Tis the season to buy clothing....

I am a fan of 32 Degrees apparel. When I first started buying, I figured stuff would probably fall apart quickly, but I have base layers that I have had for years and they are still in great shape. I LOVE the 32 Degrees Down Jacket, also from Costco. It's currently $20. I am on my second one - had the first one for over 10 years before some of the threads started unraveling. The jacket is thin, so I would not wear it to, say, Antarctica, but it's perfect for cooler weather and works fine with some layers and a scarf if it is colder. Its an item that I have always packed and never regretted (we usually travel spring and fall). I can fold it flat into a gallon ziploc.

Rebecca, I was checking that one out online as well. Good to know your thoughts! I plan on stopping at Costco on Monday so I will check it out then. Thanks!

yes, Mardee, I think the tech jacket you linked to might be a bit bigger than the one I have. Which is not to say it wouldn't pack down! But when trying it on, try rolling it up tight and see (it would not be the weirdest thing anyone sees at Costco that day lol). My other bit of 32 Degrees shopping advice is avoid the jackets with the neoprene sleeves. Depending on what you are wearing, it is a struggle to get your arms in and out of the sleeves - the neoprene doesn't allow for easy sliding if you have a sweater on, etc.

I think it's bigger, too--or at least longer. I will also try packing and rolling it up. And yes, I don't think anyone at Costco will bat an eye at that, lol!

I bought the same one as Rebecca the other day and then tried it out on my morning walk this weekend. The temp was about 50’ and I had to take it off about half way through because it got so warm. I was really impressed that for its exceptionally light weight it kept me really warm. I would agree that it runs large, so it could be useful for layering.

WOW, this looks great. I hope I remember to go to Costco tomorrow.

I saw that coat today, it looked really nice! If anyone has a winter trip coming up, I thought Costco had a lot of great finds. The 32 Degree base layers were on sale, as were some of the gloves. They also had a pair of Columbia water-resistant. fleece-lined pants that looked great, though they did not have my size so I did not get them. I ended up getting a Columbia fleece, some hand warmers, and more base layer tops. Tis the season is right! At REI I managed to exercise some restraint and left with a Smartwool hat.

Well, I hit Costco this morning and bought both coats! I love the one you mentioned, Rebecca, and I think that might be the one I take to England next year as it is SO light and small that it will fit in my luggage anywhere! And it was only $14.95!

I also love the 32 Degree stuff and agree that it lasts really well for being so inexpensive. I wear their base layer bottoms all winter and they are excellent.

"rolling it up tight and see (it would not be the weirdest thing anyone sees at Costco that day lol)"

OMG, Rebecca, that made me laugh! Too True!!

Well, I confess, right after I tried the 32 Degrees jacket on, I was rolling it up, also, to determine how small I could squeeze it down. The jacket doesn't come with a sack, but I already have several sacks. Sometimes I just rubber band packable down jackets.

I was at Costco today, and brought home the evergreen( tag calls it blue) and tan(tag calls it grey) jackets, with the intent to return one (maybe)...They also had black and burgundy, with the smaller sizes harder to find. There are deep inside pockets on each side, which is nice; I may add Velcro closures or fasteners. The hood is insulated and stays on.
I find the sizes generous, and was happy they seem longer: the small is 27" in the back, covering the butt.

Mardee, thanks so much for sharing, that $19.99 price is sweet. Maybe I'll keep both???

Happy shopping and safe travels to all!

Maybe I'll keep both???

I'll vote for that, Pat! In the (paraphrased) words of Dorothy Parker, "You can never be too rich or too thin, or have too many Costco jackets." 😉

True confessions. I looked at the winter jacket and decided I don’t need it. But I have 3 of the light-weight 32 Degrees jackets—2 black and 1 burgundy. At that price you really can’t have too many!

Glad everyone went shopping today! And hmmm, maybe I need a burgundy jacket. Would go with my usual wardrobe colors of black, gray, burgundy...

Mardee, weren't we recently all commenting on our travel splurges???

Mardee, I think it’s the season to be convincing all of us to spend money! “It’s travel related”…..and I’m looking eagerly at it!

