MILFORD, Iowa | When it comes to winter activity, Brian Richter can keep up with the best of them.
He hops between coaching basketball fundamentals and racing downhill on his skis.
He's a middle school basketball coach -- and, he's a skier.
Richter is also a clothier, a member of the Three Sons staff in Milford, birthplace of Iowa's largest winter festival, the University of Okoboji Winter Games. And, as such, he's incredibly well-versed on what it takes to keep warm while going from winter games (like basketball) to Winter Games (like broom ball).
The "Cadillac of winter coats" at Three Sons, you might say, is made by Patagonia. It's a three-in-one parka, a jacket that's really two coats that becomes a third when all three layers combine.
"This allows you to easily shed a layer if you become too warm," said Richter. "This one has a laser-stitched zipper for waterproofing. And, some have vents underneath for the armpits."
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Patagonia, a California-based company, has "gone green" to ease pressure on the environment. The company also offers top-line warranties on all its products.
Walking across a narrow Three Sons aisle, Richter spots a rack of Hangtime Jackets by Marmot. These traditional "puffer" jackets have that inflated look. The one Richter grabs has a tag that says, "700 fill," which denotes the amount of synthetic filler used as insulation. Another jacket nearby has an "800 fill" tag.
The Arc'teryk line starts with a name that implies a rush of cold, such as that found in the Arctic.
"Arc'teryk offers a Gortex product that also gives you waterproof ability," Richter said. "This coat uses a Coreloft synthetic fill, that's also high-end, giving you a wind-proof, waterproof jacket."
The North Face, yet another maker of winter lines, is also a version of the three-in-one coat. An Inlux-insulated coat, which retails for $199, has a guarded zipper, to protect against the elements while extending the life of the zipper. The coat also has an underarm ventilation area, offering active users the chance to air out while on the run.
"This is a lighter fill coat," said Richter, noting how many North Face coats contain a media pocket with a hole on the interior, allowing for headphone cords and such.
"Many of the coats also have a snow skirt that adheres to your T-shirt, or allows you to tuck it into your snow pants," Richter said.
That snow skirt keeps an active wearer from suffering the chill of a blast of snow to the abdomen after a fall on the slopes. It's also another means of layering to keep you protected from the big chill.
Beyond coats, Three Sons has several types of base layers available. Capilene, one maker, offers tops in crew and zip-neck, in lightweight, midweight and heavyweight models.
Richter wears one when he's coaching or spectating. The material amounts to what is a thick, long-sleeve T-shirt.
"Capilene has an inside grid system for moisture wicking," he says. "The squares soak up excess perspiration."
Base layers like this are sold year-round. Many boast of having a minimum UPF, an important factor, especially for those with light-sensitive skin.
