If you have ever been faced with a trip to the mountains, a ski descent or a sled race, it's a safe bet that you now have a fairly clear idea of what you will do better next time. What equipment you will get and what precautions you will take. Otherwise, this article can help you face the bitter cold more calmly.
If, for example, you are planning a trip to a Nordic country, and you want to have a clear idea of what you need to do, don't worry.
At the end of this article, if you have any questions left, you can ask them in comments and I will answer them with the BG team, faithful to the post.
Careful preparation: dressing in periods of extreme cold
When I learned that I was going to spend 4 months in Canada, during the worst period of the Quebec winter, I immediately thought about equipping myself warmly. Certainly, the temperatures announced were forecast around -20°C to -30°C for a good part of the month of January. To use a Quebec expression: “no time to fool around”.
So I contacted Benoit, already experienced in snowstorms, to ask him for some advice on dressing in a polar and hostile environment. He was rather pragmatic, as usual "don't joke with the cold, it's important to invest in suitable clothes".
Note from Benoit: I emphasize this point a lot, don't try to save a little money on clothing against the cold! Cheap parkas often lack reliability in my opinion.
Following his advice, I acquired clothes that could be useful to me in the climatic conditions that awaited me:
Thermal underwear from Uniqlo and Nike (their Winter Running range)
They are useful at all times, they add extra warmth and comfort if the wind starts to blow violently, or after an hour of walking in the snow. Between long johns, socks, long-sleeved t-shirts, it's easy to juggle several layers that you adapt depending on the activity you plan to do. You can never be too equipped if you venture out into the snow and cold. Note from Benoit: from my stay in Montreal, I remember that apart from long johns, there is no need to take other thermal underwear. With good socks, gloves, and something to cover your head, you will be fine.
Windproof, thick and warm pants
Protection of the legs is essential because, unlike the bust which is easily covered with several layers, we wear several pants less often. So, once my pride is put aside, I put on thermal leggings under windproof pants or ski pants, and my legs are safe.
In conditions considered dangerous for health if protection is not sufficient, you quickly get used to wearing leggings more often than makeup for a TV presenter.
Dressing warmly should not
not look like that, gentlemen Dolce & Gabbana.
A pair of winter boots
Walking on barely solidified snow softens your step, for fear of cracking it and ending up with a leg buried up to the knee. A good pair of boots is suitable, because they will protect the feet from the cold that creeps in little by little. High socks, boots with thick soles (note from Benoit: go for the Vibram soles! The thickness of the sole is a key factor) and pants that cover them, or even gaiters if you're going hiking.
A good Canadian parka, essential (or close to it)
Even if the acquisition (and investment) of a thick coat is sometimes controversial, we will see what the advantages and disadvantages are, how to choose it, etc. This is the subject of this article which I will develop next.
A bunch of moisturizers
The cold, frequent temperature changes, and wind will damage exposed skin which frequently finds itself attacked. All of this needs to be repaired to avoid chapping, frostbite and other misfortunes that lie in wait. So for me, I took two tubes of repairing hand cream, a jar of moisturizing body balm and three lip sticks.
There is no shortage of brands and you certainly already have your favorites. I chose to buy an American brand: Neutrogena. Really very effective; after already a month of freezing temperatures, my skin is not marked and I have never had chapped lips.
The roads are cleared of snow efficiently,
but the cold is still there, and the snow up to the knees too.
History of the Nobis parka brand: where does it come from?
Nobis emerged from a split in the Canada Goose team over directions for the brand. Nobis was therefore created in 2007 with the aim of combining cold protection and technicality with design and development. The brand is young, but already has the experience of an established label. Interesting, right?
Nobis blended its Canadian heritage, military codes, and contemporary streetwear culture into warm clothing. We will particularly appreciate the care that the brand has taken to make its coats functional and provide comfort of use to the owners of these clothes.
The Cartel, Higgins, and Yatesy models.
