The Truth About Expensive Winter Gear

The thing is that we don't buy just for functionality, but to feel part of a group, to belong. We know that a generic or Chinese brand is almost the same as Patagonia, TNF or Arcetyx, maybe it is more durable but in reality it is the same, same materials, same qualities and manufacturers. But knowing that this is the case, sometimes we prefer to buy well-known brands for other reasons: values, emotional ties, etc. and that is not bad. Excellent video.

This review is so helpful! Practical options with examples and links. Thank you for the help and ideas!

The Army has what it calls ECWS, Extreme Cold Weather System. It consists of 2 different base layers: A thin polyester (silky) or a thicker polyester with slight insulating prioeties (waffle top). Then there is a fleece midlayer, which we just call , The Fleece. For the outer shell, there is a Gortex parka, which we just call Gore-Tex There is also the marshmallow suit. The marshmallow suit consists of tops and bottoms at the bottoms having suspenders. It is thick, puffy and insulating, and has no baffles, so its REALLY warm.

You can usually find any of this stuff at military surplus stores for really cheap.

Yeah but the the polyester is leaching chemicals and causing odor 😢

I started equipping myself on amazon for workout and mountain biking. Ended up re-buying everything because amazon’s chinese designs and materials are just so bad. Be it ridiculous sizes, non-breathable materials (all of ‘em), lack of features and improper conception to a given activity. Now I go exclusively for good brands. The thing is that if you’re patient enough, you will get them on 50% sale and end up paying the same as the crappy amazon chinese clothes. Also, merino wool is GREAT. Polyester has much less temp control, much more stink, but yes, can have good breathability, at least.

Just get a better job then buy Arc’teryx. 😊

Soyboy Biden voter.

This hippie weed smoker is too smug.

Good stuff. I almost never buy brand name clothes. The bibs, tactical hoodie, and outer jacket I use were about 130 bucks. Keep up the good work.

thumbs up mate

Do you have any experience with mesh base layers? I've been seeing videos lately about how they're superior to merino and polyester base layers.

I like Marmot gear but can't deal with the big logo on my chest like I'm wearing a freakin' nametag at a convention or a uniform for Marmot's kiosk down at the mall. I have literally NOT bought a jacket from them for solely this reason. And that goes quadruple for Arc'teryx with that brutally outdated lizard that they stick front and center on everything, which I agree looked cool and exotic IN THE EARLY 90s, back when your older brother couldn't wait to get a tribal armband tattoo and grow out his jazz button. If they're not going to modernize their logo, at least make it blend in? Shrink it and put it on the sleeve? These companies should offer a logo-free option for people who want the the cut, color and texture of their clothes to communicate aesthetic, rather than logos that appeal only to Chad the overcaffeinated marketing guy and insecure people trying to fit in with some crowd. I would literally pay extra for that.

Excellent clip. And a solid message. I came up as a mountain hiker and backpacker before the internet (there really was a time before the internet), was entirely self-taught and only soloed. I made every mistake. Once. I had very little money and bought whatever was cheapest. I just wanted to get out there. You CAN do it that way. You will make mistakes. But now there's so much opportunity to research, and big sales on gear sites, so you can get the biggest bang for your buck. And the more you're out there the more aware you become of your needs. Not your wants. There's a difference.
So many people new to it think they need to spend big money and what often happens is they don't pursue it and that stuff ends up in the garage. Does high end gear perform better? Yeah. Usually it does. But both a Ferrari and a 20 year old beater vehicle will still get you from Point A to Point B. Footwear and packs is where you want to focus the initial money. It's just too important to the experience. But otherwise just get what you can afford and go. "Buy once - cry once" can make sense if you're using gear for real and a lot. But otherwise, just get what you can and go for it.

As others have mentioned Army surplus is your friend. My british army fleece is just perfect, thin but dense, breathable and fairly windproof. The other thing I have found for my legs is that a loose pair of polyester pyjama bottoms works far far better than a skin tight layer of anything, as a base layer. The hairs on my legs do a fairly decent job of insulating if they arent flattened against the leg, tight layers make them feel colder.

It's frustrating how difficult it has become to find a simple waterproof windstopper with pit zips nowadays. I just dumped my beloved worn out (only in the inside) Northface I used for the past 10 years, only to find out their's not any equivalent choice around in almost any brand. The Marmot you are presenting is the closest I can track down and I am very happy to now have at least one option. Have they all gotten rid of the pit zips for the purposes of economy? I wonder.

The most expensive and quality gear starts with X-Bionic Base Layer, Patagonia Fleece and Arc Teryx Insulated and Gore Tex Shell. For Footwear I recommend various types of boots, from the versatility of Meindl/Salomon to La Sportiva/Mammut/Arc Teryx.

