I live in Montana but am not native to the northwest, from the south originally. I don’t own a car (walkable cities ftw) so I’m exposed to the elements almost daily. I’ve been making it work in the winters with layering and clutch thrift store finds but I still don’t fundamentally understand what determines good vs bad fabrics/coats/socks for this climate. Please help!
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You have good comments, but something to add:
Yes, boots are important, but don’t skimp on good gloves. You can’t do much with cold fingers.
For cold weather layering I usually do an under layer that’s warm and comfortable, sort of like thick pajamas. As others have said, wool and other natural fibers are great. If you hit the thrift stores in a few weeks you might find a good selection for cheap. I usually buy a size larger than I need.
On top of the warm comfy layer I do something like a thin plastic shell that will keep wind and water out.
I usually also do a regular shirt and pants underneath so that if I wind up in a warm place I can peel off the outside clothes and still be presentable.
That usually winds up being thick wool socks, boots, long PJs, snow pants, t shirt, thick shirt, wool sweater, plastic outside layer coat, gloves, cap. The plastic outside coat also has a hood.
But seriously, check with the locals. You’ll likely be dealing with colder stuff than I’ve seen. It’s also a chance to meet people.
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