Good Winter Coat Suggestions

I am in the market for a new winter coat.  I have a North Face Hyvent now that's OK.  Not that warm and the waterproofing is failing.  I had a Spiewak before that and it was nice and warm, but they discontinued it.  I want: really warm, parka, earth tone color, removeable liner.  Suggestions.

I don't want to look like this, but I want to be that warm:

I always swore by whatever high end Columbia was out at the time when I needed one. Thinsulate, Omni tech, all that. Pretty sure both of my old ones are still in service after I moved south. 

I have an LL Bean heavy canvas field coat with a removable liner made of wool blanket for the body and Thinsulate quilting for the arms.

It's probably 35 years old and it's still one of the warmest coats I've ever owned.

What was the temp when you stepped out the door this morn???

I always bought a black Carhardt coat, no hood and its waist length. 

Back in the day it was a leather coat but the Carhardt is more industrial feeling.  I found now is the time to buy at Farm & Fleet as they're not picked over.  

What is your budget and what is your location?

mtn said:

What is your budget and what is your location?

What I was going to ask.  If you're in Atlanta that's one set of requirements, if you're in Fairbanks that's another.

I have one of these:  US Military Gen III ECWCS Layer 7 Parka Urban Grey.  It is by far the warmest coat I have ever had, no liner though.

LL Bean used to make great stuff, but their catalog has changed quite a bit lately, and the new options are much less truly outdoor gear. I have a wonderful coat from their Heritage line that's one of my go-tos for winter, but it's NLA. Sierra Trading Post also used to be a really good source, but since they were bought out the selection of high quality winter clothes has declined sharply; you may still find something there, but it's hit or miss.

If I were in the market, I would look at Cabela's to see what they have - I've gotten some excellent coats from them over the years. Carhartt may be a good option as well, but I don't know their stuff as well.

EDIT: Forgot about REI. They've got a pretty good selection; there's some trendy brands mixed in, but they also carry the more serious outdoor gear.

In reply to Aaron_King :

That's kind of what the Spiewak was.  It was government-issue, OD green.  I looked like a park ranger, but it was very warm and I like green.  The next cycle they let me go off-contract and I got the North Face because the advertising says it's worn by mountain climbers.  It was also popular and easy to find locally.  Popular doesn't necessarily mean good I have learned once more.

I am in the mid-atlantic area mostly, south of PA and north of NC, but I am originally from the Myrtle Beach area.  I never acclimated and get cold below 70F.  I'm not overly concerned about cost because I get about a decade of out them as my primary coat.  I'm OK paying for quality.  I don't want to pay for hype again.  Many thanks!

We bought Atlantis foul weather jackets in the 80s for sailing.  A layer or 2 underneath is good for 0 F or 25 in a blizzard. Since we sized them for a life jacket underneath they still fit.

Columbia omni heat jackets, best I've ever had.  Still have mine for nearly 10 years.

I live in the snow belt so I either had a SKi/Snowboard Burton or Columbia. I like the Burton jacket because it has zippers with a netting so you can unzip if you need to let some air in to cool down, I can wear it Fall through Spring.

A good Gore-tex uninsulated shell and a nice mid-layer fleece is the honest answer.  Not bulky, sheddable depending on changes, warm, and waterproof. 

I rock my Mountain hardware shell and an outlet store patagonia fleece for pretty much everything warmer than -10, and it's perfect.  Anything SUPER cold, and the marshmallow man Arcteryx comes out. 

For North Face and Patagonia, there is their "mall' line, which is good stuff, but it is mostly for yuppies and hipsters. The stuff that the mountain climbers are wearing? That is a $500 jacket, or more. My cousin-in-law paid over $800 for his jacket - don't know what kind it is, but he's climbing mountains and it is a matter of life or death for him. He thought he was cheaping out, he wanted one that was over $1000. 

But even for the lower line, their warranty is still pretty tremendous. I would go into a North Face store and tell them the water proofing is failing. I'd give it probably a 30%-50% chance that they tell you to pick one off the rack as a replacement, for free. 