Thanks for the video, what is the best walk around winter boot that are comfortable? I live in North Dakota

Probably bee said in all the comments but don’t forget to shop in thrift stores! I suppose anything made from polyester is essentially plastic and so not good for landfill and best to recycle?

UNIQLO HEATTECH base layers (I find them more comfy than SmartWool). $29 each and they're super warm and the top can be worn alone, as it looks nice.

But if I buy Amazon basics gear how will I prove to my coffee shop bros that I’m a true outdoorsman??

Most brands like arcteryx patagonia and north face also sell older/returned items for significant discount. Also REI has a great garage sale and secondhand options for members

The problem with the cheap stuff is it falls apart.
My wife's Mountain Hardware fleece is made of Malden Mills fabric (MA, USA) and built sewn all in the USA. It is 25 years old. Perfect shape. She had a North Face 10 years ago that lasted 5 years. Back on Mountain Hardware full time.
This is a common problem. Cheap stuff just falls apart. Yes, some expensive stuff does too, but there are warrantees. You will basically never find cheap stuff that outlasts good expensive stuff.

what if you are on a survival situation and not skiing?

Never seen your channel before, but I became a fan after your intro.

NO people , do NOT follow this advise if you have to count on your shell layer to keep you alive !! If you are doing SHORT day hikes , and do not plan to stay out overnight . A SHELL that might leak /wet through could work .But for SURE , when you are going days in , buy the best rated SHELL that you can . The other layers aren't nearly as important . I am speaking any time that it will be 50 degree's or below and you have to count on a shell . 100% for sure for winter backpacking !!! doc BG . Winter survial training in the FRG , Alaska , 73 Y.O. , 45 yr backpacker year round and RVN medic . BEST shell you can get if over a day out in 50 degree or less , and ALWAYS carry a E-blanket & Lifestraw !! .

yo that’s my lime green jacket my wife said I look hot in it

came here from the layering video thinking I was too poor for the outdoors haha

Wool keeps you warmer when you are wet, but also makes you sweat more when hiking or working. Polyester base layer when hiking/heavy work - wool when in camp.

trouble is, that the cheap kit from amazon and such is cheap for a few reasons. One of them is poor quality, another is that they usually 'save' on using the cheapest suppliers who generally tend to have the worst reputation for treating badly their workforce and environment. This does not mean that when you buy a reputable brand you're guranteed workforce and environment were treated well, there are many cases of known brands feigning shock/horror at exposed labor and environmental abuse at production stage, BUT - the chance of accountability is much, much higher. If you buy the cheapest, something's gotta give, and a lot of it. Unless, of course, you don't care how other people are treated (unless you happen to be on the receiving end ;)

Patagonia is one of the few brands that fits my body perfectly. I am able to buy second hand because I know it's going to fit. I bought a Patagonia mid-layer second hand that the original owner bought in Japan and it wasn't sold in North America (I checked on their website because I thought it might be a fake). The size was exactly the same as North American for me. Thats impressive.

Lower end products like Eddie Bauer are usually cut too wide and short, use inferior materials for sports, weigh more and are more bulky. That said, Arcteryx women's are also cut shorter with a waist that sits too high so don't fit me either, despite lovely materials. I have a 15 year old Patagonia coat I still wear. That's good value.

I need this video but for skiing equipment. Thank you!

I did my share of winter outdoor hikes and activities wearing old clothes and what most would call rags and I was just fine. Outdoor gear is consumerism at it's finest! Seems like people are more interested in buying unecessary fancy clothes that destroy the environment than anything else...nice video though.

People lived in North America in nothing but animal skins. If you think it’s expensive you’re not smart…

So if the cheaper alternatives " work just as well" as you claim, then why bother spending $1200?

Have an Arcteryx shell 3L Gore. 13 to 14 yrs old. Use for sking, backpacking, angling, etc… one of the best purchases for my money I’ve spent on tech gear.

Polyester stinks and holds it until it’s washed in Tide with Fabreez.
With Merino you might think it stinks but it’s really just you. Let it set for a few, while you shower your pits, and it’ll be good for another 5 days. Then repeat. Amazing.

