So you’ve slipped on winter boots with a shearling liner, GORE-TEX® membrane, and enough insulation to make an emperor penguin jealous. But not so fast, Nanook. You’ve still got the rest of you to worry about. Cause if all you’ve got up top is some long-sleeve cotton and a nice crop of chest hair, you’ll barely make it past December.
The secret to keeping warm outdoors (other than a portable heater and a really really long extension cord) is layering. Start with a base, for example thermal underwear, then add an insulation layer such as fleece and finish it all off with an outer shell like our jackets and down coats.
I can’t stress enough how important the outer shell is in your outdoor ensemble. You want something of quality, durability and, naturally, looks great. And of course, you can find all three in the coats from The North Face, Patagonia, Marmot, Mountain Hardware and the other outdoor brands at Onlineshoes.
As for me, when the season is just starting off, I reach for something light but protective like the men’s Mountain Hardware Microgrid Jacket. Its high-cut collar keeps me toasty on brisk mornings out on the trail and even before when standing in line for that much needed coffee.
Then when the season kicks into full gear and the mercury drops to new lows, I like to call in the big guns: Down jackets. Synthetic and wool insulation have their moments, but when you really need to keep warm, it’s goose down all the way. Personally, this men’s Marmot Zeus Jacket has kept me snuggly warm on hundreds of adventures (and, apparently, comfortable enough to say the word “snuggly”). The 800-fill goose down and wind flap cuts down even the chilliest of breezes.
Of course, women need to stay warm, too. And while my own special lady could always keep warm in my arms, she strangely prefers to slip on the Patagonia Down Sweater – which surprisingly is not a sweater but an ultra-lightweight goose down jacket. Of course, she also loves the goes-with-anything, 550-fill goose down warmth of The North Face W Aconcagua Jacket. And really, there’s way too many more to mention here.
So if there’s just one thing you remember before heading out to enjoy all that winter has to offer, it’s to layer. Sure, you’ll be a little puffier than usual, but with our great looking jackets, it’ll be in a really flattering way. Promise.
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