Best Time to Buy New Winter Gear

This blog was contributed by Rachel Richards from the lifestyle blog Better LIVIN. 

I have five winter coats sitting in my closet; a dress coat, a puffer coat, a shell, a trench coat, and of course, a heavy parka. When you live in Canada, having a reliable collection of winter gear is essential to get through those cold months. But winter gear, especially quality gear, can be expensive. I’ll share a few tips on best time to buy new winter gear. 

Buy during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales

Mark your calendars! Black Friday is on November 26th and Cyber Monday is on November 29th. 

Depending on what you’re purchasing, you can decide which is the best route to go. If you’re someone who likes to try everything on in the store before purchasing, standing in line and hitting the shops in person might be preferred.

If you like shopping online from the comfort of your home, then sitting back on Cyber Monday is a great way to save on gear. You can also shop nearly all Black Friday events online too so you don’t have to wait for Monday!

Due to expected supply issues, many experts are advising to shop earlier than later this year.

Prior to both these days, I recommend checking out reebee, a free app and web platform that displays the flyers from all major Canadian retailers and conveniently organizes all available deals in one place for you to browse. You’ll spend less time researching the best price and more time enjoying your new piece of winter gear!

Plus, reebee’s Search function allows you to type in exactly what you’re looking for and sort results by best price near you. For example, you can type “winter boots” and the results will line up for easy shopping (and saving)!

Don’t forget about end of winter savings 

Though it’s delayed gratification, end of season shopping is a great way to save money. It can be a little tough to spend your hard-earned cash on a warm parka in April and wait until November to use it. But purchasing last seasons’ gear in the spring can save you up to 70%, which is a great discount in the long run.

Stick to the gear essentials

I live by the adage “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” Living in cold climates is a huge part of Canadian life and being dressed properly will help you better enjoy your time outdoors.

With budget in mind, focus on the items that are actually needed. Every Canadian who enjoys outdoor activities in the snow will like to have the following gear. Just be sure to take a look at these products on reebee before you pay full price!

• Base layers (thermal underwear)
• Fleece jacket 
• Waterproof winter boots
• Heavy parka
• Light winter coat
• Toque
• Ear warmers
• Waterproof gloves or mittens
• Scarf or neck warmer
• Traction ice cleats
• Quality thermos

However you’re buying your winter gear, remember to buy something that is high quality, comfortable, and can stand up to our cold winters. Happy saving!

About Rachel

Rachel is an avid hiker who enjoys spending as much time in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta as she can, usually with her two toddlers in tow. She blogs about hiking and healthy living at Better LIVIN and shares her best mountain photos on her Instagram @racheltynanrichards.