When you are in a survival situation, having the correct outdoor survival jacket with you could end up saving your life. It is vital to select the correct clothing in order to survive the cold temperatures. However, with the large amount of clothing on the market, how do you know which coat to buy?
What to Know Before Buying a Winter Jacket
In order to survive in the wild, you need to pay attention to several elements that make up a good coat. Certain things like Gore-Tex fabric, waterproofing, comfort, breathability, and pockets are just some of the things you need to know before purchasing a quality outdoor coat. This guide will walk you through the different elements to look at when choosing a quality survival jacket.
What type of weather you will be in while wearing the jacket?
The purchase of a good coat comes down to your plans to wear the coat. Where are you planning to go? Is it a quick overnight camping trip to a 60-degree weather place, or are you planning to camp in temperatures below freezing? Since the weather likes to play games a lot of the time, we recommend considering a 3-in-1 jacket as it allows you to deal with all types of weather conditions. You can use it in extreme cold, then shed the lining if it turns out to be a warm, sunny day. Make sure you pay attention to the weather to know which jacket to pack. Certain areas have damp, colder temperatures so you need a coat that is built for this region.
Do you need a waterproof jacket?
Picking a waterproof coat is harder than you might think. Far too often a coat is marked as waterproof, but it doesn’t actually have DWR coating or treatment that prevents water from penetrating the fabric. If you are headed out camping, a good waterproof jacket is a smart investment to keep you dry.
What quality of material do you prefer? High, medium, or low quality?
How much do you want to invest in a nice outdoor coat? Some people want the option to use the coat year-round, while others just want it for camping. With so many on the market, you must determine what your budget will be, and keep in mind you do get what you pay for. Do you want a coat made of high, medium, or low quality? Higher quality coats are normally designed to withstand most weather conditions, while still being light enough to move around in.
What activities are you going to be doing while wearing the jacket?
Plan out what you will be doing in a coat. Are you hiking to the top of a mountain? Are you going fishing in the coat? Will you be sleeping in an igloo? Knowing the weather of the area makes a difference in selecting the coat. We recommend opting for the 3-in-1 coat for those readers that aren’t quite sure what to choose. 3-in-1 coats are normally quite versatile and easy to pack along wherever you go.
How many pockets do you need in your jacket?
Pockets are practical! Pockets are literally the best thing ever because they can be your go-to source for emergency items you need to take with you. Small sunscreen, chapstick, sunglasses, even small snacks fit into those handy pockets. Look for a jacket that allows you to hold onto some of those needed items, but one that you also love for personal reasons like one that includes audio compatibility. Pocket placement and depth should always be considered when you are purchasing a quality outdoor survival jacket.
Do you need a jacket that breathes, so you’re not constantly sweating?
Outdoor survival coats are always tied into “will I be too hot?” Far too often some coats do a great job of keeping you warm, but perhaps TOO warm. If you don’t buy a coat with breathable material, or side vents, you might overheat. Individuals that already run hotter will find a down winter coat to cause them to sweat. Our pro tip here is to make sure you have room for layers and you always purchase moisture-wicking clothing that you play to layer under the coat.
How important is comfort over usability?
This is another question we run into all the time. You want the coat to fit right, but it also needs to look nice and compliment you. A good plan here is to try on multiple coats and really move all around in the coat to see how it responds to your body. If you are planning to do some winter rock climbing, you already know you want a coat with a snug fit. Air circulation is one of the big elements to look for when you are comparing coats. What happens when you run into a coat that is so comfortable, but it doesn’t have all those pockets and cool extras as other coats? The best thing in this instance is to consider a 3-in-1 coat since they usually combine both the comfort with the extra perks of a versatile coat.
What clothing are you going to be wearing underneath the jacket?
Any time you are thinking about survival, you need to think about layers. What you will wear under the coat will play a role in how hot you get wearing the coat. If you rely solely on the coat for moisture-wicking, you are going to find out fast that you can sweat inside the coat, or you might be freezing due to poor undergarments. Layers are great for outdoor activities. You want a base layer that will prevent overheating, causing you to sweat and get your clothing wet. Start with a base layer that is moisture-wicking and then a survival coat that comfortably fits over the base layer.
Conclusion
Finding the right survival jacket is essential to having a successful trip. No matter where you are headed, you want to make sure you take the time to plan ahead for the trip so you will have all the things you need in place. A good, quality outdoor survival jacket can make a difference in keeping you from getting hypothermia in a survival situation. We encourage you to save for a quality jacket that will last for many years, and help you get into some unique terrain around the world!
Already know what type of jacket you want? Take a look at our article “What is the best outdoor survival jacket?“, where we review the top jackets for males, females, and children.