Hi all.
I am very baffled, hence this post!
What is your best travel jacket which can keep you warm in UK and Europe in winter? I can layer, wanted a lightweight jacket as I will be spending time in Asia as well on this trip but I am so worried that I will be cold and miserable and obviously price is a concern as well.
There is this on sale now
This seems very popular these days.
Does anyone has an experience with Uniqlo similar style jackets?
Thanks so much!
A windbreaker and wool jumpers always does the trick.
We used the Uniqlo down jackets last Christmas for France. We were very happy with them, but they are bulky for luggage. We used vacuum bags to get their size down.
This would only work if you were happy to dump them when leaving, since you're unlikely to have access to a vacuum in a hotel
Staying with family, so this wasn't a problem.
Go to a second hand shop and buy one when you get there, donate it when you leave. Why take up 1/4 of your luggage space with a jacket you'll only need part of your trip? If you're staying with friends or family ask them to buy you one up to some budget like 10 pounds or something, and you'll pay them back when you get there.
this is the way to go. last winter in countryside japan I found second hand stores with plenty of down jackets to choose from, all very cheap. ended up with a thick uniqlo one for $20 which was awesome in the freezing weather. i could probably bear to wear it for about 10 days a year in australia, so no point hanging on to it or spending any more than that
obviously price is a concern as well.
So can we start with a budget? Or should I pull it out of my arse? You're probably looking in the $200-300 mark
I would suggest layers for Europe. Depending on where you are going? Europe can vary a lot in temperature. Paris, for example, can be around 0ºC in December whereas if you go to St Petersberg it could be -14ºC.
All shops and museums are heated so having a nice warm jacket for outside would be my recommendation then you can ditch it as soon as you get inside.
My recommendation since you've been very non-specific about your actual needs and what you already have is to get a hybrid warm/waterproof jacket. It'll likely be wet in London (but December is one of the best times over there) and layer up under that while in Europe.
Macpac ebay
This. I carried a bulky coat and a macpac all around Sapporo in February (up/down to - 15) but found that a lot of the time the places I visited were heated so the bulky coat wasn't needed. The macpac kept my layers insulated and snow proof.
Also if yr in cities, likely to be warmer by a few degrees than coastal/country areas. Macpac will fold town very easily.
Uniqlo are OK… I've found their down coats ok for mild days. Their heat teach stuff is good for layering.
Yeah, used, on getting there if possible…..also you haven't specified - I will be spending a lot of time…..indoor or outdoor?
I bought a down jacket at Macpac last year for travel in Europe and the UK. My biggest regret is not forking out an extra $10 for the hooded version because it was 1) more expensive and 2) didn't look cool. Even though I wore a beanie and scarf, when it rained I could feel my head soaked which when coupled with harrowing winds it was freezing. That hooded part can deflect some of that rain, which will be immensely beneficial.
Also wait for summertime and you can probably snap up a good deal seeing as warm clothing doesn't sell well in the hotter parts of the year.
plus to "hood". Did the same and like you, regret it.
You'll want a long jacket to cover your bum if being a tourist in London in December.
Also, don't forget to layer on the legs too: thermals or tights under your pants.
I used a ski jacket, but they are bulky.
Thanks , all of you for your advices, much appreciated! Trapped a Macpac jacket on sale, hope to get up with layering!
Are you adding a poll?
If so, maybe include options for:
- buy one in Asia on the way
- buy one on arrival