Hi guys,
I’m a 13-year-old girl entering Exeter as a prep next year. I’m wondering, what are some good brands and outerwear pieces I should get for my time there? I’m from the South, so I’ve never really had to think about this. By outerwear I mean jackets, boots, pants, and anything else related to cold weather.
Thanks!
depending on your price point…
Canada goose are one of the warmest jackets…I am still wearing it today, March 17th 
North Face or Patagonia for warmer days (Moncler if you want to go fancy)
Get some UGGs, and some waterproof winter boots, too - every other high schooler was wearing SOREL boots this winter.
Rain boots - Hunter
If you are planning to ski - then ski pants and jacket.
Hats, scarfs, gloves.
Hey! Haha well even though I’m not from NH, I’m from a pretty cold place too so I can try and help 
I would recommend getting some nice rainboots (+ wear them with warm fuzzy socks in the winter so they can double as snowboots in the winter) + also a good winter jacket (puffers are really warm!). In terms of pants, usually I think jeans are fine but you might want some snowpants too if you want to go sledding/skiing! You can message me if you have any more questions!
We are Patagonia fans. Lifetime warranty and we shop at the outlet. Llbean is great too!
We found DS UGg boots in the summer at an outlet for a very reasonable cost…I think it was one of those takecan extra 50% off clearance price sales. We found him a down Spyder jacket this time last year on clearance, too. The one thing he wears the most is a Kuhl pullOver I found at the same store…he says it I still warmer than the north face pullovers I found at consignment and the Oakley fleece someone got him as a going away gift. He found some golf pants of the hybrid amphibious fabric (to meet dress code of business casual) online and we got him smart wool socks. We are on a budget, so I bought everything on clearance in April/May if I found on consignment. You’ll also need gloves, hat and either a neck warmer or scarf. We live in Texas, so all of that was new to us, too. Now…if you have the budget for Canada goose (more than my car payment) and brand new Patagonia…go for it. But he literally wears the Kuhl wool blend pullover everywhere and his Spyder coat when it’s colder and the rest of the fleeces/pullovers pretty much sit in his closet. He only wore his Ugg boots when he had to walk in snow.
@buuzn03 it’s too bad you are in TX because the Patagonia outlet would be worth the trip if you were closer! They have sales that are 50% off the outlet price!!! I don’t pay full price for anything!!! We have gotten their heavy fleece pullovers in the $40 range. $400+ winter coats under $100!!! Savy shoppers unite!
Oh and there is an LL Bean outlet that is 15-20 mins away from Exeter, although I haven’t visited that specific one. They often have bean boots there! Great for rain and snow. They have great fleeces and gear in general.
Being from New England, SwimKid did not even pack a hat/gloves/scarf for school. Hood on and hands in pockets lol!
Oh and make sure you have a rain coat!!!
As the parent of someone else coming from a warm weather climate, we spent some time looking at (and buying from) Moosejaw, Backcountry, and Steep and Cheap. Winter clearances are still happening now, so you’ll likely find some great deals, but some of the sizes and colors may have been picked over, as the sales have been going on for some time now. People have already mentioned some brands you’ll likely to see on campus, but kids (at least my kid’s friends) wear all kinds of brands.
Omg!!! A raincoat and umbrella were a must!!! Especially coming from the desert, where we had to dig out of the recesses of the closet and blow the dust off of our “vacation” umbrella!!! :)) it has gotten more use in 6 months than it did in 6 years! @CaliPops Backcountry is a great site! @momof3swimmers man…I’d love to find the Patagonia outlet! My husband got a jacket for Christmas and he says it’s the best jacket he owns!
It is kind of ironic because DS’s crew team is coming to Texas for spring training today and DS put on GroupMe…you will want sunglasses. The captain (who had been down here before) came back & said–he’s right! Do not forget sunglasses. The sun is brutal down there! Funny how some things can be so different!
Anything LL Bean or Northface. Something warm. Love duck boots, rain boots for spring.
