Winter Clothing Advice

[kosongice]

Hi all, I would like to check why I can purchase winter gear locally, and if there are different grades depending on how harsh the weather conditions are.

Personally, I've NEVER had any experience with extreme cold, so I don't exactly know how to do my shopping.

What items do I need? Are gloves and headgear necessary? What type of socks and footwear are suitable? Also, where can I find affordable stuff? Any good brands to look out for?

Hoping for some guidance to get me started, I'm looking at winter in Hokkaido for a trip next year. Thanks!

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[Beta_Tester]

Get those from Northface.

Actually I used those from Uniqlo with their thermal wear for temp above 10. With heat pad. Below 10. I deploy my North Face. All of my stuff are waterproof. With hoodie.

 

[Din0saurus]

2 things that matter. wind and cold protection. you definitely need more insulation the colder it gets. then there's also factors like personal tolerance level and activity level. personally i generate a lot of heat, so i tend to pile on the layers if i'm doing something static but wear lesser than normal when out doing any kind of activity. that's why it's not really possible to advise someone on what to get and clothes don't come with temperature rating.

locally, you can get uniqlo for cheap stuff, but i have slowly replaced my uniqlo with stuff from outdoor life and camper's corner. a basic set up would be a baselayer, fleece and windproof shell. buy your stuff in difference sizes if needed so you can wear everything at once. layering helps to control your insulation level depending on whether you're indoors or outdoors and as temperature changes during the day. mittens are better than gloves btw. i would think gloves and headgear are necessary for your first trip although i don't need them down to freezing point any more. get merino socks they're the best thing i've ever spent on. i use smartwool's thickest ones. for footwear, i'm still surviving in leather boots, but sorel is a good brand to look at if you're interested. most people in greenland wear them. not that pricey but i'm couldn't justify the purchase since i wouldn't get to use them that often.

edit: i've gone out for a 30min walk at 1 degrees in uniqlo fleece that everyone would tell you is ****. not exactly comfortable but good enough not to feel miserable.

 

[Hisashiburi]

yea really depends on your cold tolerance.
I've seen people walk around in a tshirt while im bundled in 3 layers. lol

Best way is to layer your clothes so u can put on/remove as u wish.

1. Inner wear like Heattech tshirt

2. Mid layer like a wool sweater

3. Outer Jacket/coat. Get something insulated and preferably water repellent(snow n rain). Down jacket or those other insulated ones.

4. Gloves especially if u are going to snow areas and/or skiing.
But Not necessary. I generally have a light wool knit glove that i keep in the jacket's pockets. Dont like those heavy gloves.
But u need heavy gloves if u are going skiing or making snowballs!

5. Wool Hat that covers the ears or a jacket hood.
I prefer to use the hood on the jacket so I dont have to bring around a hat.

6. Long johns or those uniqlo heat tech innterwear tights.
Good if u are staying outside for long time otherwise, it heats up fast when indoors.

7. Wool pants or those heat tech pants. Jeans are ok but not so good. Jeans are cotton and get cold/frozen when wet. Not very insulating either.
But i wear jeans though. lol

8. Wool socks preferably. Quicker to dry and warmer.

9. Boots with traction. Need leather at least so water wont get in. Goretex is nice but not necessary.

10. Big wool Scarf if u want. Looks cool and can cover face but bulky. Another added item.


I feel the Uniqlo stuff is good enough for up to Hokkaido winter time temperatures.
Wore 3 layers in -20 temperature in Korea and it was ok for me.

As mentioned, the wind can be a killer.
Jacket should keep out the wind.

Hi all, I would like to check why I can purchase winter gear locally, and if there are different grades depending on how harsh the weather conditions are.

Personally, I've NEVER had any experience with extreme cold, so I don't exactly know how to do my shopping.

What items do I need? Are gloves and headgear necessary? What type of socks and footwear are suitable? Also, where can I find affordable stuff? Any good brands to look out for?

Hoping for some guidance to get me started, I'm looking at winter in Hokkaido for a trip next year. Thanks!

Sent from my toaster oven using GAGT

 

[Din0saurus]

down loses it's insulation when wet btw. you need something waterproof on top of that if the weather turns really nasty. some companies have started releasing water resistant down, but it's still uncommon and it's safe to assume that if you don't see it listed on the tag, it's not water resistant. a synthetic puffy might make more sense. i.e. primaloft, thermoball, nano puff.

the benefit of using down/synthetic puffy as a base layer is that the material is smooth, so it slides between your base layer and shell much better than fleece. they also insulate better, so less weight.

