How  to shop for the right winter jacket

For every season there is a jacket! In the summer, we choose light material for evenings and cooler days, but in the winter, we need to think about the best protection for our needs. But what to do when faced with so many choices on the market?  

In order to simplify the choices and help you to choose the right winter jacket, here are a few tips:

The basics and assessing your needs

Basically, not everyone has the same needs.  Comfort level, preferences and choice of activities will vary from one person to the next.  That’s why the first  thing to do when thinking about buying a new winter jacket is to determine your needs.  Your needs will guide you in your purchase decision. 

In order to do a complete needs assessment, here are some key questions to consider before and during your purchase: 

• How frequently will you wear the jacket?
• What is the level of breathability required?
• Will you be using this as well as a snow suit?
• What general weather conditions will you be faced with?
• What are your preferences in terms of accessories?
• What activities will you be involved in?

The answers will help you to determine what will suit you most in terms of shape, insulation and type of jacket.  There are three types on the market, the technical winter jacket, the casual urban jacket and the multipurpose.

Don’t forget that layering is recommended during this time of year so that you can enjoy your winter activities without getting too hot or too cold, because layering is a modular system.   In other words, you first put on the base layer (sports underwear)  then the middle layer  (polar fleece or wool sweater or other and finally the outer shell ( the jacket itself).

The weather’s impact on the choice of material

Wearing a jacket to go to work is one thing but  wearing a jacket for a long day on the slopes is quite another.  The material required and the features needed for the jacket’s primary purpose will have an impact on your final choice. 

For example, if you will be wearing this jacket repeatedly in snowy conditions or in the rain, you will need to consider waterproofing,  and the weather protection properties that differ according to the type of insulation chosen.   

It’s also important to check the seams and the breathability of the jacket.  These details can usually be found on the jacket’s hang tag. Be sure to check the openings on the jacket  that allow the air to flow. 

The different types of insulation

What type of insulation (synthetic or down) is the best choice? To help you understand the differences between the two and their optimal use, here are a few tips and explanations.  But before outlining the differences, note that for a winter jacket,  the experts recommend a minimum of 100 grams of insulation in the body and 60 grams in the arms. This important piece of information can be found on the inside of some jackets. Do not hesitate to ask a sales associate for help with this.

Synthetic fibre

Ideal climate: Humid weather

Recommended use: Physical activities  (skiing, snowshoeing, power walking, cycling, snowboarding)

Made from polyester or recycled polyester,  synthetic fibre dries much faster than down.  It is generally less delicate than down,  simpler to care for as well as hypoallergenic.  That said, it is also bulkier (less compressible), less durable and heavier than down.

The most popular synthetic insulation technologies are Primaloft®, Thinsulate™ and Coreloft™.  All are adapted to meet your needs whatever the physical activity,  Primaloft®,  often used by  The North Face and Helly Hansen,  features ultra-fine microfibers that simulate the softness of down. As for Thinsulate™,   it has the reputation of being the perfect insulation for thin garments, yet the warmest available.  Many companies also develop their own patented technologies, take for example  Omni-Heat™ by Columbia and  Coreloft™ by Arc’Teryx .  It is important to note however that Coreloft™ is mainly found in the ATOM line which is mainly used as a middle layer in the multilayering system we mentioned earlier.

Down

Ideal climate: Dry and cold

Recommended use: Ideal for trips, hikes and walks in the city

Known for its warmth, down is compressible and light.  Its performance is however limited in humid conditions.  Down is more expensive than synthetic insulation but more durable.  It is perfect for walks in cold dry weather and for excursions when you’re looking for the best weight/heat ratio. 

Nonetheless, it is key to choose an outer shell coated with a repellent so that water does not seep through the material.  Unfortunately, once down gets wet it no longer retains its features. 

In order to ensure the quality of the down,  you must pay particular attention to the following:

• Its ability to expand. The greater it is, the more the down can expand which makes it warmer.
• The RDS seal  confirms that the jacket is made in an ethical way given that down is from an animal (duck or goose).
• If DWR is mentioned, it is a waterproofing technique.

Does this option catch your interest? A hybrid jacket that combines the two materials or further still a vegan insulation. 

And what’s next?

Definitely, trying on different jackets in the store where our associates can help you find the perfect jacket is an excellent  way for you to test the fit and the comfort  However, if that is not possible for you,  be assured that all of the information provided here can be found in the product features on our website.

Happy shopping!