Brands that sell coats for v cold conditions?

[TuftyRusty]

I’m hoping to go to Canada for a few weeks this winter (covid restrictions permitting…) to visit family. I’ll also be going to Scotland to visit other family over Christmas. So the winter is looking pretty cold for me!

I have winter coats that work for London but nothing that’ll be warm enough for Canada.
Ive been looking and I’ve seen some which look warm but its hard to tell whether they’ll be warm enough…. Ideally something that’s ok down to -20C.

I think I need to look at specialist brands for cold weather/maybe Scandi brands etc.

Ideally I’d like it to be:

• not technical looking - I don’t need it for hiking or anything, but it does need to be very warm

-not down (ethical reasons)

Any brand suggestions for me to look for?

Thank you!

Lands end.

I'm guessing you'll want a down jacket or coat? Lots of brands out there, I got mine in Mountain Warehouse. You can chooses less technical looking styles.

FML I mean non-Down filled.

I’d look at Didrikson or Marmot. Perhaps even secondhand for the amount of time you’ll actually need it for. I feel the cold terribly (or did prior to bloody peri menopause) and have been happy with coats from both of these places before.

Lands End "warmest" coats saw me through 3 russian winters so should be fine, although you might find it easier to buy one in Canada if you are heading there first.

My warmest winter coat was a charity shop buy which turned out to be from a country/shooting brand.

It's fabulous and I love it (through probably a bit hot for my lifestyle - I've never not been a bit too warm in it)! I suppose there's a lot of standing around in fields getting cold when shooting!

The brand is Sherwood Forest I think. No idea how it compares to down as I won't buy that either.

Didrikson I ❤️ mine

I got a long DKNY parka from TKMAXX a couple of years ago and I remember it had a label in about its low temperature suitability. (I bought it because it was gorgeous but only found the label later!)

It's the best coat I've ever had for keeping warm - and I used to live in Canada and have a coat obsession

I'd recommend having a look at what's available in TKMAXX if you can.

I have a non down parka from Icelandic company 66° North. I've worn it for winter holidays in the Baltics, Sweden and Iceland. I got mine in the sale for a good price.

Patagonia is a good brand as well.

I would wait and buy a coat there as they'll have exactly what you need.

Just use your warmest coat to tide you over for the first 24 hours till you get one unless you're going to be in the middle of nowhere.

Didriksons. They do amazingly warm, waterproof non-down coats.

Patagonia or Fjallraven

Didrikson! I live in the North of Scotland and genuinely was never cold last winter. Totally wind and water proof too. Absolutely love it.

The last time I went to Canada for Christmas, I bought a Canada Goose on my first day there.

@CraftyGin

The last time I went to Canada for Christmas, I bought a Canada Goose on my first day there.

Do Canada Goose do non down jackets?

Didriksons or lands end. Not only looking for warmth (which can be added to with layers such as a thin down like layer underneath) but a degree of water resistance/proof - no point in keeping warm if it'll let water in, chilling you that way. Combinations are often better as versatile.

Canada Goose is not an ethical brand at all unfortunately.

@stripedbananas

I would wait and buy a coat there as they'll have exactly what you need.

Just use your warmest coat to tide you over for the first 24 hours till you get one unless you're going to be in the middle of nowhere.

Yes, this. Coats here are not made for -20 and below. You may even be able to borrow one from someone there while you are out there.

Thanks so much for all the replies! I’ll have a look at all those brands. Yes, except Canada Goose which is definitely not ethical.
Looking when I get over there is a good idea too. I was also unsure whether brands sold here would genuinely be warm enough in a climate like Canada’s.
I don’t mind spending on one to buy - my sister has moved there and with my new WFH arrangements I can spend more time over there than expected so hope to be there regularly

I had to go to Finland for work a couple of times when it was -20C, and I used my usual winter coat (wool, longish) with a down jacket underneath. Also fleece lined boots and long socks / warm underwear, including long johns, and a hat/gloves/scarf. You probably won’t spend a lot of time outside when it’s that cold so I don’t think it’s worth investing in a super warm coat. With Scotland rain and wind are the bigger issues, so a warm waterproof coat might be more useful. I’ve used the Seasalt Janelle coat in Scotland (lots of winter work trips there) and it was enough.

Patagonia also do great coats and warm layers (both down and synthetic).

I live in Canada and wouldn’t buy a winter coat that’s not down filled. There’s a reason it’s used. A wind chill of -40 needs to be felt to be believed

No need for special brands.

Where in Canada are you going? In the prairies, it can get far, far colder than -20C in December.

I'd go TK Maxx, and look at their ski wear.

Get something big enough to wear a jumper or fleece under. Layering really, really makes a difference.
And, do NOT buy something waist length. Coats that are a bit longer and have a drawstring make a big difference. It won't matter how warm your coat is if the wind gets up the back.

Boots are really, really important too. Something waterproof, fleece lined and big enough to accommodate an extra pair of socks.

Mittens are warmer than gloves- especially lined ones.

If you are coming to the West Coast it does not get very cold. Down to freezing/frost sometimes but seldom much colder. Temperate rainforest.