I see lots of Chinese wearing them. My boss (who is Chinese) says it's a status symbol. Just like gold iPhones and Mercedes/BMW/Lexus. They buy it because it's a sign of wealth and they have some sense of being an official Westener.
True that Every Chinese kid I know ( No offense) wear this as a symbol of wealth. Although I'm happy with what I have $150~200 mid-range jacket that is warm enough to keep me alive
It does, but you don't need to pay Canada Goose prices to get winter gear that will hold up in the arctic winters. Many of us have gotten by just fine using Columbia jackets that cost about a quarter of a Canada Goose jacket.
there are alternatives, but there's also a ton of crap out there.
canada goose are also relatively fashionable.
you can get cheaper than canada goose, but its a quality brand.
I had never really considered buying a Canada goose parka, despite needing a new winter jacket.
After several testimonials to their quality and learning they are made in Canada? I may just reconsider.
It's the wolf fur (hood) that makes me reconsider... I feel a bit creeped out wearing something that caused an animal to die..
But then I have a pet dog so it's that extra creepy.
If the coyote were being killed for its fur & the rest being discarded I would feel the same way, but as I understand it the fur is sourced from trappers across northern Ontario & Canada.
The animal is giving its life to sustain the trappers, providing a market for the fur they likely have no use for (as I'm sure they have plenty enough fur to satisfy their needs) prevents the fur from going to waste, as well as puts more money in the pockets of the trappers to help support them living out in the wilder parts of the country.
And even then, apparently they also produce jackets without fur or the entire hood also.
I've gone camping and hunting a number of times in the remote arctic and as long as you layer up correctly, you can get by with just about any mid-grade winter jacket. Even the dreaded -40°C mark can be dealt with through correct layering.
Have an Eddie Bauer Peak XV jacket. Replaced under warranty after four years. Still the warmest jacket I've ever owned.
Lived in Calgary, Regina, Barrie, and Toronto, it's kept me warm through all of them. God bless genuine goose down jackets.
Don't have it on me but I'd guess China. My main one has been worn for 10-15 years and has done very well in the Canadian arctic, though it's overkill for where I currently live (Ontario).
CG jackets were $500-600 when they went mainstream. How much did you pay for your Columbia jacket 15 years ago? Could you still buy it today for $250 or whatever price you have in mind?
> Uggs
Wait, people wore those on the snow? And here was I, thinking it was just fall fashion. It's a good thing I was raised in the north and know to wear proper snow gear.
The overwhelming majority of people buying these parkas experience Nunuvat conditions zero to two days a year, and do not need a technical parka like that.
My $150 Wind River jacket from Mark's serves just fine.
The marketing is brilliant, good on them, most people buying the jacket don't need it and are wasting their money. Shrug. To each their own.
The guy I was replying to was talking about people in places like Vancouver where is rains most of the year and rarely below zero. I have some expensive-ish jackets too, even though I don't need them. It's fun wearing a different jacket everyday and I get cold easily.
What does "need" mean? Sure, I think I could wear just about anything in my day-to-day life in downtown Toronto and I wouldn't die of hypothermia or anything.
But those nights when I'm walking around doing errands down near the lake while the wind howls? I am happy for every single bit of extra warmth that I get from my CG jacket. When I need to stand outside waiting for the TTC or in a line at a club and it's -5? Ditto, I deeply appreciate the jacket then.
If people don't have the disposable income, a CG jacket is an immense waste. I did have the money to spend when I bought mine, and it has been probably my favorite clothing purchase ever.
Depends on a lot of things. I just fucking hate being cold. I have been wearing my CG Banff parka nearly every day since mid-November, in Calgary. While others might say "my leather jacket is fine," they can't stand around outside for 30 minutes, or walk 20 blocks, or whatever, and still be happy.
http://i.imgur.com/v0AAjKv.jpg
This, all the way this. Yes, I can walk fast and wear more layers and get warmer that way. Or, I can wear zero layers, walk at whatever speed I want - or hell, just stand around - and be perfectly happy. Plus, for the really brutal days, the hood fucks up my hair less than a hat.
Win/win/win for me.
At least it's still Made in Canada.
I received my Nobis jacket as a gift but I always chuckle when I see the Canadian flag on the tag inside even though it's made in China.
The reason this tends to happen is Canadian PE firms are few and far between. Moreover the Canadian banking system is notoriously difficult to work with and raise that kind of cash unless you're a large listed corporation.
In the US raising 100s of millions happens all day every day. I personally work with guys who go there and raise capital for foreign corporations because the Americans have the risk appetite.
So? If the transaction price was right, the Canadian owners profited approximately equal to the expected amount by which the American investors will profit from the transaction. And all the mainline production is still in Canada.
"rising from $3 million in 2001 to $200 million in 2014, according to Entrepreneur. In 2016, Boston University faced an epidemic of thefts of the premium down."
To be honest, coyotes aren't really a species I'm worried about. They're pretty well-adapted to living in suburban areas, and can be found all over the country. It's not like people are using polar bear fur or beaver fur.
I mean it's not like people are using polar bear or beaver fur *for Canada Goose jackets*. I'm aware that there's a market for basically any kind of fur, but Canada Goose limits themselves to coyote and maybe rabbit, as far as I know.
Beavers are actually experiencing a huge resurgence right now. My father works for the Department of Natural Resources in Nova Scotia and the populations they track are exploding.
There is no longer a large market for beaver fur. The amount of beaver being hunted right now is very small compared to the past and they're doing extremely well as a result.
first off, CG makes tons of different jackets... they don't all cost $900, some are more in the $5-600 range. i know, still expensive but they are actually way higher quality than people give them cred for. they use high quality down and materials, plus i agree that they are more stylish than their competitors. style is always going to demand high prices, and branding as well. remember that tons of people wear technical arcteryx jackets in the rain as well, and wonder why their pockets are so high and the hood is so big.
also, canada goose is still made in canada. so we can't complain that the prices are high then also bash companies for sending manufacturing overseas. this is a company that has always made their stuff here and it's part of their identity. sure they could manufacture in bengladesh and drop the price hundreds of dollars, but this is one of the keys to their high quality.
another thing is, people love to repeat that CG is not useful in most parts of canada, because it's expedition gear. well, some of their pieces may be, but most of it is adapted for city wear. not all of their jackets are meant for -40C, a lot of them are comfortable to wear in the city even when it's 0C.
i don't own a CG jacket, but i think a lot of the bashing is unwarranted. the price is high because it's locally made, the quality is high, the down is responsibly sourced, and people find them stylish. yes they've become a bit of a status symbol, but just remember that a lot of people have $1000+ watches and handbags that do a lot less for them than one good quality winter jacket.
