Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Auslegung]

I got here in late February and all my warm clothes were sufficient for that time of year, and I assumed they would be for all of winter. That is proving incorrect, and we haven't even started winter yet. I'm from South Carolina so my blood is very thin, and I'm not used to being cold (though I do like the cold, ironically).

Anyway, here're my questions for those of you with more cold-weather experience:

1) What material should I look for in gloves? I don't like mittens, they render my hands completely useless, and I think I can find some gloves to suffice for this weather without too much trouble.

2) Assuming that wool socks are the best (they are, right, or a wool/acrylic mix?), what should I expect to pay for them? I bought one pair of SmartWool socks this weekend, and they do keep my feet warm, but they were W20,000. I don't need SmartWool, dumb wool would be fine.

3) Is there any way to keep my nose from freezing off?

4) Where can I find some earmuffs? I've recently seen the kind that wrap around the back of the head (not the headband), and those look fine.

5) I'm finding it difficult to find light cotton sweaters to layer with, for less than W20,000.

Thusfar, I've looked at E-Mart and some outlet stores near my apartment. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money because I will rarely be exposed to such weather after leaving here. I can just layer everything except socks and gloves, but they're both small and shouldn't cost that much. Any help would be appreciated, emphasis on materials, costs, and location.

[Illysook]

Do you have a good heavy coat? If not, get one immediately. In the worst of it, you will be wearing your layers underneath your coat.

You will aslo find that if you have a scarf, a long sleeved T-shirt works just as well as a turtleneck and is useful year round. The scarf can also be pulled up around your face to keep your ears, cheeks, and nose warm.
Scarves can be bought in the subway for as little as 3000 won and there are matching hats. Don't worry about hat-head. Would you rather freeze your bits off, or comb your hair a bit when you get to where you are going?

Ordinary cheap socks are fine, as long as you have good shoes or boots that will keep your feet dry.. Sometimes, you will want to wear 2 pair.

[gsantrim]

Personally, I've never had a problem with a good ski jacket or some type of gortex coat. My North Face does the trick. Also, I am never without a good pair of gortex gloves and boots. But, like the previous person posted... a lot of it depends on what you wear underneath the outer protective layer.

G

[Kryten]

I don't know if you're a guy or a girl so things could vary, but the basics are
- a heavy coat: think wool pea coat with large collar to flip up, or a down jacket with a nice hood.
- scarf, mits, hat: don't overlook these, especially the hat. Tuque , beanie, whatever you wanna call it, it does wonders. I'm going full-out Ushanka this year!
- long johns: a secret weapon, only to embarrass when bringing home that girl you met at the club.

Regarding gloves/mittens, I found something a few years ago and never looked back. I've always called them smoker's gloves, but they go by various names like convertibles, fingerless gloves, or Glomitts. If you get the wool ones, make sure they've got a lining inside. Also, if you find them here let me know as mine are about 5 years old and in dire need of replacing.

As for affordable quality winter clothes, get out of Suji and head to a Uniqlo up in Seoul. Really good stuff.

[Auslegung]

I totally understand all that, I have a W250,000 wool coat that is very warm. And I want to layer up but don't want to buy some synthetic materials. I have a scarf, a very nice one.

[Auslegung]

Again, I appreciate the effort and don't want to sound ungrateful, but my questions aren't being addressed.

What's the best material for gloves? Where can I get some good-priced, wool socks, can my nose survive, where are earmuffs, and where are simple, cotton sweaters for less than W20,000?

I have long johns, I understand a hat is important because at least 20% of body heat escapes from the head, I've a scarf, mittens are both undesirable and unnecessary. I do like the idea of the "smoker's gloves," but want to know what material is the best.

[BobbyOrr]

Anyone who doesn't like cold should buy themselves a big puffy down jacket. It's like walking down the street in a sleeping bag. The ubiquitous North Face puffer are great, but probably expensive.

[AussieGav]

I have thinsulate gloves that generally do the job. Maybe try some thin fleece junpers for a bit of layering, they keep the wind out pretty well. Long johns are the best, as you already know, but I also wear a t-shirt underneath. Also good boots help a lot in keeping the cold out from below.

I have seen earmufs in Homeplus and similar stores, also in street stalls in palces like Itaewon.

I have some hiking socks that sem to work pretty well, got them at Homeplus for a reasonable price.

[UknowsI]

If I wear gloves I prefer to have some that are at least somewhat wind-proof. I've got a pair made of some weird wind proof synthetic fabric. They are very good but were quite costly and I didn't bring them to Korea. I don't wear gloves in Korea since it's not really that cold so I just put my hands in the pockets, and those few days it is really cold I prefer to just be bitter and complain about it.

For the upper body it's all about layered wool. I have 3 different wool sweaters with different thickness I use depending on the temperature. On top I just have a thin jacket to stop the wind. You can get wool sweaters for W20k and upwards, but you only need a couple, so it's a good investment. I prefer wool sweaters with a zipper in the front so I can easily take them off when I get inside since I prefer to wear just t-shirt inside most of the time. If I'm going to stand still outside and not be walking I put on a thick wool coat on top instead of the thin jacket.

The hat is in my opinion the second most important piece of clothing (after the wool sweater). I always buy wool hats with synthetic fibres on the inside. Pure wool hats don't protect enough for the wind, and pure synthetic/cotton aren't warm enough. You want the best of both world.

A good jacket makes the scarf a lot less important. I don't like scarves so I make sure to always buy jackets with a high collar. I don't really have any tips when it comes to scarves since I don't wear them.

For those few ~-10 degrees days I like to put on longjohns, but I get uncomfortably warm inside with them, so it's quite inconvenience to have to take them off when you go inside.

When it comes to socks, there is one important thing to remember. If your socks are so thick it gives pressure to your feet your blood circulation will decrease and your feet will actually get colder than without. I learned this the hard way when I was 13 or so when I got some light freeze-injuries to my feet...

[ulsanchris]

YOu can get good wool socks from costco. They are really good and about 14 or 15000 won for 3 pairs.

Thermal underwears is good.

While expensive, some wool shirts, especially made from merino wool, will keep you warm. Washing them buy hand is a pain though.

[Morgen]

A glove is a glove is a glove. Assuming your winter holiday plans don't include trekking Mongolia, any standard glove will be fine for Korea weather, especially since you won't need them later. I prefer leather or suede for hardiness, and lined with cashmere or something furry you will be as warm as you need to be.

Re your nose, Illysook answered that for you. Unless you want to go native and wear one of those facemasks, that's the only option I'm aware of, other than a balaclava. I've seen those wraparound earmuffs everywhere from Dongdaemun to subways to my own provinicial HomePlus outpost; since you said you'd seen them I assume you already know where to buy them. Also at HomePlus I bought three fleeces for a total of W27,000, which I find to be a more effective layer. Cotton sucks.

SmartWool socks will keep your feet warmer as, being merino, they wick moisture away from your skin. Any thick wool sock should be fine; as with all these things, subway shops are your friend.

[DeMayonnaise]

[madtownhustl]

where are some good places to buy decent looking coats in Seoul? Decent but cheap..

[the bomb dot com]

I've actually been looking for some SmartWool socks in Korea. Any idea on where to find them? Do any major retailers or websites carry them?

[Auslegung]

I got mine at an Eider outlet near Ori station. No idea otherwise, but I imagine most of the outdoor stores would have them.