***Jacket Warmth*** By itself, this jacket will not be warm enough to be a standalone solution in the coldest months of Minnesota winter. We have jackets like that (where I could wear a t-shirt underneath and not feel a thing), but this won't be one of those. This will definitely require a bit of layering to achieve the same level of warmth, but that's fine, because while I picked this up with the expectation it would be a looser fit (I'm a 2XL Tall) this 3XL jacket would be big even if I was 3XL. There is a LOT of room in this jacket for layering underneath, so even if you do live somewhere that gets very harsh and very cold winters this thing could do the trick as long as you pair it with a long-sleeved thermal shirt and a hoodie. Minnesota winter has so many stages, and this jacket will excel in the a few of the earlier stages like October through mid-December, but it probably won't be the go-to choice in January and February. ***Jacket Style*** In terms of style, I won't lie: over the head is NOT my preferred style, especially as a big human with VERY broad shoulders and a barrel-chest. Jackets like this are always a little bit of a pain to take off and put on in that area, even if there's a LOT of extra space in the sleeves and around the belly. I just have a bad form factor for clothing like that. It's the same reason I'll buy zip-up hoodies versus pullover hoodies. There's just a bit of weird tightness in the way these things are designed. It still fits, it just takes a little finagling and I just have to take a little care in how I slip my arms in and out of the sleeves. If you're a bit more even-proportioned or a typical 3XL or 2XL build it won't be as much of an issue. But if you know you have a broader chest (just keep in mind this is an over-the-head jacket). Also, don't underestimate how bright the "Bright Blue" color is. I usually aim for darker colors in my jackets, but this bright blue is VERY vibrant and very visible. You will stand out a little bit. The hood is nice and deep, which is exactly how I like them. I hate when hoodie and jacket makers try to save on material and attach a hood that feels like your face is sticking halfway out. I want my head to feel like it can retreat into the back recesses of a cavernous hood and this jacket delivers on that front. Honestly, if it didn't, I might have thrown it in the pile to donate it. Shallow hoods are the bane of my clothing existence. I've returned hoodies and jackets for exactly that reason. I'm all about that deep cloak-ish style hood. Probably because I'm very bald and those always are much warmer. The one downside of this jacket's loose fit is that if you're in a place with very windy winters, the looser lower half will leave you feeling a bit exposed to that wind. Compared to a zip up jacket that's a bit tighter around the mid-section and hips this thing kind of flairs out and will catch wind a bit more and send it up the coat. If you're properly layered, it won't be as noticeable. ***Jacket Pockets*** I really like the choice of pocket locations on this thing, but part of this comes from having ordered an extra size up. As a 2XL Tall wearing the 3XL the front "kangaroo pouch"-style pocket is kind of great. It lets my put my gloves and hat in there without sacrificing the side pockets for the hands or worry that by using those side pockets for BOTH storage and use that I'll lose a glove as my hands go in and out. With the front "pouch" the gloves/phone/hat can be in there while my hands are in the side pockets if I wear this on one of those pre-"dead of winter" days where it's still above zero but still a chilly day. ***Overall Value*** If you're in a southern state or closer to the mid-range of states in this country, this jacket will likely be more than enough for the kinds of winters you get. If you're in that Central to Northern Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New England, Upstate New York, and above range, you know, the folks who get to experience true north US winters, this can still work, but you will need to layer up in the coldest months.
