Winter Coat for my monkey arms

Chris Pierce

Chris Pierce

Joined
Nov 15, 2006
Messages
4,837
Hey guys
So I've posted here in the past about winter coats and such. Please be patient with me, I'm trying to get my thoughts together.
I do have a Dickies coat that is very warm and heavy. And it even sort of fits, but the arms are still an inch or two shorter than I'd like.
What I'm looking for is a winter coat with really really long arms. Last fall I went around to several different stores and tried on many many different coats and that's when I ended up with the dickies coat, but I'm hoping that I can do better. My shirt size is 15.5-16x36, and my arms measure 25" from pit to wrist. But I'm not a huge guy. I'm 5'10 and 180. So to find a coat with long enough arms I'm usually swimming in it, which makes it hard to work or drive my pick up without taking the coat off and freezing my naughty bits off.

Here are things that I am looking for in the coat.
It has to be very warm. 0 degrees is not unheard of here, and I know some of you will just laugh but for me that's COLD! :) We also get a lot of wind
It has to have arms made for a gorilla/orangutang.
It should last a really really long time. I'd like to buy one coat and never even think about buying another one. But if I have to buy a new coat every few years that's fine, as long as it fits and is warm.
It should be made of natural materials. I do have to do some field welding/fabrication from time to time and I don't want a plastic coat that will burst into flames. This isn't a huge concern, but I like more traditional clothing anyway.
It should not cost more than $200, but I'm willing to spend more for the perfect coat, especially if it will last a lifetime.

What will I be using this coat for? Working. I work as ground support for heavy machinery, building fences an doing welding/fabrication. I try to keep inside in the winter, but I will be welding gates in the field, stretching barbed wire, standing around watching an excavator dig, etc. But, I work for myself, and if the weather gets too crazy I just go home. So this coat won't be used for hiking or camping or anything like that it just needs to be tough and warm not necessarily light weight or "technical".

I am very interested in Filsons, and they do offer custom orders (but are not taking orders until April), but I have yet to try one on, and I'd hate to buy one, or special order it and not be happy with it. A custom order double mackinaw might cost $500, so I'm a little leery of it.
Carhartt is now offering a medium tall size which might be the ticket, but I've not been able to find any to try on so far. The large tall is way too big for me, and medium is far too short in the sleeve.
Dickies, It's warm, it's cheap and the sleeves sort of fit.
Woolrich? Duluth? (others?) I've never tried one on, and I don't even know where I'd be able to find any in stores.


The other thing. I live about 40 miles from the closest city, so I don't get a lot of chances to try on clothing, and I'm limited to what the stores carry. I may go to town tomorrow so I'll probably be trying things on then. There is a Filson store in Portland, but that's 100 miles away. Maybe sometime between now and April I'll have a chance to check it out.


Other options? Maybe in stead of buying a full on coat I can go with layering? Maybe I can find a down shirt/jacket and wear a heavy wool or canvas (tin cloth?) shirt over it? If I can find a down jacket and a shirt that have long enough sleeves!

I also have a set of insulated coveralls (with too short sleeves) and all the other winter gear, long johns, scarves, hats, light gloves, heavy gloves, insulated boots, wool socks etc etc

Any personal experience would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks guys!
-Chris
 
I have been through some winters inside and out of the military, but what I did was go with layering, you should check out your local REI. I ended up going with a Mountain Hardware shell (yeah you have to check out the fleece under coat to fit it). But over all, it is a nice system even though I bought the fleece used, and there's noting else like it.
 
I don't have a local REI. The closest store is 135 miles one way. :(
Do you have problems finding coats with long enough sleeves?
I will of course wear other things with my coat, but I guess my question has more to do with finding a (hopefully traditional) winter coat with really long sleeves, not which winter coats are best.

I guess I should say which stores I do have access to,
Fred Meyers
Coastal
JC Penny's
K-mart
And there is one western clothing store.
Not a great selection.

Anything else is not an option at the moment. If I go to Portland this winter you better bet that I'm gonna check out some stores.
 
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You might want to take a look at Duluth Trading. I got one of their heavy firehose fabric coats a couple of years ago. Its insulted with a lot of pockets. Would be similar to a Carhartt as far as styling. I like the extra gussets in the arms - makes it much easier to work in. The fabric is really tough - I have been wearing the pants made out of this material - I will usually go through a pair of jeans in 6-7 months (rebar) and I have a couple of pair that have lasted 3 years and are not worn out. The one reason I mentioned looking at the coat is the sleeves are longer than what I usually see in a coat. I am 5'8", 190 lb - don't have gorilla arms, but the sleeves hit my first knuckle. The coat is warm - we get some pretty cold temps and a lot of wind - the coat I have is wind proof. Can't tell you what the name of it is - its basically their heaviest canvas coat.
 
Chris Pierce said:
I don't have a local REI. The closest store is 135 miles one way. :(
Do you have problems finding coats with long enough sleeves?
I will of course wear other things with my coat, but I guess my question has more to do with finding a (hopefully traditional) winter coat with really long sleeves, not which winter coats are best.

