j1bai8i wrote

I would settle down on purchases till you get here and have a feel for it. I don’t live up in Erie which does have some lake effect snow, but I don’t wear snow boots every day, only when there is an active storm. A pair of hiking type boots or something like that is probably more normal for day to day winter wear.

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Zeeinsoundfromwayout t1_j1bpzn0 wrote

I would agree. And you haven’t mentioned time spent outdoors, if your job needs boots, etc.
or is this just a snow shoveling concern.

worst case you get some Walmart snow boots For $30 when you arrive and decide what you will actually want need moving forward.

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ogavs t1_j1btnuk wrote

Make sure the window washer fluid in your car is rated for -20 or -30 °F. Decent ice scraper for your car is also a must have.

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NerdyRedneck45 t1_j1bqtnx wrote

Carhartt coats and Yaktrax for your shoes come in handy for winter walks or shoveling.

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defusted t1_j1bi0o6 wrote

Man is that going to be a temperature shift. Get a nice winter jacket and some solid boots and strap in.

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SecondlifePman t1_j1bifpq wrote

I’m in Erie and the wind is blowing like a MFer. Good warm jacket is a must … we don’t have any snow currently but that can change in a moments notice and then boots and good gloves are a necessity. Layers are your best friend given the temperament of the area.

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STLLC2019 t1_j1bjevc wrote

Lands End winter jacket with hood, good water resistant and insulated boots, consider thermal undies until you get acclimated.

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lIllIllIllIllIllIII t1_j1bd0mo wrote

Baffins are nice! Anything waterproof and insulated with good tread would work. Sorel, Columbia, and Merrell are some recommendations from my personal experience. They'll get you through several winters but won't show a lot of wear.

I also recommend getting a pair of Muck boots if you'll be working outdoors in mud or snow. You can just rinse them off, and they'll last forever.

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IamSauerKraut t1_j1bdeb1 wrote

Columbia, Patagonia or Bean jackets with a removable liner is an excellent purchase.

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animemastr t1_j1bm449 wrote

Depending on the length of your driveway, grab a decent wide-mouth snowblower, or in the short term, make sure you've got the number of someone who'll come plow out your drive. Figure out the heating method of your house & budget for that (I had to spend like 1k on fuel oil this year). Find out from your neighbors if the power goes out often on your street & maybe pick up a gas generator. And grab an ice scraper to keep in your car. Welcome to PA!

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axeville t1_j1df35y wrote

The official Pennsylvania uniform is a carhartt hoodie and enormous basketball shorts. 12 months a year. All you need.

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throwawayamd14 t1_j1bhggf wrote

In Erie yeah it’s super cold, probably the coldest part of PA

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tehroz t1_j1brriq wrote

Lived in the northeast all my life. I wear sneakers. Unless shoveling snow, then "duck boots", my snowboarding boots, or a regular pair of hiking shoes.

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greenshirt21 t1_j1c81in wrote

I am moving to PA from California soon! I found a super cute pair of snow boots on designer shoe warehouse

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ProjectedSpirit t1_j1fdy4g wrote

Cute boots are rarely warm enough, warm boots are rarely cute.

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greenshirt21 t1_j1fnxtj wrote

That’s a shitty comment to say they are obviously bulky snow boots and have tons of reviews on how warm they are from people in Canada Wisconsin Minnesota etc. I think they are cute and they are incredibly warm and waterproof . So take ur negative comment somewhere else

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worstatit t1_j1cxpd0 wrote

Usually hiking boots will suffice, but maybe 3-4 weeks over the winter you'll be glad for decent winter boots. Get decent Pac type boots and they'll last for years. Note they can be a pain to drive in.

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kmking024 t1_j1d4fpz wrote

Carhartt jacket and Carolina boots. Welcome to PA.

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DinoReads t1_j1dj1wj wrote

Stock up on toilet paper, frozen pizza, chocolate and beer (whatever are your necessities) in case you can’t get out for a few days.

