<p>Don’t even think about winter gear now. Wait until it is in stock this fall. By then he will know what he wants and those around him can tell him where they shop locally. Many stores will carry the gear he will want by then. Penneys will have winter stock up north. Remember that clothing needs to be comfortable indoors so lined jeans et al may not be wanted. Son at Wisconsin (not that much further south, and HS north of Madison) never wore boots. The hat, gloves et al will be plentiful everywhere this fall. </p>
<p>Thanks, wis. I was thinking that also, that stock will not be in, but want to at least get a feel for where places are located. If son is anything like his parents, he will wake up one day at 20 below with no winter wear. I am so looking forward to our trip to escape the 100 plus temps in NOLA and it’s not even August. I am hopeful he can just go to Penney’s and get everything there. Will have to do the store locator to see where the closest one to campus is. </p>
<p>Montegut, what our parents called “long johns” are now called “base layers”. Smartwool is a great brand if he wants wool, Polypropylene is the high tech fabric. I wore my poly under layer rafting in Iceland.
Good luck getting a kid to wear the pants unless going snowboarding or snowmobiling. </p>
<p>We LOVE 100% silk long underwear…the washable ones from Lands End. LOVE em…I sometimes use them for PJs. </p>
<p>My kids were reluctant at first, but found them to be very warm and not the least bit bulky. I think the lack of bulk is what sold them.</p>
<p>I bought them for my mom and sisters as well…my mom wore hers everyday until she died (she got cold easily). </p>
<p>OK, let’s back the truck up… Scattershot is not going to be the best way to build a winter wardrobe. You want to start with the essential items. The stuff that every guy would actually wear in cold, cold-wet, cold-dry, and blizzard conditions (unless he’ just determined to go thru winter in flip flops, gym shorts, and a cotton hoody and then I can’t help him…)</p>
<p>I’m assuming we are talking about a guy who lives and goes to school somewhere where he will either be driving, or taking public transportation, or walking outside for less than an hour to get to where he’s going. So, I’m not recommending a wardrobe for hunting or skiing or hiking. However, much of what I recommend would also be useful for that. Personally, I hiked and snow shoed for four or five hours last winter in temps as low as 11 degrees. But, outfitting for that is not necessary to get through the winter in Minneapolis.</p>
<p>LLBEAN sells the fleece lined jeans in a relaxed fit for big guys:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/23783?feat=506585-GN2&page=double-l-jeans-fleece-lined-relaxed-fit”>http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/23783?feat=506585-GN2&page=double-l-jeans-fleece-lined-relaxed-fit</a></p>
<p>But, have you heard of mom jeans? Well, these are grandpa jeans. In fact, I’m 60 and I wouldn’t wear them. Ever. And, I doubt anyone younger than me would wear them. Maybe the unibomber in a cabin off-grid would wear them. Stuff like that looks good in theory, but it would be way, way, way too hot to wear inside. So what do you do when you get there. Maybe it would be good for sledding, except that demin soaks up water like a sponge, so if you wanted insulated ski pants. you want a synthetic water-resistant fabric. I do not own a single pair of insulated pants and I’ll never own a pair.</p>
<p>When it’s really cold and I’m snowshoeing in 11 degree weather, I wear a pair of nylon stretchy hiking pants like these:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/76907?feat=506778-GN2&page=cresta-hiking-pants”>http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/76907?feat=506778-GN2&page=cresta-hiking-pants</a></p>
<p>And, a pair of lightweight Power Dry baselayer tights like these:</p>
<p><a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;
<p>And, to be honest, for around town, just jeans will be fine except for the coldest days. I don’t even wear the long johns hiking (for hours) unless it’s below 20 degrees. Legs just don’t get that cold.</p>
<p>But, if you wanted to get him something that would make sense as a fundamental building block of a seriously cold weather, get him a set of the Power Dry baselayer tights (light weight, everything else is too heavy):</p>
<p><a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;
<p>And a matching baselayer top, either crew neck or 1/2 zip:</p>
<p><a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;
<p><a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;
<p>Even if he doesn’t wear them out much, the make awesome cold weather PJs…</p>
