The coat question

Well, there's no harm in checking until the last minute and deciding then. That's what I do. But then Its almost always a thin rain resistant outer layer. With other layers packed, or not.

Well if it makes you feel better, my flight doesn't leave for 39 days and I was still somehow just standing in front of my coat closet pondering which polar fleece jacket gets to travel with me:)

This is so funny. I’m so glad I’m not alone. I don’t leave for England and Ireland for 3 months. But it’s cold in rainy in Phoenix this week so I’m trying out different jacket, sweater, rain coat combinations to get an idea what to wear.
Decisions, decisions. We can always buy something in Europe if needed.

I just went through testing out 3 waterproof rain coats and still question which one will make the cut for our May trip to the RS Adriatic followed by a week in Paris. The last two years we’ve run into drenching rain in May, which makes me loathe to take something not waterproof, but hate to sound like a ball of cellophane as I walk around when it’s not raining. What I, personally, have to do it just BUY something if the weather goes in a different direction than my packing. Last year we wandered through Spain and every day I thought “surely it will warm up tomorrow.” I would have been much more comfortable for 26 of the 28 days if I’d just bought something.

Have a great trip!

Yes, I leave in less than 2 weeks. I went out in the rain yesterday in my shorter rain coat to decide if I would be happy with it in a moderate rain or if I should take my longer one. My neighbors must have thought I was crazy, standing in my driveway in the rain!

The shorter one it is....unless the forecast shows a lot of rain, in which case it will be the longer one ;-)

I didn't have this dilemna before I bought the shorter rain coat - a great deal in Istanbul last summer.

I did the same thing, Carol, for my trip a couple of weeks ago to Spain. The previous year Ijust took my lightweight Columbia rain jacket, but this time I was also debating whether to also bring my lightweight fleece.

I ended up bringing the fleece because I don’t like being cold on the plane. And it ended up being the coat I wore more than the rain jacket in the evenings in Spain. I was glad I brought it!

My raincoat always gets rolled up and put in the bottom of my pack back. It’s been amazing the places I’ve needed it. Otherwise I’m always debating on the Patagonia Nano versus the down. I get cold easily. Most of the time it’s been the Nano that I can layer with a lightweight merino sweater. I think the only time I really regretted not have the down was RS Best of England, even though it was early September.

A few years ago I purchased a nice rain poncho which folds up small and is lightweight. I like that is covers my day bag if it is raining.
I just checked the weather again for our trip Thursday to Japan - high 60’s. Gonna go with my light jacket.
As long as I have a scarf and my neck is warm, I’m good.

Yes, I struggle with the coat dilemma, too. My trip to England and Ireland is in about three weeks. I've been going back and forth as to which coats to bring. Yes, I'm bringing more than one and will still be able to carry on only. I'll probably bring a nice Eddie Bauer down parka (Sun Valley Down Parka) that is very cozy but I don't overheat in it, even inside. I'll also bring either a small, packable 32 Degrees down jacket or a heavy fleece hoodie from the TekGear brand at Kohl's, to wear on warmer days. And I'll definitely bring my Eddie Bauer rain jacket (Rainfoil Utility Jacket), which can be layered over any of the others if it is raining. I'll check the long range forecast the day before and might substitute a shorter and lighter weight down jacket for the Eddie Bauer parka if the temperatures aren't going to be as cold.

The coat issue is the only clothes issue that I need to spend time with. I look at temperature charts, probablility of rain, possibility of wind, and then decide which coat to take.

I usually focus on the side of warmth considering what layers I will wear underneath.

I don't always make the right decision.

It’s just as bad as the shoes dilemma!

Over the years I’ve found that layers are best,
As I’m usually in Europe in September- October, it’s a packable puffy jacket with a hooded longer rain jacket .
That way I can wear one or the other or both.
The rain jacket sleeves have to be big enough to fit another layer too, just in case, so no tight sleeves.
My set of very thin long underwear keeps the wind out, if any.

The coat is an easier decision for me because we go to Europe between September and April, so I know I'll need some warmth, and maybe lots of warmth, at some point. I take the same layers every time now: packable down-alternative coat, same vest, cashmere cardigan, and fleece cardigan, all from Lands End, plus if I expect to be walking in the rain in city crowds where an umbrella is awkward, a long raincoat, also from Lands End, that can go over all of the other layers. No one would ever come to me for fashion advice, but it all works well and it's all washable if necessary.

Where in Europe next week? Right now here, the lightest possible coat and a layer or two is all that you need. By the end of the month that will be even more true. Now I am using a very thin qulited synthetic down thing and a sweater or some days a T-Shirt. And I sit outside with a glass of wine at least every other day.

