The Bivouac Student Survival Guide: Our 8 Essentials for a Long Winter
Sep 10th 2015
Ahh, Michigan in September: balmy nights, the Fall transition, tailgates, and football. Before you know it, the air will grow cool, the trees in the Law Quad will flash brilliant orange and red, and cider mill season will be upon us all.
Kinda makes it hard to believe that snow is only a month away, right? Not to be a buzzkill, but winter is coming, Jon Snow. Don’t get left out in the cold (literally) – check out our simple, easy-to-follow Student Survival Guide and start preparing early!
1. Insulation.
#1 for a reason. A warm, full-length winter coat is essential for turning a bitter, frozen Arctic trek to your 8am Stats class into… well, anything else. Focus on finding a coat with waterproof face fabrics and ethically-sourced goose down.
★☆☆ The North Face (M: McMurdo Parka/W: Shavan Parka)
★★☆ Arc’teryx (M: Camosun Parka/W: Patera Parka)
★★★ Canada Goose (M: Langford Parka/W: Trillium Parka)
2. Boots.
You wouldn’t walk to class barefoot in knee-deep snow. But without the right pair of insulated, waterproof boots on your feet, you might as well. The following winter-ready choices all offer both function and fashion in a package guaranteed to make sure all your piggies stay warm on the way to the market.★☆ M: Sperry Cold Bay Boot/W: Sorel Joan of Arctic
★★ M: Timberland 6″ Rugged/ W: Hunter Quilted Original
3. Backpack.
Protect the books you just went on Top Ramen to afford and the laptop you literally couldn’t function without by making sure your bag is as ready for the elements as you are. A Durable Water Repellent coating, thick zippers, and synthetic construction are essential barriers between your valuables and any wintry mix in the forecast.★☆☆ Patagonia Black Hole 25L
★★★ Arc’teryx Cordova Backpack
4. Base Layer.
All that protection from the outside world is no good if it makes you overheated and clammy while you wear it. Besides, who wants to show up to class looking like Ralphie from A Christmas Story? Get a stylish merino tech tee and add some function to your weekly wardrobe rotation.
★☆ SmartWool (M: “150” Tee/W: Solid Scoop Tee)
★★ Icebreaker Merino (M: Sphere Tee/W: Tech Top)
5. Waterproof Shell.
Too warm for the big guns but still expecting weather? Bring a lightweight, packable shell jacket out wherever you go. These jackets are cheap, low maintenance, and oh yeah, irreplaceable in fall rain. Even at #5, a waterproof shell is a Student Survival Essential.
★☆☆ The North Face Venture Jacket (Men’s / Women’s)
★★☆ Patagonia Torrentshell (Men’s / Women’s)
★★★ Arc’teryx A2B Commuter Hardshell (Unisex)
6. Interview Apparel.
There had to be a reason you were so worried about staying warm and dry. It’s difficult to represent yourself in soaked-through pants, no matter how professional your attire. Land the big internship in these understated, tailored basics guaranteed to make the right first impression.
★☆ M: LaCoste / W: Alice and Olivia
★★ M: Rodd and Gunn / W: David Lerner NY
7. Gloves.
Pockets only do so much – keep your hands warm (and still usable outside of your coat) with these winter-ready options! Leather or synthetic, phone-smart or traditional, there’s a solution for everyone past disposable handwarmers.
★☆ Woolrich (in store only)
8. Wool Socks.
Last but certainly not least: if you have yet to experience a pair of good wool socks, 2015 is your year. We’re not saying its life-changing, but you’ll never go back to your beat up tube socks ever again. Wait… yeah, actually, they’re life-changing.
★☆ SmartWool
★★ Darn Tough
There ya go: our 8 daily essentials guaranteed to get you through the rapidly-approaching winter months in comfort and style. Now go out and enjoy Fall while it lasts with the knowledge that you’re prepared for whatever lies ahead!