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Warmest coat, gloves and boots - suggestions needed please!

37 replies

Blinkingecksake · 07/09/2018 00:32

Hi, just found this forum and looks like the perfect place to ask this question!!

I need to invest in a decent winter coat. I have Raynaud's disease (extremely poor circulation) and also need to invest in good quality boots and gloves. Between my job and my children's sports and dog walking, I am outdoors for prolonged periods 7 days a week, a fair amount of it standing still.

I need your best recommendations please for long and warm coats and best quality waterproof gloves and boots please - am thinking possibly ski brand type things.

I have previously had a North Face metropolis parka but am wondering if the Arctic Parka is better. My brother has a Rabb coat he swears by. Am loving the leather Uggs but they are just not in my price range.

So very grateful for any suggestions, this is a real investment piece for me that I can't really afford but need so it has to be right. Have wasted money on cheaper coats that don't last.

Thanks all!

OP posts:
JellySlice · 07/09/2018 00:51

The absolute best winter coat I have ever had is the Lands End Down Commuter Coat. Long, warm (toasty warm), windproof, waterproof, and with incredibly practical pocket design. The same zips lead to handwarmer pockets, inner deep pockets, and your trouser pockets - you can reach into your trouser pockets without opening the coat! The cuffs are also very cleverly designed: they are softly snug around your wrists, yet do not get in the way of gloves.

I honestly cannot praise this coat highly enough. Do not buy at full price, though. Wait for a sale - they are very frequent - and look for any online vouchers, too.

For feet, before thinking about shoes, think about socks. Get yourself some good, machine-washable wool socks (not pure wool, up to 25% nylon gives durability without compromising warmth). They don't need washing every wear, just airing between wears, so 3-4 pairs will go at least 1month.

Wool socks, even though thicker than cotton, can be worn with ordinary shoes. But you can also get pure wool insoles for boots.

Long merino underwear is another tool for keeping warm. Also doesn't need washing after every wear. Decathlon is cheapest, I think, but still excellent quality. I can wear the LJs next to my skin with no problems, and they are thin enough to go under jeans. I have extremely sensitive skin (and allergies), so sometimes meed a thin cotton vest under the merino top.

With all this, I generally don't get heavy-duty gloves. I would get windproof fleece gloves from an outdoor sports shop like Cotswolds, Millets or Mountain Warehouse. Perhaps lined. But definitely windproof fleece - makes s huge difference.

Of course, these recommendations are all utterly practical rather than stylish!

JellySlice · 07/09/2018 01:04

This is the coat, but it doesn't look like it's in stock at the moment.

delphguelph · 07/09/2018 01:21

Canada goose if you can afford it.
Make sure it covers your bum!

TroubledLichen · 07/09/2018 01:38

I have Raynauds too and live in Chicago where we get insanely cold winters ⛄️ I have a Canada Goose jacket, yes they’re expensive but I get a lot of wear out of it so feel it’s worth it. Whatever you decide get one that goes down to mid thigh. I also have a short Columbia jacket for skiing that’s very warm. Sorel boots are great for winter. I have lighter insulated rain ones and full on artic snow boots. Wool socks are the best. For gloves I double up on merino liners with touchscreen tips so I don’t have to get my hand out to use my phone and then either sheepskin gloves (I have a great pair just from John Lewis) or if it’s really bad then ski gloves, I have black snowboarding ones from Burton. Also you didn’t ask about layering but Uniqlo heat tech stuff is great too.

Mercurial123 · 07/09/2018 05:59

I have a non down super warm parka from North 66. I wouldn't even look at Canada Goose as it uses fur and down.

SandysMam · 07/09/2018 06:22

I don’t think you can beat leather gloves for warmth and protection plus they are waterproof for use in sleet and icy rain. M & S do thin ones in all colours that allow you to drive, hold dog leads, zip up kids coats etc which can be a struggle with thicker gloves. Just make sure you warm them up before putting them on and your hands will stay toastie!

MadMaryBoddington · 07/09/2018 07:23

I have Reynaud’s too and I’m place marking as I’m currently on the look out for a new parka as my ancient North Face really really needs replacing.

I agree with Mercurial about Canada Goose. I wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole either.

NowWhatUsernameShallIHave · 07/09/2018 07:35

Yes 3rd about Canada Goose
The fur is from wild coyotes ☹️

Mercurial123 · 07/09/2018 07:35

www.bike24.com/p2193357.html

This is my parka it's got me through winter holidays in Iceland, Scandinavia and the Baltics. I got mine in the sale for around £200.

TheHoundsofLove · 07/09/2018 07:41

I second Land's End coats - I have the Squall Duffle for dog walking and it is super toasty - I wore it when it was -14 degrees last year and stayed warm. I also have a down parka (they certify that it is ethical) which I love and which is also super toasty. I also find their coats indestructible - I've got another couple that I've had for years and they're still in far too good condition to get rid of (they have had very heavy wear).
For boots when it's really cold I wear neoprene lined wellies (I've got Aigle) with fleece welly socks and I can honestly say that my feet have never felt cold.