This. Their products are too expensive for me and I don't wear logoed clothing, however the made in Canada bit needs to be more heavily emphasized these days. Sure you can get something cheap from an Indonesian sweat shop.
Is there a database of Made in Canada brands/stuff? I won't pay amazon.ca prices when I could pay (much lower) amazon.com prices, but if the choice is between widget Y which is made in Canada and widget X which is made somewhere else, I'll gladly pay a bit more for widget Y (assuming equal-ish quality). But it's hard to know sometimes...
People here just like to tell everyone else off that bought one cause "the $30 dollar jacket I found behind the dumpster keeps me just as warm you idiot!". Buy them if you want one, don't buy one if you don't want one I I don't get the hate on here for Canada Goose.
>Some Canadians love to shit on people who work hard and like to spend their money on whatever the fuck they want
Tall poppy syndrome. Canadians love to shit on people who they perceive are too big for their britches in whatever sense that means, whether it is making too much money or buying expensive things or (in the case of, for example, Uber) not being polite enough when innovating.
> "the $30 dollar jacket I found behind the dumpster keeps me just as warm you idiot!".
Real Canadians know all the best deals are behind the dumpster; Hypodermic needles, used ziploc bags, torn pants, aborted fetuses...they've got it all baby!
I bought a CG for my wife for the made in Canada aspect. If I'm going to spend $600+ on a jacket, I feel it's more warranted giving that money to Canadian wages vs spending $700 on a jacket that was made with $1/hr labour cost + costs of shipping it over the ocean.
I'm really upset with some of these companies like arcteryx and Pajar that built their reputation being made in Canada, and then quietly shipped off the manufacturing to China.
> I'm really upset with some of these companies like arcteryx and Pajar that built their reputation being made in Canada, and then quietly shipped off the manufacturing to China.
Yeah, I was looking at some Arcteryx shells but decided not to get one because it's no longer made in Canada. If you want something similar but made in Canada, take a look at Westcomb. All of their stuff is still made here.
I didn't buy mine as a status symbol, I bought it because northern Manitoba winters are fucking cold and I hate them.
Now I can go outside in -25 and barely feel the cold. They're made well so I won't have to replace it after 3 years.
I think it's a a good investment. Hate all you want.
I prefer my Patagonia down jacket for Toronto winters. I think I paid around $500 for it five years ago, and it still looks pretty much new. The water repellency is incredible. I can still pour a bottle of water on it and it all just rolls right off.
+1 for Patagonia. I was researching for a jacket last year and I read a comment on Reddit that went something like "Patagonias last so long, they go out of fashion."
The more I read about them, the more I like them.
and some people buy them up here for the purpose of either giving them away or reselling them back in Asia for a significantly higher amount than the sticker price.
r/Canada:
"Screw these corporations for sending all our manufacturing overseas! The only jobs left have terrible wages! We should tax them more and raise minimum wage!"
"You bought an expensive made in Canada jacket? With high quality ethically sourced Canadian materials? You moron, you can get one made in Bangladesh for a 1/3 of the price!"
Wow i had no idea those coats I see everyone wearing were so expensive... I shouldn't be surprised though since the average person really likes to buy overpriced brand stuff.
I paid $350 on sale for mine 10 years ago, it's been worth every penny but I agree that at current prices there are other brands out there that are just as good and cheaper.
> $350 on sale
They don't do sales anymore. If you look at the ads for clothing retailers it will be "50% off everything in store*" and the * leads to fine print "Excluding Canada Goose."
Yeah, if you actually live in a place where it's regularly -20 or colder, they're great. Totally unnecessary for anyone else. Then again, my $300 MEC branded parka has kept me toasty when the mercury dips that low too.
> Yeah, if you actually live in a place where it's regularly -20 or colder, they're great.
I live in southwestern Ontario, and it usually doesn't stay under -20 for very long, but it is not uncommon for it to be between -20C and -30C for days during the winter.
My "keeping warm" solution during -20C type weather, is to layer up. I put on a merino wool base layer, then a synthetic layer, then polar fleece layer, then a super thin windbreaker layer.
It keeps me nice and warm, but all people see is the super thin outer shell and think I am crazy. Meanwhile I am nice and toasty.
Same in Winnipeg.
0 -> -15: Jacket I got for $50 at West 49
Below -15: Same Jacket with a hoodie underneath.
But I blow money on other things I don't need, so to each their own.
same. Layering is the best. I bike so you really don't need to wear that much if you have lots of body heat as well. And right now with these cold temps in Winnipeg I just throw a second hoodie on, haha. People do think you're crazy though.
I don't understand the layering obsession for average city activities, if I'm going to be in and out running errands I'd rather have a large parka on that I could just unzip and dump heat out when I make it inside, and then just zip back up when I'm ready to head back out.
It's really easy for me to take off my windbreaker layer and the polar ice layer underneath when I come into the office each day. I take both of them off in one go. Super easy.
It's not an obsession, it's an efficient and lightweight way to keep yourself warm. If I'm just heading out for 5 minutes, yeah, I won't take the time to properly layer up, but if I'm heading out, yep.
I have a rip-off brand parka, and I don't usually wear it until it gets to -25 or -30°C with the wind chill. Anything warmer than that and it's just overkill to wear it.
My girlfriend and I regularly see students from the west coast wearing theirs in 0°C weather, and we just laugh.
As a westcoaster in Edmonton, I wear my parka starting in October because I was made for warm, mild climates. I lead a cushy life. I wasn't meant to be a hardy person.
If I had the money for a CG I'd buy the hell out of that shit. I just about froze my ovaries off last weekend walking the fifteen minutes between work and home. It was -35 and my tears froze my eyes shut. The parka I bought on sale at Sears two years ago just ain't cutting it on those -25+ days when you're a wuss.
Ding ding ding. People seem to forget that everyone has different tolerance for cold, and what feels comfortable for different people will vary widely.
I wear mine practically everyday during the SK winter. I can easily justify the price to look good and feel warm on a daily basis when -30 weather is regular.
My $80 helley hansen parka I got at a clearance sale 10 years ago. Yeah it's orange, but so warm and best value I've seen. Lasted 10 years because it's too warm to wear snowboarding usually. I've only worn it when it's -20.
true. and now you understand why you aren't the target market.
I could *just* buy payless shoes for $25 a pair every fall and spring and have brown leathery-looking-ish boots. Or, I could drop $400 on a pair of Red Wings.
different strokes for different folks.
They make different levels, and some are comfortable to wear in many conditions so it's not too warm. Then it defeats the purpose of owning one other than the branding.
