Tips For Winter - Part Deux!
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The previous edition was the first thread to expire in these forums.
http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=153835
Another winter has come and gone in the Southern Hemisphere, and the temperature is gradually dropping in the north...are there any new tips to add? -
Fatum: I'm planning to go to Helsinki at Christmas...and I have credits to spare. Should I buy the Goretex boots that are a size bigger to accomodate thicker/multiple layers of socks? Are they sufficiently insulated inside? (E-Mart is open on Tuesdays only)
Anyone: Would wearing a windbreaker over a woolen jacket combine the insulating and waterproof properties of both effectively? Any tips for ferry and train trips in winter?
How should I adjust my camera settings for outdoor photography in the conditions? My current digicam seems pretty crap at taking pictures of the night sky or dimly lit places.
Pardon me, I'm still a winter noob.
I was supposed to have met my darling months ago And the winter holiday (the only one for the coming months) is approaching...wa mai tu liao
I'll be back here to read any replies at 5.30 tomorrow morning. Thanks.
P.S. Does anyone know where to get mittens for couples? There are only 3 pieces...one piece fits over the hands which are holding each other. -
Wow!!! Finally!!! KB....... a trip to see your lovely!!!
Happy for you. Trust you both will have an enjoyable and memorable time!!!
Tips ah? Hmm....let me think ah. -
you're going to meet your larling ? ... nice ! ...Originally posted by Kuali Baba:Fatum: I'm planning to go to Helsinki at Christmas...and I have credits to spare. Should I buy the Goretex boots that are a size bigger to accomodate thicker/multiple layers of socks? Are they sufficiently insulated inside? (E-Mart is open on Tuesdays only)
Anyone: Would wearing a windbreaker over a woolen jacket combine the insulating and waterproof properties of both effectively? Any tips for ferry and train trips in winter?
How should I adjust my camera settings for outdoor photography in the conditions? My current digicam seems pretty crap at taking pictures of the night sky or dimly lit places.
Pardon me, I'm still a winter noob. I was supposed to have met my darling months ago And the winter holiday (the only one for the coming months) is approaching...wa mai tu liao
I'll be back here to read any replies at 5.30 tomorrow morning. Thanks.
P.S. Does anyone know where to get mittens for couples? There are only 3 pieces...one piece fits over the hands which are holding each other. 
Honestly, once your body get used to it, it doesn't really matter, I've never wore any insulated socks before (or thermal undies for that matter), just get your normal size. But there's a caveat to wearing goretex boots though, they are good for the snow, but not all that good for walking on slippery pavement, they're better than normal sneakers of course, but it's an art to walk on iced-up pavements like a skating rink ...
yeps, layering helps, but the jacket still has to be a bit insulated though ... get a pair of thick courduroy pants, you won't need any thermal undies then, they itch ! ...
and don't forget these things too:
1. scarves
2. toque (or whatever wooly hat you like, no body wear ear muffs, they are obiang ! ... )
3. lip balm ... (you want to have moist, wet lips when you kiss your larling eh ? ... get flavoured ones for brownie points ...
)
4. small bottle of moisturizing lotion ...
for the camera, is there a night mode ? ... don't use it ! ... cos it'll just bring out the flash ... try putting it on auto and switching the flash off ....
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Hello Fatum
You're always talking about not having the need to wear thermal wear once we get used to the cold. However, when that eventually happens, it's about time for us to get back to sunny Sg.
BTW, I am really going for that belated Europe trip in Nov.
And yes, on a package tour, for a change. -
heee ....Originally posted by Wanda:Hello Fatum
You're always talking about not having the need to wear thermal wear once we get used to the cold. However, when that eventually happens, it's about time for us to get back to sunny Sg.
BTW, I am really going for that belated Europe trip in Nov.
And yes, on a package tour, for a change.
honestly, if you're moving around and not sedentary, and you have on a thick pair of pants, thermal underwear is not neccessary at all ... it makes peeing all the more difficult ...
Europe eh ? ... where ? ... and for how long ? ....
so a proper "honeymoon" this time, instead of roughing it and living out of a backpack eh ? ... -
Eh, you're still up?Originally posted by Fatum:heee ....
honestly, if you're moving around and not sedentary, and you have on a thick pair of pants, thermal underwear is not neccessary at all ... it makes peeing all the more difficult ...
