debcsus
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 60
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Post by debcsus on Aug 5, 2004 0:47:13 GMT -5
I think I got my backpack, now I need to figure out what to put in it..
There are so many options for jackets or layering I'm trying to figure out which way to go. Is it better to just have one jacket to deal with everything.. water resistant, breathable, warm, etc? I kind of like this option, but all the jackets I saw were pretty expensive. Or should I just get a fleece and waterproof shell? I saw some waterproof shell jackets and pants that roll up into a tiny bag that would fit really easily into my daypack.
I'm also trying to figure out shoes if anyone has any tips on those as well.
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Nicstar
Senior Travel Member
i like the sound of my own voice, i never gave anyone else a choice
Posts: 190
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Post by Nicstar on Aug 5, 2004 16:02:20 GMT -5
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Post by Kim on Aug 5, 2004 17:48:00 GMT -5
You want to look for a jacket that is preferably wind and waterproof especially. The winds can cut right through you. You may have to spend some money on this but it will be well worth it - we would have frozen to death in the winter months without them.
Mine was a North Face and my husband to be's was something similar. I think if I had to do it again, I would get a less bulky one than I chose, as you will be layer. At times, I felt a bit like a snowman. The hood was great though, it was large enough that I didn't have to use an umbrella.
As far as layer, you want a good thermal undershirt, a warm scarf, good gloves and warm socks. You will also want some fleece or similar style shirts.
You are going in the fall/winter, right?
Kim
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Post by LHR02 on Aug 5, 2004 18:30:10 GMT -5
This is the jacket I bought for my winter trip and I wholeheartedly recommend it or something similiar: www.landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/0,,1_2_1930_2326_109182_87629_5:view=59,00.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_197&sid=2972044221817196890 It is not especially bulky at all, yet gives great water and wind protection, has enough insulation to offer good warmth, will easily accomodate sweaters and such underneath and best of all has 6 POCKETS OUTSIDE AND 4 INSIDE, including a really great 'hidden' pocket that I did not even find myself for a few weeks. Pockets big enough to easily hold my point and shoot camera, guidebook, hat, scarf, gloves....I really loved this jacket. Mid thigh length, drawstring waist, reasonable price....it's a great one! |
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debcsus
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 60
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Post by debcsus on Aug 5, 2004 18:31:51 GMT -5
I'll be in Ireland/Scotland/England the last week of August through the last week in Sept. then in France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Spain (in that order) through the end of Oct. I looked at some jackets the other night and found one or two I liked. I don't really like the expense, but I think I just have to bite the bullet and get something good. Here is one that I saw, but it's only water resistant. I'd prefer to get just one jacket, but I'm considering getting something like this, or a fleece and just using a waterproof shell over the top? www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47576084&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&vcat=REI_SSHP_WOMENS_CLOTHING_TOC |
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Post by WillTravel on Aug 5, 2004 19:51:00 GMT -5
That looks like a great coat, DOM. What color did you get?
I imagine my navy wool winter coat would be totally unsuitable for serious winter travel because it's so heavy. Then I have a blue winter jacket (fairly similar to the background color on this board actually), but it's not the greatest when it comes to getting soaked and it's very bulky. Maybe I'll have to bite the bullet and get something.
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Nicstar
Senior Travel Member
i like the sound of my own voice, i never gave anyone else a choice
Posts: 190
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Post by Nicstar on Aug 6, 2004 5:00:04 GMT -5
you know.... all this research is driving me insane! ;D
I was talking to a friend of mine today who skis every year, and was telling her about the kind of jacket I wanted, and what I'd read on here, and what I had seen on the net, and she said "you want one like my ski jacket" I was a bit unsure at first, and so she got her "ski jacket" out of the car- which turned out to be the one I've seen her wear around the place quite regularly. The stylish surf brand jacket I thought she was wearing all the time is actually a stylish ski jacket. And it turned out she bought it as an ex-hire item, quite cheaply! I put it on, and explored it turns out its basically what I want, with a few extra features, but being ex-hire is the same cost as it would be without extra features brand new....
Apparently our local ski shop always has stylish, good quality ex-hires for sale at good prices. We don't live anywhere near the snow so I guess this must be how they get some of their overheads back on those items- I'm heading there this weekend to check out their ex-hire gear!
Just a thought to keep in mind I guess...
Having shown an interest in said jacket, apparently I am now included in next years ski trip!
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Post by me on Aug 6, 2004 22:16:43 GMT -5
"Ex-hire?" things that were once rented? this term is new to me.
- d
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Nicstar
Senior Travel Member
i like the sound of my own voice, i never gave anyone else a choice
Posts: 190
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Post by Nicstar on Aug 6, 2004 23:28:43 GMT -5
yeah......last season's hire stock, they sell very cheaply the next season. Mind you not tatty old things, only the things that are in excellent quality. My friend said when buying her jacket, she compared it to the same one brand new, and couldn't see any difference......there were no marks, no fraying, nothing to show it had been worn previously. And was much much cheaper.
Obviously I'd not go buying something that smelt like someone had spent 3 months skiing in it! OR had marks or anything. Around these parts, we're not close to any ski areas (it doesn't even snow here), so those who do go on ski trips from here usually are regular enthusists who buy all their own gear, or the first timer who hires a jacket (and other gear) for a week- I don't think they hire out half as much as they'd sell.
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Post by Kim on Aug 6, 2004 23:53:35 GMT -5
I think that's a great idea. Plus, if you get it for cheaper you won't be devestated if you spill on it etc. - or any of the other crazy things that can happen to your clothing while travelling!
Kim
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Post by me on Aug 7, 2004 15:15:37 GMT -5
actually, there is a used clothing shop very near where i live! it's called "Clotheshorse Anonymous." not for things that have been rented, i don't think. but high quality dresses & women's outfits that others have sold.
i've never been inside, they only sell women's clothes. but it's a great idea! [there are a some women who only wear an outfit once or twice, then it's "old" to them]
my sister just bought some clothes there for herself & her daughter, i think.
- d
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Post by LHR02 on Aug 7, 2004 15:43:19 GMT -5
WT, I got the mulberry color. Have thrown this thing in the washer a few times now, still looks brand new. It's a great coat and rolls up fairly small so when I didn't need it I could easily attach it to my pack. Very warm but not bulky at all.
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debcsus
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 60
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Post by debcsus on Aug 9, 2004 0:58:55 GMT -5
I've finally gotten it narrowed down to two softshell all in one jackets. They are both on sale for $100, one is an rei brand and the other is a north face. The only problem with them is they don't have a hood, but I think I'm going to get an additional jacket that is just a shell. They are the ones that come in a little stuff sack at REI and I'll probably get the matching pants. They have them on sale for $10.00 at REI.
Another thing I just found out this weekend is that some REI's have a sale every month where they take all of the returned and/or used items from storage and sell them at really reduced rates. Almost everything I saw was at least 50% off, including an Eagle Creek backpack. I almost got it, but it was too big to fit me correctly. They also had a perfect jacket that was too big for me, but fit my boyfriend perfectly. This wasn't an advertised sale, it was in an employee only section of the store and I just happened to stumble into it because I saw a string of people go in. Some stuff was sketchy, but a lot of it was in really good condition. You just have to ask the staff when, and if, they have these sales.
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Post by dumbdiety on Oct 7, 2004 8:35:20 GMT -5
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Post by dumbdiety on Oct 7, 2004 8:38:39 GMT -5
Hey, my icon is finally showing up! 'Bout time!
Doug
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