In order to end up with the coat best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of coats are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a coat.
Research the market: Coat essentials
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the coat market. The range of options can seem overwhelming, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Types: There is an enormous range of outdoor coats to choose from, and classification of any particular coat as 'outdoor' may be a little arbitrary. Types include skiing jackets, hiking coats, oilskins, raincoats, parkas, duffle coats, denim, leather and skeepskin coats. Coats may be hip length, buttock length or extend to the knees or ankles, and may have extra features like multiple pockets, hoods, mitten attachments, chin guards and removable linings.
Outer layers: Outer layers may be waterproof, water resistant, water-repellent or may allow water to penetrate. Most outer materials in outdoor coats are wind resistant, but some fabrics are more wind resistant than others. Nylon is more wind resistant than denim, for instance. Materials used in outer layers include leather, sheepskin, denim, oiled cotton, nylon, Gore-Tex,
Lining: The lining might be fleece, mesh netting, or a micro-porous membrane, which will be sewn or laminated into the fabric layers, thereby allowing heat and vapor through. Some coats have a middle layer of down or synthetic padding to increase the warmth rating, while other coats may have a simple outer shell and a lining.
Cost: As the technology of the clothing increases, the price rises. A regular fleece-lined outdoor coat at a department store will cost you much less than a high-quality, winter trekking jacket sold at an outdoor specialty store.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a coat. For example, will you use the coat only for keeping warm while you go from the car to the house, or do you need a coat for alpine hiking?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| Have I used this kind of coat before? |
| | If you have used an “outdoors” coat, work out what you did or didn't like about the coat. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. |
| What do I want a coat for? |
| | Maybe you want to use it to snowboard or just for hiking and trekking outdoors. Maybe you will be cross-country skiing in it. |
| What will the weather likely be where I will be wearing the coat? |
| | If you live in a cold climate, then you might want a jacket that is versatile; you will be able to use it for outdoor activities and as an everyday coat. |
| How much do I want to spend? |
| | Remember, a good winter coat could be a significant expense. |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of coats and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
Video Links
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