Europe eh ? ... where ? ... and for how long ? ....
so a proper "honeymoon" this time, instead of roughing it and living out of a backpack eh ? ...
Except for my first trip to UK as a noob, I wore thermal for most other trips where the temp dips to < 15 deg c...it was quite comfy, and I didn't get the chills.
We're going away for abt 2 wks, first stop in Rome and Vatican city. *red light alert* Other places include a tiny sampling of Switzerland, Austria, Lichenstein (didn't even know it's a country), Germany, London, Paris.
This time, there would be no lugging of backpack in the cold while looking for a room to stay, thank you. -
Oh Fatum, I read your tips about buying winter wear in Sg, or rather, what not to buy.
It's difficult to get a nice coat for the SO for < 10 deg C weather. Anyone has any tips?
At least there were a few nice ones in the Spanish boutiques for women, e.g. Zara or Mango.
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I'm noctournal ... tinkering with come code for fun right now ...
okie ... I see you want "city" wear instead of "outdoor" wear eh ? ...
try nautica, cheaper than those overpriced stuff at Calvin Klein wherever, but good value. I have an orange and grey nautica bomber jacket I bought in Singapore that I wear when it's not wet out (read: snowing)
I also have a fur-lined jacket from old navy that's pretty cheap and comfy, you may want to find something similar ...
robinson's got some pretty decent stuff, it's a good place to shop if you want something between forking out 7-800 for some overpriced branded stuff and cheap china knock-offs .... -
We wouldn't mind the outdoor wear, if they weren't so expensive (about S$400+ onwards for Nikko ... is this too ex? ).Originally posted by Fatum:I'm noctournal ... tinkering with come code for fun right now ...
okie ... I see you want "city" wear instead of "outdoor" wear eh ? ...
try nautica, cheaper than those overpriced stuff at Calvin Klein wherever, but good value. I have an orange and grey nautica bomber jacket I bought in Singapore that I wear when it's not wet out (read: snowing)
I also have a fur-lined jacket from old navy that's pretty cheap and comfy, you may want to find something similar ...
robinson's got some pretty decent stuff, it's a good place to shop if you want something between forking out 7-800 for some overpriced branded stuff and cheap china knock-offs ....
Anyway, we already have a couple of those outdoor wear (fleece jacket + water proof / parka coat), although they might not be meant for very cold temp - do you reckon those would work for 1 to 9 deg C, if we pile on the thermal and a sweater?
We went to Robinson's - it's quite bad now, there nothing there worth looking, not even decent thermal wear. There are a few small but good shops though, e.g. Coldwear, Winter Wear and the (ex-?) army-supplier Winning (exhorbitant and looks fuddy-duddy), but like you say, their brands and quality is really unknown, and they aren't exactly cheap. -
errrrr.. nikko ? ... i'd stay away from that ... you know the reputation of their external frame packs eh ...... the only people who'd buy them i guess are japanese boys scouts ...Originally posted by Wanda:We wouldn't mind the outdoor wear, if they weren't so expensive (about S$400+ onwards for Nikko ... is this too ex? ).
Anyway, we already have a couple of those outdoor wear (fleece jacket + water proof / parka coat), although they might not be meant for very cold temp - do you reckon those would work for 1 to 9 deg C, if we pile on the thermal and a sweater?
We went to Robinson's - it's quite bad now, there nothing there worth looking, not even decent thermal wear. There are a few small but good shops though, e.g. Coldwear, Winter Wear and the (ex-?) army-supplier Winning (exhorbitant and looks fuddy-duddy), but like you say, their brands and quality is really unknown, and they aren't exactly cheap.
actually, if you have those parkas already, it should be fine, why waste the money ... if you don't want to layer it with fleece, get a hoodie or a breatheable ski layer and one of those figure hugging atheletic skins, it should work ... in lieu of thermal underwear, you can try one of those bike skins too ... better than ending up like some puffed up fur ball eh ? ...
well ... actually, if it's only +1 to +9, you don't need anything more than a wind breaker and a sweater, really ... after a while, you may just be prancing around in bermudas, ... no, really ! ...