Well, at least I know I’m not alone.

The heavy coat is now completely out of consideration. I’ll decide between the two other coats before I get on the plane.

Choosing the right coat can make all the difference. Several years ago in Paris during and after Christmas, I wore my maxi-length, heavy wool coat--it was in the high 50s and sunny. I was miserable. I'd have killed for my light-weight coat and short-sleeve tee shirts.
This year we'll be in Paris mid-September until the beginning of October. I've checked timeanddate.com over the past six years which "tells" me (fingers crossed) that I should take my mid-length light coat and L.L. Bean funnel-neck pullover for layering. Timeanddate.com is my go-to.

Have a great (and comfortable) time!

This made me laugh, Carol. I used to make fun of my daughter because she had so many coats and jackets. She would argue that you need them all living in Minnesota. Well, I retired and moved to Minnesota and now I have at least 8-9 coats and jackets. She was right!

I'm going through the same dilemma for my upcoming trip. Right now I'm debating between light and mid weight jackets, which leads to which shirts to pack for the proper amount of layering for a variety of weather possibilities. I also pack an oversized rain coat in a small draw string bag to carry with me in case of rain while I'm out exploring. It's not a super great quality, but will get the job done in a pinch.

I just remind myself that these are the kind of problems I want to have, wondering what to pack for another trip to Europe.

You are not alone. I have several coat options and we always travel in early spring or late fall. It's usually a day-of decision, depending on the latest forecast.

Last couple of trips I've taken an umbrella and been glad of it, although the last cheap-o one got left behind because the wind really mangled it! I love it when our apartment hosts leave us an umbrella to use.

I’m just curious if anyone else gets caught in this last minute indecision about coats.

*Yes !!! * this decision is the bane of my (traveling) existence. I can absolutely identify with this dilemma.

I could tell my stories about trying to decide on coats/jackets, and times when I have done okay, times when I have been annoyed, and times when I bought a new / additional jacket on the road, but suffice to say that I really think that for me deciding on coat(s) / jacket(s) is the hardest part of packing !

Thank you for this post, Carol !

I rarely am undecided on what jacket to bring, but I did wait until the very last minute on our recent trip to Alaska. I wanted to wait until the last minute so as to check the forecast and see if I needed my heavy coat or my insanely heavy coat;) Thankfully the temps were not -40, so the regular heavy coat did just fine.

All other trips I just wear my rain jackets. The only decision then is which one to bring, which color, lol. I have been known to pack two, just so photos are not the same every day;)

I have already decided on which one for our Greenland/Iceland trip. I realized I tend to take my red one, but I took the green one this fall, so red will be a nice change. Plus it will look good against the ice;)

Outerwear is always my biggest struggle. It’s easier to pack for a winter trip. Ha! I’m currently in Portland, OR and brought two suitcases with me, my case for visiting family and friends in Oregon and Washington, and my case that will be going to Australia with me in just over a week. I’ll be flying from Portland so there’s no changing my mind at the last minute. I’ve never been to Australia, but I know it can be hot. Or not. I get cold easily. I’ve been following the weather for the places I will be going over my 4 weeks there. There will be a range of temperatures so I decided to bring a packable waterproof rain jacket and a packable down jacket that can be worn together or independently of each other. I also have a light fleece that I can layer with the rain jacket and a linen jacket I can wear if it’s warmer but need a little something. I always second guess myself but this time I’m stuck.

Ok, mikliz97, now I've heard it all! Choosing a jacket because it will look good against the ice!!! LOVE IT. I'm sharing that with my sisters!

I noticed that most of the posts are from ladies. :-) If you think we have a hard time, it's even harder for the guys. I have a short rain jacket and a longer rain coat. Both the jacket and the coat have a nice hood which, I think, is important in the rain.

He has a hooded rain jacket. We like to go to operas, concerts, nice restaurants, etc. to which, although not required, it would be nicer for him to wear a coat. I have searched and searched found only 1 men's rain coat (thigh length) WITH A HOOD. All 1000000 other men's rain coats I've seen have no hood?!? Who would design a RAIN coat without a hood?

And after all the angst, there are the folks who leave their coat in the car and remember about it as they’re boarding their plane………. ;)

I usually travel with a rain coat. When I'm in the cooler months I add a fleece vest which is hip length and gloves & a knit cap. I figure I am ready for all but the coldest weather. Since I live in MN and we do have COLD weather I have a wardrobe of coats and jackets. The raincoat I usually take has both outside zip pockets and inside pockets which is one reason it is my travel favorite.

