Should I buy winter clothing here or in Shanghai?

[Izzmatin]

Will be going for a holiday trip with the family (3 adults 2 kids) this coming Dec to Shanghai, never been to a winter country before so would like to get some advise on the temperature and the clothing...

 

1) What type of clothing should I wear there during Dec temp is around lowest is 2C highest is 11C....

 

2) Should I buy the winter clothing eg jackets, thermal there or here?

 

3) If I buy it there, where to get cheap ones? (BTW Im a malay, cant speak Mandarin)

 

4) Should I get any kind of injection before going there?

 

Can the experts guide me on this?

[SW9000]

My 2 cents.

 

For that temp, it is usual to wear:

 

3 pieces Upper Body. * Can mix and match depending on coolness.

Inner Shirt - long sleeve preferred. Could be like those 'Heat Tech' thingy from UniQlo.

Top - Fleece Long Sleeve shirt or Jacket.

Outer - An Ultra Light Down Jacket. * Some Down Jacket got double sided. Can flip to wear on alternate days.

* The Top and Outer can be the same everyday if the trip is about a week. Just need to change the inner.

 

2 piece Bottom (not including the briefs).

Outer - Warm Lined pants *inside got 1 layer of fleece.

Inner - Tights or Long John.

 

Others.

Thick Socks. *Wear 1 pair of thick socks and not 2 pairs of thin socks.

Wind or Waterproof shoes - aka Trekking Shoes or similar. *Went there with my track shoes once... and regretted.

Good Gloves.

Neck warmers or scarf that can cover the nose and ears from the cold. *When the wind blows, the ears goes 2nd. First leh? The fingers....

Moisturizers for dry skin and Lip Balm for dry lips.... a MUST! *Bring a water bottle for the kids or buy mineral water there. Drink lots of water.

 

Where to buy?

In Singapore of course. UniQlo, Winter Times, etc.

While it may be cheaper overseas, you may not have the time to shop there before you get frozen.

Alternatively, ask around your relatives who may not be using theirs during the same period. Save $$ since you don't go there so often.

 

Injections... never had any on all the trips.

[GuiNNeSS]

Sorry, saw this too late.

 

But here's my 2 cents.

 

1) Yes. you should have the family at least does some vaccination 1 to 2 weeks before your trip. Its not fun travelling with sick kids or if any or both adults got sick.

 

2) Thermal clothing is a hassle to buy, to put on, take off or even do laundry. If you arent planning for yearly trips to cold places, then no. dont buy too much. Especially for the kids since they outgrow them easily. Buy one set each if you plan for skiing, but buy them a size bigger, they will shrink in the wash/dryer eventually.

 

3) Bring bigger size then what you tried on at the stores jackets. Even your jeans and hiking shoes. Depending on the weather, you can easily layer with long sleeve cotton tops or your so called heat tech pants and buy thick skiing socks at your country of visit.

 

4) I prefer to bring Crocs Clogs, at least 1/2 size bigger then what you are used as they are extremely wearable with socks, up and down planes, at Suana, in what looks to be full of germs and dirty shower rooms and even at home, after get off from bed and against the cold hard kitchen floor at your service apartment.

 

5) For wiffey and kids. Their bigger sized jeans and leggings will be good enough. Unless you are going skiing, which those ski full jackets are rent-able. Remember...make sure their shoes are 1/2 or 1 size bigger. Else you will be having tantrums which is like not so fun.