What is the right level of warmth for you? Our guide answers questions and helps you choose your next jacket
As soon as the temperatures drop after the summer, discussions start everywhere... what is actually warm, what is cold? At the start of the heating season, there is a lot of argument about why either the window should be open all night, or the indoor temperature should be as similar to a Finnish steam sauna. Because as we all know: what we perceive as "warm" or "cold" is very subjective and depends on the situation.
But how do you decide on the right level of warmth for your new autumn and winter jacket? This little guide is intended to help you clear up a few myths and give you as many facts as possible to help you feel comfortably warm in your new jacket.
First of all, a little about us. Because advice is also about trust. How can you assess or judge a jacket that you have never worn, let alone tested for a whole season? That's where we come in. We have been selling some of our jacket brands or brands that offer outerwear such as Didriksons and Elvine for over 10 years. During this time, we have been able to experience some technical innovations, learn from misjudgments and draw on a large pool of feedback from our customers, whose feedback helps us to continually improve our advice. Other labels that have not been available from us for as long, such as the Munich brand LangerChen , are in close contact with us and are never afraid to provide information or to explain the properties and innovations of their jackets, as well as to listen to feedback from buyers. Therefore, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our trained staff; together we will find exactly the right jacket for you.
Now to you: together with you we will find out what it is that you are looking for and need. We will ask you a few questions, you tell us what you are looking for and we will show you our selection. You can roughly distinguish between three categories of heat levels:
1. Softshell or unlined jackets
These jackets do not have sewn-in padding or lining. These include classic rain jackets or softshell jackets. Combined with another insulating layer, such as fleece or a thick wool sweater, these jackets can also provide a certain amount of warmth, as they are often windproof and rainproof, keeping your body heat in the jacket and shielding your body from cold wind. These jackets are not suitable for the deepest and coldest winter days. However, they are light and easy to pack away and can be used for a variety of purposes using the layering principle.
2. Jackets with light padding/lining
These jackets are more suitable for the biting wet cold of the north in the late autumn and early winter days. Most have a padding of between 100 - 150 g/m2 and are, at best, windproof and waterproof. Taped seams and a design that is designed to keep as much warmth as possible inside the jacket, such as storm hoods or cuffs, ensure good insulation performance and reliable protection from the elements. With a suitable layering system underneath, these lightweight jackets can either be used with thin layers for cycling or other activities without overheating or hindering, or made winterproof with long-sleeved base layers, wool sweaters, scarves and hats. For the majority of users and use cases, this level is sufficient. But if it can never be warm enough, then...
3. Extra thickly lined jackets
...there is still the third level. Here you will find thickly lined jackets, which are often cut longer and thus envelop almost the entire body in a comfortably warm insulating layer. The padding is then often between 150 - 250 g/m2. All of the features mentioned previously, such as wind and waterproofness, hoods or hand-warmer pockets, often apply here too. These jackets are usually heavier due to their increased filling and length. However, they protect against the biting cold even when you are not moving, making them ideal for users who spend long periods of time outside and are not particularly physically active and therefore cannot generate any additional body heat (for example with the children on the playground or at soccer practice, or when visiting a Christmas market where there is a lot of standing).
For all of these categories there are of course hybrids that have certain features but not others. That's where we come in and advise you.
Just a little info for all buyers who value sustainability: many of our jackets are made using sustainable methods and recycled materials. For more information, check out oursustainability blog .
Unless otherwise indicated, all jackets in our selection are equipped with synthetic fillings and are down-free.