quite honestly, they don't have to be that puffy. I have a very old Calvin Klein that goes down to my mid-calf.

I judge how cold our winter is by how often I wear this coat. Sometimes I never do. But, you are in Canada, so many these puffies are the way to go?

I have a thing for winter coats. I don't like to have a few to change off. Some are a bit puffier than others, but I try to find the sleeker looks.

I’ve heard the Lands’ End coats are really good! My biggest issue is early-morning walks with the dog, I’m still sleepy and my metabolism hasn’t revved up for the day so I am constantly freezing! I want to feel like I’m wrapped up in a warm duvet. I have a three-quarter length Columbia coat but I only really like it down to 32°F.

I have a full length Lands End down coat with fur lined hood and the matching mittens. I love it and have enough room under it to add a hat or extra layers for the super super cold outings- then I actually tend to sweat a bit!

Hmmmm...40% off today at lands end. I’m looking forward to a lot of sleepy cold walks with baby this winter. Although the weather has been freakishly warm here! I actually made it to the end of my work at beginning of November wearing summer dresses and sandals for the most part!

This one is not 40 percent off yet, but it is similar to the one I have and it keeps me warm in the coldest climes. Definitely feels like stepping out in a down comforter.

LLBean

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/117848?feat=504735-GN3&page=ultralight-850-down-hooded-coat&csp=f

PS I know you must be beyond anxious to finally have your little one in your arms.

Rita, does the LLbean coat have a nice heavy duty zipper? That is the issue I am having with coats, they have tiny plastic zippers that easily come apart.

You may want to wait to invest, robo- I was also super hot with my first pregnancy and had a fall/ winter baby. I thought I go right back to my usual cold self, but nursing made me just as hot as pregnancy! Certainly I needed a coat, but not nearly the bundling I usually do! Now I have another one coming next week, so I don’t know if this one will be the same or not; I haven’t been nearly as overwarm this time around, but we also had a much milder summer.

I bought mine about five years ago and the zipper has held up fine. Also, LLBean has a very generous return policy for defective merchandise. I had luggage that did not hold up after one year of moderate use and they took it back without any trouble. I believe they tout a lifetime warranty on all their items.

I've an Eddie Bauer down filled, knee length coat that is super on the coldest, windiest days (into the 10F range). For walks on those days, I have wool leggings that I wear under my fleece pants. Yes, a good zipper on it.

My other go-to winter coat is a 30 year old corduroy lined with wool fabric, knit cuffs and collar, quilting in the sleeves. I'm actually kind of embarrassed to be seen in it, what with its 1980s shoulders and all, but boy is it comfy, not too bulky -- sized a little large on my now, so I can layer under it -- perfect for outdoor chores in the cold (like shoveling snow) or walking the dog -- it washes up nicely too.

Have a CANADA goose. I got it maybe ten years ago. It really is warm but mine is above the knee and I really wish I had spent a little more and got the longer one. The warmest coat I ever had was from a thrift store. It was one of the original Inuit coats with the canvas outer layer and wool inner. The fur trimmed hood was exactly right. It kept your face warm but you could still see. The Canada goose is such a funnel you can’t see anything except your nose.

Hmm, i have god-given puffiness, i would never buy a puffer coat. : )

I find ski jackets to be very warm without bulk, the technology of some of the higher end brands is impressive. I'm never cold when I ski. Plus, they are often gorgeous.

They do not cover one's bum, however.

For longer coats I have a black cashmere trench, and a vintage black persian lamb carcoat.

The one thing I really like about Southern CA -- no need to wear Michelin-man coats.

I do have a very warm 3/4 length coat that I bought at a high end ski shop years ago. My newer ski jacket also has additional designs that make it much warmer, double seals on seams, wrist/thumb stretchy glove-like sleeve extension that eliminates the exposed skin between gloves and sleeve, stretchy waist extension that stops cold air coming up your back, etc. Mine does cover my bum ... length available has to do with what is in at the moment. With the snowboarding industry growing, jackets have become a bit more practical and not so "snow bunny".

These jackets can be quite pricy, but will last many many years, specially if you don't use them for skiing.

I actually purchased a snow boarding coat instead of a ski coat last year.... just because they are longer and cover my rear.

My problem with ski coats is that they are kind of designed for people who are being active, so they’re not necessarily made for the type of body heat you generate with a leisurely stroll around the block in Canada in February.

I have a fairly nice and formfitting MEC thigh length coat, but it’s not warm enough for February mornings.

I have seen the land’s end coats recommended a few places (and have a friend in icy Ottawa who highly recommends) so I ordered one to try! Hellooooo shapelessness!

You could wear a shorter coat, ski/snow pants and good boots ... you would probably be warmer than in just a long coat. Throw in a face mask and ski helmet and you'll be toasty warm! The neighbors might give you some looks though! ;-)

Just wait till you have to bundle a squirming toddler into all that gear!

Eddie Bauer

I just purchased this one for in and out of the car and shopping on very cold days and walking the dog on cool days. I love it because it is so light. And it seems to adjust to your temperature needs. I can go from a cold outdoor environment into a store and not have a hot flash.

