Question about Coats!

[mcmom]

I know all about layering. I've read every thread about what to wear, etc. I'm still unsure about whether we need a winter coat.

Last winter, we found Columbia 3-in-1 type coats at a great clearance price and bought a couple. Of course, we had the warmest winter in history so we never even took off the tags. Will we need them on the cruise?

We have Columbia fleece jackets, a couple of fleece vests, we'll each take a windbreaker-type jacket. We have gloves, we have ear coverings, I just don't know about the coats!

One person says yes, another says absolutely not, another says it depends...I'm so not sure!

We have lived in Central Illinois our whole lives so we are accustomed to colder weather, but will our regular Lands End squall jackets work? We didn't even need them much this last winter...

I know to watch the weather forecast a week or so out from the trip, which I'll do. I'm just wondering about Glacier Bay and also our float plane trip, especially.

Thanks!

[bearbait]

Leave the coats at home. A fleece jacket and a windbreaker will cover just about anything you experience as far as cold goes.

[okz]

Just got back last week from a 7 day Alaskan cruise, the previous post is giving you good advice for this time of year. The only additonal thing I would add is rainwear, it seems to always rain in Ketchikan.

[poolwife]

It all totally depends on what is on your agenda regarding excursions. We just got back on June 29 and did 8 nights touring the Kenai Peninsula and then a 7 night southbound cruise on the Millenium. My friend and I both brought a 3 in 1 jacket for this trip and were very glad we did. We went on a 7 1/2 hour tour out into the Kenai Fjords seeing glaciers and whales. It was cold out there and she really used it. The majority of the time we wore vests over long sleeve shirts. I wore a down vest. Yet, there was 2 days of weather in the 70 days - one on land and our day in Juneau. The weather is a crap shoot, you just don't know. Our day in Ketchikan rained all day and was cold. Also, when you do glacier viewing, it is COLD standing outside as the ship is moving in closer to that glacier.

Don't stand inside - get out and enjoy Alaska. We walked around Ketchikan in the rain, but we were properly dressed, waterproof jackets, hats and waterproof shoes so we were comfortable.

[Treven]

I was on the Sea early June. I had long silk underwear, jeans, a long sleeved T-shirt, a heavy sweater, a wool cap and an insulated jacket. This was fine for most of the stops and even the drizzly weather in Ketchikan and Haines. HOWEVER, when we were in Tracy Arm, I froze my butt off! I really wished I had brought my down ski jacket with me, it would have been worth it for just those 5 or so hours. This was my only cruise to Alaska, so I don't know about other times of the year.

[bearbait]

I haven't worn anything heavier then a fannel shirt since early May. A good breathable rain jacket is the only thing I'd add to the OP's wardrobe. I'm guessing the other posters aren't used to the nice heavenly temperatures we have here in Alaska during the summer. I wouldn't trade it for that heat down in the lower 48 for anything.

[Jezzieone]

I spoke to Murray of Murrays guide and he said that they have been having an unseasonably cold winter thus far this year. Hearing that from someone that lives there would make me want to take a 3 in 1 with me if i have it. If the weather is good and you dont need it, great, but if it is really cold and nasty at least you will be covered.

[bonvoyagie]

Originally Posted by bearbait

Leave the coats at home. A fleece jacket and a windbreaker will cover just about anything you experience as far as cold goes.

I second this idea - no winter coats needed - esp since you are used to a colder climate.

[Northern Aurora]

Just remember that the outer layer should be water-proof --- not water resistant.

[Keith1010]

Originally Posted by mcmom

I know all about layering. I've read every thread about what to wear, etc. I'm still unsure about whether we need a winter coat.

Last winter, we found Columbia 3-in-1 type coats at a great clearance price and bought a couple. Of course, we had the warmest winter in history so we never even took off the tags. Will we need them on the cruise?

We have Columbia fleece jackets, a couple of fleece vests, we'll each take a windbreaker-type jacket. We have gloves, we have ear coverings, I just don't know about the coats!

One person says yes, another says absolutely not, another says it depends...I'm so not sure!

We have lived in Central Illinois our whole lives so we are accustomed to colder weather, but will our regular Lands End squall jackets work? We didn't even need them much this last winter...

I know to watch the weather forecast a week or so out from the trip, which I'll do. I'm just wondering about Glacier Bay and also our float plane trip, especially.

Thanks!

In the end it depends how cold you get.

For Glacier Bay I use a NorthFace Fleece that zips into a water proof jacket. In port if something is needed because it is cool I normally either wear just the fleece or just the jacket. Only exception was when we were in Alaska this past April and needed both items and also a sweatshirt as well.

Keith

[am2]

Just returned from an Alaskan cruise and we didn't need heavy coats, we were fine with fleece and windbreakers. The day in Glacier Bay wasn't really all that cold, it was the day in Skagway it only hit 42 degrees that we were cold. We lucked out with sunshine and warm weather in Ketchikan. Had beautiful sunny weather in Juneau also but were glad we had hats and gloves while whale watching. So I agree, it depends... on what you plan to do and what the weather is like. If you'll feel better having the heavy coats just in case, then by all means bring them along.

[sherryf]

I agree with Bearbait. You don't need a heavy coat, but you do need a waterproof layer, preferably something with a hood.

[Peteymil]

I still think you are going to get both answers!!

