Everything You Need to Know Before Deciding Which Winter Coat Is Best for You!
When wintry months and blustering winds begin to pick up once again, you may find yourself wondering if your current winter jacket will withstand the chill of this upcoming season. When choosing a new jacket, there will be a couple things you’ll want to consider.
Follow along as we outline the similarities and differences of puffer jackets vs. wool coats – so you’ll know exactly which one will suit your needs as you take on another round of frosty months ahead!
Beginning with the Basics – Know Your Features
The features of your jacket will ultimately be what you’ll want to base most of your decision on. First, you’ll want to ask yourself in what situations you’ll most likely be wearing your jacket – Are you in a rainy, snowy, or windy climate? Do you spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter?
Do you participate in any winter sports? Based on your answers to these questions, you’ll likely have a better idea of what types of features you’ll want in your new jacket. Now, see our outline of the best puffer jacket features vs. best wool coat features below!
Puffer Jacket Features
You may have also heard puffer jackets referred to as quilted jackets before, due to the quilt-like patterns of the “puffs.” Puffer jackets are extremely lightweight because said puffs are typically filled with down insulation or synthetic fibers, both of which weigh very little. Although puffer jackets are lightweight, it doesn’t mean they lack warmth – in fact, the aforementioned down insulation and synthetic fiber materials that fill the puffs add a lot of warmth to the jacket.
The stitches between the puffs keep these materials close to your body, allowing you to retain heat and stay warm without feeling weighed down. This makes puffer jackets great for those who spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter, whether partaking in sports or other physical activities. If you are looking for maximum warmth in a puffer jacket, down insulation typically does a bit of a better job, but synthetic fibers can also do the trick in a similar way, especially if you are buying from a reputable company that uses said fibers.
Additionally, the outer part of puffer jackets are typically weather resistant, meaning this may be your best bet if you live in an area that endures a lot of rain or snow.
Wool Coat Features
While there are a lot of benefits to puffer jacket features, that doesn’t mean there aren’t also a lot of benefits to wool coat features! There’s a reason why sheep can live outside in cold, damp climates without batting an eye – the material of their coats allows them to stay warm and dry, no matter the weather.
Perhaps one of the best features of wool is that it’s environmentally sustainable – no plastic, nothing synthetic, just pure sheep’s wool.
A sheep will grow a new coat each year that farmers will shear during warmer months, so it is a safe and renewable resource to use and wear! As an added bonus, wool is also a material that is biodegradable and requires much less processing than man-made products.
So, if that’s something important to you, then sustainability is a great resource to consider. Much like sheep grow wool to keep themselves warm, a wool coat will keep you extremely warm, as well.
The natural characteristics of wool regulate and insulate, in addition to absorbing moisture – keeping you warm and dry against the cold.
While a wool coat may feel a bit heavier on you, it actually has remarkable breathability – the antimicrobial qualities found in wool fend off bacteria, keeping the fabric light and moisture-free (meaning that it also reduces body odor! – so if you are looking for a coat for outdoor excursions, this may be a win/win!)
In addition to all the aforementioned features of wool, its natural properties allow it to also be:
- UV and stain resistant
- Machine washable (although they do not require frequent washings due to the above point!)
- Hypoallergenic (great for those with asthma or outdoor allergies!)
- Fire resistant
- Long lasting
If you are looking for a sustainable coat with longevity, then the wool coat may be the choice for you. While its synthetic counterpart may be comparable in warmth, wool coats definitely take the cake in long-term wear with renewable properties.
Now, Let’s Talk Cost
Now that you have the features, materials, design, and benefits down for each type of coat, let’s discuss what pricing will look like.
It is important to note right off the bat that any sturdy, durable, and high-quality winter coat will cost a bit of money, no matter what type you decide to go with. Money is, undoubtedly, an important factor to consider though, so it is important to be prepared for what you can expect price-wise when shopping for your new jacket.
For the most part, if you’re tight on cash, a puffer jacket will typically be the cheaper choice. Since puffer jackets are so versatile, their prices tend to vary, so it is important to do your research beforehand to make sure you’re getting the best coat for your specific needs and price range. You can find a good puffer jacket for as low as $80, but they can also range as high as $1,500.
A wool coat will likely cost you a little extra cash, but you should still be able to find a high-quality one for under $300, although they can skyrocket into the thousands depending on brand, labor cost, and the amount of wool that is used.
It is important to make sure you are making the correct type of investment for your needs – because, either way, as long as you’re making the best choice for you, the investment will be worth it. As an added pro tip, a great way to combat pricy coats is to shop secondhand.
Your local thrift or dress-for-less stores could very well have some stellar lightly-used coats for much cheaper. That way, you can get the coat of your dreams without breaking the bank!
Looking for More Information About Outdoor Wear?
We hope we’ve answered all your questions about your winter coat needs through this extensive article listing the similarities and differences between puffer jackets vs. wool coats.
Nonetheless, if you are still seeking more information, feel free to follow our blog for more information regarding outdoor wear and activities. At this point, you should have all the tools you need to brace the cold with a new coat!
May you stay warm, dry, and safe this upcoming winter season!
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