<p>that nikwax stuff works really well for refreshing your goretex since we will soon head into that season- you can also use it on fleece</p>
<p>I was thinking about my last post where I said something like how buying boots was a personal preference, etc. and then I remembered how happy my husband was when son outgrew his hiking boots. No thought at all was given to how well they would fit his foot or anything we were just pleased that the expensive hiking boots would be able to stay in the family! My poor husband, it’s not the first time that he’s come in second place to the kids.</p>
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simba - this is the way to go. Or, you can still buy online (which is what I would do), but AFTER he has gotten there, seen what others are wearing, etc. He won’t need this kind of stuff for a while. Chances of getting something he’ll never wear increase astronomically with how soon you buy them.</p>
<p>My bet? He won’t wear any of them. Here, where it <em>really</em> snows, the boys wear their sneakers and the girls wear flip flops (yes, you heard right) pretty much all the time unless they’re actually skiing/snowboarding or sledding.</p>
<p>I wish I could place a wager on the likelihood of each of our 2009ers wearing the laundry list of winter gear parents are contemplating. My winnings might pay at least a semester’s tuition for DS. 
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<p>My S’s sneakers have had to go into the dryer many times this past winter. It’s okay at home, less convenient in a dorm. I personally dread when snow thaws and there are puddles at every street corner. But the weather is much milder in Princeton.</p>
<p>My son swears that he will never wear pants during pittsburgh winters…only shorts! He owns zero long sleeve shirts, sweaters or sweatshirts and he wouldn’t wear them if he did. I have lots of brand new never before worn hand me downs, though! I think I finally get it!</p>
<p>Simba:</p>
<p>Land’s End overstocks is selling waterproof hiking shoes for $14.50, but not in every size, Check them out. You can’t lose at that price.</p>
<p>marite thanks. The price is great…the buyer has to like it.</p>
<p>I worship at the feet of Merrell’s (pun intended!). I insisted my daughter get a pair for Indiana winter and she wound up loving them - even wore them out to sled in (and yes, it is possible to sled in flat, flat Indiana - that’s why god invented cafeteria trays). They’re waterproof and warm and easy to slip on and off. Great for trekking across campus in.</p>
<p>my niece is headed to Indiana this fall- will be a change for her- we didn’t even have snow in the mountains this winter in Seattle</p>
<p>I have a related question: What about coats? What do you recommend for midwestern/northeastern winters for someone from warmer climes? In my college days in Syracuse, I remember having two coats: a down coat that went down to my mid calf and a ski jacket. What’s the current best wear?</p>
<p>The thought of a college age kid taking the time to pull Totes-like galoshes over their shoes had me ROFL.Honestly if they take the time to put on socks and a hoodie it’ll be alot.
How about an extra pair of sneakers…one to change into when the other is soaking wet.</p>
<p>Carolyn: I can tell you that last winter my daughter had two coats she wore all winter: a wool peacoat from Banana Republic when she dressed up and a North Face fleece (the peacoat was a marked down item and the fleece is one of the cheaper, thinner styles). That was it. I think when it got pretty cold she added a scarf and gloves (never a hat - no hat hair for her!). But remember that DePauw is a fairly small campus and it doesn’t take more than 15-20 minutes to go end to end and any further and she probably drove her car over (parking isn’t really an issue on that campus). Plus, her dorm was conveniently located to the buildings she had her classes in and there was a dining hall she could get to by an underground tunnel on really bad weather days.</p>
<p>Next semester, she is living in a dorm that is an 8-10 minute walk to the union and all the academic buildings. I don’t know if she’ll want a warmer coat - I would bet she’ll be hunting for one at Christmas break.</p>
<p>By the way, she really used her umbrella after NEVER having used one in her previous 18 years of life. Send an umbrella with your kid!!</p>
<p>simba, there are years when central NJ gets quite a lot of snow, but your son can get whatever sort of boots he needs once he gets to Princeton. There is probably an Eastern Mountain Sports or comparable store nearby and he’ll have a good choice of hiking boots etc. I think it’s immportant to try on footwear tlike that to be sure it’s walkable so better not to order online anyway.</p>
<p>Simba, the only time my kids ever used snowboots here in NJ is if they were actually going to play in the snow. For school, it’s sandals in the spring and fall, regular sneakers in winter. We may get 2 or 3 heavy snowfalls each winter, but even so, the paths are cleared right away. In 10 years I have never had to walk in snow. I have never seen teens walking around in snowboots. Sure way to stand out though .</p>
<p>Simba I think you should wait until your s gets to NJ. It’s important to try on boots or hiking wear because if they don’t fit right he’ll end up getting blisters and then never wear them again. They’re not likely to get snow before December anyway.</p>
<p>Quite a few of the guys here in the Pittsburgh area wear waterproof brown or black oxfords, such as those by Timberland and others. They are just the kind of shoes you can wear with jeans or cargos, but have sealed seams and treated leather so no water leaks in. They won’t help you in deep snow, but for everyday light snow and slush, they are great and are indeed waterproof.</p>
<p>carolyn - coats, footwear, gloves, scarves. I hear of some kids actually wearing them, but most kids in winter climes are not on that planet 
We moms can debate the finer points of which down coat vs. pea coat vs. Gore-tex vs. zip-out layers, but it matters not.</p>
<p>Wait, wait, wait is my watchword. You will have a couple of months after they get here. If she likes to shop, she’ll go get what she wants. If she doesn’t, you can order online and ship.</p>
<p>What they really wear: regular sneakers, flip-flops, fleece or hoodie (unzipped) over short-sleeved t-shirt, no gloves, no hat. You have to see it to believe it.</p>
<p>When they actually ski, snowboard, sled, then they’ll wear real winter gear, but that’s the only time.</p>
<p>
So true, I’ve seen it. Flip-flops and shorts in 3 inches of snow, with a fleece top and ski hat. But they do need the boots and ski wear for those artic periods that show up, at least in northern NE. It can be below 0 with snow three times a week for a month or more. No flipflops then, even for the cockiest among them.</p>
<p>Fredo and Jmmom, thanks. Fredo: she saw kids at Earlham wearing pea coats and instantly decided she wanted one. This is a girl who pulls on gloves, a hat, and a ski jacket here in San Diego when the temperature dips into the 70’s. It was 95 degrees today and she was wearing a hoodie. So, I have little doubt that she will indeed wear a coat when she hits college in a cold place. Maybe two coats. :)</p>
<p>I’m taking your advice to heart, Jmmom, we’re waiting - this is going to be a real experience for my thin-blooded Southern belle - the eternal question - be warm or be dressed like everyone else? Too bad, she’s been so excited about buying all the cute sweaters and long sleeve Ts that they sell down here, but you can only wear twice a year. On the upside she’s got shorts and flip-flops, and a selection of sundresses that will make their Yankee eyes pop out.</p>
<p>Funny Carolyn, she wants a pea coat too :).</p>