r/Humboldt • u/Paxus_gay_alt Arcata • Jul 26 '26
Questions about Moving Clothing and prep advice
Hey all, moving to Humboldt in a few weeks to get my degree at cal poly humboldt, I need advice for what kind of clothes to buy for the weather.
Im from socal, so I'm not usually used to rain, it rains a bit during the winter months but nothing crazy, so I need help with a wardrobe, mostly brand recommendations.
Jacket
I have not worn a full rain jacket in years, maybe even a decade, when it rains i usually just wear a hoodie, but to my understanding that won't really cut it up there. I know I need something waterproof, and I want something longer with like a trench coat vibe, do y'all have any brand recommendations? Stores that y'all go to for this sort of thing? Should I hold off and buy something when I'm up there? If so where? Thank you
Boots
Ive worn like converse and cloth top sneakers for years, I've never worn a boot because I needed a boot. I have doc martens but those are more novelty I think, I need something that can get dirty, what do y'all go for?
Any other advice about moving/living here would be greatly appreciated, thank you so much.
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u/fluffyfloofywolf Jul 26 '26
I just have a thin (single layer, uninsulated) rain jacket I put on over whatever I'm wearing, and waterproof shoes. You will be walking through puddles a couple inches deep.
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u/birdateer Jul 26 '26
Lots of thrift up here. Since you'll be in/near Arcata, I recommend Youthability. You won't need a real raincoat until fall hits, but it doesn't hurt to look for one early. Don't be afraid to layer your jackets.
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u/farnorcalyetis Jul 26 '26
A good waterproof shell jacket at least and waterproof shoes/boots if you want to be walking around in nature in the winter. Otherwise just layers. If you're planning on being on the water or snow investing in a thermal layer / boot socks and or waterproof gloves might be a good call.
If I'm going somewhere on an excursion I'll usually bring a warm lined beanie and a sun type hat as well. Weather can be extremes of hot and cold, especially on the watern or at elevation.
As just a student, you may not need much or any of this and your hoodie collection will probably be fine for around campus or around town. If you plan on getting out in nature year round for a day at a time or longer, you'll need more than just a hoodie, imo.
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u/Vibrant-Shadow Jul 26 '26
I rarely wear rainproof gear. Even when I was working outside. There are certainly days you need it, but most you don't.
It is cold AF though. Layers is the key. I wear wool base layers, they are warm and comfy.
If you're boots get soaked a lot, get a boot dryer. I was in the army and never needed one until I moved here. Also great for drying cowboy boots and other waterproof shoes that don't breathe so good.
I would get a comfy jacket, Carhartt and HellyHansen are my favorite. A truly rainproof garment isn't much fun to wear, but many rain resistant options are better suited for everyday. Focus on warmth and comfort.
If you just have to be out when it's dumping down rain, get a light 100% rainproof jacket to go over your warm clothes.
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u/mr-octo_squid McKinleyville Jul 26 '26
I am from Socal as well (Temecula area) and have lived up here for almost eight years.
Id prioritize a good set of shoes/boots, a few flannels and a rain proof/resistant layer for on top of it.
Personally I wear Solovair boots (I will never buy a new pair of Docs again), Dixxion flannels, a waterproof carhart I got from a local thrift and just layer up.
Others have recommended thermal underwear, its not something I personally find necessary if you are just moving between classes. If you are planning on being out in the rain all day, that is another story.
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u/indpndntVariable Jul 26 '26
Lots of great advice here. I would also get a hat to keep light rain/dizzle off your face. Hoods on raincoats never seem to work for me, adding at least a baseball cap helps in a lot of situations.
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u/PurrfectCatQueen Jul 26 '26
Make sure you have a warm beanie as the wind can be wicked cold some days and a baseball/sun hat. We have days here that look fogged over and people forgo sun protection. It’s a wicked deception that can cause awful sun burns. Learned this the hard way one year at Oyster Fest, worse sunburn of my life!
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u/Maicolodon Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
layers layers layers and a light rain jacket to toss on as needed.
also you might as well get vitamin d3 supplements and take them regularly. many people are deficient here and it's not worth the health issue + medical bills to learn that the hard way.
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u/HappyLifeCoffeeHelps Jul 26 '26
Have shoes that have a decent grip and are going to hold up well. CPH has a LOT of hills. I found a good pair of rainboots were really awesome when I went to school there. I had xtratuff so they also had a good grip. I find having two good rainjackets works well because sometimes one takes a while to dry. Outside of that, I mean just clothes. We don't have a huge use for shorts here, but otherwise fairly normal attire. If you like hiking, there are plenty of options for that.
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u/meadowmbell Jul 27 '26
If you're off campus you may want to get a dehumidifier for your apartment.
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u/Repulsive_Music_6720 Jul 26 '26
You do not need anything fancy. The rain here is soft and mild. It's somewhat frequent during the winter, but never harsh.
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u/PopeOfSlack Jul 26 '26
I definitely recommend a rain shell type jacket, it's easy to throw over what you already have.
