Packable Winter Coat

A light down coat that is "squishy" tends to pack well. But you can also just wear your coat on the plane.

Thanks. Yes, I have a “squishy” one that packs really well. I’m just afraid it won’t keep me warm enough in France in December.

I have a Uniqlo down coat that packs into a small sack that is warm and doesn’t take up much space in my luggage. I live in upstate N.Y. and it keeps me warm enough, especially with a sweater underneath. I think I paid ~$100.

It will probably be fine if you wear warm layers underneath.
I bought a roomy packable down coat to be able to layer. Much more useful than dragging along a heavy coat that may only be useful a time or 2.

I have a hip length, hooded packable down coat I bought at Costco years ago. It packs into it's own little bag which makes a handy pillow on the plane. I'm sure it was less than $100 and maybe less than $50. I wear it when I get out of the pool in the winter - yes, I swim outside in the snow and rain. The only down side of packable down is if it's really windy. The wind can slice through the warmth. So as someone else mentioned, wearing a warm layer underneath will help. As would a hat.

If you have a Costco you can get to, you could find affordable 32º brand jackets that usually have synthetic fill and are generally lightweight and low profile. Uniqlo has well priced under layers (tops and bottoms) that are lightweight, moisture wicking and heat retaining. Have sweaters in Merino wool and cashmere, they're super insulating. Be sure to have gloves, hat and scarf, too.

I like the packable vests, jackets, and coats from Lands End with a cashmere cardigan underneath. In Minnesota, it works fine to just have a winter coat, but in Europe I have found that you never know what the temperature of a museum, church, restaurant, metro, train, or bus will be like, so layers are a good idea. Also, I often find Lands End coats and sweaters on eBay, both new and gently used.

Thanks, everyone! These are great suggestions. I don’t have access to a Costco, I do have a Uniqlo. I’ll check out their jackets. I agree that layers are always a good option.

My first thought was of the lovely coat my daughter bought when we were in Paris years ago. If it were me I''d bring your squishy one and throw in some knit gloves and a hat. Then if it wasn't enough I'd look for warm coat as my souvenir!

What I don't like about the Uniqlo coats is that they have no inside pocket. Otherwise I think they're cute and much more compact looking than some. I tried on a few at Columbia yesterday, but they didn't have the one I liked in my size. They had some that weren't as compact, but I like the concept of compact yet still quite warm.

My strategy for long-distance winter travel these days is to layer a packable down jacket (I use a Patagonia Nano Puff but a Uniqlo does the same job) under a loose-fitting rain jacket/windbreaker (I use a Patagonia Torrentshell. No, I do not work for them).

This combo was tried and tested down to ~25-30F or so and it was sufficient. Paris in mid-December is more like 40-50F.

If you are going entirely in winter weather, won’t you be wearing said coat every day??
Hence, no need to worry if it’s “packable”?
You’ll be wearing it, not packing it.

I agree with Balso that the most effective strategy is to combine a packable puffer jacket (whether down or down alternative) and a packable, waterproof rain jacket. There are recommendations aplenty for both items on this site, both hip length and over-the-bum length. Good sources, in addition to Patagonia, are LLBean, LandsEnd, Eddie Bauer, Columbia, REI, Sierra.

I agree with Balso, but I also bring a fleece for a third layer. It can be heavy, medium or light, depending on the temperature and your tolerance for cold. The three layers don’t all need to be packed. I usually wear two or three in transit. If I get hot, I tie one or two around my waist. (I don’t care what I look like.). A similar strategy works for below the waist. Thin silk or polyester long underwear plus regular or fleece-lined pants and waterproof pants.

Wait until you get to Paris and buy a jacket in Zara. They'll probably have a few stores in the city. Prices will be just as good as in Spain, I imagine.

For those shopping down jackets, it might be useful to get to know fill power and fill weight - https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/what-is-down-fill-power.html

If you are going entirely in winter weather, won’t you be wearing said coat every day??

Personally, no. I've always dressed in layers and layers change based on temperatures, humidity and comfort.

My first response was also that you'll be wearing the coat, not packing it, but I do think this is very much personal preference - I'm absolutely a big coat person unless I'm doing serious outdoor exercise (layering while hiking or cycling is very different).

I remember my first trip to Europe in winter (which was also my first encounter with actual cold weather). Having received advice on layering, I packed accordingly. And then needed to find a bathroom and essentially strip every time I entered a museum or restaurant or, well, anywhere. Off with the leggings under my jeans, the long-sleeved top under my shirt and so on. Plus the two jackets (waterproof and not). Which then had to be stowed somewhere until the process was reversed when I was ready to leave. Unbelievably annoying. I hated it! Even adjusting my outfits so I was removing the top layer rather than the bottom only helped so much - it turns out I'm much more of a thick jumper or long-leeved shirt person than a fleece + t-shirt wearer. Once I accepted this and bought an actual winter coat, life improved enormously.

My coat comes to my knees, and I wear warm knee-high socks (which I tolerate much better than leggings or tights so they can stay on), and when I enter a building I take off my coat and that's that. I will layer if I'm going to be outside for hours (e.g. Christmas markets), but otherwise not.

That being said, I now live somewhere where it is both cold and damp, so I need a waterproof winter coat, and those are definitely not packable. So the combination of a puffy coat and rain layer make sense for travel purposes in a place like Paris, especially if you're someone who doesn't want or need a knee-length option. Whereas I do, and although my long puffer and long raincoat can be worn together (I've done it a few times), I don't like the feeling compared with my actual coat. Very Michelin [wo]man. Equally, a short warm jacket under a long raincoat is more comfortable but leaves me with freezing thighs.

In other words, yes, I can support the Uniqlo down recommendation (although they're not as cheap as they used to be), and the rain/wind layer on top as a general concept, but I also recommend trying a few combinations before you leave and seeing what you actually feel comfortable in - and how cold tolerant you are. I wanted to love layering, but it doesn't love me. 😅

(And yes, I've tried higher quality base layers, and wool, and silk - great for exercise layers but I can't stand them on a regular day.)

I’m enjoying reading all the suggestions. I went to Uniqlo. They have a down puffer jacket that is $69.99 if you buy it in their app. It didn’t feel warmer than what I have. The rest are $150 and higher, but I may go back. The reason I want a packable jacket is to not deal with it in trains and planes.

Now you have your coat, if you need more layers, try the Heattech long underwear from Uniqlo…..it’s amazing.
So thin, but absolutely warm.
It comes in different “heat weights” …I’ve just bought another set on sale.
I always pack a set with me every trip….its good for using as pj’s too if your room is cold.
Have a wonderful trip!