I’m looking for a super warm winter coat that will last me forever. Something that will keep me warm around -30 C. I’m thinking military surplus, because it should theoretically be more durable (right?).
Price isn’t a huge issue if the quality is worth it.
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I think you have an overly optimistic view of military gear. The stuff I had when I was in the army in the eighties was absolutely atrocious. I’ve heard they’re doing better these days but I’d always go for quality civilian gear if i had the choice.
Military gear just needs to keep you alive and able to fight.
Civilian gear needs to keep you comfy, else no one would buy it.US military used to have a really good coat. Apparently one of the best, but they don’t make it anymore.
And my Estonian military boots are amazing
#eestimentioned
Do you mean the field jacket or an actual big coat? Generally everyone recommends having multiple good layers rather than a big coat that can make you sweat.
I had this idea of buying an army coat from a typically cold country as they’d theoretically be designed to be durable and warm.
I found a Polish army jacket in my local army shop. In the mad off chance you live near Madrid, it’s in Argüelles.
It’s quilt lined and it also has a quilted removable lining. It’s very warm, I used it for work at a job in October/November last year and I didn’t feel the cold at all.
I also waxed it myself to make it waterproof, which might have helped keep some heat in?
So yeah, long story short. Buy one from a colder country
As someone who once believed the same as you, military surplus can really be hit and miss. It will either be the best that you have ever seen and built like a tank or the worst flimsy, rubbish bag with arms and legs that you have seen.
Edit: typo.
look at mammut “eiger” range of coat https://www.mammut.com/ch/de/eiger-extreme can be repaired and is built like a tank for civilians in extreme conditions
the best is its class https://www.mammut.com/ch/de/products/1013-04080-2291/eiger-nordwand-pro-down-in-hooded-parka-men can be resold and keep its value too, it is an investment…
But you should get something lighter if you are constantly moving, this is for artic conditions :-)
At that temperature, you want to be layering properly if you’re going to be outside for a long period. If you’re just going out briefly, any field jacket or parka with a padded liner will probably do well enough.
Yeah. I’m stubborn and specifically looking for something I don’t need to layer with. Problem is anywhere I go is hot indoors, so I have to completely unlayer. I kind of wanted something that is a single piece
That’s a cool idea, but I think a single coat just doesn’t work at those temps. Layering isn’t just for variety of temps you can adjust for, the layers themselves and the air they trap at each layer are part of the solution.
Layering is the answer. Sorry. I don’t mean to repeat everyone else, but I spent years living in Alaska.
Once you’re used to layering, you’ll look back at your past self as so foolish!
Hm, I’d suggest a heavy winter jacket with some sort of soft lining because it acts as an insulation layer and outer layer. Army jackets are good but they’re generally also meant to be layered. High quality commercial stuff will probably be better overall.
Take a look at the US Army ECWS layering concept. Layer 7 is a winter insulation layer with primaloft.
Surplus does often just mean lowest bidder, but you can find some civilian brands like Helikon-Tex (Poland). They take an adapt (and improve) on gear.
The Dutch military used an insulation jacket made by Snugpak. When it comes to real good stuff, I would always recommend Snugpak and Carinthia 🤑(especially the LIG/MIG/HIG or ECIG series). The later is just superb (rated for -30˚C)
+1 for Helikon, got lots of their stuff and love it, great value
I bought a coat from a mountain sports type site called Surfanic, and it’s very cosy.
Americana pipedream have a few greatcoats available and change stock semi regularly
If you’re getting into -30 on the regular then a Canada Goose arctic expedition coat is about the only thing that’ll keep you genuinely warm
A navy peacoat is the closest to what you’re describing - warm, durable, quality. Suitable for -30, may need a sweater depends how hot you run
This is interesting. Could you suggest one or provide a link? I just want to compare specs when I shop around
https://www.schottnyc.com/products/navy-peacoat.htm
That’s one of the classics, just try to find an EU equivalent
I have that exact coat and can tell you that it really isn’t particularly warm. Even with three layers below it isn’t good below about -5c and is particularly bad in the wind.
I have a similar one with an extra button high up, so you can flip the folds over and get an extra layer and much closer to your neck. Otherwise use a scarf, because it is actually quite good (also against the wind, I live in Scandinavia) but closed as in the pictures with nothing covering your neck and stopping the air from getting inside you’ll get cold in no time. But yeah I also would say that below -5 you need something more padded, but these are nice exactly because they’re not that bulky. No way you can survive -20 in this
They’re really not for cold climates.
a ski jacket from decathlon, warm, weather and wind proof. and layers ofc.
Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood wore comfy winter coats in Where Eagles Dare, so best to contact 20th century fox for more info on the outlet.