I would only say Montcler and Canada Goose if you parents are fine with spending upwards of $1000+ on a single piece of outerwear. Get the best you can afford, and in general, stay away from “fashion” lines if you care about durability.
There are many other brands out there that will keep you warm for much less…and those outlets mentioned by some above are also great. Lately, i’ve been on on an OR (Outdoor Research, similar warranty to Patagonia) jag.
If you don’t have one yet, consider a rain shell.
FWIW… Patagonia is having an online sale right now. Orvis Barbour jackets for fall or early spring last forever… I have two that are over 20 years old and they still look great.
I’m so happy I opened up this post! Thanks for the backcountry and steepandcheap references! DD goes for a four week camp every summer in the Rockies and I know she’ll need a few new items this year!
Also, you should get used to the word “layering,” because you’ll want to put together peices that can together cover lots of different conditions. Don’t just think rain and snow. Think about how you’ll cover warm rain, cold rain, windy rain, wet snow, blistering cold, etc. So for a rain jacket, for example, think about whether you want to leave room under it to wear a mid layer jacket or heavy sweater/hoodie, or if you want a separate insulating rain jacket, or if you want a 3-in-1 jacket with a removable insulating layer. I went the 3-in-1 route for my kid, but my kid usually opts to dispense with the insulating layer (which leaves little room underneath for a sweater, hoodie, or jacket) in favor of a different sweater or mid layer when needed. With respect to wind, consider whether you want a jacket that covers not only your torso but also your hips. The latter is something my kid wanted. In thinking about these things, consider also that the temperature swings a lot on a given day, and you’ll want to account also for the possibility of some overheated buildings in the wintertime. Personally, I enjoyed researching and shopping for the seasons, but I may be strange in that regard. I tend to compare prices on the websites I mentioned, and I also go to the manufacturer’s websites as well, where the selection for a brand is the best. I’ve noticed that the distributor websites generally have sales that occur at the same time as websites for some of the big manufacturers like Patagonia, which I like because of the warranty.
@jade234 as a parent of a daughter currently at PEA, I can tell you that all brands suggested would be in line with what the girls wear. I encourage you to not stock up too much. To get started in the fall, here is our suggested list:
- Rain boots- bean boots or hunters
- Rain jacket- Columbia or something similar
- Fleece to wear under rain jacket- Patagonia or north face type
That’s it. You don’t usually need a winter jacket until after thanksgiving. My kids rarely wear big jackets, thermals, gloves or hats ( actually never). We are originally from Las Vegas, so it is not like they grew up with the cold temps. As far as pants go, jeans are always a better choice then leggings in the winter months. Congratulations on your acceptance!
I should add that I’m not advocating for an early shopping spree. If nothing else, your closet will limit how much you can bring. And I agree with just getting basics for the Fall, in part because it will give you a chance to see what works for others. FWIW, my kid was fine without a real winter coat for most of the Fall term, with one notable exception: A/E day. My kid reports freezing while watching football in a coat supposedly sufficient for a mild winter, as the day starting getting colder in the afternoon. (My kid runs cold, and it was a particularly cold day.) Short walks between buildings or to town were not, however, a problem.
LL Bean catalogue should help.
LL Bean is good too. Also, I highly recommend a scarf in addition to gloves/mittens and a hat, as it keeps snow from going down your collar when it’s windy.
So, within some of the brands listed above, how do you know how warm a particular item will be? Is there a temperature rating like sleeping bags have?
My kid from the Deepest South, at a school in the Farthest North, refuses to own a hat, gloves, or scarf. We purchased a North Face jacket during Family Weekend of freshmen year and a Columbia parka during Thanksgiving break (ordered online). The thought of Canada Goose was quickly dismissed, as I find it distasteful for a kid to own a $1,000 jacket while attending school on financial aid. We did invest into a pair of Bean Boots and Hunters, though. However, I hear the Hunters have changed ownership with another kid’s gloves. Not the smartest trade but whatever… Works for me!