I certainly don’t need another winter coat or even another fleece one, but your post was helpful to remind me that I really need to replace my 32 degree long sleeve scoop neck thin base layer tops. I currently have a maroon one and a black one, and I always pack one for Europe since they don’t take any room. I wore one layered this summer during the cold cave tour in Slovenia. I’ve worn them on trips for years by themself as a top with a pretty scarf for many outdoor cooler evening dinners. Even worked for a classical concert. They have several colors on sale on their website if you don’t want the basic black/white option currently at Costco.

Pat, yes, ha ha, I believe we were, thanks to Jean, who is now encouraging us to branch out to base layers! But seriously, that's a good idea, Jean. I have a couple of those that I love, but they don't fit well as I've lost some weight and I do need some more. I guess more Costco shopping is in order!

I believe the same jacket is the same price on the 32 Degrees website, and offer more colors. ( I have enough,)

Thanks a lot, I went to Costco yesterday and walked out with a 32 Degree down jacket. Black, because it was the only color I could find in a medium. Do you know how many black down jackets I have? Hooded, not hooded, longer and hooded, one that lives in my RV… The reason I bought it was that for $15 I think I’ll take it on my upcoming Christmas market trip, along with the much warmer longer hooded down parka. If it’s really cold I can layer them, or wear them separately. If something happens to it, no big deal.

I believe the same jacket is the same price on the 32 Degrees website, and offer more colors.

True but you'd have to pay for shipping unless the total is over $32. Still probably worth it if you don't have a Costco membership, though!

Do you know how many black down jackets I have? Hooded, not hooded, longer and hooded, one that lives in my RV… The reason I bought it was that for $15 I think I’ll take it on my upcoming Christmas market trip, along with the much warmer longer hooded down parka.

Haha, had to laugh at that, Andrea! I have a number of them as well, but probably not as many as you. That's a great idea about taking it on the Christmas market trip, though!

I like different colors of packable down jackets so I look a little different in the various trip pictures. For only $19.99, I can achieve this! ( And I purchase a new warm scarf once I land.)
Safe travels and happy shopping to all!

@Andrea...I want to know how the 32 degree jacket does with the Christmas Markets!! Note to self to include that info in your TR!

(PS you look good in black so that is a plus!)

Uh, Mardee, have you made any purchases the last few days, (hahahahaha!!!!)??

Just a few, Pam! But now I'm starting to look at bags, because evidently I have not bought enough stuff. 😂

But really, I do need (okay, want) a crossbody bag and I'm starting to look at upcoming Black Friday deals. I may start a thread unless someone beats me to it, but it is handy to have a Black Friday thread!

I just returned from Costco. Two days in a row, do I have a problem? I took a look at the Winter Tech Jacket, but it doesn’t squish down as small as the down jacket I bought yesterday. I traveled with a similar Eddie Bauer jacket last year and did fine layering with a light fleece jacket and a waterproof rain jacket, sometimes wearing all layers at once. One trip was in the spring (late March-the month of April, and one was from late August-end of October. December is a whole different situation for me. I’m a California girl who feels the cold more than most people.

Are the down jackets water resistant or waterproof?

I went to Costco yesterday but didn't get a jacket because I have a shorter one...now I'm thinking I should've tried them on because I may need a little longer one sometime...

I did grab a couple of the last few crew neck merino sweaters because they were only $6, and basic black. (I wore a couple on my last trip almost exclusively.) They are duplicates (I had bought several here and also in Canada (different colors) at the $20 rate. They had the v neck ones for $8, but they have a waist and cuff knit, and are a different manufacturer (someone complained about Banana Republic merinos on another thread).

Just got off the thread that had the link to the Land's End jackets which were on sale for $69. I got a couple at $49 (down from 99) because I got a 50% off over--I think because I had not been on the mailing list for awhile. There is a $7 charge for returns, unfortunately. I got a short wind/water jacket on sale while in Canada (which I won't be able to return since I won't be back in time) but I want to see what the Land's End are like.

Maybe I should just I need to keep a suitcase half packed as a way to store all these new clothes.

Are the down jackets water resistant tor waterproof?