<p>I do not recommend the Merino wool or silk versions for a young male. They don’t offer any significant advantages over Polartech PowerDry, but they add significant complications to laundering them without shrinkage. The lightest weight Polartec PowerDry you can find. LLBean, Marmot, Patagonia, REI, LandsEnd. Doesn’t mater. Polartec PowerDry is Polartec PowerDry. The stuff is awesome.</p>
<p>More essentials to follow</p>
<p>Hats, gloves and socks. </p>
<p>He need a bunch of Merino wool/nylon/elastine hiking socks like these:</p>
<p><a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;
<p>Get the lighter of the available weights for around town. The heavy weight and even the medium weight are too heavy for around town. Get LLBean. Get SmartWool. Or go to Marshalls and buy a couple 3-paks of Timberland wool blend hiking socks. Doesn’t matter, he will need a lot of them.</p>
<p>Hats:</p>
<p>He needs two fleece beanies. A light 100wt fleece and a heavier 200wt fleece. If you can only get one, get the lighter one.</p>
<p>Lightweight, either 100 wt microfleece or PowerStretch fleece:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.sierratradingpost.com/mountain-hardwear-micro-dome-beanie-hat-fleece-for-men~p~4495j/?filterString=mens-stocking-caps-and-beanies~d~4892%2F&colorFamily=12”>http://www.sierratradingpost.com/mountain-hardwear-micro-dome-beanie-hat-fleece-for-men~p~4495j/?filterString=mens-stocking-caps-and-beanies~d~4892%2F&colorFamily=12</a></p>
<p><a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;
<p>MIdweight:</p>
<p><a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;
<p>Wool is fine, but fleece is more water resistant, faster drying and easier to wash.</p>
<p>The thing that covers your face is a balaclava. He’ll never, ever wear one. I don’t even wear them snow shoeing unless its below 20 degrees and, even then, I pull it off my face most of the time.</p>
<p>Gloves:</p>
<p>He needs two pair minimum…</p>
<p>Lightweight fleece gloves for dry days, either plain fleece or my all time favorite gloves PowerStretch fleece gloves. Both of these have conductive patches on the fingers to work an iPhone. My daughter got the LLBEAN powerstretch gloves for her birthday. PowerStretch gloves are da bomb because you can actually wear them and do stuff…</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.landsend.com/products/mens-polartec-100-ez-touch-gloves/id_258818”>Lands' End | Swimwear, Outerwear, Casual Clothing and more;
<p><a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;
<p>And he’ll need a pair of waterproof warm ski gloves for blizzard days:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/60806?feat=502856-GN2&page=baxter-state-gloves”>http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/60806?feat=502856-GN2&page=baxter-state-gloves</a></p>
<hr>
<p>All of these socks, beanies, and gloves can be bought dirt cheap at a Marshalls or TJMaxx in Minneapolis this fall.</p>
<p>More winter essentials tomorrow…</p>
<p>When my Calif sister’s son headed to Tufts, she got him lined jeans from either Lands End or LL Bean (dont remember which). And he wore a lot of waffle-weave long sleeve shirts under long sleeve polos.</p>
<p>I agree with interested dad, the point is to build a wardrobe sensibly that a 20-something will want to wear.</p>
<p>I dont know the clothing culture at the school he will be attending, but the student may just wear long underwear under fleece or jeans. </p>
<p>Someone has probably already mentioned…layers are your friend. As you heat up, you can remove a layer. But layers are best because they trap heat. </p>
<p>idad gives good advice. To which I would add, that if your S is old enough and intelligent enough to be going to graduate or professional school, I would give him an allowance for a winter wardrobe (assuming he lacks the $$ of his own) and step back out of the picture. As the weather gets colder, he will figure it out. He will see what classmates wear and he can then shop for what he wants. Maybe he and some friends will go shopping together.</p>
<p>Idad, great post! posts…rather. Right about the lined jeans, unless he truly does not care about fashion. I have owned them, and they are a delight, but too hot inside buildings. A parka long enough to cover thighs is the most helpful day to day. </p>
<p>Wow, you guys are awesome. Looks like I need to find where the Marshalls and TJMaxx are located near campus. And a Sears and a JCPenneys and the REI store. Thank you for the definition of baselayers equals long johns. And thank you, idad, for pointing out laundry friendly items. Very necessary when dealing with a big one. When do the winter items hit the stores up there, and when does it get too snowy to fly? I envision a torturous shopping venture for winter clothes, but rewarded by a trip to the LEGO store! (Hoping that last sentence gives you an idea of the boys’ concern for fashion!) </p>
<p>Montegut, Minnesotans are a hardy bunch…and deal with snow very well. Unless there’s a true blizzard, you’ll be flying year round. Delayed maybe, but still flying.
