<p>I'm from Los Angeles and my wardrobe is decidedly Californian. I'm in the process of creating a wardrobe for a colder climate and I had a few questions. Note: I'm completely aware of the number of past threads that have been posted here on the subject of winter clothing at Northwestern, but it seems that many of them tend to be concerning selections for ladies, and the topics on men are somewhat less specific. </p>
<p>So, can anyone recommend a <em>specific</em> heavy coat for guys? I know: North Face, North Face, North Face. But <em>which</em> North Face model specifically? Links would be helpful. Also, rain boots! Useful? Popular? Any specific brand and model? Price isn't really an issue; I just want to be warm. </p>
<p>The North Face Denali Fleece Jacket in Black has been the thing to have since 2005 or so. The jacket as well as the brand is suffering today because of its popularity (its just not as cool when even your 50 year old prof has one.) You might look instead at a Patagonia or Mountain Hardware jacket if you really like the style, the North Face Khumbu fleece vest is still pretty cool.</p>
<p>I personally would look at Vineyard Vines “Mountain Weekend Jacket” instead of a North Face. Like everything VV it is the hotest thing on college campuses and will be for at least a couple of seasons. about $165</p>
<p>Stay away from pea coats… they have been really hot the last few years, but you wont be seeing them this year… Instead the new hot coats are those really ugly (imo) track and baseball jackets (they look like high school letter jackets to me.) I wouldnt wear one, however the cotton bomber jackets from Brooks Brothers are new and really hot, and suprisingly cheap (for Brooks at least.) about $200</p>
<p>For rain boots I would go with the original Bean Boot from LL Bean. Get them in the mid length (6"), if they are the short ones you will get your feet wet, if you get the tall ones you will feel like a farmer. I highly recomend the ones with the light tan upper, they look much nicer. about $100</p>
<p>BTW you are going to see a ton of girls at Northwestern wearing a wellies style: Hunter ‘Original Short’ Rain Boot, however this to me is a girls boot. If you really like them they do sell them at Nordstroms for men they run about $125</p>
<p>As a side note: no matter what people tell you it takes a little while to get used to walking in rain boots. Wear a normal athletic type sock (not a really thick one) and walk around your house in it for a few hours to break the rubber in before going outside with them.</p>
<p>This is the type of jacket my kid bought. It’s got an inner shell (?) which he can wear when the weather isn’t too cold, and adds on the outer later when it gets as cold as h*ll. Agree with arbiter213 that waterproof snow boots are the way to go to keep your feet warm. Don’t forget gloves. Sticking your hands in your pockets might not work.</p>
<p>There’s a North Face right in Evanston. I would suggest waiting until you get to Evanston - you can pick you what appeals to you sometime this fall. Gloves and scarves are a must.</p>
<p>My tough-as-nails Boston daughter, who thought she would wear a windbreaker over her North Face Denali and call that winter clothing, ended up with a North Face coat AND fell in love with Under Armour (and something similar from Eastern Mountain Sports). The wind off the lake is breathtaking, literally.</p>
<p>absolutely, don’t forget the wind. i’ve literally been blown sideways riding my bike perpendicular to the wind. under armor helps surprisingly well, and most of the time i wore running pants or sweatpants underneath my jeans/khakis/whatever else i’m wearing</p>
<p>Figured I’d bump this up since my son’s starting in the Fall (from SoCal) and we’d like to get a jump on the essentials. Any additional info beyond what’s already here? Noted that Jay asked about boots but no responses. Ideas there would be appreciated also. Thanks!</p>
<p>Boots that are rated to be warm at 5F are helpful.</p>
<p>If you’re particularly sensitive to the cold, getting electric/thermal boots is not a bad idea. I had a friend who had some heated boots by Columbia and she loved them.</p>
<p>DadTimes2-We had the same question when my son started at NU a couple of years ago. We have a store “back East” called EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) where I got waterproof snow boots. They aren’t really high, maybe mid-calf length, and are rated for really cold weather. As a practical matter, I’m not sure he wore them this past mild winter more than a couple of times. He just wore sneakers unless there was substantial snow on the ground. </p>
<p>There is a store in downtown Evanston called Uncle Dan’s which you can check out when you’re moving in. They will have excellent suggestions for this kind of footwear. If they don’t have his size in stock then, your son can head back there in October/November. [Uncle</a> Dan’s | The Great Outdoor Store | The North Face, Patagonia, Smart Wool, Keen, 100s more…](<a href=“Gearhead, Rock/Creek, & Uncle Dan's Outfitters”>http://www.udans.com/) They usually run some sort of “promo” aimed at the NU students.</p>