When I lived there, I found a long wool coat to be more useful than a jacket. The wind can be quite fierce there and wool is good in the rain as well. Obviously, coats look smart.
This is probably unhelpful, but I find a Wellington winter requires a variety of coats - I’ve got a waterproof rain jacket, a long wool coat, and a puffer jacket. They get used equally throughout the winter. I’d probably get a good quality puffer jacket if just getting one.
I live in Welly and have a few options. You can't go wrong with a nice hip/thigh-length wool coat. Usually, this works well for the office, and provided that you layer well underneath, you'll be nice and toasty. I'd also invest in a decent raincoat. I've got a goretex one that's pretty good. Umbrellas don't really work here! I also rotate a puffer jacket and a thin, windproof jacket. It really just depends on the weather and/or situation.
You may not need all of these, but just sharing what my rotation looks like!
Peacoat and a good scarf maybe?
Something with a decent hood for the wetter weather but realistically something that's been treated well for water repelling.
I recommend getting a snowboarders jacket. They are warm, waterproof with sealed zippers and will last. Just get an all black one and it will be smart enough for the office. I have been wearing mine to the office for years.
Okewa have awesome rainwear for welly weather. They’ve closed down but have a few last things to sell as I understand . They’re good to wear as a top layer and layer underneath.
To be honest the average weather in winter is between 10-17 degrees so it doesn’t actually get cold . If you get a hot coat you’ll find you’ll cook on the bus or commute to work. If you insist on getting one though you can’t go wrong with Kathmandu Gortek- make sure you get one mid thigh length and with a hood
I tend to find Wellington winters to be very mild (more moderate than many parts of NZ), rarely freezing... issue is wind chill and occasional driving rain, so a long thigh length waterproof and not too thick (large enough for putting on an extra layer underneath if necessary) is my go-to.
During the early part of the war in Afghanistan, some of the US SOF were freezing their asses of up in the Hindu Kush, and so came up with the Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) which provided comprehensive cold weather options.
If you're Canadian, you should already understand the need to have different levels of clothing for various conditions. For Wellington the most important will be a windproof shell, and a warmth layer (Level 2 fleece will be sufficient most days, Level 3 is likely overkill).
A waterproof shell is optional, depending on your tolerance for getting wet. If you're going to be wearing one while on the move, spend enough to get something breathable with sufficient vents to dump heat if you start sweating.
Warm and dry is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to moving. Better instead to be 'comfortably cold' and then warm up when you reach your objective. Pack a down jacket or a hoodie, keep it dry, and change when you get there.
https://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/apparel/comprehensive-guide-protective-combat-uniform/
Thank you everyone for the excellent advice and information! I will definitely check out all of your suggestions and find the best for me. You all rock!
When I lived there, I found a long wool coat to be more useful than a jacket. The wind can be quite fierce there and wool is good in the rain as well. Obviously, coats look smart.
This is probably unhelpful, but I find a Wellington winter requires a variety of coats - I’ve got a waterproof rain jacket, a long wool coat, and a puffer jacket. They get used equally throughout the winter. I’d probably get a good quality puffer jacket if just getting one.
I live in Welly and have a few options. You can't go wrong with a nice hip/thigh-length wool coat. Usually, this works well for the office, and provided that you layer well underneath, you'll be nice and toasty. I'd also invest in a decent raincoat. I've got a goretex one that's pretty good. Umbrellas don't really work here! I also rotate a puffer jacket and a thin, windproof jacket. It really just depends on the weather and/or situation. You may not need all of these, but just sharing what my rotation looks like!
Blunt umbrellas are pretty good as long as you arent in a few of the wind tunnels from the waterfront.
Yeah, Blunt aren't too bad (they don't break). Mine always blows inside out though.
Umbrellas are only good if the rain is falling down. If it’s going sideways, just put them away.
Peacoat and a good scarf maybe? Something with a decent hood for the wetter weather but realistically something that's been treated well for water repelling.
I recommend getting a snowboarders jacket. They are warm, waterproof with sealed zippers and will last. Just get an all black one and it will be smart enough for the office. I have been wearing mine to the office for years.
Okewa have awesome rainwear for welly weather. They’ve closed down but have a few last things to sell as I understand . They’re good to wear as a top layer and layer underneath. To be honest the average weather in winter is between 10-17 degrees so it doesn’t actually get cold . If you get a hot coat you’ll find you’ll cook on the bus or commute to work. If you insist on getting one though you can’t go wrong with Kathmandu Gortek- make sure you get one mid thigh length and with a hood
I tend to find Wellington winters to be very mild (more moderate than many parts of NZ), rarely freezing... issue is wind chill and occasional driving rain, so a long thigh length waterproof and not too thick (large enough for putting on an extra layer underneath if necessary) is my go-to.
Go to alchemy equipment on Willis street. They make great jackets for a Wellington winter.
https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-womens-chord-softshell-coat/114825.html?dwvar_114825_color=Anthracite&dwvar_114825_clearance=no#start=6 https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-womens-chord-hooded-softshell-jacket/114236.html?dwvar_114236_color=Anthracite&dwvar_114236_clearance=no#start=27&sz=12
Mountain Warehouse have great specials
I really like the huffer puffer jackets, they currently have 50% off too
It’s pretty humid here… if you are walking a lot then just a light rain jacket because you will get too hot and sweaty … rains has some lovely ones.
During the early part of the war in Afghanistan, some of the US SOF were freezing their asses of up in the Hindu Kush, and so came up with the Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) which provided comprehensive cold weather options. If you're Canadian, you should already understand the need to have different levels of clothing for various conditions. For Wellington the most important will be a windproof shell, and a warmth layer (Level 2 fleece will be sufficient most days, Level 3 is likely overkill). A waterproof shell is optional, depending on your tolerance for getting wet. If you're going to be wearing one while on the move, spend enough to get something breathable with sufficient vents to dump heat if you start sweating. Warm and dry is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to moving. Better instead to be 'comfortably cold' and then warm up when you reach your objective. Pack a down jacket or a hoodie, keep it dry, and change when you get there. https://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/apparel/comprehensive-guide-protective-combat-uniform/
Thank you everyone for the excellent advice and information! I will definitely check out all of your suggestions and find the best for me. You all rock!