Parka -- college student, cold weather

[Anonymous]

Maybe i should post this in the college campus, but wondering what people are getting for their college kids (female) who are attending school in very cold areas of the country. Mine has a long walk across campus to get to class. Suggestions for boots that might be hipper than my Bean ducks, but warmer than her Doc Martins, and super comfortable are also welcome! What are your college-age daughters in upstate New York, Minnesota, Chicago, Milwaukee, Maine, Vermont, etc., wearing?

[Anonymous]

Docs are fine with good socks. Darn Tough or Smart wool.

[Anonymous]

Would she be fine with something from REI or is her style different?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, a high-end winter coat is likely to get stolen. We don't go fancier than North Face and we have less expensive jackets for "going out". They also have a non-insulated waterproof jacket that we expect them to layer.

My kids like Blundstones for shoes.

I had warm winter boots and I hated them even though I had to trek across campus in the rain/snow. Once you are in class you sit in your hot and heavy boots. My kids won't wear heavy boots inside either. I would recommend investing in Smartwool or Darn Tough socks to go with the Docs also focus on traction over warmth so Merrel, Salomon, and Teva brands. Uggs makes good lightweight trekking boots (not the slippers) and Vans has a waterproof sneaker if you need to purchase new shoes.

[Anonymous]

There is no need to go fancier than North Face. As PP said, many kids wear non-insulated shells with layers underneath. The layers don't need to be fancy either.

I went to college in New England. I usually wore sneakers with good socks.

[Anonymous]

A long coat that covers your butt! I used to change out of my boots once I got to my quad area but most of my classes were in the same building. Learn to layer and as others have said--good, warm, wool socks. Hats are key as well.

[Anonymous]

THis is weird. Doesn't your daughter attend this campus and know what other kids wear and what her own style is and where they cross over? Why would mom in DC be making this decision?

[Anonymous]

I live in Minnesota and totally agree with the good socks recommendation- smart wool or darn tough, but get the light hiking versions, not the casual wear- the former are much warmer.

I wear blundstones in the winter unless I’ll be outside for a long time, but good socks under Docs would be warm enough for walking around campus. I have a knee-length Patagonia puffer jacket that feels like a sleeping bag and love that on cold days.

In terms of most of this, though, I’d just let your daughter figure it out.

[Anonymous]

If it’s below freezing, sure, warm socks are the most important thing.

But if it’s slushy, imo waterproof is the most important thing.

[Anonymous]

Knee length coat from Uniqlo

[suzu]

Anonymous wrote:Knee length coat from Uniqlo

this
also northface
rei
wouldnt get canada goose unless they were going to siberia

[Anonymous]

Don’t get your kid a Canadian goose- it will ,ale your child a target (parent of university of Chicago). North face or rei brand.

[Anonymous]

DD in Maine wears the insulated Blundstones. And has an LLBean jacket. Says many other kids there wearing LL bean, Northface, etc. Nobody is wearing anything fancy on campus like Canadian Goose. Biggest issue is the front of your pants get wet from the snow that comes sideways.

[Anonymous]

Fancy coats will get stolen. My daughter has a wooorich down parka which is expensive but not trendy/sought after. She took off the fur hood fringe.

[Anonymous]

Let them pick out their own stuff. Seriously.

Someone above said expensive jackets get stolen, but there are colleges were people are wearing Canada Goose and Moncler.

Their current winter coat is fine for now and give then a budget for if they want to order something else in a few months.