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<p>The GoreTex waterproof Marmot stuff uses “waterproof” zippers to avoid the extra weight of storm flaps over the zippers. The coating that makes the zippers waterproof also makes them sticky to open and close. For non-waterproof jackets, they use YKK nylon zippers – lower weight than the metal zippers, but not quite as easy.</p>
<p>For a good all-purpose winter jacket, Columbia and LLBean are going to be better values than Marmot and the other outdoor gear companies. The Marmot stuff tends to be kinda niche focused and pricey to save some ounces. They also used all the high-end brand fabrics – the latest GoreTex and PolarTec gee-whiz stuff.</p>
<p>I am at 456 miles for this year, so I think I’ll break 500. It was 92 degrees here, and so hot that I just couldn’t finish my planned intervals. I going to do nine 5 min intervals, but stopped at 7. I’ll try again on Wednesday.</p>
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<p>LLBEAN is free one-day shipping from Maine and you can return anything to the Manchester store if it doesn’t fit. For general purpose around town winter jackets, I love their fleece lined [warmup</a> jacket](<a href=“http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/32937?feat=593-GN1&page=warm-up-jacket]warmup”>http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/32937?feat=593-GN1&page=warm-up-jacket) and their [down</a> jacket](<a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available). Neither are all-out blizzard jackets, but for something to wear from the house to the car and so forth – terrific. The Bean stuff all uses beefy metal zippers. </p>
<p>The two styles of Marmot down jackets that TJ MAXX has for $99 are steals. That’s half price. The [800</a> fill down](<a href=“http://marmot.com/products/zeus_jacket?p=216,303,140&ft=140]800”>http://marmot.com/products/zeus_jacket?p=216,303,140&ft=140) is lighter weight. The [650</a> fill down](<a href=“http://marmot.com/products/guides_down_sweater?p=216,303,140&ft=140]650”>http://marmot.com/products/guides_down_sweater?p=216,303,140&ft=140) is thicker, warmer, and a bit more of an all-around winter jacket. No hoods, but I actually prefer that in a car jacket as I generally prefer a beanie for warmth. The 800 fill down jacket weighs 14 ounces and stuffs into one of its pockets. Perfect for travelling when you need to grab something when you get off a plane in Siberia (or just to have in the car).</p>
<p>There’s an LL Bean on my way to work at the Nashua Mall - that’s where I bought my fleece vest last year. My Columbia jacket/fleece liner was perfect - until my son took the outer shell. It fits him perfectly. I just have the fleece liner right now. I like the Marmots overall - just not the zippers.</p>
<p>I didn’t see any jackets at $99 - just the $350 models marked down to $179. Yours may have migrated to the clearance rack already. I have an LL Bean XL down coat which is very warm. The problem is that it falls off if I don’t have it zipped up when I take off my backpack. I suppose that I could check out EMS and LL Bean soon.</p>
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<p>Still plenty of time left. I’ll be looking for the post where you cross over.</p>
<p>500 doesn’t seem like a huge number as it’s only about 10/week but you have to be consistent or do a lot of miles some weeks.</p>
<p>Got my tickets and sorted out the logistics! The countdown to the hike begins! It will happen - rain or shine, as long as the stream is crossable. If not, there are alternative routes I can explore. :)</p>
<p>TJ MAXX has a standalone rack display of Marmot down jackets, along with some Marmot ski pants. They weren’t mixed in with the winter parkas. The GoreTex shell I bought was actually mixed in with the long sleeve tech shirts!</p>
<p>I was completely wrong thinking I would be overheating on these hikes. There’s a big difference between 30’s and 40’s. I would have expected to be hot with what I wore today and I wasn’t. </p>
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<p>BB: </p>
<p>So when is the hike? Stream crossings around here seem to be a big problem in the spring, but from everything I can gather, it’s so darn muddy that I’ll probably just wait 'til June to start hiking again anyway… Winter hiking and stuff through February and then put it all on the shelf for three months.</p>
<p>Sounds like fun, BB. :)</p>
<p>Very cold this morning. 25 degrees and frost on my car. I took the LL Bean Down Coat and it was fine if a little big. I guess that I wouldn’t mind one of these, only size M. I don’t know if I will be able to find it at the local store but it would be nice. It has a lot of pockets in the right places. The hood isn’t as good as those on the Columbia and Marmot coats.</p>
<p>Today is just going to be stretches and weights. Maybe some leaf raking.</p>
<p>As a side note, I was perusing the bb code list trying to figure out how people do stuff like hearts or maybe music notes or thumbs up, and I saw the [img] tag. Is that the tag that would be used? What do people usually use [img] for on CC? Thanks.</p>
<p>^We did not dress warn enough yesterday for 32F. My H. decided to do only 2 miles, I did not care one way or another. But will keep in mind for today’s walk. It was about 23F in a morning, which is OK to walk. We do not walk under 20F if it is windy and snow on a ground, otherwise we still would consider, but probably not below 15F. I cannot walk dressed very warm. I get tired right away. So, no fancy clothes, basically about the same, maybe another layer under coat, so that I can remove if I get too hot, whihc happens all the time. I do not like hoods, they are too restrictive, hat works better for me.</p>
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<p>I’m wearing my new solid red Marmot down jacket to go vote today…</p>
<p>Maybe I’ll have to stop by TJ Maxx and LL Bean today.</p>
<p>When I walk/run with my neighbors these chilly mornings I’m wearing the headband my DD knit for me, a silk turtle neck under a light jacket, gloves, yoga pants, Smart Wool socks with my running shoes.</p>
<p>That sounds about perfect for the fast pace you guys set! The walk/jog combo makes dealing with the cold so hard, doesn’t it? If you dress light enough to not overheat while running, you can really freeze if the wind hits you while walking.</p>
<p>Wearing a daughter knitted headband would be great!</p>
<p>^You will not get cold any more after you warm up while running. If you continue walking very fast, it will keep you warm. Not sure if it is a good idea to run under 20F, is it really worth it to get sick while trying to be in shape?</p>
<p>Just checking in. Diet intake is going well and losing weight…not because of exercise. 
I was fighting a nasty cold which morphed to bronchitis and now pneumonia. Can’t seem to get healthy even with a clean diet. Drats! I am following along with all of you when I can. Keep up the good work! </p>
<p>BB…sounds like a fun hike! :)</p>
<p>idad…love to hear when you find great deals at TJ Maxx! </p>
<p>Bundling up to go vote and hoping I don’t cough up a lung in the process! ;)</p>
<p>Miami- you are incorrect. You get sweaty when you run and you can chill down quickly even with a fast walking pace. Also, you don’t get sick due to cold temperatures.</p>
<p>MOWC:</p>
<p>Yeah. I don’t think anyone has successfully solved the challenge of high aerobic exercise in cold weather. And, it’s not from trying. It’s a huge industry, making clothing that attempts to deal with the mutually exclusive challenges of ventilating perspiration while keeping moisture/cold out. Make it more breathable and then you freeze when the wind hits. Protect against the wind and cold and you steam like a lobster when you start sweating.</p>
<p>The amount of clothing I have to wear to keep from sweating in winter activity leaves me freezing cold when I slow down or stop. I can’t wait to see what snowshoeing does to me!</p>
<p>2.25 miles on the treadmill.</p>
<p>I came down with a cold yesterday so yesterday’s run was moderately miserable. I felt better today but still have respiratory problems. I’m thinking of shooting for 550.</p>
<p>I was asked to play singles for tomorrow but my knee + the cold are saying: don’t do it!</p>