The coat dilemma is real! If one is small and packable and one is bulkier, pack the smaller one and wear the bulkier one. Chances are that it will feel colder at your destination than what you are used to at home because of the climate - the latitude, wind and dew point play a big role - so what 50 degrees feels like in Atlanta might feel different in Paris, etc. . A nice warm but thin layer close to the body is key for layering under your clothes and don't discount a scarf and hat and gloves. The scarf will come in handy on the plane too!

This is timely. LOL. I was just going through possible combinations for my France trip in 3 weeks. I put back the spring jacket (Lands End) and the fleece vest (more due to its weight, really). I'm definitely layering if it is cold and wet. My biggest concern is wind driven rain in Normandy, because I want to be outside as much as allowed. My decision was my Eddie Bauer knee length rain coat. If not raining, I will have my husband's travel blazer, which I'm hoping will suffice over my tee most of the time. I am also packing a very light, non-down, Costco vest. These three pieces fit well for wearing at the same time, but I'd prefer not to do so as I hope for spring weather. I am bringing a tiny umbrella because I often forego a rain coat for an umbrella, depending on the weather. Other than that, I will have 4 merino tops, 3 bottoms, and a pair of walking sneakers (Brooks). Ask my husband...I've been analyzing my packing for months. Decision finally made, I hope.

Lindy--Well a girl has to look good, lol!

I’ve settled on something which works pretty much everywhere, considering that we avoid places that are hot. I bring a lightweight jacket, warm fleece jacket, lightweight down jacket, and hooded waterproof jacket. They can be worn singly or in numerous combinations to make me comfortable in any climate other than hot. I never bring coats because they don’t lend themselves to tying around your waist if you need to shed a layer during the day. That means if it might get really cold, I have to bring long underwear bottoms (lightweight), and if it might get really rainy, I have to bring waterproof pants.

Oh, the never-ending coat dilemma! I get warm very easily, usually travel in late spring or early fall, thus I have only dealt with determinedly chilly weather on a couple of trips, and on those trips I wore a lined Calvin Klein thigh length hooded coat that I could fit layers under. I hate carrying a coat when I get too warm, and yet I hate to be cold as then I struggle to get out and about. I really dislike getting my hair wet, but hate carrying an umbrella. I have the almost perfect lightweight travel jacket, also Calvin Klein, anorak-style with great pockets and super flattering, BUT, it lacks a hood. It went on many trips, but last year I added a London Fog anorak style with a hood to my wardrobe of outerwear...but it's not as flattering.

I think spring is the hardest to pack for! I know I’m dying to wear eyelet and sweet cotton dresses, but it can still feel like winter in the places I’ve been visiting in recent Aprils - Rome, Dublin, Berlin, Freiburg…

Next month we’re going to Marseille and Nice and it could easily be rainy, from what I’ve researched. So, it’s a 10 y/o, navy blue , hooded, cotton anorak from Gap with a zip out quilted liner that can also be worn on its own. I’ll wear that for the flight, and will pack a dusty pink leather moto jacket. I’ll have a couple things I can layer (long sleeved tshirts, tank tops, a cotton cable knit pullover, a denim shirt and a navy cotton cardigan. Will wear jeans to fly, and pack fun white eyelet ones to wear when not wearing one of the 3 (4?) fun dresses I fit into my carryon luggage. Wishing for sunshine, but prepared for any weather thrown our way.

Safe travels, everyone!

You never need a “heavy” coat. You need an effective coat. When we went on a Christmas market trip, I wore a Columbia Heavenly jacket. Temps were in the 30’s. I was never cold. I layered a t shirt and light sweater underneath. The coat is very light and packable. I folded the jacket up into a zipped travel pillowcase for the flights.

I would bring a light waterproof jacket. If you’re worried about being cold, bring a thermal shirt. If you still find yourself cold, buy a souvenir sweatshirt.

Well, as a southern girl, I have needed a heavy coat. I went to Europe last year in November and took my wool winter coat which is heavy and was very grateful I had it every day. I was warm. I was comfortable

I know I keep reading on here you just add more layers. It’s not something I’m comfortable in. I just start to feel like I’m wearing too many clothes. (I realize that’s a personal problem.)

Two coats all trips any time of year any part of the world. One, a puff jacket. Two a rain jacket.

Well, actually today we went to take some stuff to a charity shop near here and after we dropped it off, we were looking around and I found the coat that is going to Europe. It is a raincoat with a button out liner that I feel like will be warm enough for just about anything and will work fine without the liner. It even still has the tags on it. It’s basically brand new. And it was $20 so I grabbed it and took it home.

I used to have a coat like this that finally wore out and it worked perfectly for me so I’m very optimistic about this one.