If you don’t live in a cold weather climate during the fall and winter months, you can usually skate by with a lightweight winter jacket. However, anyone who is native to the harsh winters of northern climates or who plans a vacation or relocation to one needs to prepare themselves with the right warm winter coat. What you might discover is that there is more to a warm coat than just its soft interior lining.

It might be difficult to find a coat that meets all cold weather criteria but, overall, consider shopping for a coat that has the following qualities:

• Buttons, snaps and zippers that keep the warm coat close against the body
• A snug fit, yet loose enough that it is not uncomfortable when wearing a suit jacket or thick sweaters
• A length that covers at least the torso
• Deep and insulated pockets
• A hood that is not detachable since detachable hoods don’t always fit close enough to the head

A warm coat has three layers; a protective layer, the insulative layer and the breathing layer. You only need to be concerned with the first two layers, as the breathing layer is the layer of clothing you wear under the warm coat. This layer should help moisture evaporate so you don’t feel damp, which will only make you feel colder.

The protective layer is also the outside layer. A good warm coat will be made of a tightly constructed cotton and polyester blend on the outside to shield from the rain, snow and wind. This layer might also be made of leather, which can also hold up against cold elements. However, with a leather outside layer, you must treat it with a water repellent substance to keep it from being damaged from rain and snow.

The insulative layer, is just that, the inside layer that insulates and keeps you warm. It should be thick and resilient, as well as comfortable and lightweight. Because wool is a heavy, yet warm fabric, the inside layer of many coats is created from wool blends, mostly flannel and cotton. It can be hard to find a warm coat that offers a lightweight insulated layer but, by doing some comparison shopping, you may discover that you have many options.