Totally disagree with the layers philosophy. Way too much fuss. In mid-winter London I wear a t-shirt and a jacket. Perfectly warm. Just get a good jacket. Easy on, off, no ceremony.
London, sure. If you live somewhere with -25C winters, you either need layers or a set of different jackets, because a heavy down coat rated for -30C will be hot and sweaty if you so much as fast-walk at -5C. I find it more economical to own just a light synthetic jacket and wear extra layers than having an expensive down jacket just for the few weeks at -20C and below.
Layers are also a must if you do outdoor winter activities. You want to remove layers when you're active so you don't get all sweaty, and put them back on when you rest. Because sweat + cold wind is a really nasty combo.
Having said that, as far as I can tell most people in the city here don't do much winter sports and just own like 3 different coats for different weather.
there's certainly a tradeoff to be made here. putting on three extra layers just to go to the store is a pain. I do find that layers are much more versatile if you're going to be spending a lot of time outside or going in and out of spaces at a wide range of temperatures. with only a winter jacket and a t-shirt, I am likely choosing between being way too hot or way too cold. my winter coat is pretty bulky, so if I'm not wearing it, I'm carrying it.
when I'm going out for a while in the winter, I like to wear a cotton shirt, a wool sweater, insulated vest, a medium-weight windproof jacket, and a mostly empty backpack. if I get too warm, the vest and possibly the sweater can just go in the backpack. with this setup, I can be comfortable at any temperature from 30F to 60F without having to hold onto anything I'm not wearing. on really cold days, I swap in my heavy winter coat.
Living in Finland. For city life I have never needed extra clothing. Short sleeved shirt and proper jacket. Change the jacket depending if it's +15C or 0C or -15C...
Berlin is a good 5°C colder than London in the winter.
In London I had one jacket, mostly to protect against rain, but it was also an extra layer.
In Copenhagen, which has similar winter temperatures to Berlin, I had to buy a thicker jacket for the winter. I've worn the new jacket on trips to London and felt hot.
I thought so too, until I spent 2019 Thanksgiving in Banff, Alberta.
-20°F (-30°C) is a real change in perspective of what cold is. You absolutely need layering, as the equipment you need to be comfortable outside is way more than a jacket.
greenshackle2|5 years ago
Layers are also a must if you do outdoor winter activities. You want to remove layers when you're active so you don't get all sweaty, and put them back on when you rest. Because sweat + cold wind is a really nasty combo.
Having said that, as far as I can tell most people in the city here don't do much winter sports and just own like 3 different coats for different weather.
leetcrew|5 years ago
when I'm going out for a while in the winter, I like to wear a cotton shirt, a wool sweater, insulated vest, a medium-weight windproof jacket, and a mostly empty backpack. if I get too warm, the vest and possibly the sweater can just go in the backpack. with this setup, I can be comfortable at any temperature from 30F to 60F without having to hold onto anything I'm not wearing. on really cold days, I swap in my heavy winter coat.
capnahab|5 years ago
lm28469|5 years ago
I know because that's what I use regularly for long walks and even bike trips
Ekaros|5 years ago
Symbiote|5 years ago
In London I had one jacket, mostly to protect against rain, but it was also an extra layer.
In Copenhagen, which has similar winter temperatures to Berlin, I had to buy a thicker jacket for the winter. I've worn the new jacket on trips to London and felt hot.
jnwatson|5 years ago
-20°F (-30°C) is a real change in perspective of what cold is. You absolutely need layering, as the equipment you need to be comfortable outside is way more than a jacket.