Tips to Newcomers regarding buying winter jakcets and boots

I am so thankful to the friend who first came with me to select my first winter coat. I am sure I would never have bought the jacket she convinced me to buy because I found it exensive and bulky to look at. Especially if you have never experienced a winter in Canada it can get difficult to imagine what kind of shoes/jacket one needs. I thought it might be helpful to put down some basic criteria for buying warm winterwear (not necessarily stylish as staying warm is the primary concern for people not used to the winter). I have put down some thoughts and found some images that look like the kinds of jackets/shoes I would recommend. The images are only to give you an idea and definitely do not mean that I am recommending one or the other brand as I don’t . Others experienced in Canadian winters please feel free to add/change this list.
For BOOTS
Look for:
· A label that says cold weather boots (preferably upto -25/-30 degrees
· A furry lining inside
· Soles that have treads that give you good grip on the snow
· Preferably something mid calf so that it keeps you warm and keeps the pants dry
· I find that zippered boots are warmer than laced ones.
(See for example the boots that meet some of the warm weather criteria on http://www.sears.ca/catalog/sears/0/0/P_IsOnSale%7C1%7C%7CP_DollarsOff%7C1%7C%7CP_PercentageOff%7C1/24?display=listing&Nr=OR(AND(P_Published:1,1230),AND(P_Published:1,1284),AND(P_Published:1,1300),AND(P_Published:1,1256))

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.besportier.com/archives/waterproof-winter-boots-for-men-l-l-bean-shearling-boots.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.besportier.com/archives/waterproof-winter-boots-for-men-llbean-shearling-boots.html&usg=__GzxXDQbObXwOWsfz_qbWnY9iXas=&h=439&w=441&sz=121&hl=en&start=1&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=vlOUTjNT8AXoSM:&tbnh=126&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwinter%2Bboots%2Bmen%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-ca:IE-Address%26rlz%3D1I7ADFA_en%26tbs%3Disch:1

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.firsttreks.com/images/product/FW161-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.firsttreks.com/ViewProduct.asp%3FModelNumber%3DFW161&usg=__b4UquSNpizmG-hQ7UltSZr6OugI=&h=382&w=321&sz=70&hl=en&start=29&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=v-DPWJ3RDlniMM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=103&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkids%2Bwinter%2Bboots%26start%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4ADFA_enCA396%26ndsp%3D18%26tbs%3Disch:1


For Jackets
Be sure to get something not too fitting so that you can put on layers underneath.
· -I personally find down jackets really warm and recommend them for ladies
· -look for temperature rating on the jacket (for example preferably upto -30 degrees)
· -longer the jacket the more warmth
· need a hood attached to the jacket. The hood is to hood your head (over your hat) so that you can see where you are going when it is snowing hard.
· If not down jacket take the ones that have similar temperature rating but have layers (for example three layered (3 in 1) winter jackets)
· If searching for a job a woollen coat looks the best but they are not as warm.
· Go for a neutral colours for adult jackets as far as possible as it is more versatile.
· Important that you can machine wash the jacket
You get down jackets at North face (more expensive) , landsend, bay (has a 40% off sale right now), sears. Good 3 in One jackets available at SportCheck/ Columbia/Zellers/Sears
See images for example : http://shinynylon.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/g0_the_north_face_womens_metropolis_parka_jacket_2010_black.jpg)

http://www.landsend.com/pp/StylePage-394679_AE.html?amp;CM_MERCH=REC-_-FPPP-_-GGT-_-1-_-394679-_-394641

http://www.sears.ca/product/president-stone-jacket/645-000838151-WVY1M615P

http://www.sears.ca/product/northpeak-girls-2-piece-snowsuit/629-000349522-025244_4__7_CAT_8_

http://www.sears.ca/catalog/outerwear-coats/11125-130

http://www.sears.ca/product/northpeak-boys-snowsuits-with-extra-ski-pants/629-000349522-020184

http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/P11747193.jpg
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