I've been an active outdoorsman for more than 60 years and worked as a salesman of outdoor equipment back when a top of the line SnowLion winter jacket sold for less than $100. Prices for today's outdoor equipment are simply ridiculous! Back when hikers, climbers, snowshoers, kayakers, and cyclists were young working class folks prices were reasonable…and that was back in the days when the bulk of outdoor gear was still being made in America. Why is it that today when the bulk of outdoor gear is being made in Vietnam, Thailand, et al for a fraction of what it would cost in the USA it seems odd that prices have gone through the roof. Until, that is, you consider the makeup of today's outdoor products market. Today's version of the yuppie of old is probably working as a lawyer, stock broker, real estate broker, doctor, dentist…. What's a measly $800 for a Goretex wind shell when ya making $750,000 a year? No clearer indicator exists for income disparity than todays "outdoor" gear most of which is worn by upscale folks while shopping at the local supermarket. I've been a rock climber, ice climber, snowshoer, cross country skier, white water kayaker, sea kayaker, canoeist, road cyclist, mountain biker, kick scooter rider over the course of my life. At today's prices I'd be lucky to be able to spend $4,000+ for a 10' solo canoe or $12,000+ for a road bicycle I wouldn't be holding my breath while waiting for price drops.

Decathlon sells very good quality outdoor gear for low prices.

Costco…

One important thing that was never mentioned is how to buy on Amazon and not be scammed.
Its literally a dump of a market place.

Goretex doesn't breathe, it's aspirational at best. Columbia has been making technical fabrics for much less that work arguably better. I have a mountaineering shell from them, it's perfect.

Everyone should also know that GoreTex is BS. It can't breathe when wet. It's not the best material, it's just expensive.

This seems a bit overly complicated to me. I went on a hike to -5C wearing just a North Face himalayan puffer and an Under Armour compression long-sleeve top and it was all I needed. The top would wick any moisture away, and I would unzip the jacket to let heat/moisture out, or zip it to get warm. If you have something like a fleece or something to layer on top of it if you wanna rest longer to keep in your backpack you're totally set. I feel like a big down puffer goes a long way for so many hiking scenarios.

start out underdressed and as you get moving you’ll warm up, and wearing wool eliminates the concern about getting wet.

I remember some Years ago, there was this lady walking with her dogs in the forest where I often went bushcrafting. Once she asked me if I'm interested for some old wool blankets and I said yes. Few days later she brought four (!! Made in 1966, but in like-new condition!) of the legendary Swiss army 100% wool blankets. I was beyond thrilled.
Some months later I realized that I don't need four blankets, so I decided to make a hoodie-jacket from one of those. Got the pattern and some tipps from a local sewing shop/studio, made my hoodie using an 80+yo treadling sewing machine. Turned out this jacket is a perfect piece of outdoor gear! Comfortable fit, warm, very tough material, no plastic, slightly oversized (cozy), natural water- and dirt repellent and absolutely immune against (campfire) sparks.

Budget list:
- wool blanket: free
- sewing machine, threads, needles: already owned
- other tools (scissors, rulers, fabric-markers, pins,...): already owned
- elecrticity: not necessary
- zipper for the jacket: 5 bucks
- sixpack beer: (already owned) 10 bucks

- using/wearing a self made (unique) and "perfect fit to my needs" bushcraft item: PRICELESS!

I also DIY'd my tarp, hammok, countless bags and pouches, groundsheet (beeswax soaked canvas), hatchet sheath (leather), foldable stool, modifyed backpacks, tents, saddle pouches and countless other things. Having (and knowing how to use it) a strong vintage sewing machine can bring so many benefits for a bushrafter!
It's not "just" the financial benefit, it's also the satisfaction when a new piece is accomplished and of course the satisfaction when it does its job better and more reliable than any other (commercially available) item could ever do it.

Eg. I'm one who likes to go bushcrafting with as few as possible syntethic materials, but anyway I can not carry a ton. My tarp is 3,2 x3,2m (10,5 by 10,5 ft) and weighs just 3 pounds, because instead uf using (heavy) canvas I have made it of finest woven egyptian cotton. All the corners and attachement loops had to be carefully reinforced - and to make sure it's strong enough, I even reinforced the reinforcements.
Such an elaborately manufactured tarp is nowhere available on the market, for a good reason: no one would pay that! As long as You don't hire a tailor to custom-build it (or ask your mom, sister or wife to do it), DIY is the only option.
Btw: I use this tarp since 4 Years now. Not every weekend, but on some weekends twice. Except of some dirt (and russ from igniting the rocketstove using fatwood) it looks like new. No stress in the fabric visible, no seam (not even a single stitch) has opened. ZERO visible wear! I could wash it and spray-on some new water repellent, but I see no hurry to do so.
Maybe in a few Years.... that's how I like bushcraft gear.

I just can’t take the feeling of most polyester against my skin, UnderArmor being the worst.

It’s overhyped

I stopped listening when he said that goretex is breathable. Goretex is essentially a marketing scam. It is only breathable when dry. So, when you DONT sweat