Mmmmmmmchips · 07/09/2018 08:52

I’m watching with real interest
Try the Uniqlo thermal long sleeve vest. Going into winter they have 3 grades -
I have nothing to really add apart from following tips
Layering is more important than one thick layer
Get some cheap leg warmers from Primark and basically wear under trousers pulled upto knees- makes a huge difference
I’m going to try getting some gloves this year that are battery operated that keeps hands warm but I need to hunt some down.
Apparently you can get coats and socks too.

BikeRunSki · 07/09/2018 08:58

Lands End rank their coats by warmth. Details are on their listings.

If you want the warmth of down, consider Patagonia, who use ethical down. It’s nit ideal, as it is still animal produce, but it is far better than job-ethical down. They also use a lot of recycled plastics in their synthetic down - bear in mind that synthetic fabrics ultimately originate from crude oil and are not without impact either.

DeltaG · 07/09/2018 09:23

Canada Goose's snow mantra parka would do the job as it's made for arctic/antarctic conditions, but it's very expensive.

I have a Canada Goose standard parka and it's perfect for Switzerland in winter. However, it's also expensive and down-filled, so not for everyone. If the down doesn't bother you, see if you can find one that's not brand new.

Any decent brand sheepskin boots will be warm, as long as they aren't too tight around the toes. The tighter they are, the more they limit circulation and the colder your feet will feel.

Girlwhowearsglasses · 07/09/2018 09:26

Patra Silk do great thermal under layers that won’t leave you sweaty when you go indoors.

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 07/09/2018 09:30

I have the Lands End full length Chalet coat.
I bought it in a sale from Debenhams

FlorenceLyons · 07/09/2018 11:06

I have a pair of Merrell snow boots which are fantastic when it's really cold. Those plus my North Face mid-thigh length down coat and some Uniqlo thermals keep me toasty in pretty much any temperature this country throws at us. For gloves, I wear ski gloves if it's really cold, or cashmere lined leather gloves (M&S do good, relatively cheap ones) if it's just a bit chilly.

goose1964 · 07/09/2018 15:51

I have a pair of these mittens from go outdoors, they're dual layer fleece inside and knitted outside. I actually have to take them off occasionally as my hands get too hat in them, and I get really cold hands normally
www.gooutdoors.co.uk/north-ridge-alton-womens-mitt-p301405

TroubledLichen · 07/09/2018 15:51

You can get Canada goose without fur FYI, I purposefully bought one without because I wouldn’t dream of wearing fur. Yes they are down and I know that’s not for everyone but most of the other brands mentioned, Lands End and North Face for instance also sell down coats. I also don’t think the OP is on the lookout for vegan friendly winterwear either since she mentions leather uggs.

fruitpastille · 07/09/2018 15:56

Another thing that helps us a good hand warmer. I love my Zippo one - stays hot for hours.

Mercurial123 · 07/09/2018 16:09

Troubled if a company sells fur there are plenty of people who would not purchase including myself (obviously). There were protests outside the Canada Goose Regent Street Branch back in June.

I made no mention of the parka being vegan that's in the link.

Blinkingecksake · 08/09/2018 07:16

Thanks so much for your informative replies. So helpful 😊 will be researching them all later. I really fancied the look of the NF Arctic Parka as my last NF lasted years so if anyones has it and would recommend please let me know. Thanks again.

OP posts:
BirdyBedtime · 08/09/2018 07:33

Hi blinking. Fellow Reynauds sufferer here. Definitely invest in Wool socks as suggested above. Also buy some silk gloves and layer under fleece gloves - you can get them from Amazon and I find they make a huge difference.

I have Goretex snow boots that I got in the sale from Clarks a few years ago and they are great. Don't care that I look stupid wearing them on a sunny (but freezing) November day!

We've just got a dog and I'm not looking forward to the walks in the height of winter.

dudsville · 08/09/2018 07:35

Lands end coats are great. I get their maxi coat and comes to my lower calf. There is a25% discount at the moment with code "sspia18".

Isleepinahedgefund · 08/09/2018 07:44

I also have raynauds, I live in the U.K. I also happen to be allergic to wool which is is really annoying as wool is the best for warmth!

My go to for deepest winter for the last two years has been the plant hunter from seasalt -it’s fur lined and wind proof, which makes a big difference.

What helps the most though is not the coat but the layers under - I swear by the heattech range from Uniqlo. It’s a range of very thin, light thermals and it’s amazing - I wear them under everything in winter. They do all sorts of tops, tights, leggings, an extra warm range, gloves.... can’t recommend highly enough.

For boots my favourite is uggs. The wool keeps my feet nice and toasty although I need to make sure I have enough socks on so as to not get an allergic rash from the wool!

lots33 · 08/09/2018 07:59

I would thoroughly recommend the NF artic parka, toasty warm. Plus lands end snow boots.