We are in the final phase of getting rid of clothes that we do not need or want to squeeze into the motorhome.  We will live in our coach full-time 24/7/365 and we plan to follow the sun and warmer temperatures from November through early May.

However, we will return to the Chicago area for Christmas (snow, ice and cold -- yuck) yet I don't want to schlep along a winter jacket or two.  So what do those of you who return to a winter climate do about warmer jackets?

Is layers the answer?

Never been to Chicago in the winter, but we love the idea of skiing and a small dose of cold, wintry weather. We've kept a storage unit (for lots of furnishings for a later home), but would have kept one for 'out of season' clothes and recreational items (fishing poles, beach umbrellas, inflatable raft, tent camping stuff, etc.). This is at our home base where we plan to return every 3-6 months. Another thought is the vacuum storage bags for bulkier items like jackets, sweaters, etc. Best wishes on your plans! Linda

We keep one box of heavy clothes in the bed of the truck, you never now when you might need something substantial. You don't have to go to Chicago in the winter to get caught in some bad weather. We were in -7 in Gallup New Mexico. What a surprise. Fred

Linda and I have both kept one medium weight jacket to use when it gets cold. If we get where it's really cold, we'll start layering with sweatshirts or sweaters under them. Also, don't forget to keep a pair of warm gloves too. We just leave them in the jacket pockets.

Jim

We do not return to the cold at Christmas, but as Canadians we have to spend 6 months in Canada (IRS and canadian health care requirement). We keep winter clothes for that reason but have had to wear them in Arizona & Texas as well. Don't get rid of your cold weather wear (not all of it) cause you may need it wherever you are.

We use space bags to store our winter coats, etc. Once you pull the air out, they store real easy.

For what it's worth... As a child, and for many years after, I thought that Salvation Army was where you stored your winter clothes. We lived in Puerto Rico; cold was 75 (Mom made me put on a sweater.) But for the Christmas holidays we'd go to Allentown, PA, and later to our lake house in the Pocono Mts. I still remember being pulled around the snowy streets on a sled at night to see the Christmas lights.. Anyway, the first stop from the airport was always the Salvation Army, where we got winter clothes for all of us. When the visit was over, we stopped there and dropped them off. I got the same coat several years running, in fact. As an adult, DH and I are having a blast following spring this year. With the weather pretty unpredictable so far, we carry a few sweatshirts, one or two long-sleeved shirts, and jackets. If it gets cold I can start with a T-shirt and layer a sweatshirt and then a jacket on top and be nice and warm. But I'd keep the Salvation Army in mind if space was tighter or the weather was colder.

Christmas for us in our 9 years of full-timing has always meant a trip to Northern Illinois, Michigan, Ohio or Pennsylvania.  Our really old heavy coats are kept in the "Space Bags" in a storage bay and a Rubbermaid tub has some boots, closed toed shoes and heavy sweaters. We hate "shlepping" them through the airports.  We have been grateful to have them some years and have been fine in layers and a fleece top others.....weather is too unpredictable.

Mary