okiez ... past 4am liao ... time to orrhz ..... -
Okie, no Nikko for sure! I'm not sure what breathable ski layer or atheletic skins are, and I believe they aren't very abundant here.Originally posted by Fatum:actually, if you have those parkas already, it should be fine, why waste the money ... if you don't want to layer it with fleece, get a hoodie or a breatheable ski layer and one of those figure hugging atheletic skins, it should work ... in lieu of thermal underwear, you can try one of those bike skins too ... better than ending up like some puffed up fur ball eh ? ...
well ... actually, if it's only +1 to +9, you don't need anything more than a wind breaker and a sweater, really ... after a while, you may just be prancing around in bermudas, ... no, really ! ...
okiez ... past 4am liao ... time to orrhz .....
I'd like to see you prancing around in +1 deg C in your bermudas, just for 10 mins pls.
Thanks for the tips! -
I wonder if I should cut ridges into my new boots for tackling ice.
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are you joking?
don't try to modify your boots before you see what the conditions are....you can always re-engineer them there -
what does Goretex have to do with traction?Originally posted by Fatum:But there's a caveat to wearing goretex boots though, they are good for the snow, but not all that good for walking on slippery pavement, -
Goretex isn't used to make the soles. It's the way the latter have been made that makes them difficult on ice according to him.Originally posted by skid:what does Goretex have to do with traction? -
Heh I've always wondered if the winter-style jackets there are really suitable for cold weather or just .. look like it. Have you ever put them to the test?Originally posted by Wanda:At least there were a few nice ones in the Spanish boutiques for women, e.g. Zara or Mango.
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KB, check out these sites if you haven't already? www.llbean.com, www.eddiebauer.com and www.landsend.com
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I shall put my Mango jacket to the test and let you know.Originally posted by choco B:Heh I've always wondered if the winter-style jackets there are really suitable for cold weather or just .. look like it. Have you ever put them to the test? Although it's polyester-filled, I got it bec. it's not so puffy (I don't wish to look like char siew bao) and it doesn't smell of raw duck.
Those wolly Zara ones look more like business/formal wear - they're VERY lovely, but I doubt they're warm enough for below 10 deg C. I've worn wool business jackets plus opaque tights when it was above 10 deg C, and found it a little cold for my comfort. The Zara range is quite current though, as some of them can be seen on their international website. -
those a bit "ah pek" leh ...Originally posted by jetta:KB, check out these sites if you haven't already? www.llbean.com, www.eddiebauer.com and www.landsend.com
try Pantagonia instead ...
they have awesome cold weather gear ... -
leather gloves, warm knitted cap that cover the ears and a scarf with a windbreaker jacket. Clothes material - pick those that are thicker and tighter knits. Layer when needed. Normal shoes ok.. best if a bit water proof.. And moisturise moisturise moisturise - you will not regret
Drink lots of warm stuff and eat a heavy breakfast. The rest just wing it over there lah... -
But I'm not an ah pek leh...Originally posted by Fatum: Besides it's all in the way you put it together.
Those sites I posted give you tips on winter dressing. -
No matter how many I've seen, I just don't like that knitted cap....it's just not nice on me.Originally posted by mistyblue:leather gloves, warm knitted cap that cover the ears and a scarf with a windbreaker jacket. Clothes material - pick those that are thicker and tighter knits. Layer when needed. Normal shoes ok.. best if a bit water proof.. And moisturise moisturise moisturise - you will not regret
Drink lots of warm stuff and eat a heavy breakfast. The rest just wing it over there lah...
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There are lots of other head-gear, I like the felt caps and the leather ones but at that point, the knitted ones were cheap and I need to cover my ears..Originally posted by Wanda:No matter how many I've seen, I just don't like that knitted cap....it's just not nice on me. So I ended up with a cone shaped head cause of the cap.. but being warm was just so important.... -
And why are the knitted caps all so long...some can cover right down to my chin.Originally posted by mistyblue:There are lots of other head-gear, I like the felt caps and the leather ones but at that point, the knitted ones were cheap and I need to cover my ears.. So I ended up with a cone shaped head cause of the cap.. but being warm was just so important....