Best Cold Weather coat under $200.00

I live in MN and have slowly learned that layering is the way to go. Sweat-wicking shirts go near the body on the colder days but a fleece jacket/shirt and a separate outer breathable waterproof shell with a hood is all you usually need. I have big jackets, but only use those if I'm going to be standing or sitting outside doing nothing.

Montbell makes some of the best down jackets for a really affordable price. None of that Patagonia and Arc'Teryx.

Look at their Frost Line or Alpine Light, with hoods. The down is definitely worth it. If you get a waterproof shell to go over it, you can handle most stuff that comes your way.

Columbia and Mountain Hardwear have lifetime warranties on their jackets. I'm biased because I work for them, which also means I can get you a discount if you are interested. If so, leave your email (link it to your username).

I didn't think Columbia was that good of a coat. I've never heard of the other company. I appreciate the discount offer but I'm interested in what material is best.

Just get a cheap knockoff/counterfeit winter coat from amazon or aliexpress. Pay attention to sizing and reviews, but you can save tons of money. And the counterfeits are made in the same Chinese sweatshops as the originals anyway. Works for me.

Never heard of Columbia Sportswear? Really? Been around since 1938 and just behind Nike in biggest apparel company in the Northwest, but I digress. I can tell you Mountain Hardwear makes higher end/better coats than Columbia, but both are good.

Columbia is to L.L. Bean/North Face as Mountain Hardwear is to Patagonia/Arc'Teryx.

Oh you said you've never heard of Mountain Hardwear, so disregard my first comment.

See what your saying is something I've read before, are most companies coats all made at a factory in China and they just stick a label on it ?

No real difference in quality ?

Xcheresedr wrote:

See what your saying is something I've read before, are most companies coats all made at a factory in China and they just stick a label on it ?

No real difference in quality ?

There is no quality control or warranty against defects, zipper failure, etc. Also, the designs and specifications come from the brand directly, so you have to be morally okay with supporting the stealing proprietary information. Oh who am I kidding about morals? This is LetsRun.

What are you talking about ?

The guy talking about layering is correct. Just get a good jacket from a running brand, like this (http://www.newbalance.com/pd/windblocker-jacket/MRJ4307.html?dwvar_MRJ4307_color=Petrol_with_Laser%20Blue#color=Petrol_with_Laser Blue) or this (http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/mens-infiniti-jacket-iv/210526.html?dwvar_210526_color=001#start=2). Then get a decent mid layer and base layer, and away you go. You don't really need anything heavy. You just need to block the wind and keep some heat in.

No down jackets ?

I bought a Columbia jacket last winter and had some problems with it. They completely stood behind it so this winter I have a brand new jacket courtesy Columbia. So I can vouch for their warranty and service.

Xchereseder wrote:

No down jackets ?

I have this one

One of the best purchases I have ever made. I can wear just a t-shirt under it down to about 25-30 degrees with no wind. Colder then that and I have a micro fleece I wear and I am good down to 0. It has solid wind resistance too.

I have had mine for now beginning its third season and it holds up very well. No issues with tears, and I lose only a handful of feathers a year.

Looks like a decent coat. Might just pick one up.

Do you guys believe the reviews on websites ?

It may be useful to familiarize yourself with types of products before you go looking for brands.

Baselayer - next to skin, moves moisture away from the body to keep you dry and subsequently comfier on cold weather. Usually synthetic (Helly Hansen, Craft, Mizuno Breath Thermo are all excellent) but sometimes wool (Smartwool, IceBreakers).

Midlayer - insulation, can usually work as a standalone. Not waterproof or windproof, but very warm otherwise. Comes in heavy fleece, synthetic down, or feather down. Fleece is cheapest, but not very warm for the weight and doesn't block wind very well. Synthetic down is less warm than feather down but holds up to precipitation better. It's also not as puffy, which a school aged kid might take into account in terms of style. Feather down is warmest, but goes all to shit if it gets too wet, it's usually by far the priciest, and it has the big puffball look.

Shell - softshell or hardshell. Softshells are more breathable but not 100% water proof. They are still pretty water resistant. Blast 'em with a hose and they're staying dry. Stand in rain for an hour and they eventually soak through. Hardshells are 100% waterproof. Nothing gets through. Less breathable though.

Not knowing Utah well, my understanding is that it's VERY cold, pretty windy, but not too much precipitation. Get your son a mid-price-range synthetic down and then a cheap hard shell. You should be able to find a good synthetic down piece in the 125-150 price range, then a cheap off-brand shell for 50 dollars or less. Go brand name on the synthetic down (Patagonia, Mountain Hardware are favorites of mine, several other brands mentioned above do good work also) and then generic sports store for the shell. He'll get more regular use out of the synthetic down piece, but can augment it with the shell if needed. Good luck!

Thanks to all for your suggestions and links. I'm going to be buying a winter coat myself this week, and the input is really helpful!.

I will say that I've been really pleased with my "regular" Members Only jacket this week. This evening the temp is in the 20s Fahrenheit and there's a sometimes-stiff wind blowing, but I was comfortable in my work clothes and the jacket, a scarf, and a cap.

Gotta say that my "work clothes" include thermal underwear under my dress shirt/slacks, with a sweater over the shirt, though. Most of the places where I work are a bit cold, winter and summer, and I've learned that I need the thermals as part of my standard office garb, and often have to supplement with a sweater.

I bought a North Face Nuptse 700 goose down in good condition from eBay for $125 or so last year. It was warm in -10 degree weather with wind chill. Combined with long underwear and good gloves and a fake fur cap, I kept warm.

Just make sure he takes it to a dry cleaner who knows how to clean goose down without damaging it. Will last a long time .

Xcswederer wrote:

Looks like a decent coat. Might just pick one up.

Do you guys believe the reviews on websites ?

I didn't even realize it until I looked at the link I posted but the top review there is mine from a few years back. So yea at least that one you can believe! I am also happy to see a few others found it useful on there. I forgot I even reviewed it.

A lot of times for outdoor, climbing, and camping stuff I go to moosejaw or backcountry.com and check reviews there for ideas on if i am going to like something or not.