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Winter jacket for hiking

gearguy-200x148How can I find a good winter jacket for hiking at a good best price?

Chilly Billy, Pipersville, Pa.

Well, Chilly, the short answer is there isn’t one best jacket that does it all. Buy a layering system. That way you can bundle up when it’s cold and rainy, then peel off the layers when the sun comes out or when you’re hiking really hard.

Start with a fleece vest for warmth. This should fit snug; wear it over your long underwear top.

Next, you’ll want a softshell jacket. Softshells are made of stretchy nylon that’s windproof and water-resistant. It’ll get you through 90 percent of weather conditions – everything except a full-on downpour.

For that, you’ll want to throw on your third layer: a waterproof outershell jacket like the Marmot PreCip . A poncho from www.scoutlife.org/links/scoutstuff would work, too (and be cheaper), but many jackets are breathable so you won’t get sticky and sweaty.


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5 Comments on Winter jacket for hiking

  1. Gravity graines // October 19, 2009 at 10:22 am // Reply

    definately cut costs buying buying a fleece vest at a thrift store

  2. Wow. I wish the boss would give me a break!

  3. If you need a good new winter jacket, you should look to this advice first. Layering up and enjoying the winter time is what the cold months are all about- not edxpiring credit cards to find the newest and fanciest coats. Another great possible coat would be the LL Bean model of a three-in-one layered coat. That coat can help protect you from the elements at a lower price than all these coats together. However, all of these coats are not costly, and will be long lasting if you buy about one size too big. Try to make outdoor clothing last for both monatary and environmental reasons.

  4. nick-nack-nick // May 11, 2008 at 11:36 pm // Reply

    althogh $233 is very expensive, it seems like the perfect thing for Alaska, which is where I now live.

  5. I like your idea of layering. My Wolf Cub and I have just begun looking at your site and really, really like it. Wish there was something like this when I was a scout all those many years ago. Do your Best.

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