 

[kosongice]

Thanks Hisashiburi and Din0saurus for the detailed response!

Quite a suaku guy here, hardly travel and never been to places that is really cold. Any particular shops or places I can start looking? Also, with regard to socks and footwear, are sneakers still an option in winter, or do I really have to don a pair of boots? Will the SAF combat boots suffice?

Also, how are prices for winter wear like? Say from head to toe, would $500 cover everything?

 

[Hisashiburi]

Ive seen locals in Korea wear New Balance sneakers in winter with cotton socks in -20 weather...but i dont recommend it. lol

Not sure about SAF combat boots.
Havent used those in a long time.

What u want to look for is traction and water resistant at least due to the wet snow and ice.
If there is snow, your boots are going to get wet n dont want the boots n socks to get soaked.

Ya, 500sgd should be more than enough to cover all your winter wear.

I find that uniqlo has cheap and quite good winter wear.
Not sure if they still have sales.

Thanks Hisashiburi and Din0saurus for the detailed response!

Quite a suaku guy here, hardly travel and never been to places that is really cold. Any particular shops or places I can start looking? Also, with regard to socks and footwear, are sneakers still an option in winter, or do I really have to don a pair of boots? Will the SAF combat boots suffice?

Also, how are prices for winter wear like? Say from head to toe, would $500 cover everything?

 

[Hisashiburi]

If u dont travel much especially for winter travel, maybe can just borrow a winter coat from a friend.

Not much point spending over 100sgd for just a week or two of use.

 

[Din0saurus]

Thanks Hisashiburi and Din0saurus for the detailed response!

Quite a suaku guy here, hardly travel and never been to places that is really cold. Any particular shops or places I can start looking? Also, with regard to socks and footwear, are sneakers still an option in winter, or do I really have to don a pair of boots? Will the SAF combat boots suffice?

Also, how are prices for winter wear like? Say from head to toe, would $500 cover everything?

if your boots aren't that generation with holes to drain water, i don't see why not. you can get away with sneakers if snow cover isn't thick and your itinerary doesn't involve long periods outside. i can wear flip flops out for a quick coffee and smoke at -10C, but after 1 hour sitting still on a boat, even boots start feeling cold. if it's mostly in the city, you can always go into a convenience store or cafe to warm up, so sneakers are ok.

with a budget of $500 i think uniqlo is the only place to go. or maybe taobao but i'm not familiar with taobao.

$100 for 2x sets of heattech (top and bottom)
$30 for 1x insulated plants
$200 for 2x down jackets to layer (different sizes. best $ for warmth i would think.)
$60 for 2x pairs of merino socks.
that leaves $110 for gloves and head wear.

if you want the really nice stuff, just the shell can cost $500 or more...

Ive seen locals in Korea wear New Balance sneakers in winter with cotton socks in -20 weather...but i dont recommend it. lol

Not sure about SAF combat boots.
Havent used those in a long time.

What u want to look for is traction and water resistant at least due to the wet snow and ice.
If there is snow, your boots are going to get wet n dont want the boots n socks to get soaked.

Ya, 500sgd should be more than enough to cover all your winter wear.

I find that uniqlo has cheap and quite good winter wear.
Not sure if they still have sales.

does korea get to -20 and how can you even tell the socks are cotton??

 

[Hisashiburi]

Sometimes during the Korean cold winter, the temp does drop to -20 and that's in the city!
Probably colder in the mountains or oceanside.

Sweetie wears cotton socks during winter... lol

Seen some locals wear NB shoes too.
Probably ventilated and no traction...ouch

 

[AS1]

Try Decathlon. Super cheap winter solutions unless climbing Everest. If you need traction and grip, try finding hiking shoes with deep threads in the sole. High budget Red Wings. Average budget, Magnum/Delta.

 

[Din0saurus]

Sometimes during the Korean cold winter, the temp does drop to -20 and that's in the city!
Probably colder in the mountains or oceanside.

Sweetie wears cotton socks during winter... lol

Seen some locals wear NB shoes too.
Probably ventilated and no traction...ouch

that's like record temperatures at night isn't it? wow you must have been unlucky. I wouldn't think to bring clothes for -20 in korea. the seaside should be warmer and the mountains colder.

