How to identify the best downcoat for your climate zone

Everyone needs outerwear who doesn’t live in the Tropics

Most people feel most comfortable in the temperature range of (9^oC to 24^oC). When wearing the right outerwear, i.e. the right insulation, one can stay outside for an extended amount of time feeling comfortable, i.e. not having the feeling of freezing to hypothermia. The right insulation avoids discomfort when watching the aurora or just when waiting for the bus (that tends to be late when a blizzard hits town). The right down jacket permits you to cheer for your favorite dog team in the appropriate Iditarot street style and enjoy other winter outdoor activities like sking, snowmachining or dog mushing.

Go for the insulation you need, not more

Down coats are a great way to create insulation when they are well done. The thin air layers between the downs and the pieces of a down hinder the exchange of your body heat with the cold ambient air. This is because air is a bad conductor for heat or in other words, a thin air layer is a good insulator. More downs packed loosely mean a thicker insolation than few down. Like with houses, this insulation should be chosen with the climate of your region in mind. You won’t add the insulation needed for a 5 star energy rated house in Fairbanks, when your house is in Athen, Georgia, for instance!

But what is the right insulation you need for a downcoat in your region?

Best insulation depends on more than just temperature

Whether you will feel comfortable or uncomfortable outside depends on more factors than just the temperature. Relative humidity, the wind and the clothing you wear also affect your thermal comfort level. This means when investing in a downcoat for staying warm in winter you shouldn’t just buy any downcoat, but the right one for the typical winter weather of your region. Make yourself knowledible about what to look for in a downcoat.

In winter, wind can make the air feel much colder than it actually is. This phenomenon is called wind chill. To stay comfortable you need outerwear that is chosen with the typical wind chill of your region in mind, instead of just the typical temperature range. You can use the wind chill table below to find what the air in your region feels like for the typical temperature and wind speed range of your region. When you just moved there, just call your local National Weather Service office and ask.

Like high relative humidity makes hot summer days to uncomfortable dog days, high relative humidity makes you feel uncomfortable at the lower temperature range too.

In other words, a fashionista in northern California is best served with a light downcoat suitable for temperatures down to 30F in the midst of winter, while a fashionista up in the Great Lakes area would wear this piece in fall prior to the first snow. This fact doesn’t mean that when the Great Lake area fashionista shouldn’t buy a 30F rated coat. She just must be aware that it’s a perfect fall coat for her, and she needs another one or has to apply layering to stay warm when the Polar Vortex hits. Actually, she needs both coats.

Wearing outerwear that provides too much insolation, namely leads to sweating and hence cooling. She is lucky when she only catches a cold when wearing the wrong coat. Thus, having another jacket with less insulation in addition to that one for the very frigid weather, is in her advantage regarding her health.

Note that local topography can lead to wind channeling; close-by lakes may lead to a milder climate in fall than areas farther away.

… before I forget. At 40 below freezing the weather isn’t great for a bikini look.

Other important, related aspects are  how to look stylish in down clothes and how to create an awesome coat wardrobe.

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Nina Minassian as the Top of the World OOTD Readers’ Fav

You clicked Nora Minassian’s post the most often. She is the blogger at Jacket Society. Isn’t her floral winter dress with black fringe stole and boots stunning? Perfect for the office when you lived down South.

Fatima O. Arnan as the Top of the World OOTD My Fav

Fatima O. Arnan linked her post of her white and pink striped suit. She is the blogger at The Teachernista. Guess what? She is a teacher. Isn’t her summery pants suit so adorable?

Edwege as the Top of the World Style Winner of the Week

Edwege, the blogger at Hypnoz Glam, won the Top of the World Style feature. Her sequin pants are so cool! Who wouldn’t love to have a pair of pants like that?

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