The recent cold snap has demonstrated to me and my wife that our existing 4 year old jackets, having been through the wash a few times now, are no longer adequate for Winnipeg winters.

So, we've been out looking for new winter jackets, and it hasn't been that great of an experience.

We bought our current jackets at WinterCo. which somehow went out of business (I find that hard to contemplate....how can you go wrong selling winter jackets in Winnipeg???) a few years ago.

Sport Check has/had a big sale on some jackets...columbia, north face...but after inspecting them and trying them on, they appear and feel more like spring/fall jackets, all style and no substance.

It has been several years since we've gone jacket shopping, so perhaps there have been great strides in technologies going into these things now, where by a very, very thin piece of cloth can be sold as a winter jacket?

If they had a try before you buy, or some kind of return policy (no store credit, if the jacket sucks and I can't find another, then I should be able to take my money and get a jacket somewhere else)

Anyway, I think we're going to go to MEC at lunch, see what we can see....maybe they'll have some that don't require small mortgages! lol

I remember Gemini used to have factory outlet sales and such...

Anyone have and recomendations or suggestions?

The best winter jacket I ever had was from United Army Navy Surplus.

It was a Canadian Forces surplus Parka. Warmest thing I ever owned.

If I were going out to buy a winter coat, I'd probably hit Cabella's (formerly S.I.R) I'd be looking for warmth, durability and functionality. Things that you don't find at walmart or fashion stores.

Thanks LivingDead!

Those are the exact qualities we're looking for. We'll check out SIR after work!

I bought a long (below the knees) parka with a hood from Sears a few years ago. Lost the hood unfortunately....but it's warm...looks like hell fashion-wise, but that doesn't bother me in these temps though. Try them.

MEC - Frostbreaker Parka $145. Picked one up before Christmas to replace my old MEC parka. Good value for the money.

Thats the second comment this week that I've heard about MEC being expensive, but I find that they do have a pretty good depth of items. You could spent big $$'s, but there are some pretty reasonable things there. I just bought a pair of Baffin winter boots (Sorel type things) for $99 and I found that a better deal than anywhere else.

BTW, if you decide to get a surplus army parka, be sure to get a surplus army parka, as there are a lot of lookalike things and they are sh1t.

I've noticed that all too many places don't know the difference between a jacket and a coat.

MWG on notre dame has tons of nice warm jackets. They are not the most stylish but warm and a decent price.

Freeman wrote:MEC - Frostbreaker Parka $145. Picked one up before Christmas to replace my old MEC parka. Good value for the money.

Thats the second comment this week that I've heard about MEC being expensive, but I find that they do have a pretty good depth of items. You could spent big $$'s, but there are some pretty reasonable things there. I just bought a pair of Baffin winter boots (Sorel type things) for $99 and I found that a better deal than anywhere else.

I have a pair of Baffin boots rated to -100c I've never had cold feet in them. and they are CSA approved too with a fiberglass toe cap.

MEC parka for $145 that's not bad. I've seen goose bay parka's sell for $700 but they are made for exploring Antarctica.

I wear a hooded sweater and a light windbreaker right now.

...but what do you wear outside?

Well, went to MEC, safe to say I will not be buying a jacket/coat/parka/whatever suits your title fancy.

Yes, they had some on sale. None of which lived up to my expectations for what a "winter" coat/jacket/parka should feel, wear, fit like.

Been to Sears already last night, nothing warm enough.

My old man told me about the same place Dean recommended, that may be my next stop. At this point, a jacket made of brown construction grade canvas, coverall material might be the only thing warm enough for -27 and below (you know, Winnipeg winter) standing and waiting for the bus.

JTF wrote:...but what do you wear outside?

that and pants... and socks and shoes.

seriously. that is all I wear. a toque to of course, rarely mitts/gloves.

Try Cabellas. And Marks Work Warehouse.

Depends what you are looking for and how active you are going to be. My cold weather winter outerwear is a goretex shell with a midweight fleece/technical jacket underneath. $250 for the gore-tex on sale at Tamarack a couple of years ago. The fleece was about $50 at Gords. If it is really gold then I'll bundle up with more layers underneath, but for me that is good.

A lot will depend on how active you are. If I am outside for an extended period I'm not just standing around.

If you are look for the tough duck type parkas that Hydro crews wear, that will keep you warm. Or the down quilted jackets a la ice climbing belayers. If you are doing a lot of activity while you are outside then you need to put a higher emphasis on cutting the wind.

"cutting the wind."

LOL...

I stopped wearing a parka over 20 years ago. When it's really cold out, I just wear a sweater or fleece below my leather jacket. Works fine.
To keep the legs warm, I would wear track pants below my pants. Does the trick.

JT Estoban wrote:Well, went to MEC, safe to say I will not be buying a jacket/coat/parka/whatever suits your title fancy.

Yes, they had some on sale. None of which lived up to my expectations for what a "winter" coat/jacket/parka should feel, wear, fit like.

MEC doesn't really sell "parkas" per se.

They sell layers so that you can wear what you buy for more than one season in the year.

Thanks for all the help folks.

To give you an idea of what we're both after, we currently have 4-5 year old Board Dokter jackets.

When we got them, we were able to wear a t-shirt underneath up to about -30 or so. Cooler then that, and a light sweater...or you may sweat, so maybe no sweater.

The new stuff available, it seems is more like what Sputnik is describing....multiple under layers with a designer "shell" over top.

Dang, guess I'm getting old...I still remember back in the day when you had different jackets for different seasons....radical thinking I know.... :-)

Canada Goose jackets are very warm. There is a list of places that sell them on their web site: http://www.canada-goose.com/home.htm
places include ski shops (Gords, Samsoms, etc), boutiques (Village streatwear, Harry Rosen, Swank), and sporting places (Cabelas, Wholesale Sports). Cost ~ $500-600.

If that's too much, try Mark's Work Warehouse, as GOM said

I wear a Work King snowsuit all winter long. It won't make a classy fashion statement, but that's ok, it keeps me warm. $100 (Canadian Tire), good to -40*C (no wind), and you can wear whatever you want underneath it (its my Christmas and New Years party canvas). Since its a one piece, I never think about putting on snow pants, and I can pull it on and off without thinking about my boots (full length zippers). Function over fashion, its designed and built in Winnipeg.

Thank you Richlu manufacturing, you make one hell of a product.

grumpy old man wrote:Try Cabellas. And Marks Work Warehouse.

Can't go wrong at Mark's Work Warehouse!