7 ms·
After 5 winters of Berlin, I have decided to treat myself proper heat tech clothing. The difference in comfort is such that I barely feel any kind of fatigue o
by xcambar 6y ago
After 5 winters of Berlin, I have decided to treat myself proper heat tech clothing.
The difference in comfort is such that I barely feel any kind of fatigue or depression that the cold temperatures used to put on me.
It has changed my perception of winter and I couldn't have spent my money any better.
This is a costly investment though, be warned.
For the curious, the keyword that started it all: "layered clothing" and "layering".
- afterwalk 6y agoAny specific suggestions on brand/tech/material?
- loldot_ 6y agoWool. A wool undershirt, thick wool sweater and wind-proof, water-proof jacket has kept me comfortable down to about -15C. You can pickup some really nice gear on the cheap from army surplus sales in Norway at least, but I think it's the same in most NATO countries.
- THE_PUN_STOPS 6y agoDitto, I am also interested on any input from others who have dabbled in the field that OP mentions. Being from the Northeastern United States, I have always just picked up base layers of various thickness from L.L. Bean, like this: https://global.llbean.com/shop/Long-Underwear-Base-Layers/516180 https://global.llbean.com/shop/Long-Underwear-Base-Layers/51... I don't think of this as a technology or expensive, though. They are somewhat pricey, but can be worn for many winters and thus have good value.
- colebowl 6y agoLiving in the Canadian Rockies, we regularly see temperatures in the -20c (-4f) and colder range. I'd highly recommend looking at: [1] - Outdoor Research - https://outdoorresearch.com https://outdoorresearch.com [2] - Patagonia - https://patagonia.com https://patagonia.com [3] - Arc'teryx - https://arcteryx.com https://arcteryx.com And as others have mentioned, it's all about layering!
- ashtonkem 6y agoI'd also recommend Mountain Hardware. Some of the North Face's more expensive stuff is good too: my sleeping bag comes from them. Look for companies that are long standing and have good warranties. These companies have good reputations to protect, and are aware that buyers of outdoor gear tend to be very loyal to companies that treat them well. My family personally swore off Columbia after two of their coats failed us catastrophically, for example.
- danparsonson 6y agoIf you have access to Uniqlo where you are, they make a nice range of decent-quality thermals. Durable and tidy without being too pricey.
- ratww 6y agoThe suggestions by the sibling comments are great. I'm also in Berlin and I use Uniqlo's HeatTech undershirt and long johns under jeans/shirt. They're pretty cheap (€10 each) and it makes a lot of difference. I never feel cold. A good jacket is also essential. Downfeather Jackets are my favourite. Other than that it's just a hoodie between shirt and jacket, scarfs and "hand-shoes". The Coronavirus mask also helps during windy days.
- xcambar 6y ago"Hand-shoes" Read "gloves". I smiled reading that literal translation of "handschuhe" <3
- StavrosK 6y agoHah, is that what you call footgloves? "Shoes"? Interesting.
- presentation 6y agoIn Japanese it’s hand bags (手袋), and the old school split Japanese socks are foot bags (tabi, 足袋) :)
- m12k 6y agoHigh quality merino wool doesn't itch (at least not for most people), is naturally odor-resistant and can be super comfortable. I mostly use Icebreaker, but Smartwool and Aclima make good stuff too.
- yarcob 6y ago+1 for Icebreaker. Their fabrics are a blend of wool with synthetic materials, and they are the best shirts I've ever had. Unlike other wool fabrics they are very easy to take care of. I wash them just like cotton, no special detergents needed. Not even high spin cycles seem to harm them. (But I've never put them in the dryer, so I don't know if they would survive that). They may be odor resistant, but for me they still get smelly after two or three days. A lot better than cotton, but not odor free. The downsides are that even their lightest fabrics are too warm for summer, and the fabric is a lot less mechanically sturdy as cotton. It seems to tear easily. Most of my older icebreaker shirts have a few holes, even though the fabric still looks like new.
- xcambar 6y agoIn addition to what's already been answered, Odlo and Ice breaker are on the higher price point, but definitely worth the price. If you have Decathlon nearby, start with them and ramp up as needed.
- rashkov 6y agoIf you want to dip a toe into this without spending much, 32degrees has a a pretty good sale right now. In the men's baselayers section you'll find shirts for $7, leggings for $9). I think they're one of those Costco brands. I've heard that some of their stuff pills up after a few washes, but that's not really a big deal for me at this price.