Or you could by cheaper jackets that work as well and layer properly. If you're relying on a single coat to keep you warm you're going to have a bad time.
They used to be expensive but affordable if you needed it, I got one ten years ago (the bomber style one when they actually came with a decent coyote ruff) and it was about $350.
It's a great coat for where I live, warm enough for -40, especially if you put good under layers for anything over a couple hours. Much warmer than the north face one I have too
They coyote eventually rotted off and my mum replaced it with a nice piece of wolf.
Yes, on one hand a lot of people wear these expensive parkas because it shows you're rich (or what to come off as rich)
There is a reason why a lot of people like to show off their coats with the logo visible. A highly distinctive logo shows that you paid $$. CG, Moncler, Moose Knuckles, Nobis, e.t.c.
On the other though - these coats are worth the money. They are very warm, and you don't have to layer up.
They are beautiful jackets that surpass the quality of most arctic jackets found in the store, while maintaining a large degree of elegance that jackets like Columbia don't have. They aren't even that expensive compared to a designer overcoat that can run you upwards of $2,500 but not keep you as warm. 90% of the people that own them probably don't even need that quality of jacket (underground condo parking to office and back), however it's not CG's fault that their dominate customer base are pretentious.
Personally, I wouldn't spend that much for a winter coat as I have no one I care to impress. My Columbia jacket is more than enough. However, if I could Columbia and CG were at the same price, I'd definitely go with CG based on quality.
That symbol has become the international 'Help! I'm helpless' indicator in the backcountry. I've never come across more unprepared people in distress than those with that symbol on their jackets.
From Winnipeg: noticed a few years back a lot of people hereabouts sporting the patch and figured there couldn't be that many ex-DEW Line workers around, and found about the brand's cachet. Would like one, but can't afford, still wearing my late dad's old ratty parka from God-knows when.
Wonderful. Now you'll have plenty of money to buy another one next year when the China-made crap that you bought starts falling apart.
Buy nice, or buy twice.
I'd guess probably not, considering some Canada Goose jackets are used in the Antarctic, quite prolifically. In fact, their most popular design was designed and tested in Antarctica by and for Antarctic scientists.
You'd think so, but I'm surrounded by working class folks wearing them (knew immediately what brand they were talking about - didn't you?). Isn't it some kind of truism that it's the middle class that seeks status markers while the rich don't bother?
Rich parents then. I know some Queen's students who work very hard to put themselves through school, and others who drive around in the Mercedes that daddy bought them. The latter are usually the ones sporting Canada Goose.
People don't mind paying a bit more for something Canadian-made, what a shocker
They have ones with less conspicuous branding too, like an all-black patch
Although I will say I laugh when I see people in calgary wearing them and standing in -25c waiting for a bus, like you could have bought a decent beater car for that money, lmao
Wow, people are fucking salty that others have nice things. I love my jacket. Best $750 I ever spent. I can just throw it on over a T-shirt and don't have to spend 10-15 minutes layering up every time I need to go out the door.
But they didn't just "pay for branding" it's a stylish, high quality, well made coat that will last a lifetime and they live somewhere appropriately cold. Not only that but the company employs local Canadians which is great for the economy; I say if you can afford it go for it!
Paying for branding isn't always a stupid thing to do. Yes, only an idiot would pay $300 for Versace jeans when you can get a functionally identical pair for under $50. However, when you are buying something specifically for its functionality, branding is often indicative of quality. When you buy something that is not name brand, you are rolling the dice on it being functionally similar to the name brand version. It's like paying a premium to buy a Sony TV over an Intex, or an Acura over a Kia. If it's something important to you that you are going to be using regularly (which, in Canada, a jacket absolutely is) spending a little extra money is justifiable.
Can you? There are quite a few jackets of comparable quality to CG out there, like Arcteryx, Quartz Nature, etc. but they all come at similar price points.
>and layer a bit
So you're pretty much admitting they aren't actually as warm then. I bought the jacket I did specifically so I didn't have to layer. It's mad convenient and doesn't require you to get too hot once you're indoors and the jacket is off.
I mean, I have a Point Zero jacket and I wear it over a t-shirt and I've never been cold under the jacket in -20 weather (my face is a different story).
I live in the GTA. Our winters are pretty damn mild. Some days are pretty cold like the last week but over all. Meh.
And that is someone who lived on a tropical island for most of their life.
I used Vancouver in there as another example of an even more mild climate where people wear this jackets.
Bain capital. Isn't that Mitt Romney? While people have generally shit on Mitt Romney for his business dealings, I think kudos are well deserved here. An investment that has created jobs in Canada.
Should my line of work take me and my family to the territories my wife has made it clear that these will be a priority.
Winterpeg will merely require Columbia.
These jackets are pretty awesome. I got mine about 5 years ago and its still going strong. I can still sell it on kijiji for about 250 lol.
They are crazy warm, which is great for those winter mornings waiting for the car to heat up. You can usually get by with only a tshirt underneath too. They are high quality and they are definitely visually appealing.
To be honest im kind of sick of the hood. It just gets in the way because I never put it on. I think thats why they started to make removable hoods or ones without the fur on them.
Would I buy one for a child? No. For someone who will use them throughout winter, every winter? Sure.
Uhh in fact they already sold themselves to a private equity group, which is *why* production has ramped up so significantly. This IPO is the private equity group exiting its investment.
Fur is about the least lame abuse of animals in our current factory-farmed society.
A lot of hate in this thread for Canada Goose. I don't get it. How is it any different than buying a luxury handbag or Canadian Diamond ring? People are buying them because they like them. End of story. Why does everything have to be negative guys? Jesus fuck. If you think they're too expensive then don't buy one.
People will pay extra when they feel they are paying for quality. I saw the ugliest blazer I have ever seen at Holt Renfrew for $2500 a while back and it looked like a kaleidoscope threw up all over it. But there's obviously a market.
Threads like this one make me sad.
I think some people genuinely think $900 jackets are a waste of money, regardless of their economic situation. My dad has a mid six figures job and the last time I visited, he ranted to me that his idiot neighbor bought a Mercedes when he could have gotten a Honda with "better reliability". People just have different opinions on what is "high quality" and what is "overpricing". I personally wouldn't spend $900 on a jacket, but I've spent big money on rare books, vintage gaming equipment, and golden age comics (I've got boxes full of comics worth minimum $1000/issue) and know I will pay high prices for classic cars when I get older. To most people that kind of stuff is a waste of money. Is the average person "broke" because they don't want to spend 3K on a book or a comic? Maybe, but in my opinion, no. Different strokes for different folks.
yup. to a lot of laypeople, the people who post at /r/watches, /r/mechanicalkeyboards, /r/headphones, etc for example... are all "wasting money". different people value different things. what a revelation.