The longer one is water resistant according to the Costco site and if the shorter jacket is the same one that's on the 32 Degrees website, it says it is water repellant. I wouldn't expect any down jacket to be waterproof.

@Mardee, I agree, and I take a full-length packable rain coat (with hood) to layer over the 32 Degree jacket.

@Andrea, we took a bag of hand warmers for our Xmas markets trip, and put them in the palms of our gloves. Worked really well!

Crazy coincidence, I just this hour wore the jacket and got caught in our first CA rain of the season. It wouldn't pass my "water resistant" test.

The nice thing about the thinner 32 Degrees down jacket is that it fits under a raincoat (I have an eddie bauer unlined raincoat, maybe the rain foil? not sure). It also fits into a gallon ziploc, easy to tuck into a carry on, backpack or cross body bag.

Rebecca, that raincoat sounds interesting. I will have to check that out. I do have a raincoat that I really like ($4 at Costco) but it's heavier than I would like for a trip, so I'm looking for something more lightweight. And that's a good idea about the layering. Thanks!

Pat, I already bought a box of hand warmers and foot warmers at Costco. I’m probably going to return the foot warmers because I don’t think they will fit in my bootie’s/shoes.

Reading this with interest because I just got my first 32 Degrees base layers for Norway in March, but they might come in handy for London next month. I already have a packable down jacket that does most cold weather trips, but felt I needed to opt for heavier and warmer for the Arctic Circle. And it’s not that cold here, so none of it will get much use at home (nor do we have an easily accessible in person place to buy really warm stuff) ….. I ended up with a coat from Eddie Bauer that I sure hope works!

@TTM, I love the Eddie Bauer jackets and have several colors and styles, including multiple black ones…hood, no hood, parka length.

I found myself near a different Costco location today and ran in to see if I could find the 32 Degree puffer in my size that wasn’t black. Eureka, I found a blue one. Not only that, but it cost $9.97! I’ll be returning the black one.

Wow, lucky find, Andrea! That's great! I would try that but ours is the only Costco within 200 miles.

I have multiple locations in the region I can choose from and they all carry different things. I generally go to the location just 6 miles from my house. I’m super excited that they will be building the biggest warehouse in the region only about 3-4 miles from me with 20 gas pumps and a car wash. I always buy my gas at Costco.

Andrea, I used to visit my sister in the Carmel/Monterey area every two years and I loved that you could find multiple Costcos and Trader Joe's within a 20 mile radius. The one good thing about the Duluth Costco is that there is never any traffic congestion at the store, and never any lines at the gas pumps. Sadly, still no Trader Joe's.

Andrea, they plan to build a Costco about a 1+ mile down the hill from my neighborhood. It will be in the same shopping center as my gym. ( They will be repurposing a closed Sears store.) This has the potential to be a REAL problem. I should probably go somewhere and get help NOW!

Mardee, when there is discussion about what retail stores are desired in our growing area the two most common responses are Costco and Trader Joe’s. The Costco currently in my city draws from a large geographical area, which means it is always crowded. My city has a population of about 140,000 and is the largest by far in our rural county that stretches from a few miles west of us to the Nevada state line through Lake Tahoe. The region north of us is also fairly rural. People come from far and wide to shop here. Our new Costco will help. The closest Trader Joe’s is about 20 minutes from my house in a direction I rarely go. If I happen to pass by one I’ll stop in if I need anything. I’m hoping a TJ will go into to the large shopping center where the Costco is going. 🤞🏼 That said, who knows when this will happen. Right now it’s just dirt.

@Pat, good luck! I wonder if there’s a support group out there? ;-)

Andrea--That was a great find!

I have a Costco down jacket that is a bit longer and took it to Germany and Austria last December. It was perfect! I will take it to Iceland/Amsterdam in February. I have been having to force myself to not look at jackets while at Costco;)

I just got back yesterday from moms. It was supposed to be a one night trip, so I packed super light as usual. Oops had to extend the trip, so had to go buy underwear, lol. I didn't have time to buy more clothes, so wore the same pair of leggings the entire time and then two tops. I recycled socks too. I know better, but screwed up this time. Now only if this would happen in Europe where it would be more fun for shopping;)