Hi all, does anyone have brand/shop recommendations (preferably in Sydney) for wet freezing temperature clothes? Eg base layers, parkas/jackets etc
I've read mixed reviews of Kathmandu so I'm a bit hesitant about going into one of their shops
Brands for Freezing Weather Clothes
flyingfridge on 24/11/2017 - 01:00
Comments
damart
Icebreaker.
prepare to pay an arm and even a leg.Icebreaker is awesome when they are on sale. Good comfort level.
Kathmandu ? You have to wait their 90% off save, they are unbelievable overpriced :)
UniQlo :)
Kmart, 6 layers of their cheapest stuff does the trick.
Where are you going?
I had to buy arctic circle (winter) clothing a couple of years ago so if you are after that then I have some recommendations.
I also have some stuff for warmer but wetter weather (-3 to 7 degrees).
Iceland during late autumn / early winter, so probably closer to -3 - 7 degrees than arctic circle
I’ve been to Iceland during mid to late Dec.
If you are doing a tour and not pushing the limits then you can get away with fairly modest stuff, including street wear. BUT, and it’s a huge but, the wind can be ferocious.
So… your choices are huge… I did two things (because I had stuff for Iceland and for somewhere else). Most of the time I was in a good down jacket, baselayer, and at times added a thin mid layer. The days where I knew I was going to be on the beach or somewhere else windy I went base layer, mid layer, light jacket and when the wind came I put on a shell.
Choice of brands? Heaps! From what is easily available in Australia? Still heaps. I would recommend Patagonia mid layer. I also highly rate their base layers. Icebreaker baselayers of 200 or 260 are good too. For a shell jacket, go for something that has sealed zips, as the days that I had my down jacket on the zip let in too much cold (yes it had a material flat over the top but as I said the wind in Iceland is ferocious). I like Arcteryx shells but you could try something else just make sure the zips are sealed.
Also think about bringing ski pants or shell over pants for those windy days.
For gloves consider having thin gloves and a shell type to put on top when needed.
IF you can find a beanie that has wind resistant material inside then grab it. I haven’t been able to find one in Australia. Maybe something that has a band at the bottom that is wind resistant?
Bring a scarf.
Iceland is not that demanding on clothes until the wind comes.. there were definitely people who looked miserable and cold when the wind came even though they had burly jackets.
Think about this.. do you want to have street wear or technical wear? Let that help you choose… if you won’t use the technical stuff again after the trip then don’t waste money on it.
Stores? Patagonia store, Paddy Palin, Trek and Travel. North Face store if you want street wear like stuff. I don’t know anything else in Sydney. And once again as it’s not that demanding if you want cheaper stuff then even the recent rays down jacket offer may be ok. Above all get a good shell jacket!
I wouldn't buy Kathmandu again. Washed out of shape and developed holes very quickly.
The North Face.