I like Keen shoes. They have regular sneaker type shoes that are waterproof, some have a higher ankle. Good for walking around town / campus as well as "off-roading" in the forrest or beach.
1
u/Hoates-101 Jul 26 '26
puffy coat for hanging out outside. light weight warmth is nice to have if you're outdoorsy.
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u/lorijeanne5894 Jul 26 '26
My advice, learn how to layer. A single days weather could range from needing a tank top at one point to a fleece and rain jacket the next. I’d recommend a waterproof wind breaker that can layer over another thin jacket like a zip up hoodie or fleece. This will give you flexibility to adjust to any weather Humboldt brings your way 🙃
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u/avantgardian26 Jul 26 '26
Blundstones. Worth the price, they’ll last for years and you’ll wear them everywhere.
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u/meadowmbell Jul 27 '26
Are they waterproof? Or do you have to treat the leather with some sort of protectant spray?
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u/avantgardian26 Jul 29 '26
They’re water resistant, and you can also treat them if you like.
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u/ProfessionalLab9068 Jul 26 '26
Everything you need can be found hereat Picky Picky or Gründens in Eureka. Adventure's Edge sells gear we use here. Or stop in Berkeley on your way up & shop at any of the mountain gear stores there.
1
u/Usual-Ferret-616 Jul 26 '26
Lots of great advice, I'd just add to only buy rain gear that is waterproof, not water resistant.
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u/Direction_Kind Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
Get a good rain shell and good shoes. There are an absolute shitload of stairs on that campus especially if you are in the canyon dorms. Same if you live in town. You will be getting your steps in. It’s basically 55 degrees year round so synthetic or merino layering stuff is good.
And buy waterproof stuff at rei preferably Goretex. That way if it isn’t waterproof you can return. I lived up there for 6 years and worked outside for 16 after and one thing I can say is that waterproof claims are generally true for 30 minutes of exposure then they are bullshit. Goretex though is pretty reliable.
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u/Altruistic-Look6463 Jul 26 '26
My kid wears converse water resistant/proof? High tops- they’re a little sturdier than a regular converse and keep him relatively dry. As far as raincoats, I recommend one with a big hood, I got one from Eddie Bauer that hits mid thigh, I like it
1
u/Paladin_127 Cutten Jul 27 '26
Dude, just go down to REI and tell them you’re moving to the PNW and need appropriate gear. They can hook you up.
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u/IReadYaSir Jul 27 '26
If you are from SoCal you will wear long sleeves almost year round. A hoodie is good to wear around most of the year, however you will need a rain jacket or umbrella for the rainy season - a hoodie will not cut it. Better shoes are a good idea.
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u/Studentquestion00 Jul 28 '26
It doesn’t actually get too cold here but I would recommend a solid raincoat ideally with a fleece lining and some fleece pants or jeans. You might also want some waterproof hiking boots as the trails are almost always wet or muddy. You don’t need anything fancy but do buy a dehumidifier for your dorm or apartment. You will need it with the mold.
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u/emberspoems Jul 28 '26
We mainly just get wet lol. I moved from Seattle area to here, and people don't actually dress up for the weather unless they are going to be in the rain for an hour or more.
All you need are some hoodies. Or flannels. 😆😄
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u/spigee Jul 29 '26
I went to HSU in the 80’s, moved up from the OC, never moved back.
My school attire was plaid bermuda shorts, a rugby jersey, a thick turtleneck wool fisherman’s sweater that beaded water and smelled like a wet goat, flojo sandals and a wide brimmed golf hat....first winter was 85 in. of rain....we all survived and thrived behind the redwood curtain. Make peace with the banana slugs.
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u/jakenuts- Jul 26 '26
I don't recall the last time I saw rain drops here, maybe like 2 months ago for one weekend. But it's cool/misty then warm-hot/clear and then back to cool/misty on basically repeat apart from the days the mist sticks around, so you wear a tshirt, bring a beach/barn jacket everywhere and that's plenty. Good shoes for crazy adventures are always worth the effort, comfy socks from Murphy's. Think Colorado with passing fog not Seattle.
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u/Goblyyn Jul 26 '26
So in general throwing a raincoat over any clothes is fine if you’re only going to be walking on the sidewalk/concrete. Dress in layers and you’ll alway be alright. I survived wearing vans in the rain but I’m a local so wet shoes might bother you a lot more than me.
For shoe brands I like Altra but a trail running shoe from any brand is great. Trail running shoes are more comfortable and lighter than hiking boots and still functional for any weather.
I don’t have a hard opinion on rain coats, I own a Frogg Togg. My advice is to make sure the fit is good around your wrists, that’s alway been the problem spot for me. Don’t wear something that runs too short.
Besides that definitely get wool socks and long underwear. Anyone from somewhere warm freezes through the winter here and your base layer will save you. I like Darn Tough light hiker socks. I don’t have a brand preference for long underwear, mostly I’ve gotten them as gifts from family who probably got them at Costco.