I’m mostly a lurker, but rely on the SDMB often for insight and entertainment.
I thought I would put a question forward and reap the benefits of having
paid for this priviledge.
What can you tell me about winter coats? I’m going on a trip to Russia
in December/January and would not like to experience hypothermia first hand.
I’m from a sunny, warm climate and I’m a wimp when it comes to the cold,
even by local standards. I’ve loaded up on thermals, wool and fleece.
So back to coats. I’d like to look urbanite, as I will be in major cities for
the entirety of my trip. Wool, fur, fancy new materials, leather?? Also,
I’ll probably be buying second hand as I won’t have much use for the coat
after my trip.
It occurred to me that I might not be the best one to answer this - not being Russian, but…what the heck. I am in the proper circumpolar area.
Mostly, what I’ve seen in the over 25 demographic in the Arctic, is that we don’t give a good goddamn what it looks like, as long as its warm. On the streets of Whitehorse, any given winter day, are an amazing array of parkas, ski jackets, leather coats, fur coats, and lined jean jackets. With a few macs thrown in for local colour. I make a moderate impression now and again, because I personally favour long wool coats ('cause I have a cossack-style hat and matching muff and it looks really really snappy with said long wool coat). Leather is good if you layer those big Arran-style or Cowichan-style sweaters underneath.
There might be more fur coats on the streets in Russia, I don’t think they’ve been infested by quite as many paint-wielding, self-righteous, foam-mouthed, under-educated, hysterical wanna-be environmentalists as we have.
From National Geographic articles over the last couple years, I’d say go with tightly woven wool or a nice long ski jacket. With several large heavy sweaters to layer underneath at need. Since you’re going to be primarily urban, I wouldn’t worry too much about boots. Just don’t wear that darling pair of Italian leather dress boots, as they work a lot like skates with icepicks on the heels. Modern runners seem to have enough insulation to keep feet warm even at -30C, although you gotta keep moving.
I am no expert on Russian fashion, but I like to think I know summat about How To Keep Warm - I haven’t lost any body parts to frostbite, nor been lynched by the local chapter of the You Can’t Possibly Wear That Society. (The one time I was threatened by an especially militant member was over a VERY 80’s graffitti print.)
A good place to start is to find out the average temperature for that part of Russia during those months. If you can get an LL Bean catalog (their website doesn’t have the same info, unfortunately) before then, they have product listings to tell you how what temperatures F each coat is weather appropriate for, and since you wanted to get the coat second-hand, you would probably be able to find that jacket/coat on e-bay if you’re lucky.
I do know, however, that my thinsulate-lined coat is warm enough until the windchill hits -20F or colder, so that’s probably something you could look for if you don’t want to be bothered with LL Bean.
It’s gonna be said again and again. Layer, layer, layer
Gives you options.
I particularly like the down vest. It’s the only down I own. A fleece vest is also nice. When it’s extra cold, or your outside and sedintary, a vest under your coat helps a LOT. Also, down will pack easy. Doesn’t take up much room.
If you get a jacket with a zipper up the front, make sure that it has a flap to cover it. A quick cold breeze will go right through the zipper and burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Anyway, after re-reading the OP… I’m sure not an urbanite, so I don’t know what’s in fashion.
But I do know snow and cold.
You have loaded up on wool and fleece. Wool is good, but personally, I prefer fleece. If you have a good shell coat you do not need wools ability to keep warm when it’s wet (something I’m a bit dubious about anyway, IMHO, wool is overrated). Wool is heavier than fleece, harder to take care of, and takes up more room in your luggage. But wool is more fashionable.
Back to the coat. A hood can be a godsend. It will vent heat from your body to your head. And keep you dryer.
I would consider a new, lightly lined, or not lined at all breathable (gor-tex, or like material[the patent expired on gor-tex, lots of other stuff out there now]), hooded shell (coat), a zippered long sleeve fleece, and a down vest. That, with a tee-shirt and sweater should keep you comfy to -10f to +50f.
You wanted to buy second hand… Hard to find what you want/need that way. Buy what you need and sell it before you come home? Just a thought.
My boss and her wife went to Russia last winter to adopt a baby, and they said all the buildings were hotter than hell. The hotel room was apparently so hot that they kept the window open all the time just to make it tolerable for sleeping. So layer, layer, layer. A lightweight shirt with a sweater or fleece over, then a toasty coat, and you should be plenty warm outside and still be able to strip down enough to not burn up inside.
Just to echo the other advice on layers. I’m cranky when I get hot so I have to have options. Also, find hats that keep your head warm that you will really wear. Or wait until you get there and invest in a neat fur hat. And get some good gloves. I have one pair of fleece lined leather boots I bought many, many years ago and they can handle the snow I have been in (western US ski country and Buffalo, NY winters) but I have never been to Russia. I would be looking for the thinnest , warmest coat I could find, with enough room for several layers underneath, and good warm accessories like hats, gloves and scarves.