I wouldn't wear cotton anything in winter. in fact, sg is the only place I wear cotton. in warm climates I prefer synthetics. did she have boots on at least?

Try Decathlon. Super cheap winter solutions unless climbing Everest. If you need traction and grip, try finding hiking shoes with deep threads in the sole. High budget Red Wings. Average budget, Magnum/Delta.

totally forgot about decathlon! been wanted to check out their stuff but never found the time to.

 

[magna_strike]

can also check out icebreaker merino clothes on amazon, last time they shipped to sg free, now i think no longer which is sad. way cheaper than buying here in sg stores.

 

[kosongice]

Went to Uniqlo for a look yesterday. Quite affordable for the innerwear I must say. But heat tech tights look uncomfortable to me lol. Where can I find merino wool socks in SG?

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[jajajc]

sometimes columbia have sale. Get those 3-in-1 jacket where you the inner layer and shell is attached together and can be removed separately if you feel it is too warm.

http://www.columbia.com/mens-3-in-1-jacket-shells/

There are also other brands with this kind of set up. I find this the easiest. Just bring the entire jacket. Too hot take out the shell, easier. I've survived on 0-4 degrees with this jacket, 1 good marmot inner layer, jeans and boots and it's great.

 

[AS1]

that's like record temperatures at night isn't it? wow you must have been unlucky. I wouldn't think to bring clothes for -20 in korea. the seaside should be warmer and the mountains colder.

I wouldn't wear cotton anything in winter. in fact, sg is the only place I wear cotton. in warm climates I prefer synthetics. did she have boots on at least?



totally forgot about decathlon! been wanted to check out their stuff but never found the time to.

Check out their winter sports section. Most of the items are thankfully 2 digit pricing rather then 3 digit. Only if you are not too fussy on branding.

Uniqlo heat tech surprisingly works well also. Got plenty of weird looks when I walked in 14 Celsius weather with a t-shirt and heat tech inside while they were wearing enough for Korean winter. Every where felt like office Air con to me.

 

[wintersonata1234]

I passed by song & song, got quite nice thick winter clothing.. Cheap too, around $10-$30... The design also quite good if you are not too fussy.. I saw them at holland village branch, just next to HV MRT. Go check it out

 

[Din0saurus]

Went to Uniqlo for a look yesterday. Quite affordable for the innerwear I must say. But heat tech tights look uncomfortable to me lol. Where can I find merino wool socks in SG?

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it's not that bad. sometimes i forget i have it on. anyway, great time to buy since it's GSS.

outdoor life and campers' corner. i bought a pair with the inner liner at outdoor life but i still like the smartwool ones i bought online better.

sometimes columbia have sale. Get those 3-in-1 jacket where you the inner layer and shell is attached together and can be removed separately if you feel it is too warm.

http://www.columbia.com/mens-3-in-1-jacket-shells/

There are also other brands with this kind of set up. I find this the easiest. Just bring the entire jacket. Too hot take out the shell, easier. I've survived on 0-4 degrees with this jacket, 1 good marmot inner layer, jeans and boots and it's great.

that's what i have. would try to find something warmer since Hokkaido is gonna be below freezing in winter. i've worn it and camped out at -6 and it is not something i would want to repeat.

Check out their winter sports section. Most of the items are thankfully 2 digit pricing rather then 3 digit. Only if you are not too fussy on branding.

Uniqlo heat tech surprisingly works well also. Got plenty of weird looks when I walked in 14 Celsius weather with a t-shirt and heat tech inside while they were wearing enough for Korean winter. Every where felt like office Air con to me.

i already have too many jackets but i might get a pair of pants. i've seen a lot of angmohs on the trails in their quecha stuff, so it might be ok for everest base camp.

mountain hardware, columbia and salomon are on sale for GSS. some items are 2 digit pricing.

 

[Laneige]

Wool gd
Cashmere better
But not many can take it on skin. Some might have rashes. Last time I buy long john from Robinson 50-50 cotton n wool. No itch
Buy the cheaper winter times one itch liked don't know what

 

[jarvis]

For gloves, I sometimes double glove. Get a pair of running gloves (thin type that's clingy to you) underneath and a thicker glove / mitt on the outside (preferably something water resistant).

that way when you need to use your fingers, eg to play with the camera settings, you just take the outer gloves off and you still have a layer underneath. Otherwise you suffer when trying to take photos in cold and windy conditions (like the aurora photos in Iceland when you're out in the open for long periods of time and the settings are on manual).