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CraWLee t1_j1dx24f wrote

Well it's supposed to be 6°f tonight, does that help with an idea of what you'll need? 😆 Summers are around 90's - 100°f+

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INVUJerry t1_j1e1oc9 wrote

Unless you think you're going to be walking/hiking a lot outside, or if you do construction, any regular water proof boots will be fine. I have a pair of Ariat work boots that I wear pretty much year round for work, and they work fine for the cold. I just wear slightly thicker socks during the winter. I mostly work inside, and limit my outside time to an hour here and there and go inside to warm up. I've had good luck with Walmart's "Ozark Trail" boots in the past for the times that I'd be outside for extended periods of time, but even then, I think my feet just sweat more than they stay warm. Luckily for me, they come in wide width sizes, if you end up needing them.

Usually I dress in layers, with a hoodie and a work coat, I grabbed a Walmart branded coat on sale a year or two ago, and that with a hoodie is my go to winter coat setup. When I get warm, I take the coat off and I'm fine. Gloves are super important to me. I lost a lot of weight recently and my hands don't stay warm like they used to. I have a pair of Milwaukee cold weather work gloves. They work rather well.

Snow tires are great, I have some General Altimax Arctic tires for my Dodge Neons that I keep on a spare set of wheels and they work great. I saw you have an SUV, if you don't do a ton of driving, I'd even look into some Mud/Snow rated tires and you'd be fine all year. Snow blowers are pretty great, but not necessary if you're pretty younger and somewhat in shape (or have kids that are helpful). Get an electric one and a long extension cord, having to take care of a winter version of a lawnmower that you might use a handful of times over 3 months is super annoying.

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soonerfreak t1_j1ejsuw wrote

I moved here from DFW last fall. The upgrades I found myself getting were a better winter coat, thermal underwear, gloves where I could use my phone. I had something like that but I got a better pair. I still need to get flannel jeans but other than that I feel like I've been okay. Also don't just get a warm coat, get a warm coat that extends past your waist. You do want wind coming up your coat. I actually had a coat that could handle the cold but not the wind. All my cold weather gear is from REI.

I have a pair of water proof work boots from tecovas and those have handled the snow and water just fine. If you need boots I'd go LL Bean. I'd have gotten a pair by now if I didn't have my cowboy boots.

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Fiesta412 t1_j1rfq9s wrote

This! Yes. You want a coat that goes as long as possible. That is true.
However I dont care for LL Beans boots. I dont think they have great traction for rainy, ice days

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Fiesta412 t1_j1re9j3 wrote

I actually have Uggs. Not the fashion kind that look like ugly colored pillows but the real Uggs for Alaskan snow. I bought them probably 7 years ago and they look brand new.

I also have Doc Martin's winter lined boots that i love. Also have held up wonderfully. As well As Sorels.

Personally, LL Bean isn't a brand I have enjoyed. I don't care for them when its wet.

Indoors during winter I do like a boot w warm socks but tend to go with leather that isn't lined too heavily. I do not care for my feet being overly warm.

I also have a great pair of rainboots. I got them w a nice wide calf so i can use them w thick socks and over thick pants if needed.

Personally, i prefer a thick cotton sock over wool. Wool can be itchy when your feet sweat.

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CraWLee t1_j1dx6x3 wrote

Timberland boots or Columbia with the special lining.

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Hazel1928 t1_j1e9zzg wrote

Keep an ice scraper and a broom in your car. The broom is for fresh loose snow, the scraper is for ice on your windshield.

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Streetwalkin_Cheetah t1_j1fcjaj wrote

Chains for your boots. It’s come in handy more than once for me. Especially if your boots don’t have the best traction

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karabo29 t1_j1cxcd5 wrote

This is hilarious. such a prennsylvania response. snowblowers? OP, get a shovel. Grow a pair. Snow tires yes, trust me though, snowtires won't adjust for bad driving. Drive slow, dont make sharp turns and accelerate at the exit of a turn if the roads have snow. Asking this question on reddit is hilarious. Love it. Good luck Texan.

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