Wow, it sure is a different world out there. The things you guys describe (long wool coats, fleece layers, thermals) are what I wear when it gets wintery here…a good thirty or forty degrees Farenheit.
FWIW, I find the thrift stores around here are just piled with wool coats, fur coats and all kinds of (admittedly unfashionable) cold weather goods. I have two great fitted long wool jackets that I got for about two dollars each.
May I suggest that you look at the LL Bean website or contact them by phone and ask their recommendations for the warmest coat? They rate their fabrics by temperature, I believe. Then you could shop on e-bay for something like that.
I concur with layering also. It’s so adjustable.
Be sure to take a long warm scarf to wear around your neck and up over your nose.
Mittens are warmer than gloves. Some come that open up and allow you access to your finger tips without uncovering your entire fingers. LL Bean may have those too.
Also, you might check Magellan’s website and TravelSmith. Both are for travellers.
A good combination of stylish and warm is a <b>heavy, 100% wool felt</b> peacoat. Please notice what I put in bold type up there. Synthetic imitations are just not going to keep you warm enough for Russia. It should come down over your butt at a minimum. I don’t know if you’re a guy or a girl; girls can look good wearing those coats to their knees at least, guys unfortunately don’t look so sharp that way. The coat will weigh a ton, but hot damn are they ever snug and cozy.
If you decide to go with fleece, spend the extra for some good stuff. Wind goes right through the cheap stuff. Even with the good quality stuff, you will want a shell over it for protection from the wind as well as moisture.
Don’t forget that it doesn’t stop at a good coat. You’ll need gloves or mittens (mittens are warmer), a good warm hat that covers your ears, and most likely a scarf.
Have fun! Other than the weather, I could wish I was going with you… sigh…
In Russia, women in particular tend to dress up more than they do in the U.S. Things have changed since I spent the fall semester in Leningrad in 1989, so you will probably see colors other than gray. But the best way to blend in while staying warm will be a long, heavy wool coat in a dark color. (If you were to buy fur, nobody over there will throw red paint at you - I’ve never been a fur wearer, but lemme tell you, it got cold enough that even I was considering a fur hat.) Layering is also good - a cardigan sweater or two is helpful, because you can decide how much to vent without stripping off layers.
Also, DO NOT neglect to bring a nice warm hat, whether in tightly woven wool, fur if you’re into that sort of thin, or maybe leather or shearling (they block wind better than most wool hats do). And mittens, preferably Thinsulate-lined leather. And a nice thick wool scarf. Screw fashion - you want to come home with all your extremities, don’t you? Acrylic just isn’t as warm, nor does it block wind as well. And in general Russians don’t tend to wear the outdoorsy kinds of things (hiking boots, parkas with huge poofy hoods) that U.S. urban dwellers do - they are much more fashion-conscious, even if it’s cold as hell.
Also, personally I’m a big fan of comfy footwear, so I’d recommend some relatively flat boots with serious traction on the soles. What are you going to be doing over there? Is it an environment where you will be able to shed layers and/or change shoes once you get inside?
Good luck, I’m jealous, and feel free to ask more quesitons!
Thanks for all the great advice. I will check into LL Bean’s catalogue. I will be spending time in St. Petersburg and Moscow (as well as some time later in Kiev and London). I have purchased Marmot thermals and some arctic fleece leggings. I also have sock and glove liners and wool socks. My boots are lined and have good traction (I used them on a trip to Rochester, NY in Feb), but I’ll look into aluminum liners. I’m in the process of acquiring a pair of good mittens and some warm scarves. I have a hat, but will probably purchase something warmer when I arrive.
The average temperatures there are about 20F (-6C) during the day to 10F (-11C) at night. However, from the recent weather reports it has been more like 15F (-9C) during the day and 5F (-14C) at night (or colder). And of course I’m not leaving for a month, so it is likely to get colder.
I’m sure all you winter-hardy people are getting a good chuckle. I’m a self-admitted cold weather wimp. I put on a jacket and scarf when it is 60F out. Plus gloves and scarves are so much fun to wear, even if I’m the only one wearing them.
I’m shooting for “urbanite” only because I’ll be in major cities and would like to avoid garnering unsavory attention from would be muggers. I’m not really a fur person, but I have looked into shearling. Any thoughts on the advantages of down vs. Thinsulate?
My trip is a mix of sightseeing and meeting the in-laws. Should be exciting as I speak extremely little Russia. I’ll just smile a lot and be known as the crazy American wife.
Thinsulate is remarkable stuff. I think you’re overpreparing, but then I go through winter in Saskatchewan with two fleeces (one just a vest), a headband, and a pair of cheapass flip-mitt/gloves.
in here or is it just me?