My DS will be an entering first year student and we need suggestions for winter wear. We live a hot climate and he has no real winter clothes. He saw snow for the first time during our accepted students visit and that was just the leftover piles from the week before. I’d like to get DS some basics during the off season while they may be on sale.
What very warm coat/jacket, shirts, boot, waterproof shoe, socks would you recommend? I’m trying to keep him from being a total popsicle! Thank you.
My CA son didn’t get very much - a puffy Uniqlo down coat that stuffed into a 4-inch sack in his dorm room, athletic shoes with vibram soles and leather, not mesh, and lots of things to wrap around the head, neck, and fingers. Also LL Bean handwarmers by the dozen. I’m sure weather veterans have great recommendations, but in a teeny dorm room is it good not to overbuy.
Having lived in this climate all my life I can say don’t worry about it too much. Everything is shoveled clean so there won’t be much snow to step on, but whenever he goes into town there are spots you may have to step over so for that reason good traction and grip is important. Boots however would be overkill unless he plans to spend time in actual snowy areas.
For traction, here’s the shoes I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002M6MIU/
All jacket and coatwear is best to have it’s own hoodie connected to it because it then triples as a neckguard. So hoodie, neckguard, coat all in one is always the best way to go.
For jacket here’s the hoodie I use:
https://www.amazon.com/Performer-Collection-Charles-River-Apparel/dp/B000BB6X1S/
For winter coat here’s the hoodie I use:
https://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Vamoose-Turbodown-Interchange-X-Large/dp/B01MYAIM4V
This coat is a bit pricey but you can find similar types for 125 or so. The point is the coverage type, it has elastic wrists and neck, while having full padding and hoodie and neckguard. You can consider a lesser coat without the hoodie and then use the jacket along with the coat at the same time and save a lot of money.
Gloves are absolutely important for this climate, pockets won’t be enough certain days. Best to find gloves that have either elastic wrists or velcro or belt strip wrists.
Here’s the gloves I use:
https://www.amazon.com/Carhartt-Waterproof-Insulated-Glove-Black/dp/B005I33OVG
If you can find velcro, I’d recommend it more than these but either is fine.
If you don’t plan to get the hoodie jacket and coat and use a hat instead, consider getting a separate setup. I don’t use one but these are very popular nowadays:
https://www.amazon.com/Top-Seller-Functional-Equipment-adjustable/dp/B00GY46I2U
Do not come to RPI without one of these, if you can’t get one of the following it would be best to stay home:
https://www.amazon.com/Yankees-47-Brand-Clean-One-Size/dp/B000F5NNPY/
Thank you @belmom and @GoRedhead. @GoRedhead, your list is great and we will use it to get some shopping done. DS doesn’t wear many hats but a few years up north may make him a Yankees fan!
Well, he could always avoid the mainstream, and get himself the hat of a real team. Go RED SOX !!
BOOO!!!
My suggestion come for parents weekend & shop then there are 2 nearby malls plus dicks sporting goods. Field & stream etc
Your son will be able to pick things out that he’s comfortable with and likes (no offense but my son wouldn’t be caught dead in any of the above including the Yankees hat --different people different tastes)
This past winter was fairly mild keep your fingers crossed they stay that way!
Unfortunately, with the cost of school and two other kiddos, I won’t be able to come back for parents weekend. I plan on showing DS the suggestions and have him pick from some. I need to know what brands are worth while and which are trash and won’t last. Mostly, DS doesn’t care about a coat. We have a Dick’s Sporting Goods here, so we can go check for sizes.
(I’m not allowed to buy shirts for him since my taste lean southern preppy, ie pink and orange Madras plaid with shorts. LOL!)
We live in Chicago and I’m an Ultra runner who trains outdoors year round. A pair of gore Tex running shoes, Craft brand long underwear. Craft clothing is expensive but worth every penny. For coats I prefer hard shell fleece with some type of wind bloc or gore tex laminate. Good brands Arctyrex, Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear. Try Moosejaw an online retailer
If your son voices what he likes to wear send him a gift card & let him shop himself but most kids wear a fashionable ski jacket & gloves. Let him see when he gets there don’t set him up in stuff he’ll regret.
My son went to RPI for 4 years and never wore his coat, really. He did have many thick hoodies, and gloves.