I guess I should say which stores I do have access to,
Fred Meyers
Coastal
JC Penny's
K-mart
And there is one western clothing store.
Not a great selection.

Anything else is not an option at the moment. If I go to Portland this winter you better bet that I'm gonna check out some stores.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Mountain Hardware has long sleeves (its made to be a shell). I'd just order one or 2 and expect to pay the shipping.
 
Hey Chris,
You might want to check out the Carhartt Arctic work jacket. They have proven to be tough and very warm. It sounds like a 42 Tall might fit you and you can find them here: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/ca...filterString=s~carhart-arctic/&colorFamily=04 (they are even cheaper if you sign up for their email and they have a great return policy if it doesn't fit). I also have the Duluth Trading Superior jacket: http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/mens-outerwear/mens-work-jackets/14009.aspx which is also nice, not quite as long or as warm as the Carhartt though. Filson makes great stuff, imho the cut of their jackets is a bit trimmer through the shoulders. I have their wool cruiser and it is nice, though no where near as warm as the two above. Filson's double mack is almost as warm, but seems too nice to work in! (Mine is my winter dress jacket!) LL Bean makes some fine wool jackets at great prices that also come in Tall. Good luck!
 
I've tried the Carhartt arctic work jackets before and I have not found one that fits yet. But I think they have more tall sizes now. And I'm hoping to try some on tomorrow.
I've been looking at the Duluth Trading company website and I may end up with one of those if I don't find something else that I can try on first.
Wingman, will you measure your coat for me? What size shirt do you usually wear?
 
Carhartt dude. Plain and simple. They run big and long if you get the talls. I am 6ft 5 inches and long armed as well and carhartt is my goto. Hope this helps.
 
I hope to find out tomorrow. So far Carhartt has not been so good in the coat department. I wear the heck out of the bibs and dungarees though.
 
Whatever, Carharts have terrible fit for me too... Any long or tall version isn't gonna be long enough, no matter what they say. I have the same problem and I've tried everything carhart offers. I'm only 5'11" but my arms are way long. Carhart, ll bean, Eddie Bauer, filson, All came up short...

Unfortunately I'm not gonna be much help cuz I'm still looking myself but I can tell u what I know DOESNT fit :)

This is gonna sound weird, but try a cotton or canvas outer jacket from Abercrombie and Fitch, they have way long sleeves on everything. I have a couple and wear tad sweaters under them. Good luck and let me know if you find anything else that fits :o
 
Well I have a new budget. I talked to the boss and she said that something $500 or under would be reasonable. As long as it will last forever :)
 
Chris,
I was going to recommend a Sorel Tool Belt jacket, but looks like it is no longer for sale. I also wear a 36" sleeve, and on me my Tall Tool Belt comes down the first joint of my thumb (from the end of the thumb). I just measured from the top of the shoulder, where the sleeve is sewn to the jacket to the end of the sleeve and it is 24". The jacket has Thinsulite insulation and pile, heavy "Hammered Cotton" outside and a very good water repellant finish. The only thing I wish it had was one of those ribbed borders on the of the jacket, but as the name suggests it was designed to be worn with a tool belt. With your new budget, it should open up some new prospects, good luck in your hunt. John
 
I have Filson Cruiser, and it is quite heavy for the amount of warmth it provides. Heft one before you buy it.
 
I've got gorilla arms too. I had a Patagonia DAS Parka I used for about 10 years. It's been great with my long arms and it's very warm. It's more than $200, but it can be found online for under $200 at times. I've used it climbing all the big volcanos in WA and winter camping in WA and BC - it's a warm piece. Like many really warm jackets, it's light and somewhat fragile. Could you wear a jacket like this underneath a canvas jacket that provides the toughness you require? I just searched the Seattle Craigslist and there's a brand new one for $175 [size large]. I'm about 5' 11'' and 205 and that's what I'd wear. By wearing two layers, you get the durability you want when you want it and a lightweight jacket for around town or in the backcountry.
 
Well I went to town today and looked any many carhartt and dickies jackets, they're all still either way too big or way too shirt in the sleeves. I also found some really cool looking oil cloth jackets and vests at coastal, but they only carry them for women.

I did how ever find an old Wool Rich jacket at a thift store (my wife had to go find some ugly Christmas sweaters for her office Christmas party) for $5. I have no idea what it's made of, some sort of nylon canvas (?), the only thing I can read on the tag is "dry clean only" and it's got a terrible looking fake fur collar. BUT it fits! So for now I'm happy with the $5 jacket. I think that it will be pretty warm and with only $5 into it I can still afford to pick up a really good $495 coat!
I am really looking forward to checking out the Filson store in Portland at some point. My wife is a city girl, so any excuse to spend a day in civilization is a good excuse for her.

