Wool Coats for Canadian/Midwest winters?

Good wintery afternoon!
I've been looking at J.Crew winter coats and wool coats in general, but was wondering how they withstand the cold Canadian/Midwest winters. I had a wool coat back in high school, and I was constantly cold, although this may have been due to a poorer quality of wool.

Do any of you live in these cold climates, not own a car, and manage to go through winter with a wool coat? Or do you have a puffer stashed in your closet? Thanks!

14 years ago

Shopping

3 replies

Latest reply was from

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Wool is very warm, BUT I think if you are outside for a significant amount of time, you need to layer well underneath with a sweater and thermal -t-shirt. Puffers are probably the best, wind-resistance-wise, and water-proof-wise. Down feather is the ULTIMATE in cold winter protection!

I live in Ontario, and our winters can plummet to 30 degrees below 0. I have a black wool and a red wool coat for "in-and-out" occasions, and a long black puffer coat, and a very thick navy puffer - bomber style - for playing outside with my children or taking long-ish walks. I also have a red ski jacket with faux fur collar. Dang, I have a LOT of winter coats. Smartest investments ever. Make sure you've got pockets to put mittens/gloves in and a hood! (Or, if no hood, a pretty wool/thick cotton hat! )

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think it depends to some degree on the quality of the wool (or wool blend), what you will be layering underneath, and the amount of time you spend outdoors.

I live in Ontario and I have a wool/alpaca coat that I am finding MUCH warmer and lighter than the wool coats I remember from my past. Alpaca helps. It's also quite water resistant. But I tend to layer underneath this coat; I might wear a top, a jacket, a scarf, etc. underneath.

And for the REALLY cold days I will still pull out my puffer. If you always walk and live in a cold climate, I think a puffer is really a necessity.

14 years ago

Anonymous

I think Thinsulate+wool is better than plain wool, but Suz is right, nothing beats down!
(she said from her balmy desert home)

14 years ago

Category