North Face thermoball

This is what I have now, good to about -5c (20f maybe?) and good for car/shopping.

It's hard to ski with a longer jacket; if it is longer, it typically because it is for snowboarding, not skiing.

I was in a pinch once to buy ski gear and picked up something from Lands End; it did not keep me anywhere near as warm as Spyder or Moncler etc. It made me feel less badly about the prices; to me the performance difference was night and day.

Eddie Bauer is also having an outerwear sale right now and I like the look of this coat (same 650 down fill as lands end coat):

I think it’s tough because there are such different performance demands for winter coats! The MEC coat I posted above is actually ideal for 90% of Nova Scotia winter because it’s super waterproof and pretty warm with a sweater layered under. And it looks decent for work.

I bought this Eddie Bauer down coat for wearing to DGD’s soccer games. You know, even in the South, it gets darn cold sitting outside in the wind on a soccer field for over 2 hours. I am 5’9” so I bought a tall and it is about mid thigh. It also comes in a knee length version. The chevron pattern and cut makes it a bit more slimming.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/womens-sun-valley-down-parka/20612953?showProducts=&sizetype=&size=

I also have ski jackets but as Mtn pointed out they are shorter. Good ones are definitely warmer too I agree, but for what you want for long walks, I think a longer coat is more what you need.

I love my faux furs. They are the warmest coats I have ever owned.

I have way too many winter coats - from vintage fur to the new lightweight down jackets.

But the coat that I wear when it's really cold out and I have to walk the dog is the long down coat from LL Bean. It's like wearing a bathrobe - comfortable, warm and lightweight.

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/42359?feat=610-GN1&page=ultrawarm-coat-long&csp=f

The LandsEnd packable down coat I took to China last year was awesome. It folds into its own pocket and met my needs for warmth. It was not puffy, and it is washable. I washed it as soon as I got home since I was out in the pollution there.

Have you ever considered an insulated skirt? I always thought the Skhoop skirts looked like they would be rather cozy, but I'm not in the right type of winter climate to consider getting one :)

Edited for a canadian version:

https://skhoop.ca/collections/down-skirts/products/mina-mid-down-skirt-17?variant=43915060686

daki - that's a new one for me - a down insulated skirt - interesting.

I have two eddie bauer sun down parkas, one is belted and like them very much for a casual look. The faux fur however, on one, is awful, but I don't use the hoods anyway.

I bought a Marmot coat at Marshalls last year. I think the fill is 750. Not super puffy and only down to my knees. It is so warm when I go out to walk in the winter i just wear a thin tshirt underneath. As someone who is typically always cold, I love it! (We get lots of snow and regularly have temps below freezing.)

I also have a Marmot. Wish I had seen it at Marshalls. I got mine at Bloomies. It is so warm and not so very puffy looking. My only complaint is that the fabric kind of makes a creaking noise.

Any thoughts on Thinsulate vs down?

You can't go wrong with either LLBean or Lands End for winter coats, but take a look at North Face and Michael Kors also. I have a North Face jacket that is super warm, even in windy Boston. But I need options, so I have 2 Michael Kors puffers-one very puffy and warm, the other sleek and comfy, but not so warm. My best coat for warmth is my old mink coat, but I can only wear that when walking in the dark within my neighborhood. Another coat, lined with <gasp> rabbit fur was purchased over 10 years ago in Florence is also both warm and stylish.

Robo, I've had 3 winter babies and have braved many winters to walk them daily. I always wore a hat, scarf and ski gloves. Walked for miles.....

Michael Kors puffy puffer

Fur coats are much warmer than puffers, they are long lasting too. I love mink the most, warm and light, fox, coyote and other long haired furs are heavier than mink. You might want to try a shearling (lamb fur) coat, it's very warm but it's pretty heavy for a full length. Rabbit fur lined coats are light and warm. You can find shearling lamb fur gloves on ebay for $20-30 from China, really warm. We don't have problems wearing furs here, it's very cold and windy in the snow country. I wear mine daily during the winter months. You'd see lots of furs in the grocery stores, a lot of full length minks.

Being in SoCal, I did without one for many years. I inherited a 1950's vintage cashmere coat from my mother and had it altered prior to a March business trip to New York this year. The tailor was ecstatic about working with the fabric; it was amazingly warm! Mom probably bought that coat in New York, so it may have had a homecoming of sorts.

Fur isn’t very popular around here, I think because the climate is so wet. Same with wool.

The lands end coat came and I really like it, It is a very deep rich blue and surprisingly not too heavy.

I don't know, I like the looks of those puffy and semi-puffy coats but in a plus size, wouldn't they make me look like the Michelin Man? Some of the coats linked do look somewhat fitted, but then again only go up to XL size.

I have a puffy winter coat. I look like the Michelin Man and I don't care. When it comes to warmth, I am not proud.

I do have a nice warm winter coat with hood, inner zipper with an over lay with snaps but it's uncomfortable while driving. Kind of bulky. I like the one d_gw posted.