- dclowd9901 6y agoIcebreaker makes extremely good thermal wear. It’s comfortable, warm, breathable and looks great. Be prepared to spend though.
- odiroot 6y agoI usually wear Uniqlo heattech sweater and when it gets very cold, Uniqlo heattech undershirts. I don't like puffy winter jackets so I wear a long wool coat instead.
- KozmoNau7 6y agoAs others have already suggested, wool is king. I would recommend having a look at https://varusteleka.com https://varusteleka.com, they're the biggest outdoor/surplus store in Europe, and they ship just about anywhere. Their wool flannel shirts and field shirts are the best I've ever owned, as are their worker wool pants, and they have enough merino clothing to layer for any weather. Aside from the own brands, they often get very good surplus winter gear in, like thick Swiss knitted wool sweaters, Czech parkas, Finnish wool pants and so on. My current winter outerwear workhorses are a Czech parka and a pair of Finnish M65 wool pants, total cost less than €50. With long johns and a woolen sweater underneath, I have yet to encounter winter weather that would make me uncomfortable.
- praptak 6y agoIt can be costly but it doesn't have to. You pay extra for comfort, looks, low weight and obviously the branding. Warmth itself is cheap if you accept clothes that are a bit heavier and maybe not ultra-breathable. Adding a pair of cotton long johns and a cotton long sleeve turtleneck underneath whatever you are wearing can easily keep you warm, it's just not super comfortable and not super fashionable.
- dancek 6y agoCotton underwear doesn't work that well if your activity varies. Wear enough cotton to be warm while sitting for hours, and you're certain to be sweaty after five minutes of physical activity. And moist cotton underwear makes you cold. I tend to wear wool long johns from December to March. Decades of experience with cotton, too. Wool is much, much better.
- unethical_ban 6y agoThis is a "technically correct" post. However, the post is suggesting people in comfortable status quos change their behavior - the OP is explaining that yes, it's totally achievable to be comfortably warm in all activities indoors and out, but it costs money.
- hordeallergy 6y agoTotally disagree with the layers philosophy. Way too much fuss. In mid-winter London I wear a t-shirt and a jacket. Perfectly warm. Just get a good jacket. Easy on, off, no ceremony.
- capnahab 6y agoer,London is not cold.
- lm28469 6y agoBerlin neither, all you need is a tshirt and a down sweater/light jacket like this: https://www.rei.com/product/871413/patagonia-down-sweater-mens https://www.rei.com/product/871413/patagonia-down-sweater-me... (or 4 time cheaper at other brands). I know because that's what I use regularly for long walks and even bike trips
- xcambar 6y ago2 things: * this Patagonia down jacket is a killer jacket, it's a-ma-zing. Of course it gets the job done. * bike rides require less clothing than walking, because your body heat keeps you warm. Plus, if you're not a heavy sweater, you're blessed (as am I).
- Germanika 6y agoAgreed that the jacket is great. Point is, as a Canadian I consider it a layering piece, not a winter jacket. :)
- leetcrew 6y agothere's certainly a tradeoff to be made here. putting on three extra layers just to go to the store is a pain. I do find that layers are much more versatile if you're going to be spending a lot of time outside or going in and out of spaces at a wide range of temperatures. with only a winter jacket and a t-shirt, I am likely choosing between being way too hot or way too cold. my winter coat is pretty bulky, so if I'm not wearing it, I'm carrying it. when I'm going out for a while in the winter, I like to wear a cotton shirt, a wool sweater, insulated vest, a medium-weight windproof jacket, and a mostly empty backpack. if I get too warm, the vest and possibly the sweater can just go in the backpack. with this setup, I can be comfortable at any temperature from 30F to 60F without having to hold onto anything I'm not wearing. on really cold days, I swap in my heavy winter coat.
- capnahab 6y agoWhat did you go for?,- I live in Northern Europe too.
- xcambar 6y agoSibling comments are packed with great recommendations. tl;dr; long sleeve undershirts and under jeans all day, every day. A sweater. Down jacket. Wind-proof jacket.
- baxtr 6y agoInteresting. Could you share a list of products you have bought?
- xcambar 6y agoSibling comments say it all ;)
- odiroot 6y agoWinters in Berlin are particularly annoying because they're very humid. The cold seems to be penetrating deep into your bones.
- presentation 6y agoYou can put together an array of warm layers on the cheap at Uniqlo - their ultralight down and heattech lines are very warm, well-made, and inexpensive.