Warm Winter Jacket advice

[JessicaTam]

After enjoying 3 winter holidays in Quebec and one in Norway (including Tromsø) we all noticed the one that won "worn by locals" was Canada Goose.

That's a pretty reliable guide.

When I worked in Falls Creek you could tell the locals from the tourists by the fact we wore Sorrels, and the tourists wore the cheaper imitations.

 

[Austman]

3/4 to full length will be the go, and wind/waterproof. The only long continuous stretch outside is likely to be the search for those elusive lights, and I will have layers for that.

The rest of my time in the far north is likely to be town based, but I do like wandering the streets for hours on end. The occasional visit to a store or cafe makes the convenience of a heavier all in one jacket a priority.

I have never warmed to mittens*, but I do have a pair of toasty gloves.

*See what I did there?

Totally agree for your expected temperature range of 0 to -10 degrees. Walking is a favorite pastime in Scandinavian towns and cities that tend to be very pedestrian friendly - they even put sand on the snow/ice to help with shoe grip. You are never far from cafes and shops and other places where it's usually quite warm (so you sometimes need to ditch the jacket).

If the jacket proves to be a bit inadequate just add another layer! You won't be that far from your lodgings/shops.

 

[jtu]

Seconding Canada Goose - Just spent January in Europe (Scandinavia through to Hungary) where we often spent the day in -3 to -5C. Everyone was wearing Canada Goose. And I do mean everyone.

The only thing that caught me out was pants - I had thermals and thick jeans, my wife was wearing two thermals and pants - and the cold would still cut through. So definitely +1 the idea of 3/4 length minimum.

 

[AnnaB]

Having lived there for 14 years and 14 winters, I would not buy anything in Australia.

It's all wrong here. It might be more expensive in Scandinavia but it's right for there. Both fashionably and practically.

Essentially you need a super warm outer garment that is also easy to remove and hang. You hang often when you go indoors. To a restaurant, to a museum, to the office, to a bar, to a friend's home etc etc. It's the norm. You might have to pay a fee for the service. Then, once indoors, you'll have +24 degrees or so - so light clothing only is needed.

But back outside!! There's cold there that can chill you to the bone.

All my Swedish and Finnish purchased jackets are far too warm for an Australian (Melbourne) winter! But were absolutely needed in Sweden/Norway/Finland in their winter.

I Second Austmans recommendations. I lived there for over 30 years and what you can get here are just not made for a Scandinavian winter. In Australia people tend to keep their oterwear on when going inside in winter, but over there you always take it off.
Depending on where I go, layers are essential. Normal clothes, usually a thin polar fleece jacket, then a lined gore-tex (or similar) jacket works well in windy places. It keeps the wind out while keeping you warm. Goose down jackets works better in less windy places, but if you have one of those when the wind starts, then they can be so cold its not even funny....

As LadyC said, HellyHansen is a great brand, but I would probably wait until I hit Scandinavia and go straight for the shops. If you just have a polar fleece jacket and a windbreaker on top while going there, you can get fairly far as its always warm inside.

 

[RooFlyer]

You can buy good stuff in Australia.

As much as I loath the company's founder, I bought a Kathmandu "Goose Down Insulation 700" jacket, with hood, for my many trips to Canada over the years and its a winner.

Lots (too much!!) of wear in -20 to -40 deg C Canadian weather and kept toasty and flexible. Good chunky (non catching) zipper and draw string for the hood to keep it tight around your face. Compresses reasonably well in luggage (esp with evacuation in a plastic bag).

Not the one I bought, but have a look at this one.

 

[LadyC]

I have always bought my Helly Hansen gear when the sales are on and usually paid half price.

 

[Austman]

Just to note that JT says the temperatures will be around 0 to -10.

That's actually relatively warm. -20 and below is another story!

 

[JessicaTam]

Just to note that JT says the temperatures will be around 0 to -10.

That's actually relatively warm. -20 and below is another story!

Actually I have to admit, that is before any wind chill is taken into account. Which could be considerable.

 

[Austman]

Actually I have to admit, that is before any wind chill is taken into account. Which could be considerable.

A good jacket will be pretty wind proof too. I used to find that it was my face that was the problem. But not usually at even at -10. Balaclavas are not very fashionable!

 

[amaroo]

FWIW this was the weather the day we did our light watching .... 7th Jan 2016

 

[Austman]

FWIW this was the weather the day we did our light watching .... 7th Jan 2016

That's cold! Pretty much a record cold for Tromsø which is not usually that cold, even in January:

https://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Troms/Tromsø/Tromsø/detailed_statistics.html

I note too that the times the aurora borealis is visible from Tromsø is around 18:00 to 24:00.

 

[amaroo]

That's cold! Pretty much a record cold for Tromsø which is not usually that cold, even in January:

https://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Troms/Tromsø/Tromsø/detailed_statistics.html

I note too that the times the aurora borealis is visible from Tromsø is around 18:00 to 24:00.

We were very lucky with the weather .... bloody cold, but that meant a clear night for viewing. Amazing night!



I posted quite a few photos in my trip report - http://www.australianfrequentflyer....e-and-chasing-lights-72682-9.html#post1388417

 

[Austman]

We were very lucky with the weather .... bloody cold, but that meant a clear night for viewing. Amazing night!

I didn't realize until I lived in Scandinavia how much warmer it can be on a winter night with cloud cover. It can be 10 degrees warmer. But it's not what you want if looking for the aurora!

 

[get me outta here]

Are those sales in Aus, or do you shop o/s LadyC?

I have always bought my Helly Hansen gear when the sales are on and usually paid half price.

 

[LadyC]

Here in Australia. This was a few years ago when the Helly Hansen store still existed in Melbourne in Hardware Lane. They used to have a pretty large range there but they closed the store a few years ago. Have also bought from gear from the USA online at a good price post winter but you need to know your size.

 

[amaroo]

We've purchased HH gear from Anaconda ..... it's like Myer - on sale everyday of the year.

https://www.anacondastores.com/clothing/womens-clothing/c/womens-clothing

 

[JessicaTam]

Here in Australia. This was a few years ago when the Helly Hansen store still existed in Melbourne in Hardware Lane. They used to have a pretty large range there but they closed the store a few years ago. Have also bought from gear from the USA online at a good price post winter but you need to know your size.

I did get some good skiing pants from there. I didn't realise it had closed - I need to get out more.

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, I'll check out a few suppliers.

Here in Australia. This was a few years ago when the Helly Hansen store still existed in Melbourne in Hardware Lane. They used to have a pretty large range there but they closed the store a few years ago. Have also bought from gear from the USA online at a good price post winter but you need to know your size.

We've purchased HH gear from Anaconda ..... it's like Myer - on sale everyday of the year.

https://www.anacondastores.com/clothing/womens-clothing/c/womens-clothing

 

[LadyC]

I did get some good skiing pants from there. I didn't realise it had closed - I need to get out more.

They have an outlet at South Wharf now but it is about 1/4 the size. No direct online shop anymore either.

 

[get me outta here]

Just wondering, what makes a jacket windproof, rainproof is not enough is it?