LLBean is no longer what they once were. It isn't made in Maine anymore. 

If money is no object, get Canada Goose. Might have to take out a loan though.

I have a Marmot down jacket that's served me well for the last four or five winters in Minnesota.  I actually found it on the discount rack at a Marshall's store; I don't remember the exact cost but I think it was ~$50.00.

When it gets really cold, like -20F, I pull out my vintage military M1947 parka.  It's knee length with a hood and a thick pile liner, and weighs nearly 11 pounds.   It's from between WWII and the Korean war, my dad bought it military surplus in the 1950s.

I've been wearing the same Carharrts jacket since before they were hipster.

I have a Columbia omniheat with no liner that I've been wearing for probably close to 10 years. I just layer underneath it. Get a fleece neck gaiter. If you keep your neck warm it helps the rest of your body stay warm immensely. I have a Patagonia vest that is my go to layer under coats. Chicago weather is so all over the place in Winter that I have several to choose from. My DD is that Columbia.

I'll second the Columbia omniheat. It's weird how it can keep me warm, but not so warm that I start sweating.

Military surplus isn't a bad idea either, especially if you aren't into puffy-style outerwear. (Personally, I've been eyeing a few items from Americana Pipedream.)

I am a Southern California wimp when it comes to the cold .....

But a few times a year  we are at car shows / swap meets and its in the 40s during the day with a breeze , 

What do you guys use for pants ?  I have a Down Ski jacket which with a sweater keeps the chest and arms warm , 

 but only sweat pants to put over my jeans.

Thanks for your ideas

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Multiple options here. My preference is insulated Carhartt bib overalls. Comfy, warm, lots of vents to open and close to regulate the temperature, and easy to take off when you get inside so you don't swear your balls off. 

Next preference is long underwear. In the 40s I'd say basically anything would work - 32 degree heat from Costco, two pairs for like $16, would be fine. When it's in the low 20's, I move to Smartwool. buy once, cry once. 
 

My least favorite is flannel or fleece lined jeans. I find them hot, sweaty, and they never seem to fit well. But my brother, father in law, and wife swear by them. 

Some brands are geared toward men with big guts, others have an athletic fit.  I don't fit the former, material quality, stitching and details are what I look for along with a temp rating that I can live with.

mtn said:

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Multiple options here. My preference is insulated Carhartt bib overalls. Comfy, warm, lots of vents to open and close to regulate the temperature, and easy to take off when you get inside so you don't swear your balls off. 

Next preference is long underwear. In the 40s I'd say basically anything would work - 32 degree heat from Costco, two pairs for like $16, would be fine. When it's in the low 20's, I move to Smartwool. buy once, cry once. 
 

My least favorite is flannel or fleece lined jeans. I find them hot, sweaty, and they never seem to fit well. But my brother, father in law, and wife swear by them. 

Lined pants suck. The legs bunch up weird, the cut is always wonky, they're not quite warm enough outside and way too warm inside. 

For 40deg standing outside I like the 'cycling4u' brand fleece lined athletic pants. If it's really cold I'll wear sweatpants underneath.

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Any sporting goods store that deals in downhill skiing equipment should have insulated ski pants or bib overalls.  They typically have zippers on the legs so you can slip them on and off over boots, and are available in a wide variety of price ranges.  You can put them on when you get to the swap meet and take them off when leaving, so you don't have to deal with bulky or uncomfortable clothing when driving.

I have a Carhartt duck jacket with some sort of furry lining and a removable hood. I don't know where the hood is anymore, but that jacket is a rock star. Indestructible exterior fabric, good and warm, easy to shrug on and off. Enough room inside to wear a couple of layers. I've worn it standing on the pit wall of the Thunderhill 25 hour race, and standing still overnight in weather around freezing is seriously cold. I also bring it with me when I go to Ottawa in winter. It is not compact but it feels like armor when I'm wearing it.

I also have a longish Canada Goose Constable that I inherited from my dad, but since I'm a size or two bigger than he was it's not as warm as it should be.

If you're serious about staying warm, make sure there's a toque and a set of gloves in the pocket at all times.