Canada goose coats - any good? Where to buy?

Although, I did see on BBC Autumnwatch that migratory numbers of Canada Geese is on the decline, year by year, and at the same shotgun cartridge sales in Newfoundland are at an all time high.

They are meant for snowy conditions, and they keep you warm. They wear really well, and can be washed, too. They are not meant for rainy conditions, so it'll get wet if you wear it in the rain. Depending on the outer material, there might be some discoloration - if you play hard outside.

I have't sprayed mine yet...If or when I do, I will post the results.

That's terrible ... good thing it didn't happen in the US, otherwise CG would have been sued to the point of bankruptcy, due to not issuing warnings and clear instructions on how to open and remove the coat.

Ouch. Would have been far kinder to the birds, if they were encouraged to produce foie gras.

North face parka just as warm and waterproof and half the price.

it is all about the city-Eskimo look

Bought a parka on sale at Vogele for under 50 francs. Had it almost 4 years now and expect it to last forever because it seems pretty well made. It has been warm enough for any cold weather Switzerland or Canada has thrown at me.

Canada Goose coats are attractive as far as parkas go and I know they are well made. And I do like that they are manufactured in Canada. But the frugal side of me will never understand the urge to buy an item that is just so very much more expensive than similar things on the market. It seems like literally giving money away for the honour of wearing a label. Then again, not my money. Just my opinion.

It so rarely gets cold enough to warrant having one down here in the lowlands.

My parents came to visit one of the first winters I was here, and it was _very_ cold. My mother formed the opinion that it is terribly cold here, so she has for the last 26 years, sent warm sweaters as Christmas gifts... I almost never get to wear them!

I keep waiting for a Torontonian to ask if the coat attacks you and tries to steal your sandwich (as they used to do in High Park, or on Toronto Island).

Sitting in a cafe yesterday people watching and I must have seen about 30 people with a Canada goose jacket... at 1 point 4 people in a row all with the same jacket... quite sad really.

Haha I was just about to post... I noticed so many yesterday whereas before this thread I wouldn't have,

Perhaps I should setup a new thread entitled "If not Canada goose, then what?"

So far I've read North Face or Vogele.

The label is not important. What is important is keeping warm (I feel the cold, as Mother Nature has not blessed me with extra layers) and I want something that will last 5yrs+ if looked after.

As for the comments seeing so many CG coats around, is this because they are really good and it's not just a current fashion trend. Speaking of which, I guess the rest of the population is wearing Jackwolf skin (very rare), Mammut and North Face.

Ive got one, very handy back home in Sweden where it gets -20 degrees. Here when it rarely gets below 0, not so much so I never use it. Good jackets though, however over-priced. A good Helly Hansen parka is half the cost and just as good.

I think these are very good jackets but there are other good brands available as you might consider them as well.

Seems like everyone in Switzerland must have Canada Goose jacket today. I see it so often I think it is not cool any more.

I have Pajar jacket with naturla fur. It is very thick warm jacket nicely shaped like a dress I don't look like big marshmallow in it. I would consider other brands to look a bit more oryginal. Canada Good jackets are grewt but do we really have to look all the same here?

I think you are right. Canada Goose jackets are warm, practical and sporty but not elegant at all. This is also another reason why I still don't have one. Big logo on the shoulder is also a bit too much for me. I think it could be more discreet.

If the Helly Hansen is not comprised of real down and genuine fur collar then it is not "just as good". Nothing is, without those materials.

Disclaimer: At risk or sounding like a hipster, I got mine in Toronto 11 or 12 years ago - before they were everywhere in CH (and for a lot less than they cost here).

If memory serves, I read somewhere that the operating side has been taken over by the newest generation and they've made a conscious decision to make it more of a fashion brand. Hence the sudden proliferation in the last 4-5 years. Based on what has happened to the quality of other brands when they've done this (I'm looking at you Hunter and Barbour), it might be worth checking that the quality is still as good as it was a few years ago.

Assuming the quality *is* the same today, they really are excellent jackets. They're very robust, and extremely warm. I've worn it every winter since, and the only problem so far is that one seam on the arm is coming a little loose. An easy fix.

Given the animal products involved, they do seem to be ethically made. I just hope that the practice is as good as the PR blurb.

As with many other big ticket items, be aware that there are an awful lot of fakes being sold on the internet. They're made to far inferior manufacturing and ethical standards than the genuine items.

It took 60 birds to make my jacket.

Canadian geese lack dexterity.

According to Canadian bible, they make you a douche

http://canadianbible.com/canada-goose-coats/

So, considering the price of those things, and the weather they're intended for and unless you're regularly trekking in -10 to -25 degree weather, you really don't need one.

I brought my winter coat from a rather warm part of Canada 4 years ago, and I've taken it out twice in four years. If you get a coat for colder weather than you need, you'll just end up sweaty and gross. They're not really meant for Basel/Zurich weather. If you frequently go up the mountains, like to Davos, they're great because you don't have to worry about the weather. You can go out for a midnight stroll without worry.

Don't they get all sweaty and gross? Or are they naked underneath... sort of like women in burkas?