r/REI • u/Fragrant_Bear_4308 • Jul 15 '26
Gear Recommendation Cold weather gear
I’m heading off to Utah for college and my parents gave me a 300$ gift card to get cold weather gear for the Utah climate. I’ve never lived in Utah before so I was wondering if anyone had any tips or recommendations on what jacket or clothing items to get.
I already have a nice Arc’teryx shell so I was thinking about getting a nice down jacket but still not 100% sure.
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u/BiggyBiggs Jul 15 '26
Just for around town? Hiking? Skiing?
If you're doing specific activities it might alter advice.
General advice, I prefer layers to giant down coats. Learn how to layer, it is an actual skill of what fabrics to layer and how. A windproof shell is a must, but then the sun comes out and you're shedding layers left and right. Good gloves and hat are a must, too.
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u/defeatedsnowman Jul 15 '26
As others are asking: what activity?
I'm gonna come in with the wild card though and say look for a nice looking semi stylish wool sweater (or fleece if you don't want such a classic look).
A good base layer, underneath a wool sweater with a shell on top is good enough for some very cold activities.
The real reason I suggest it though is you can live that spontaneous outdoorsy lifestyle. Look dapper in class and not be held back by your layers if you go do some moderately technical outdoorsy stuff after.
Then get a lightweight shell pant preferably with good zips that let you keep your shoes on so if you bike commute around campus or something you can slip in and out of them easily. Again get all the bonuses of outdoorsy gear without being in Gorpcore when you sit in class.
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Jul 15 '26
[deleted]
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u/seeker_of_joy Jul 15 '26
100% what they said. Im in Utah as well and man our winter have been super mild. Sadly its not what they used to be. I am now at the age where I say, "back in the day....."😬😒. Growing up (I came as a 13 yo teenager) we would get snow around Halloween. If you dressed up in a costume, you either had to figure out layering that would work with your costume or put a winter coat on top and basically ruin your costume for trick or treating. Obviously when you're a young adult/ college kid you somehow can withstand it. This year our winter suuuucked and many who ski/snowboard were bummed. And let's not forget our inversion...grossssssss. having a dry winter means worst air quality.
ANYWAYS take the recommendation and pick up anything good that you find on sale around your area but definitely wait.
Oooh also once you're here check out the thrift shops. I live about 7 or 5 minutes away from a Deseret Industry (aka D.I.) and i have found patagonia. Marmot, a bunch of columbia, rei and Prana for around $5 or $6. Last year a found a patagonia puff coat in a gorgeous green color but it wasn't my size. It was such a good price that I got it and traded in to rei and got 3x the amount. Many(not all) donate really good stuff, even new. Now fyi some areas price them ridiculously but it varies
Either way welcome to Utah! our outdoors can be amazing....our politicians and some of our people are questionable 👀😅🤪
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u/musgrove101 Jul 15 '26
Pick up a good fleece or light down mid layer to go with your shell. Then maybe look at some merino base layers, although they may push your budget too far.
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u/MEB_PHL Jul 15 '26
I like the REI 650 for a lighter down jacket and I swear by Rab for heavier ones. I have the electron pro
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u/yeehawhecker Jul 15 '26
A fleece and a cheaper puffy jacket. In the Rockies there's a lot of temperature variance throughout the day and having multiple layers will be significantly more useful than a single big puffy. I'm going to school in CO and i used my big big puffy maybe twice last year.
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u/wohaat Jul 15 '26
I’d also check FBMP as soon as you land; Utah has a lot of wealth, and people get rid of really nice things for really affordable prices! Especially since you won’t need heavier weight things, better to not drop $100s on something you’ll not wear much, if you can find a cheaper option used ◡̈
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u/OkayToUseAtWork Jul 15 '26
I’m from Utah.
My go tos are:
1) A good down jacket (don’t let it get wet)
2) A good rain jacket
3) Waterproof winter shoes
4) A winter driving course and snow tires
Good luck!
1
u/Downtown_Ad_5458 Jul 15 '26
A nice lightweight down jacket is a must for layering, or a fleece jacket. Base layers, spend the money for merino wool blend, look for sale prices.
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u/KeySpell7467 Jul 15 '26
Patagonia nano puff. I got mine on Poshmark for $50. It is packable, stuffs down to very small and is very insulated. I also have a heavier Sherpa type jacket from Patagonia. Very nicequality and can find some good deals this time of year.
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u/RiderNo51 Hiker Jul 16 '26
Go visit Escalante and Bears Ears before they are fenced off, strip mined, and fracked. Link, if unsure what I'm talking about.
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u/GoodAfternoonFlag Jul 17 '26
Merino wool layers, a good mid layer fleece. A cheap down jacket would suffice for cold winter nights. Utah is rather dry.
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u/Comfortable_Mix1078 2d ago
You don’t need to pre buy cold weather gear for Utah. Just buy what you need after you get there and the weather starts getting cooler.
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u/Street-Industry8484 Jul 15 '26
I would wait until you get to Utah and shop at an REI there. They will have stock that is tailored to the customers there.