Columbia, Marshall’s & Sears at MOA…along with Lego Store.
REI and TJ Maxx both just down the road a bit from MOA in Bloomington.
You’ve gotten excellent advice above…</p>
<p>Enjoy! Your S may find MN cold the first year…he’ll adjust after that…</p>
<p>They don’t shut down for snow. The light rail will run and the buses will try to run a regular schedule. We flew in during a snowstorm when we visited in late April 2013 (4 inches fell but it was plowed and sidewalks mostly cleared on campus the next day). There was a ground stop at MSP so we were delayed by an hour but we took off. The plane had to abort the first landing and try again due to the visibility at MSP. It was a wierd sensation to be landing and then up we went again. </p>
<p>Hopefully the winter will be milder this year. DS who LOVES the cold weather asked for “long johns” since the wind cut right through his jeans. He said his legs were freezing but his feet was toasty warm in his hiking boots and his torso was encased in his Northface jacket. He also needed coverage for his face when walking to classes and back to the dorm. I guess the wind was the toughest part to deal with. He didn’t use the tunnels though.</p>
<p>Yeah. Jeans are actually pretty lousy winter/snow pants, as is cotton in general, but that’s a battle that would be hopeless to fight with a 20-something. </p>
<p>The bee’s knees for blizzard cold are softshell stretchy nylon technical hiking pants. Wind and water resistant. Comfortable by themselves or over base layers. Zippered ankle cuffs to fit over snow boots. But, they are insanely expensive and very tough to find in big sizes.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.rei.com/c/mens-soft-shell-pants”>http://www.rei.com/c/mens-soft-shell-pants</a>
<a href=“http://www.rei.com/product/845431/marmot-scree-pants-mens-short”>http://www.rei.com/product/845431/marmot-scree-pants-mens-short</a></p>
<p>The other thing I wear a lot in winter is fleece pants. Those are pretty much my constant lounge around the house pants. Same concept as the old cotton sweat pants, but much lighter, much warmer, much more comfortable, quicker drying, and much easier to launder. Then, to go outside for shovelling snow or whatever, throw a pair of waterproof rain pants over them.</p>
<p>Having said that, I don’t think that stuff would make my list of essentials for a 20-something. I think they’ll end up wearing jeans anyway and it’s more important to focus the first dollars on the essentials.</p>
<p>Of anything here, the microfleece sweatpants would be the thing most likely to be used:</p>
<p>North Face calls them TKA100 microfleece and Cabelas has them in big sizes::</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.cabelas.com/product/The-North-Face174-TKA-100-Microfleece-Pants/1182390.uts”>http://www.cabelas.com/product/The-North-Face174-TKA-100-Microfleece-Pants/1182390.uts</a></p>
<p>Columbia calls their version of microfleece Fast-Trek:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.columbia.com/Men’s-Fast-Trek™-II-Pant/AM8003,default,pd.html”>http://www.columbia.com/Men’s-Fast-Trek™-II-Pant/AM8003,default,pd.html</a></p>
<p>REI uses PolarTec 100 fleece – anything with Polartec branded fabric is the best quality available:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.rei.com/product/801629/rei-polartec-100-teton-fleece-pants-mens-32-inseam”>http://www.rei.com/product/801629/rei-polartec-100-teton-fleece-pants-mens-32-inseam</a></p>
<p>I like a version callled PowerStretch, which is a similar weight, but fits like tights and can be worn alone or as super heavy base layers (like under rain pants), but a big guy would HATE them…</p>
