WoolWeenies Club

[Crankin]

Trisk, I really don't think you need a down coat for Boston. Northern N.H., maybe. The temperature varies so much. The normal winter daytime temp is usually 25-38. I think prima loft with other layers underneath would be sufficient. I have a wool dress coat that's fine and a regular EMS parka type thing for regular wear. I use a Go lite jacket over my layers of fleece, wool, and silk when I'm x country skiing, snow shoeing, hiking. Some of the layers come off when it's in the 40s.
So even though the nighttime temperatures are in the teens or single digits now, the days are around 30. Just gt good gloves and a hat!
Robyn

Sorry your daughter got sick! This is the first winter I haven't had bronchitis, since I moved here. Maybe since I'm not around those nasty kids anymore...

[Triskeliongirl]

Thanks for the advice Robin. My sister told me she wears a primaloft coat. The third type I ordered is one of the 3 in 1 style parkas with a zip out fleece. Do you think this would be warm enough? It does have the advantage as a travel coat of versatility.

[Crankin]

If you think the 3 in 1 would meet more travel needs, then buy it. The fleece lining will keep you warm enough, especially with a wool piece underneath. Is it a long coat? It really helps to have the legs at least partially covered, esp. if you have to wear a dress.

[Triskeliongirl]

Thanks Robin. I really appreciate the help. Actually in view of your comments I stopped the order cuz I have a very old Columbia 3 in 1 ski parka that while its a bit large on me (its a medium and I am now a small) with the waist cinched it looks fine (and I think sizes have changed over the years) and its probably better quality than the new stuff I ordered (breathable waterproof, high tech features, etc.). It is long (32"), which I like, sometimes an advantage of Mediums over Smalls. The zip in fleece liner is too big on me, but if I just layer one of my old small fleeces over my ibex shak and ibex ribbie, I think I'll be just fine. I like this idea cuz it will be easier to adjust depending on the exact weather while I am there and my activity. The worst case scenario is I'll pick up something locally.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks Robin. I really appreciate the help. Actually in view of your comments I stopped the order cuz I have a very old Columbia 3 in 1 ski parka that while its a bit large on me (its a medium and I am now a small) with the waist cinched it looks fine (and I think sizes have changed over the years) and its probably better quality than the new stuff I ordered (breathable waterproof, high tech features, etc.). It is long (32"), which I like, sometimes an advantage of Mediums over Smalls. The zip in fleece liner is too big on me, but if I just layer one of my old small fleeces over my ibex shak and ibex ribbie, I think I'll be just fine. I like this idea cuz it will be easier to adjust depending on the exact weather while I am there and my activity. The worst case scenario is I'll pick up something locally.

I think this is a wise way to go. Despite what the locals might claim, Boston is actually not Antarctica!

How are you doing with your "itchy" mulberry ribbie? Have you slept in it with nothing under it yet? That's the test of fire....

[Triskeliongirl]

Well Lisa, while I have not slept in yet, I am wearing it again today and it does not bother my skin. I tend to not sleep in long undies so not sure I'll ever do that! Itchy is the wrong word. Textured perhaps is a better word, in contrast to my kate that feels like silk on my skin. BUT I have worn it for 2.5 days straight with nothing on under it, so that says something! Thanks so much Lisa for teaching me about layering. I think my ibex, coupled with my old LLbean fleece, silk, and columbia shell, give me every possible combo I'll need! I also plan to bring my goretex bottoms just in case it snows. They too are medium, but that means I can layer them over jeans or dress pants as needed.

[KnottedYet]

I wore a nice thick cotton turtleneck Thursday. Y'know, the kind that seem more like a sweater than a mere shirt? I was miserably chilled. I put on my office sweater (cotton sweater that lives in my office) AND my Mountain Hardware fleece, but I was still clammy and chilled.

When I got home at the end of the day I finally realized it was because I wasn't wearing wool! I've been wearing wool against my skin every day for so much of this winter that cotton felt clammy! I immediately put on my Ibex Qu-T and Ibex Switchback and felt muuuuuch better.