Note from Benoit: there is a little funny product placement about this brand, since in the last Resident Evil film, the heroes all fight with a Nobis on their back:
Shout out to all fans of Resident Evil 4 hero Léon Kennedy!
All models are waterproof, padded with Canadian duck feathers, and windproof. The technical details are numerous, but to simplify, the garment is made up of several technical layers which will add up to constitute the ultimate protection against the elements.
The coatings used are renowned for their effectiveness and used by all textile and footwear giants for waterproofing, wind resistance, ventilation (as on sports clothing), and heat retention.
What conditions did you experience?
When testing this parka, I was first faced with going out during snowstorms. I was especially surprised because I tended to dress like a classic coat, but I was really too hot once outside (note from Benoit: we all get fooled at the beginning! Once we bought a very warm parka, we realize that wearing chunky knit underneath is too much) .
I reserved some of my technical clothing for a use where the coat was too much. Concretely, I wore the coat every time I had to go out for more than half an hour, without ever feeling the cold or the wind.
Rémi without family does not understand
definitely nothing about technical clothing,
which he confuses with sapology.
After a good snow fight and several falls, the coat was not wet, and the melted snow flowed immediately without even impregnating it. I have tested all aspects of the coat without discovering the slightest fault for the moment ( note from Benoit: this is what we mean by "reliability of a garment") .
When I returned from sport, I was perfectly comfortable, because my coat really breathed, and allowed my excess heat to escape, while I remained at the correct temperature so as not to catch a cold despite the negative ambient temperatures. Note from Benoit: I had the same feeling with my parka, it's very strange not to be too hot after leaving the gym. It seems that quality down perfectly balances thermal exchanges.
Finally and with the gusts of wind, the only cold I felt was on my face and legs. My pants are much thinner than the parka, which is understandable. I had the impression of being in a blanket wrapped around me and that the wind was raging around without reaching me. It's really the first time I've felt so secure in a coat.
Note from Benoit: Rémi (the one who has a family) perfectly sums up the feeling of security of having well-designed and reliable clothing. There is a real “customer experience” that takes place without us realizing it, especially with a parka that preciously retains body heat. It's a rather special feeling to see the icy wind lacerating your poorly equipped friends while you feel nothing at all.
Nobis Higgins parka review
Photo credit: Dolorès Lemoyne
The parka is not imposing, yet it is warm enough to allow me to only wear a t-shirt underneath despite the -15°C. The lack of a scarf is understandable because there was no wind to worry me and I didn't stay outside for long. The outfit is harmonious and balanced in terms of tones and colors.
Navy blue and gray are very present on this outfit which would have been blander if the shoes had been the same color. I deliberately chose to include more visible shoes, with contrasting laces, to get away from the monotony associated with gray, which is often described as a boring or "old" color. We will find the shoes (Abington by Timberland) in the second part of this article dedicated to the Quebec cold.
Photo credit: Dolorès Lemoyne
The fur is very thick and frames the face well, protecting it from wind and snow, while giving the coat a certain presence. It is possible to request that the parka be equipped with faux fur, this is one of the customization options that Nobis offers. I am sensitive to this, because it is a concern for many people and it is a behavior that is easy to adopt for the protection of animals.
The numerous pockets of the coat allow me to keep my hands warm at chest level. Micro fleece pockets are also arranged to warm my hands without needing additional gloves. Note from Benoit: this is a super practical little “feature” that I would like to see more often among brands.
Photo credit: Dolorès Lemoyne
We are certainly not looking for the effect of a Lanvin or Dior coat, but for a parka, you will recognize that the cut is far from awful. On the contrary, we have a rather straight cut, which respects the wearer's morphology. It is even advantageous at the shoulders since the natural build is thus highlighted.
Note from Benoit: you should know that a down parka cannot be too fitted, because otherwise the down is compressed and loses its insulating power. It is very important that it has room to have all its fullness. For this reason, I recommend being quite cautious about going a size smaller than your usual size just to see something more fitted.