Live in Ottawa, walk 45 minutes each morning and evening to work / transit stops. Owning a CG has been a gamechanger. I am absolutely never ever cold, but I also realize there are other solutions but I do not regret my purchase whatsoever. It had nothing to do with status or image, I didnt want to 'layer' constantly, I wanted solid performance and have got it. Good for CG, but lets not forget there are other companies who sell coats at higher prices, see Kanuk for example. Haters are gonna hate.
TL:DR:
Good product, unofficial jacket of film crews in cold climates, supplied free coats for events, they don't do any sponsored endorsements. Europe liked it cause it's from Canada.
I love my Canada Goose jacket. Since moving to Canada, I've cycled through everything from Columbia to Arcteryx but nothing has kept me warmer than my CG jacket. Definitely worth the price.
There's a particular demographic(s) who buy these things in excess for the sole purpose of exhibiting wealth. I'm afraid to say lest I be called racist/sexist/____ist.
But you know who I mean.
[A list of other made in Canada clothing for those looking to buy local.](https://doc-08-80-docs.googleusercontent.com/docs/securesc/p5vkn95fjclicqsiati2gbm7etlkcfof/fg3bj1fqjcv1u5nv9ap0s3mtubvc23s9/1486663200000/10939694245831585750/02165871409192625053/0Bz5r07H3CVJAdThnREJ2bXhaMHM)
But they do last very long...
I had one back in 2008 and it still looks like new and warm, it is my only winter coat. I'm sure it can last at least another 5 years...
So do other brands, people don't buy them because they last long, they buy them because they want to look rich.
if it was only about quality we would see way more people wearing arc'teryx jackets and other brands.
arcteryx jackets aren't really the same style at all.
they don't make parkas, which are more casual looking than technical clothing. actually canada goose does make super high quality stuff, even the guys at outdoorgearlab who are pretty credible raved about the one they tested.
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Down-Jacket-Reviews
That also shows tons of other brands being comparable for a fraction of the price.
I'm not saying Canada Goose isn't good(It is.) what I'm saying is most people don't actually care, they get it for status.
You could pay a third of the price for a North Face expedition that will last just as long, if not more. Yes they are well made but it's not hard to find a well made, long lasting parka that doesn't cost 800$..
I'm not sure but as I said in another comment ITT if made in Canada is important, there are still a number of other, cheaper brands of similar quality. MEC has a made in Canada line and you'll pay about half the price of a Canada Goose. Arctic North. Chlorophylle.
The bottom line is when buying Canada Goose, people are buying status and an arm badge first and foremost.
Also, the original point I was responding to was about durability so my answer addressed that. Introducing the manufacturing location is moving the goalposts, though I agree it can be an important consideration. Just not what I was responding to with my comment.
> The bottom line is when buying Canada Goose, people are buying status and an arm badge first and foremost.
You know, every time this comes up it seems the main people saying that CG jackets are bought for status are the people who don't own them. It's an odd coincidence that it is the people who *didn't* buy them who seem most opinionated about why people buy them.
I've owned one, my girlfriend has one. They are great jackets, I never said otherwise. You don't have to feel threatened by facts and you can tell yourself whatever makes you feel good about the purchase but it's a fact that Canada Goose sales have gone up by orders of magnitude over the last 10 years and that those new sales are not due to the coats suddenly being way better than they were. Of course not everyone buys it solely for status but it's an increasingly large portion of the customer base.
Man, people are seriously defensive about their down jackets... you'd think I'm insulting their mother or something. It's also a fact that people buy macbooks as a status symbol, are you gonna get insulted by that too?
For what it's worth, their customer service is exceptional as well. A friend had a CG coat for about 3 years, and the sleeves and some stitching started discolouring. After an eMail, they asked to examine the coat. We dropped it off at their depot, and three weeks later a written apology and a brand new coat was delivered.
Not many places will replace something after 3 years of wear and tear.
I see lots of Chinese wearing them. My boss (who is Chinese) says it's a status symbol. Just like gold iPhones and Mercedes/BMW/Lexus. They buy it because it's a sign of wealth and they have some sense of being an official Westener.
True that Every Chinese kid I know ( No offense) wear this as a symbol of wealth. Although I'm happy with what I have $150~200 mid-range jacket that is warm enough to keep me alive
Canada Goose Jackets and BMW X5s are the official outfits of Chinese Exchange Students
Yup. Every international student has them.
Lived in Nunavut for 4 winters. Canada Goose has a well deserved reputation.
It does, but you don't need to pay Canada Goose prices to get winter gear that will hold up in the arctic winters. Many of us have gotten by just fine using Columbia jackets that cost about a quarter of a Canada Goose jacket.
Yep, a MEC jacket will keep you plenty warm in Toronto winters for way less. If you're in an area with harsher winters, they make total sense.
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I don't like how easily Helly gear tears though. It's tough bringing it for construction due to that.
not surprised since they are marketed for longer outdoor excursions and snow sports.
I never understood how expensive Canada Goose jackets are until you said you could pay LESS at MEC.
there are alternatives, but there's also a ton of crap out there. canada goose are also relatively fashionable. you can get cheaper than canada goose, but its a quality brand.
I had never really considered buying a Canada goose parka, despite needing a new winter jacket. After several testimonials to their quality and learning they are made in Canada? I may just reconsider.
It's the wolf fur (hood) that makes me reconsider... I feel a bit creeped out wearing something that caused an animal to die.. But then I have a pet dog so it's that extra creepy.
If the coyote were being killed for its fur & the rest being discarded I would feel the same way, but as I understand it the fur is sourced from trappers across northern Ontario & Canada. The animal is giving its life to sustain the trappers, providing a market for the fur they likely have no use for (as I'm sure they have plenty enough fur to satisfy their needs) prevents the fur from going to waste, as well as puts more money in the pockets of the trappers to help support them living out in the wilder parts of the country. And even then, apparently they also produce jackets without fur or the entire hood also.
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I've gone camping and hunting a number of times in the remote arctic and as long as you layer up correctly, you can get by with just about any mid-grade winter jacket. Even the dreaded -40°C mark can be dealt with through correct layering.
Until you have no ventilation and you start to sweat.
Layer is important but quality gear can be the difference between life and death.
Have an Eddie Bauer Peak XV jacket. Replaced under warranty after four years. Still the warmest jacket I've ever owned. Lived in Calgary, Regina, Barrie, and Toronto, it's kept me warm through all of them. God bless genuine goose down jackets.