We were there last week, and the most I wore was a very lightweight fleece first layer, with a fleece jacket and a waterproof raincoat over that. Headband and gloves for the glacier and Ketchikan. I was never cold. I took light rainpants, but never wore them.

[slider728]

I grew up in Juneau, but have lived in the SW Chicago suburbs now for the last 15 years. People think I am crazy when I tell them that the Chicago winters are worse than anything I remember in SE Alaska!

I just got back from hanging out in Juneau for the last 2 weeks. The weather there was rainy and a bit chiller than I was expecting (it was in the 50 to 55 F range). Despite the rain and the cool weather, I was fine with a hoodie sweatshirt and a light waterproof jacket.

That being said....

You do need to evaluate a bit on what you plan for activities on your trip. As another person mentioned, if you are hanging out in Tracy Arm, Glacier bay, or walking on a glacier, you need to remember that these places are basically big ice cubes and it can get a bit chilly there, especially if it is raining and everything is damp. If you plan on sitting outside for hours on end in an unsheltered environment, then maybe you would want heavier clothing.

For the most part, I tell people they can get buy with a warm underlayer (like Polar Fleece, a flannel shirt, or a hoodie) and a light waterproof jacket. Rain gear is nice, but I personally think it is overkill for most people (but again, if you are out in the open for hours then it can be essential).

I am not sure on the squall jacket. In terms of temperature, they could serve you well on the cooler days. If it turns sunny out, you will bake in them. How are they for water resistance, which I think would be the biggest concern? I never wore mine in the rain (just the snow), so I am not sure they repel water that well. When it comes to a jacket, I think water resistance is much more important than thermal characteristics.

As a rule of thumb, it is cool in SE Alaska, not cold. It only gets cold if you get too wet or you are exposed to the elements for a long period of time and you don't have shelter to get out of the wind and rain for a bit.

[mcmom]

I'm still confused!

I do know about the waterproof part. I think we have that covered...

I know that we will be out on the deck as much as possible. My husband is very much an outdoor active kind of guy and he won't want to miss anything. I'm sure he'll be all over the ship! We also have a balcony so that will be used a lot too.

I think I'm most concerned about Glacier Bay and also the float-plane excursion. I don't want to be so cold I can't warm up! Even if I don't need all 3 of the layers of the coat at once, they might come in handy separately. Now I need to pull them out of the closet and see if that will work.

Thanks for all the ideas. I LOVE this site!

[gdpups]

Took my 3 in 1 on my Alaska trip last year and am taking it again when I go next week. They are so nice you can use just the outer layer, which is waterproof, if it's not too cold or just the fleece liner or you have the option of wearing both if it's really cold.

I remember using both on my glacier dog sled excursion and also in Glacier Bay. Other than that I used mostly the outer waterproof layer as it rained both in Ketchikan and Juneau.

[Northstartoport]

This is my first post. I had the same questions you did before I went to Alaska.
Reading the responses was wonderful. But this is what I experienced. Fairbanks was hot enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt, (June 2012). Other places were 40-50 degrees. Adding wind and rain made it even colder. My bottom line: Take what you think will make you comfortable in bad weather. You can always wear less. I wore a jacket with liner on the float –plane and Glacier Bay. Other times I carried my jacket …just in case it rained.

[sbjb]

Just got back 2 weeks ago - I, too , am used to cold weather - I brought a light fleece and a heavy fleece - when we were in Glacier bay I wore a sweatshirt!! It was beautiful and calm (yes I know we were so lucky) - I had tucked in a winter headband + gloves in my bag just in case (takes little room, just in case) - brought a good rain coat and NEVER needed it - like I said - we were so lucky with weather! Don't over think it - I say heavy sweatshirt, light fleece, heavy fleece + rain coat - I WAY overpacked - I'm not wimpy and if you have a balcony you can crank heat up and warm up

[Kathie44]

In Aug. '03 we brought sweatshirts and waterproof windbreakers and hardly ever had to use them. It was coldest at the Hubbard glacier. On excursion boats we wore them, but didn't need them otherwise. A couple of days on the ship, I wore shorts! Of course, that was 9 years ago and it may not be as warm, but considering how (bleeping) HOT it's been here all summer, I won't mind if it's cold. D)
Last summer on a Scand/Russia on Constellation my roommate scared me into buying a lightweight, but fleecy jacket on the ship, thinking it would be cold so far north. I hadn't brought anything for cold weather. As it turned out I didn't need the jacket, but might bring it to Alaska, just in case. I'm surprised to see so many people on these Alaska boards talking about rain in Ketchikan. We were there in almost the same time frame 2nd week of Aug) and it was lovely. Hoping for the same this year. I love the sign that says, "Welcome to Creek Street, where fish and fishermen come to spawn", referring to the salmon run on one side and the historic brothel on the other. LOL
I will say that in '03 I didn't spend much time lounging by the pool when the ship was moving--a bit nippy. But not too bad in port with no movement causing wind. There were hardy souls in the pools, though.
We leave 3 wks from today. Can't wait!

[Krazy Kruizers]

We needed our fleece zippered jackets -- Columbia -- water proof for our June 29th - July 13th cruise. Most days were cloudy and only in the 50's.

Weather is unpredictable.

We live in a cold weather state.

Take them and be prepared.