You will notice the difference in appearance and color between the upper part and the lower part of the coat. It further emphasizes the upper part and brings an interesting twist where you don't expect it. Subtle enough not to stand out, but original enough to make it a special feature of the coat.
Photo credit: Dolorès Lemoyne
The Nobis logo is on the shoulder without being too conspicuous (I avoid displaying logos on my clothes, it's not interesting). The fur, as well as the hood, are detachable.
The coat is truly versatile and suitable for urban or more sporty use. Zippers are located under the armpits to ventilate the coat without letting in the cold or lower its temperature if it turns out to be too hot, but it is still too cold to take it off (especially if you are wearing a simple t-shirt underneath).
Photo credit: Dolorès Lemoyne
The storage spaces are numerous and clever. It's really nice to see that the coat has been designed for multiple use and for many different uses.
The flap is magnetic. Thanks to the magnets, it closes easily, no delicate press studs to handle with gloves or Velcro strips that catch all the grass and dust.
Conclusion: my opinion on Nobis
Let's summarize: a parka is above all protection against external aggression, hence the importance of choosing it according to the use you will make of it.
If you are going for everyday use, start looking at the details you need. Number of pockets, protection against wind, rain, down effectiveness, etc. The cut and design are really incidental on technical products, because it is above all a story of survival and comfort.
Choosing between a stack of thin layers (onion technique) and a good padded parka, I prefer the parka which is easier to remove, more practical and less suffocating.
On this Higgins model, I notice that a parka that is too short and does not cover the buttocks can be a mistake if you do not have adequate equipment. The parka must really cover your body well and preferably have elastic bands that block the cold from entering at the sleeves and waist.
In a more lenient environment, it is entirely suitable. The storage possibilities, the comfort of use and the aesthetics charmed me and make it a product with high added value. We can clearly say that we are not paying a brand, but a real effort on the part of Nobis to make clothing that meets the expectations of its users and corresponds to a high level of requirements.
Note from Benoit: Nobis is a brand that quickly caught my eye, but I didn't have the budget to buy one. But when I did my fittings in Montreal , I admired the design of their clothes. Everything is super well thought out, clever, and unlike Canada Goose, the stylistic dimension is well integrated. A very beautiful brand, which unfortunately suffers from a lack of communication characteristic of its youth.
It's been a month since I saw every possible coat on passers-by, scrutinizing each store to discover the local brands. I see that such a well-designed coat which combines design, comfort and practicality cannot be found anywhere else. I really have the feeling that this brand has positioned itself at the crossroads of the expectations of different consumers to ultimately make it an adaptable and versatile product, as I keep repeating.
Price-wise , it's a little expensive, obviously, but we remain in the Canada Goose / Woolrich niche, with prices between €500 and €700 depending on the model. It's a tidy sum, but at this level of technicality, we are on something that holds up very well in terms of quality/price. However, add 20% to imports. A good investment.
Even if the shadow of a famous brand looms large when we talk about Canada and coats, I have remained analytical and impartial towards one or other of the brands I talk about in this article. We've heard a lot about Canada Goose, both good and bad.
We even saw a report with children who had their 600 euro coat on their backs in Paris at 15°C, even though this same brand is initially intended for more delicate thermal conditions. Inevitably, the brand was highlighted and cataloged as a distinctive sign of the Parisian bourgeoisie.
The brand has still sold staggering quantities of coats that teenagers are snapping up, like the latest Longchamp bag or the Lacoste fanny pack (depending on where you live). To avoid the subject, I will let Benoit inform those who want an opinion on CG in this article published a while ago.
As agreed, all future cold adventurers are invited to share their opinions and questions via comments. If you want to discover life alone in the Arctic, I recommend reading an excellent book written by a polar explorer friend: “ Alone in the Polar Night ” by Stéphane Lévin. A fascinating story that will transport you into the world of ice, which is something strange to experience when you come from a country where snow is present for less than 2 months of the year.
With that, I go back to eating poutines with my Nobis parka. A very nice brand, really.