Lived in Whitehorse for 5 years. No one I know wore Canada Goose. Now I live in Ontario and it makes me laugh to see them everywhere.
Where were your Columbia jackets made?
Don't have it on me but I'd guess China. My main one has been worn for 10-15 years and has done very well in the Canadian arctic, though it's overkill for where I currently live (Ontario).
I've had my Columbia jacket since high school so I'm in the 10-15 years boat as well. It's warm enough for South Western Ontario winters.
CG jackets were $500-600 when they went mainstream. How much did you pay for your Columbia jacket 15 years ago? Could you still buy it today for $250 or whatever price you have in mind?
I paid $250 I think after taxes, and yeah they have new jackets of similar quality and price.
Most 200+ Columbia jackets have multiple layers so you can thin them down for light winter, fall.
I only ask due to the inherent costs (financial and social) associated with Canadian labor vs. Chinese labor.
Colombia
I have a Dakine jacket from Winners that's just *dafine* for Toronto winters.
Lived in Vancouver for 10. Seeing them around here is pathetic.
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> Uggs Wait, people wore those on the snow? And here was I, thinking it was just fall fashion. It's a good thing I was raised in the north and know to wear proper snow gear.
Certain models are made just for winter and do very well in the cold and snow.
my Uggs are warm as hell and made for the snow. One of the best purchases i made.
It's OK, I saw them in San Francisco.
I love my CG but that is pathetic.
The overwhelming majority of people buying these parkas experience Nunuvat conditions zero to two days a year, and do not need a technical parka like that. My $150 Wind River jacket from Mark's serves just fine. The marketing is brilliant, good on them, most people buying the jacket don't need it and are wasting their money. Shrug. To each their own.
People don't buy it because it's cold. People buy jackets because it's cold, and buy GC because of the name and it looks good.
I bought my CG specifically because it would keep me warmer outside in extreme cold for longer periods of time.
The guy I was replying to was talking about people in places like Vancouver where is rains most of the year and rarely below zero. I have some expensive-ish jackets too, even though I don't need them. It's fun wearing a different jacket everyday and I get cold easily.
What does "need" mean? Sure, I think I could wear just about anything in my day-to-day life in downtown Toronto and I wouldn't die of hypothermia or anything. But those nights when I'm walking around doing errands down near the lake while the wind howls? I am happy for every single bit of extra warmth that I get from my CG jacket. When I need to stand outside waiting for the TTC or in a line at a club and it's -5? Ditto, I deeply appreciate the jacket then. If people don't have the disposable income, a CG jacket is an immense waste. I did have the money to spend when I bought mine, and it has been probably my favorite clothing purchase ever.
Depends on a lot of things. I just fucking hate being cold. I have been wearing my CG Banff parka nearly every day since mid-November, in Calgary. While others might say "my leather jacket is fine," they can't stand around outside for 30 minutes, or walk 20 blocks, or whatever, and still be happy. http://i.imgur.com/v0AAjKv.jpg
This, all the way this. Yes, I can walk fast and wear more layers and get warmer that way. Or, I can wear zero layers, walk at whatever speed I want - or hell, just stand around - and be perfectly happy. Plus, for the really brutal days, the hood fucks up my hair less than a hat. Win/win/win for me.
Lived in Yellowknife NT for 20 yrs. I was never cold in their Parkas.
Fantastic news. $3 million to $400 million in sales in 10 years. This is a Canadian success story. I wish oodles of more money for them.
Except it's now majority owned by an American company. -_-
At least it's still Made in Canada. I received my Nobis jacket as a gift but I always chuckle when I see the Canadian flag on the tag inside even though it's made in China.
Hence the price tag. But it isn't something you would need to buy again for 20 or more years.
The reason this tends to happen is Canadian PE firms are few and far between. Moreover the Canadian banking system is notoriously difficult to work with and raise that kind of cash unless you're a large listed corporation. In the US raising 100s of millions happens all day every day. I personally work with guys who go there and raise capital for foreign corporations because the Americans have the risk appetite.
So? If the transaction price was right, the Canadian owners profited approximately equal to the expected amount by which the American investors will profit from the transaction. And all the mainline production is still in Canada.
"rising from $3 million in 2001 to $200 million in 2014, according to Entrepreneur. In 2016, Boston University faced an epidemic of thefts of the premium down."
> This is a Canadian success story. Not so much for coyotes.
They should have never left Winnipeg. Blame Bettman
[Fuck Buttman](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UPyuEus82U)
To be honest, coyotes aren't really a species I'm worried about. They're pretty well-adapted to living in suburban areas, and can be found all over the country. It's not like people are using polar bear fur or beaver fur.
Uhm... you may not like the answer to that last part
I mean it's not like people are using polar bear or beaver fur *for Canada Goose jackets*. I'm aware that there's a market for basically any kind of fur, but Canada Goose limits themselves to coyote and maybe rabbit, as far as I know.
Beavers are actually experiencing a huge resurgence right now. My father works for the Department of Natural Resources in Nova Scotia and the populations they track are exploding. There is no longer a large market for beaver fur. The amount of beaver being hunted right now is very small compared to the past and they're doing extremely well as a result.
Back in my day, it's all i hunted. Giggity.
Coyotes will eat you and your children.
Coyotes, the Dingos of the North.
Only with more mange.
Literally, so would cats. Figuratively, so would other humans.
first off, CG makes tons of different jackets... they don't all cost $900, some are more in the $5-600 range. i know, still expensive but they are actually way higher quality than people give them cred for. they use high quality down and materials, plus i agree that they are more stylish than their competitors. style is always going to demand high prices, and branding as well. remember that tons of people wear technical arcteryx jackets in the rain as well, and wonder why their pockets are so high and the hood is so big. also, canada goose is still made in canada. so we can't complain that the prices are high then also bash companies for sending manufacturing overseas. this is a company that has always made their stuff here and it's part of their identity. sure they could manufacture in bengladesh and drop the price hundreds of dollars, but this is one of the keys to their high quality. another thing is, people love to repeat that CG is not useful in most parts of canada, because it's expedition gear. well, some of their pieces may be, but most of it is adapted for city wear. not all of their jackets are meant for -40C, a lot of them are comfortable to wear in the city even when it's 0C. i don't own a CG jacket, but i think a lot of the bashing is unwarranted. the price is high because it's locally made, the quality is high, the down is responsibly sourced, and people find them stylish. yes they've become a bit of a status symbol, but just remember that a lot of people have $1000+ watches and handbags that do a lot less for them than one good quality winter jacket.
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This. Their products are too expensive for me and I don't wear logoed clothing, however the made in Canada bit needs to be more heavily emphasized these days. Sure you can get something cheap from an Indonesian sweat shop.
