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The Overcoat Thread

WoolyLamb

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I'm surprised that this board would break out the Canada Goose jackets at just -20. Folks must wear some lightweight overcoats.

The warmest thing is always fur, so you can always have an overcoat lined with that. The value of parkas is just reduced layering, in my experience, but this can also be achieved with a shearling coat or something similar.
Thats assuming everyone has those pieces.
 

Cause Moe

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I'm surprised that this board would break out the Canada Goose jackets at just -20. Folks must wear some lightweight overcoats.

The warmest thing is always fur, so you can always have an overcoat lined with that. The value of parkas is just reduced layering, in my experience, but this can also be achieved with a shearling coat or something similar.
There is another value to a down parka. It's likely to weigh less than wool or fur for similar insulation value. It's also nice if you like the Stay Puft® look.
 

epsilon22

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I can imagine wearing shearling on a leather/suede or even wool short jacket like the pilot/flight jackets, but for a long coat it feels a bit much. Wouldn't say it's costumey but definitely too much of a statement piece to be worn regularly. Fur is just straight no for me.
 

DapperDan15

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I can imagine wearing shearling on a leather/suede or even wool short jacket like the pilot/flight jackets, but for a long coat it feels a bit much. Wouldn't say it's costumey but definitely too much of a statement piece to be worn regularly. Fur is just straight no for me.
Ah, you might be thinking of the Marlboro Man look. Some shearling coats come with hidden seams, though, so it's essentially a long suede overcoat. Think Ryan O'Neal in Love Story, or Alain Delon.
 

DapperDan15

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I suppose so. I try to limit my use and wearing of synthetics as much as possible, so possibly I have a few more overcoats than I need. The one parka I own is never really pulled out except for winter trips to very northerly locations.
 

bjhofkin

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I'm surprised that this board would break out the Canada Goose jackets at just -20. Folks must wear some lightweight overcoats.

The warmest thing is always fur, so you can always have an overcoat lined with that. The value of parkas is just reduced layering, in my experience, but this can also be achieved with a shearling coat or something similar.
Certainly the more stylish choice.
First of all, who's talking about Canada Goose (or synthetics)?

Parka-Jacket-Nigel-Cabourn-Everest.jpg


Down is an amazing, natural material with key strengths that fur/shearling can't match.

And YES, it's a way to mitigate the need for layers if for whatever reason you don't want to layer.

Not your personal taste? Cool. But to dismiss it as intrinsically not stylish or unfit somehow is just silliness.
 

JohnMRobie

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I'm surprised that this board would break out the Canada Goose jackets at just -20. Folks must wear some lightweight overcoats.

The warmest thing is always fur, so you can always have an overcoat lined with that. The value of parkas is just reduced layering, in my experience, but this can also be achieved with a shearling coat or something similar.
“At just -20” is a hilarious thing to say about how cold -20°f is.
 

DapperDan15

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First of all, who's talking about Canada Goose (or synthetics)?

Parka-Jacket-Nigel-Cabourn-Everest.jpg


Down is an amazing, natural material with key strengths that fur/shearling can't match.

And YES, it's a way to mitigate the need for layers if for whatever reason you don't want to layer.

Not your personal taste? Cool. But to dismiss it as intrinsically not stylish or unfit somehow is just silliness.
I believe one of the posters on the last page mentioned the brand. They're a fairly common sight in Toronto (where I'm from).

If you find a modern parka made without synthetics, let me know. Most of the best ones combine some kind of syntehtic, water-resistant shell with down filling, and for good reason: it makes for a good wind breaker and keeps you toasty in high winds.

I never said that parkas were unstylish. I was surprised at the temperatures at which people would employ them, that's all. Because I personally limit synthetics in my life, I had one or two other possibilities that I thought were worth mentioning in case other members didn't know.
 

DapperDan15

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“At just -20” is a hilarious thing to say about how cold -20°f is.
I guess it might be. I was outdoors for about six hours in temperatures slightly lower than -20F on Tuesday, without needing to break out either shearling or a parka (though I did wear a heavy overcoat, long wool socks, and such). I find it's all about the ears - if my head is cold, I'll be miserable.
 

epsilon22

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I guess it might be. I was outdoors for about six hours in temperatures slightly lower than -20F on Tuesday, without needing to break out either shearling or a parka (though I did wear a heavy overcoat, long wool socks, and such). I find it's all about the ears - if my head is cold, I'll be miserable.
What do you wear on your head with wool/shearling overcoats? Usually I only have knit wool caps but those won't suffice for -20F I imagine. Not that I've ever experienced -20F, -20C is probably the coldest I've been to.
 

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