<p>My H wears these jeans in the winter. He loves them lol! <a href=“Men's Double L Jeans, Classic Fit, Flannel-Lined | Jeans at L.L.Bean”>Men's Double L Jeans, Classic Fit, Flannel-Lined | Jeans at L.L.Bean;
<p>Of course, Idad already mentioned them back a couple of pages. I think they are silly but H loves them and he is not fashionable. </p>
<p>We live in Northern Michigan and before that lived downstate where they get much less snow. Snow now is not a big deal at all. The roads are cleared and everyone goes around their business. Nothing shuts down and it is much different than downstate, never mind places where they don’t get hardly any snow. </p>
<p>H says Minnesota has less snow and more cold than we do. I wouldn’t worry too much. It will be 90 and humid when he gets there ;)</p>
<p>DS has a pair of those flannel lined jeans and he wears them!!! He has never been into fashion – jeans and t-shirts is what he wears everyday (except when he is at work). Let’s say it had to be pretty cold and he was pretty miserable before he mentioned that his jeans just didn’t cut it. Let’s hope the winter is not so bitter this year and let’s hope it isn’t blazing hot when he moves into his apartment next month :)</p>
<p>Sixty year old husband (not a grandpa!) wears the flannel lined jeans, though it took this past winter to push him over the edge and to try them out. We live in Maine, about 15 minutes from Bean’s flagship store.</p>
<p>There is an REI just west of Rosedale Mall which is a 10 minute car ride from the UofMN. Everyone in my family (2 college boys) has this jacket from Eddie Bauer. It looks like they still have some from last year in tall xl and xxl in black, navy, etc. This jacket is super light weight and will take your son down to 40 degrees to buy time until he can find the heavier weight one he needs. If returns are necessary and he doesn’t want to deal with shipping, he can take the light rail from school to the Mall of America where there is an Eddie Bauer store. <a href=“http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/microtherm-trade--down-jacket/38832154/_/A-ebSku_0880600938000060__38832154_catalog10002_en__US?showProducts=&backToCat=Outerwear&previousPage=LNAV&tab=men&dcolor=400”>http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/microtherm-trade--down-jacket/38832154/_/A-ebSku_0880600938000060__38832154_catalog10002_en__US?showProducts=&backToCat=Outerwear&previousPage=LNAV&tab=men&dcolor=400</a> </p>
<p>There is a shop in Wayzata (western suburb) called The Foresome. They are know for higher end clothing and the store is frequented by our professional athletes.</p>
<p>(a great gift would be a Smartwool top and bottoms to wear under his clothing when we are experiencing our lovely winter weather) REI carries this brand, but I don’t know about length.</p>
<p>The main feature/benefit pitch of wool blend base layers over the Polartec PowerDry is they don’t stink as bad after two or three weeks on the hiking trail without a shower or bath. That shouldn’t be a major consideration for normal around town use where clothes and people generally get washed every so often. :)</p>
<p>For baselayers, IMO, nothing beats Helly Hansen! Their “engineered” wool/polypropylene long johns are awesome. HH stuff is not cheap, but can be found on sale or sometimes at TJMaxx .</p>
<p><a href=“http://mshop.hellyhansen.com/us/item/hhcomfort-wool-set-27136/?t_type=cat”>http://mshop.hellyhansen.com/us/item/hhcomfort-wool-set-27136/?t_type=cat</a></p>
<p>It lasts forever, does not shrink, is not bulky, so even my picky baby kiddo loved to wear her HH tights under her skinny jeans. </p>
<p>You know Idad, my kids are not that great at doing their laundry. So stink-resistant clothes would be a plus in their book ;)</p>