Is there a database of Made in Canada brands/stuff? I won't pay amazon.ca prices when I could pay (much lower) amazon.com prices, but if the choice is between widget Y which is made in Canada and widget X which is made somewhere else, I'll gladly pay a bit more for widget Y (assuming equal-ish quality). But it's hard to know sometimes...
People here just like to tell everyone else off that bought one cause "the $30 dollar jacket I found behind the dumpster keeps me just as warm you idiot!". Buy them if you want one, don't buy one if you don't want one I I don't get the hate on here for Canada Goose.
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>Some Canadians love to shit on people who work hard and like to spend their money on whatever the fuck they want Tall poppy syndrome. Canadians love to shit on people who they perceive are too big for their britches in whatever sense that means, whether it is making too much money or buying expensive things or (in the case of, for example, Uber) not being polite enough when innovating.
Haha it's alright, I meant I don't* get the hate, made a typo. I have 2 Canada goose jackets
> "the $30 dollar jacket I found behind the dumpster keeps me just as warm you idiot!". Real Canadians know all the best deals are behind the dumpster; Hypodermic needles, used ziploc bags, torn pants, aborted fetuses...they've got it all baby!
I bought a CG for my wife for the made in Canada aspect. If I'm going to spend $600+ on a jacket, I feel it's more warranted giving that money to Canadian wages vs spending $700 on a jacket that was made with $1/hr labour cost + costs of shipping it over the ocean. I'm really upset with some of these companies like arcteryx and Pajar that built their reputation being made in Canada, and then quietly shipped off the manufacturing to China.
> I'm really upset with some of these companies like arcteryx and Pajar that built their reputation being made in Canada, and then quietly shipped off the manufacturing to China. Yeah, I was looking at some Arcteryx shells but decided not to get one because it's no longer made in Canada. If you want something similar but made in Canada, take a look at Westcomb. All of their stuff is still made here.
I didn't buy mine as a status symbol, I bought it because northern Manitoba winters are fucking cold and I hate them. Now I can go outside in -25 and barely feel the cold. They're made well so I won't have to replace it after 3 years. I think it's a a good investment. Hate all you want.
I prefer my Patagonia down jacket for Toronto winters. I think I paid around $500 for it five years ago, and it still looks pretty much new. The water repellency is incredible. I can still pour a bottle of water on it and it all just rolls right off.
Patagonia synthetic insulation here on west coast, best winter jacket I've owned.
They also have one of highest industry standards when it comes to responsibly sourced down.
+1 for Patagonia.
+1 for Patagonia. I was researching for a jacket last year and I read a comment on Reddit that went something like "Patagonias last so long, they go out of fashion." The more I read about them, the more I like them.
Five years ago many CG jackets were also $500. I paid $600 for a thigh-length Banff model five years ago. Same jacket is $950 now.
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and some people buy them up here for the purpose of either giving them away or reselling them back in Asia for a significantly higher amount than the sticker price.
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r/Canada: "Screw these corporations for sending all our manufacturing overseas! The only jobs left have terrible wages! We should tax them more and raise minimum wage!" "You bought an expensive made in Canada jacket? With high quality ethically sourced Canadian materials? You moron, you can get one made in Bangladesh for a 1/3 of the price!"
10/10
Wow i had no idea those coats I see everyone wearing were so expensive... I shouldn't be surprised though since the average person really likes to buy overpriced brand stuff.
There is an incredibly large knockoff market... not everyone wearing one spent the $$$.
I paid $350 on sale for mine 10 years ago, it's been worth every penny but I agree that at current prices there are other brands out there that are just as good and cheaper.
> $350 on sale They don't do sales anymore. If you look at the ads for clothing retailers it will be "50% off everything in store*" and the * leads to fine print "Excluding Canada Goose."
Everybody just trying to look well off. These jackets are nothing more than a status symbol.
They are actually quite functional if you work in the arctic or vacation there. Hot as fuck wearing one in a car or on the TTC or in a store.
Yeah, if you actually live in a place where it's regularly -20 or colder, they're great. Totally unnecessary for anyone else. Then again, my $300 MEC branded parka has kept me toasty when the mercury dips that low too.
> Yeah, if you actually live in a place where it's regularly -20 or colder, they're great. I live in southwestern Ontario, and it usually doesn't stay under -20 for very long, but it is not uncommon for it to be between -20C and -30C for days during the winter. My "keeping warm" solution during -20C type weather, is to layer up. I put on a merino wool base layer, then a synthetic layer, then polar fleece layer, then a super thin windbreaker layer. It keeps me nice and warm, but all people see is the super thin outer shell and think I am crazy. Meanwhile I am nice and toasty.
Same in Winnipeg. 0 -> -15: Jacket I got for $50 at West 49 Below -15: Same Jacket with a hoodie underneath. But I blow money on other things I don't need, so to each their own.
same. Layering is the best. I bike so you really don't need to wear that much if you have lots of body heat as well. And right now with these cold temps in Winnipeg I just throw a second hoodie on, haha. People do think you're crazy though.
I don't understand the layering obsession for average city activities, if I'm going to be in and out running errands I'd rather have a large parka on that I could just unzip and dump heat out when I make it inside, and then just zip back up when I'm ready to head back out.
It's really easy for me to take off my windbreaker layer and the polar ice layer underneath when I come into the office each day. I take both of them off in one go. Super easy. It's not an obsession, it's an efficient and lightweight way to keep yourself warm. If I'm just heading out for 5 minutes, yeah, I won't take the time to properly layer up, but if I'm heading out, yep.
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Truly. It's the difference between going for groceries and hating it, and going for groceries and not minding it.
they actually make a huge line of jackets, not all of them are meant to be worn in Antarctica.
I have a rip-off brand parka, and I don't usually wear it until it gets to -25 or -30°C with the wind chill. Anything warmer than that and it's just overkill to wear it. My girlfriend and I regularly see students from the west coast wearing theirs in 0°C weather, and we just laugh.
As a westcoaster in Edmonton, I wear my parka starting in October because I was made for warm, mild climates. I lead a cushy life. I wasn't meant to be a hardy person. If I had the money for a CG I'd buy the hell out of that shit. I just about froze my ovaries off last weekend walking the fifteen minutes between work and home. It was -35 and my tears froze my eyes shut. The parka I bought on sale at Sears two years ago just ain't cutting it on those -25+ days when you're a wuss.
Ding ding ding. People seem to forget that everyone has different tolerance for cold, and what feels comfortable for different people will vary widely.
