WoolWeenies Club

[Triskeliongirl]

Dear Wool Weenies:

As I said above, I am planning a trip at christams time that starts in southern portugal where it will be rainy, but mild temps- 50ish, all the way to Lausanne Switzerland where it will be cold and snowy-20ish.

So, when I was in DC this week I picked up a great deal on an Arc'teryx Beta Goretex Parka (pic attached). It was a 2006 closeout, but still not cheap. What I love about it is the color, it actually has a bit of a tailored fit so looks great, has pit zips and a drop tail, and while its heavier than your typical cycling specific raincoat, I think will do me well as a jacket for a bike tour to wear from down pours to off the bike stuff. Its also amazing just over a light base and shak in san antonio, my usual winter wardrobe (say in the 40s). Every day that I wear it I am soooo glad I bought it, something technical that is figure flattering! When I tried wearing it in DC though I was cold, in part cuz I didn't bring warm enough hats and gloves (just thin ibex liners), and my lower body was cold (no long underwear or even tights).

Do you guys think adding a hooded shak, and perhaps a mideweight rather than lightweight base, woolies long johns, and of course a more substantial hat and gloves and neck gaitor will get me to the 20s or high teens. Are jeans and woolies enough on the bottom, or do I need to wear wool pants too, or cover the jeans with a goretex cycling pant. I am asking about being up and about, not while exercising. To ski, I thought I'd put my shebeest windpro fleecy tight under my goretex cycling pants.

Is double shakking really weird and overkill? Is it as warm as a down sweater with less bulk?

I've always worn insulated coats in this kind of weather, so I wanna know if I should leave my primaloft coat at home, or pack in just in case as it doesn't take up a huge amount of room (North Face Boulevard Jacket). I did wear this coat in DC in the 30s and was comfy, over a shak and base and wool pants.

-A confused girl living in a warm place.