Anyone know anything about winter jackets?

I want to buy my partner a stylish winter jacket, but one that doesn't use down (because he's allergic to it). When I go into the stores, they show me all these rather pricey Gortex jackets that aren't much thicker than sweaters. Are they really warm enough for winter? Are there cheaper equivalents? Thanks.

coat shopping too. Trying to find something warm like down, but not so thick that it makes you look like the pillsbury dough boy - i'm puffy enough without any help... lol

They have the best jackets. Also the owner published a piece telling people in Wisconsin to not vote for * a couple weeks before the election.

down provides wrmth, GoreTex is a water reppelant breathable fabric. It does not provide warmth. Are you looking for a michelin-man type jacket, ot a lyering pirce? Are you looking for something for outdoors athletic type stuff? something for the office/city? something sporty or dressy? does it have to be waterproof? windproof? what's your budget?

tell me more, tell me more...

My partner is slim and gets really cold. The main outdoor winter sport for him is long walks, but it would be nice if the jacket was also water resistant! Thanks.

I wear light weight,very warm ski underwear----a wool sweater and a light weight Gore-tex jacket. I like to layer.

When out and about in my car anything will do----I'm rarely cold.

This is a really good idea for someone who tends to be cold outdoors. The fabrics are thin, warm and keep you dry. Same with socks. Expensive, but awesome.

like these:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=4501408&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&seq=11&sort=1&vcat=REI_SSHP_MENS_CLOTHING_TOC

but need some new stuff.

duplicate. duplicate...

you have two options. First, get a really nice topcoat, wool-cashmere blend, made well so it will stand up to the weater, and looks good in the city.
second, get something along the lines of a lined mountain jacket (I reccomed Marmot or North Face, both of which I use) those will provide better water resisstance and sportyness, and can be quite slim. get the lined ones, over a medium sweater on a walk, they can handle down to about 15 degrees with no problem. go to Campmor.com.

There are lots of great technical fabrics which offer excellent warmth while also disipating sweat. These fabrics are usually fairly thin. My favorite is Windstopper by GoreTex. It breathes but at the same time blocks wind. This allows for a very thin material which is warm down to about 35 degrees or so when not exercising. Below that temp I add the rainproof shell as a second layer. This keeps me toasty.

These fabrics are expensive, but they many times come with lifetime warranties against stiches tearing or fabric wearing out. The rainproof shell is also a great summertime rain jacket.

Could be spelled Thinsulite. Look in stores that handle ski clothes.

http://www.rei.com/

I've found that their brand is as good as the designer labels, and often at a better price. They have comparison charts to give you an idea of what you're getting for your money.

But, out west, layering is the key, especially for active sports where you can overheat and need to peel something off... Gortex is ideal for that with a thinsulate layer for insulation, maybe a wool sweater and wicking thermal underwear, if it is really cold. Caution about down, though: Down, for someone very lean and cold nature sounds like a perfect solution, but you never want to get caught in a situation where it is going to get really wet--whether in coats or sleeping bags, wet down can be a killer--literally. So, if your friend does back bowl skiing or cross country skis/snowshoes in the winter, where he could get caught in a storm, you might think twice about down.

Gortex\down type jackets are not "stylish." Do you want something sold at Brooks Brothers or the Ski Haus?

EDIT: Someone above suggested REI. That's an outdoors store. Is that the style you are looking for?

good looking coats and jackets. But, they tend to go more with natural fabrics and you'll miss lots of the technical advantages (low weight/insulation ratio, high level of water and stain resistance/waterproofing while letting your body release perspiration away from you body to prevent dampness & chilling (i.e., breathability and wicking), design features (like underarm zippers which allow you to cool off without necessarily peeling a layer and all kinds of handy hidden hoods, pockets, etc. So, if your guy is going to be physically active, Goretex REI or North Face, Marmot or other technical gear is a much better choice and also very long lasting with minimal need for care.

Manufactured by Malden Mills--remember the owner keeping his staff on the payroll even after a massive fire in the mid-90's closed the buisiness for months?

They're the good guys and polartec fleece is a very good product...

and something water/wind proof on the outside should be perfect for winter on a budget


GoreTex is a brand name so it's expensive. There are plenty of other materials that will work fine to keep out the wind and water

beats a an old-fashioned leather bomber-style jacket for warmth in cold weather. They are usually available in suede (which you wouldn't want to wear in rainy weather) and in brown leather, in addition to the ordinary black ones. Get one that's nicely lined. The other thing that's really good about these is that they never ever go out of style and, properly cared for, one will last twenty or twenty five years. I swear by one of these.

If you get a suede one, also buy a couple of nice scarves for him to wear around the collar - not for fashion's sake, but to protect the collar from "ring around the collar" - saves money on dry cleaning.

They are warm and stylish.

I've found that coats with a polyester fill are the warmest, but they tend to not be very stylish. I've found that Gortex and Thinsulate just don't cut it.

If the bulk of polyester fill (which has the same "bubble" look of a down coat) is too unstylish for you, I recommend going with leather. You might also want to consider buying some silk thermal underwear for your partner. Very warm, and when you give your partner a hug, you'll get your money's worth.

It's light, but it keeps my very very warm.
The downside is that it isn't windproof.
It's kept me alive in Boston winters...so that's my recommendation.

Gore-tex is just waterproofing, and besides blocking the wind, doesn't do anything for warmth. Anything with down is especially warm, but tends to be on the "fluffy" side. I like the coats with removable fleece liners for more versatility. You can't go wrong with coats by Columbia, Patagonia, or L.L.Bean. Not to speak ill of Land's End, btw; I've just never bought anything from them.

If the insulation is 'Thinsulate', yes, it will be wonderfully warm without bulk.

Rated to -30 degrees.

Not bulky at all - and it is warm! Got me through the worst of New Hampshire winters easily.

None too stylish (although that may have changed over time) and pretty pricey - mine was $200 when I bought it 12 years ago!!!