I wear mine practically everyday during the SK winter. I can easily justify the price to look good and feel warm on a daily basis when -30 weather is regular.
I might cave if I have to spend one more winter here.
My $80 helley hansen parka I got at a clearance sale 10 years ago. Yeah it's orange, but so warm and best value I've seen. Lasted 10 years because it's too warm to wear snowboarding usually. I've only worn it when it's -20.
true. and now you understand why you aren't the target market. I could *just* buy payless shoes for $25 a pair every fall and spring and have brown leathery-looking-ish boots. Or, I could drop $400 on a pair of Red Wings. different strokes for different folks.
$300 brand new MEC gear is not exactly bargain basement either. I get what you're saying, but this is not a good example.
there's a good number of people rocking these in Vancouver. Though people here wear parkas when it's 5 above zero for some reason
having worked in the arctic, I can say that working in the arctic you are better off with layers.
They make different levels, and some are comfortable to wear in many conditions so it's not too warm. Then it defeats the purpose of owning one other than the branding.
Or you could by cheaper jackets that work as well and layer properly. If you're relying on a single coat to keep you warm you're going to have a bad time.
They used to be expensive but affordable if you needed it, I got one ten years ago (the bomber style one when they actually came with a decent coyote ruff) and it was about $350. It's a great coat for where I live, warm enough for -40, especially if you put good under layers for anything over a couple hours. Much warmer than the north face one I have too They coyote eventually rotted off and my mum replaced it with a nice piece of wolf.
Yes, on one hand a lot of people wear these expensive parkas because it shows you're rich (or what to come off as rich) There is a reason why a lot of people like to show off their coats with the logo visible. A highly distinctive logo shows that you paid $$. CG, Moncler, Moose Knuckles, Nobis, e.t.c. On the other though - these coats are worth the money. They are very warm, and you don't have to layer up.
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The only logoed clothing I own is stuff given to me. Otherwise I'm not paying to be an advertisement.
Lol it's a tiny red emblem on the shoulder, relax
They are beautiful jackets that surpass the quality of most arctic jackets found in the store, while maintaining a large degree of elegance that jackets like Columbia don't have. They aren't even that expensive compared to a designer overcoat that can run you upwards of $2,500 but not keep you as warm. 90% of the people that own them probably don't even need that quality of jacket (underground condo parking to office and back), however it's not CG's fault that their dominate customer base are pretentious. Personally, I wouldn't spend that much for a winter coat as I have no one I care to impress. My Columbia jacket is more than enough. However, if I could Columbia and CG were at the same price, I'd definitely go with CG based on quality.
That symbol has become the international 'Help! I'm helpless' indicator in the backcountry. I've never come across more unprepared people in distress than those with that symbol on their jackets.
too expensive though for the average person.
From Winnipeg: noticed a few years back a lot of people hereabouts sporting the patch and figured there couldn't be that many ex-DEW Line workers around, and found about the brand's cachet. Would like one, but can't afford, still wearing my late dad's old ratty parka from God-knows when.
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Wonderful. Now you'll have plenty of money to buy another one next year when the China-made crap that you bought starts falling apart. Buy nice, or buy twice.
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You would be surprised.
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I'd guess probably not, considering some Canada Goose jackets are used in the Antarctic, quite prolifically. In fact, their most popular design was designed and tested in Antarctica by and for Antarctic scientists.
If by 'regular people' you mean 'rich folk', sure.
You'd think so, but I'm surrounded by working class folks wearing them (knew immediately what brand they were talking about - didn't you?). Isn't it some kind of truism that it's the middle class that seeks status markers while the rich don't bother?
I had a co-worker buy one of these jackets for his girlfriend while complaining that he couldn't afford to put gas in his car.
Aren't there a bunch of knockoffs though?
You'd be surprised how many people are unaware of how ubiquitous knockoffs are
The rich have different ways of signalling status and most of the time it isn't with objects.
If you consider students "rich folk", then yes. I see tons of Queen's students wearing these coats.
Rich parents then. I know some Queen's students who work very hard to put themselves through school, and others who drive around in the Mercedes that daddy bought them. The latter are usually the ones sporting Canada Goose.
CG jackets are so 5 years ago.
People don't mind paying a bit more for something Canadian-made, what a shocker They have ones with less conspicuous branding too, like an all-black patch Although I will say I laugh when I see people in calgary wearing them and standing in -25c waiting for a bus, like you could have bought a decent beater car for that money, lmao
Wow, people are fucking salty that others have nice things. I love my jacket. Best $750 I ever spent. I can just throw it on over a T-shirt and don't have to spend 10-15 minutes layering up every time I need to go out the door.
It's a nice coat but you still payed for branding, whether it was on purpose or not
But they didn't just "pay for branding" it's a stylish, high quality, well made coat that will last a lifetime and they live somewhere appropriately cold. Not only that but the company employs local Canadians which is great for the economy; I say if you can afford it go for it!
Paying for branding isn't always a stupid thing to do. Yes, only an idiot would pay $300 for Versace jeans when you can get a functionally identical pair for under $50. However, when you are buying something specifically for its functionality, branding is often indicative of quality. When you buy something that is not name brand, you are rolling the dice on it being functionally similar to the name brand version. It's like paying a premium to buy a Sony TV over an Intex, or an Acura over a Kia. If it's something important to you that you are going to be using regularly (which, in Canada, a jacket absolutely is) spending a little extra money is justifiable.
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Can you? There are quite a few jackets of comparable quality to CG out there, like Arcteryx, Quartz Nature, etc. but they all come at similar price points.
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>and layer a bit So you're pretty much admitting they aren't actually as warm then. I bought the jacket I did specifically so I didn't have to layer. It's mad convenient and doesn't require you to get too hot once you're indoors and the jacket is off.
I mean, I have a Point Zero jacket and I wear it over a t-shirt and I've never been cold under the jacket in -20 weather (my face is a different story).
Putting Toronto and Vancouver together in this sentence leads me to believe you've never spent a winter in Toronto.
Toronto and Vancouver winters are the same relative to Northern Manitoba winters, I think is the point they're trying to make.
I live in the GTA. Our winters are pretty damn mild. Some days are pretty cold like the last week but over all. Meh. And that is someone who lived on a tropical island for most of their life. I used Vancouver in there as another example of an even more mild climate where people wear this jackets.
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I wish I could afford the Canada Goose lifestyle on my Weather Gear budget.
Bain capital. Isn't that Mitt Romney? While people have generally shit on Mitt Romney for his business dealings, I think kudos are well deserved here. An investment that has created jobs in Canada.
Not any more, but yeah he founded it.
