Questions about winter gear from an incoming Maine student

If you already have the Canada Goose coat, I would go to school with it and if it makes you uncomfortable, get a new coat then with a clear idea of your needs. You may find you want a coat of a different length for other activities too. (I prefer a longer coat for walking and sitting but a shorter one for sportier activities. ) I wouldn’t want to own anything that I had to worry about - so think whether if you leave it unattended in the dining hall or at a party, you’ll be concerned.

Many of the kids I knew at Maine schools, including my own, preferred coats with zip in liners as it gave them a little more flexibility through fall and spring. North Face makes a good one.

The insulated LL Bean boots are popular, but I prefer ones with more of a grippy hiking boot tread. Sorels are warm, but not all have great treads, so think about that. Warm, waterproof, good treads, and comfort. Since you’ll be walking a lot in them, make sure they fit well.

Totally agree that you can have a fun trip to Freeport for any of this…

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Northface also makes a layered jacket system…a windbreaker outer with a fleece inner. The outer can be worn as a rain jacket alone. The inner fleece can be worn alone. Or they can be layered to provide warmth and wind break.

Like this: Women's 3 in 1 Triclimate Jackets | The North Face

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If you’re that worried about it, sew a patch over the Canada Goose logo and cut out the label, if possible. That’s what people are paying for, anyway - the “signaling” of wearing the logo. Seems silly not to take the warmest coat you have already, especially when it’s considered to be very functional for Maine weather. There are so many fakes out there anyway, that someone might assume you’re wearing a knock off.

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Thanks so much, everyone! All the sage parental advice is much needed & appreciated. I didn’t expect to get this many responses, but everyone’s input will be taken into consideration, and hopefully it’s applicable to other students with the same concerns.

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My D prefers to thrift and found a great Patagonia parka on the company’s Worn Wear site. It’s sort of like buying a pre-owned vehicle from a dealership. Here’s the link: https://wornwear.patagonia.com/

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