Thanks for the the replies guys. I appreciate all the help I can get.
 
hey man, so I have a similar problem. I'm about 6'0 185, so pretty close to the same size as you, and I was a lanky basketball player my whole life till I started lifting to sort of fill out my goofy noodle frame, but the long arms stuck around.

I backpack in some nasty weather in northern PA in the winter. freezing rain, heavy snow, and frigid nights. The best system I have found (that happens to also be light weight) is a synthetic base (Columbia has some synthetic t's and longsleeve t's for like 10-15$ or get a nice thermal), a wool or fleece mid layer (if you're not concerned with weight, heavy flannel also works great), then if its SUPER cold, a softshell on top of this (these can be expensive, we'll get to that in a second), and finally a parka or hardshell coat(also expensive, but just wait!). The beauty of this system is that it breathes! moisture is carried away from your body and does sit dank on your skin.

for a softshell, northface, mountain hardwear, patagonia, outdoor research, arc-teryx (yikes! expensive!), and some columbia gear are really good
for a hardshell, mountain hardwear makes my favorite, and the kicker: I got a $270 hardshell for $50 at an REI garage sale! every year they have a sale on items that have been damaged and repaired or returned, and the discounts are insane! I picked up a $300 tent and an almost $300 coat for $150. Later in the year, they had a %50 off sale on north face softshells that were 'last years styles' and I got a 140$ softshell for 70, plus 10% off with my membership. So for less than 120$, i have a killer cold weather setup.

also, the mountain hardwear parka sleeves are designed to sit on top of gloves and hold them in place, so they are extra long!
 
hey man, so I have a similar problem. I'm about 6'0 185, so pretty close to the same size as you, and I was a lanky basketball player my whole life till I started lifting to sort of fill out my goofy noodle frame, but the long arms stuck around.

I backpack in some nasty weather in northern PA in the winter. freezing rain, heavy snow, and frigid nights. The best system I have found (that happens to also be light weight) is a synthetic base (Columbia has some synthetic t's and longsleeve t's for like 10-15$ or get a nice thermal), a wool or fleece mid layer (if you're not concerned with weight, heavy flannel also works great), then if its SUPER cold, a softshell on top of this (these can be expensive, we'll get to that in a second), and finally a parka or hardshell coat(also expensive, but just wait!). The beauty of this system is that it breathes! moisture is carried away from your body and does sit dank on your skin.

for a softshell, northface, mountain hardwear, patagonia, outdoor research, arc-teryx (yikes! expensive!), and some columbia gear are really good
for a hardshell, mountain hardwear makes my favorite, and the kicker: I got a $270 hardshell for $50 at an REI garage sale! every year they have a sale on items that have been damaged and repaired or returned, and the discounts are insane! I picked up a $300 tent and an almost $300 coat for $150. Later in the year, they had a %50 off sale on north face softshells that were 'last years styles' and I got a 140$ softshell for 70, plus 10% off with my membership. So for less than 120$, i have a killer cold weather setup.

also, the mountain hardwear parka sleeves are designed to sit on top of gloves and hold them in place, so they are extra long!
 
direstrats220 said:
hey man, so I have a similar problem. I'm about 6'0 185, so pretty close to the same size as you, and I was a lanky basketball player my whole life till I started lifting to sort of fill out my goofy noodle frame, but the long arms stuck around.

I backpack in some nasty weather in northern PA in the winter. freezing rain, heavy snow, and frigid nights. The best system I have found (that happens to also be light weight) is a synthetic base (Columbia has some synthetic t's and longsleeve t's for like 10-15$ or get a nice thermal), a wool or fleece mid layer (if you're not concerned with weight, heavy flannel also works great), then if its SUPER cold, a softshell on top of this (these can be expensive, we'll get to that in a second), and finally a parka or hardshell coat(also expensive, but just wait!). The beauty of this system is that it breathes! moisture is carried away from your body and does sit dank on your skin.

for a softshell, northface, mountain hardwear, patagonia, outdoor research, arc-teryx (yikes! expensive!), and some columbia gear are really good
for a hardshell, mountain hardwear makes my favorite, and the kicker: I got a $270 hardshell for $50 at an REI garage sale! every year they have a sale on items that have been damaged and repaired or returned, and the discounts are insane! I picked up a $300 tent and an almost $300 coat for $150. Later in the year, they had a %50 off sale on north face softshells that were 'last years styles' and I got a 140$ softshell for 70, plus 10% off with my membership. So for less than 120$, i have a killer cold weather setup.

also, the mountain hardwear parka sleeves are designed to sit on top of gloves and hold them in place, so they are extra long!
Click to expand...

+2 for Mountain Hardwear
 
I have long arms too and have had good luck with North Face jackets. Try this one. Waterproof shell with 600 down liner for $500
pDSP1-13354338p275w.jpg

http://www.zappos.com/the-north-face-mens-harper-triclimate-jacket-graphite-grey-graphite-grey#prdInfo

If you don't like it, it's free to ship it back at Zappos.
 
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