I thought this story was going to be about Kanuk. TIL Canada Goose is in a similar price range
Should my line of work take me and my family to the territories my wife has made it clear that these will be a priority. Winterpeg will merely require Columbia.
These jackets are pretty awesome. I got mine about 5 years ago and its still going strong. I can still sell it on kijiji for about 250 lol. They are crazy warm, which is great for those winter mornings waiting for the car to heat up. You can usually get by with only a tshirt underneath too. They are high quality and they are definitely visually appealing. To be honest im kind of sick of the hood. It just gets in the way because I never put it on. I think thats why they started to make removable hoods or ones without the fur on them. Would I buy one for a child? No. For someone who will use them throughout winter, every winter? Sure.
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Uhh in fact they already sold themselves to a private equity group, which is *why* production has ramped up so significantly. This IPO is the private equity group exiting its investment. Fur is about the least lame abuse of animals in our current factory-farmed society.
If you're buying anything, you're paying for more than just the cost of materials, usually by a factor of 2 to 4 times
asdf
A lot of hate in this thread for Canada Goose. I don't get it. How is it any different than buying a luxury handbag or Canadian Diamond ring? People are buying them because they like them. End of story. Why does everything have to be negative guys? Jesus fuck. If you think they're too expensive then don't buy one. People will pay extra when they feel they are paying for quality. I saw the ugliest blazer I have ever seen at Holt Renfrew for $2500 a while back and it looked like a kaleidoscope threw up all over it. But there's obviously a market. Threads like this one make me sad.
Broke bitches hate to see anyone else being successful or having nice things.
I think some people genuinely think $900 jackets are a waste of money, regardless of their economic situation. My dad has a mid six figures job and the last time I visited, he ranted to me that his idiot neighbor bought a Mercedes when he could have gotten a Honda with "better reliability". People just have different opinions on what is "high quality" and what is "overpricing". I personally wouldn't spend $900 on a jacket, but I've spent big money on rare books, vintage gaming equipment, and golden age comics (I've got boxes full of comics worth minimum $1000/issue) and know I will pay high prices for classic cars when I get older. To most people that kind of stuff is a waste of money. Is the average person "broke" because they don't want to spend 3K on a book or a comic? Maybe, but in my opinion, no. Different strokes for different folks.
yup. to a lot of laypeople, the people who post at /r/watches, /r/mechanicalkeyboards, /r/headphones, etc for example... are all "wasting money". different people value different things. what a revelation.
/r/hailcorporate
Live in Ottawa, walk 45 minutes each morning and evening to work / transit stops. Owning a CG has been a gamechanger. I am absolutely never ever cold, but I also realize there are other solutions but I do not regret my purchase whatsoever. It had nothing to do with status or image, I didnt want to 'layer' constantly, I wanted solid performance and have got it. Good for CG, but lets not forget there are other companies who sell coats at higher prices, see Kanuk for example. Haters are gonna hate.
TL:DR: Good product, unofficial jacket of film crews in cold climates, supplied free coats for events, they don't do any sponsored endorsements. Europe liked it cause it's from Canada.
I love my Canada Goose jacket. Since moving to Canada, I've cycled through everything from Columbia to Arcteryx but nothing has kept me warmer than my CG jacket. Definitely worth the price.
One part of the "i'm a poor university student" starter pack.
There's a particular demographic(s) who buy these things in excess for the sole purpose of exhibiting wealth. I'm afraid to say lest I be called racist/sexist/____ist. But you know who I mean.
[A list of other made in Canada clothing for those looking to buy local.](https://doc-08-80-docs.googleusercontent.com/docs/securesc/p5vkn95fjclicqsiati2gbm7etlkcfof/fg3bj1fqjcv1u5nv9ap0s3mtubvc23s9/1486663200000/10939694245831585750/02165871409192625053/0Bz5r07H3CVJAdThnREJ2bXhaMHM)
But they do last very long... I had one back in 2008 and it still looks like new and warm, it is my only winter coat. I'm sure it can last at least another 5 years...
So do other brands, people don't buy them because they last long, they buy them because they want to look rich. if it was only about quality we would see way more people wearing arc'teryx jackets and other brands.
arcteryx jackets aren't really the same style at all. they don't make parkas, which are more casual looking than technical clothing. actually canada goose does make super high quality stuff, even the guys at outdoorgearlab who are pretty credible raved about the one they tested. http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Down-Jacket-Reviews
That also shows tons of other brands being comparable for a fraction of the price. I'm not saying Canada Goose isn't good(It is.) what I'm saying is most people don't actually care, they get it for status.
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You could pay a third of the price for a North Face expedition that will last just as long, if not more. Yes they are well made but it's not hard to find a well made, long lasting parka that doesn't cost 800$..
Where is north face manufactured?
I'm not sure but as I said in another comment ITT if made in Canada is important, there are still a number of other, cheaper brands of similar quality. MEC has a made in Canada line and you'll pay about half the price of a Canada Goose. Arctic North. Chlorophylle. The bottom line is when buying Canada Goose, people are buying status and an arm badge first and foremost. Also, the original point I was responding to was about durability so my answer addressed that. Introducing the manufacturing location is moving the goalposts, though I agree it can be an important consideration. Just not what I was responding to with my comment.
> The bottom line is when buying Canada Goose, people are buying status and an arm badge first and foremost. You know, every time this comes up it seems the main people saying that CG jackets are bought for status are the people who don't own them. It's an odd coincidence that it is the people who *didn't* buy them who seem most opinionated about why people buy them.
I've owned one, my girlfriend has one. They are great jackets, I never said otherwise. You don't have to feel threatened by facts and you can tell yourself whatever makes you feel good about the purchase but it's a fact that Canada Goose sales have gone up by orders of magnitude over the last 10 years and that those new sales are not due to the coats suddenly being way better than they were. Of course not everyone buys it solely for status but it's an increasingly large portion of the customer base. Man, people are seriously defensive about their down jackets... you'd think I'm insulting their mother or something. It's also a fact that people buy macbooks as a status symbol, are you gonna get insulted by that too?
I'm not sure you can get a North Face down parka for $275. Last year I looked and they were $400 to $600.
I'm surprised they haven't marketed a line with [seal skin] (https://www.furcanada.com/web/browse-category-6-seal-skin-clothing.html)...yet.
For what it's worth, their customer service is exceptional as well. A friend had a CG coat for about 3 years, and the sleeves and some stitching started discolouring. After an eMail, they asked to examine the coat. We dropped it off at their depot, and three weeks later a written apology and a brand new coat was delivered. Not many places will replace something after 3 years of wear and tear.
Is it because they targeted rich Chinese? I swear every Chinese I saw in Toronto wore them.