I would settle down on purchases till you get here and have a feel for it. I don’t live up in Erie which does have some lake effect snow, but I don’t wear snow boots every day, only when there is an active storm. A pair of hiking type boots or something like that is probably more normal for day to day winter wear.

LL bean boots are good. I also like sorel boots. Welcome to northwestern Pa!

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So you definitely want a warm jacket, gloves, boots (preferably ones that are at least water resistant), thermal underwear is a good idea, warm hat that covers your ears, and just generally anything that is good at retaining warmth.

Also some other items I'd recommend if you can financially afford it is winter tires on a cheap set of rims, at least a 2 stage snowblower because lake effect snow isn't a joke. Beyond that you should be set.

And finally since you're going to be new here I highly recommend hitting up Presque Isle when the weather is nice. It's a beautiful state park with some pretty nice beaches considering it's the great lakes.

Baffins are nice! Anything waterproof and insulated with good tread would work. Sorel, Columbia, and Merrell are some recommendations from my personal experience. They'll get you through several winters but won't show a lot of wear.

I also recommend getting a pair of Muck boots if you'll be working outdoors in mud or snow. You can just rinse them off, and they'll last forever.

Get a really good pair of warm, water-resistant boots. Not uggs. Those ain't boots.

Bean boots are useless on snow, ice or in slush.

Columbia, Patagonia or Bean jackets with a removable liner is an excellent purchase.

In Erie yeah it’s super cold, probably the coldest part of PA

Man is that going to be a temperature shift. Get a nice winter jacket and some solid boots and strap in.

I’m in Erie and the wind is blowing like a MFer. Good warm jacket is a must … we don’t have any snow currently but that can change in a moments notice and then boots and good gloves are a necessity. Layers are your best friend given the temperament of the area.

I totally forgot about tires, what would be some of the best I can get for my suv?

I currently have Bridgestone Blizzaks on my Si and they're fantastic. Well worth the money imo.

The DCNR used to do winter evening hikes at Presque Isle every week starting in January. Idk if they still do, but Presque Isle is beautiful in the winter. People go ice fishing and cross country skiing, and the trails are beautiful in the snow. Definitely worth checking out in winter!

Lands End winter jacket with hood, good water resistant and insulated boots, consider thermal undies until you get acclimated.

Depending on the length of your driveway, grab a decent wide-mouth snowblower, or in the short term, make sure you've got the number of someone who'll come plow out your drive. Figure out the heating method of your house & budget for that (I had to spend like 1k on fuel oil this year). Find out from your neighbors if the power goes out often on your street & maybe pick up a gas generator. And grab an ice scraper to keep in your car. Welcome to PA!

Thanks will look into those. As for the snow blower, how big are those things? As a potential renter idk if I’ll even have the space to store it. It’s good to know about though.

Mmmm depends on what size you get, but generally speaking they're mostly about the length and width of a lawnmower but have a much bigger height because of the auger and shute.

I would agree. And you haven’t mentioned time spent outdoors, if your job needs boots, etc.
or is this just a snow shoveling concern.

worst case you get some Walmart snow boots For $30 when you arrive and decide what you will actually want need moving forward.

+1 for Blizzaks. They make my subie unstoppable. Actually I guess stoppable is better but you get the point.

Carhartt coats and Yaktrax for your shoes come in handy for winter walks or shoveling.

Are you renting a house or an apartment complex? If an apartment you might not need to worry about snow blower

Lived in the northeast all my life. I wear sneakers. Unless shoveling snow, then "duck boots", my snowboarding boots, or a regular pair of hiking shoes.

Make sure the window washer fluid in your car is rated for -20 or -30 °F. Decent ice scraper for your car is also a must have.

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I am moving to PA from California soon! I found a super cute pair of snow boots on designer shoe warehouse

Sorels are my latest obsession!! So warm, so comfortable, and so so cute.

nokian hakkapeliitta the Finns know winter driving

Ugg actually makes a pair of really good water resistant boots for snow etc that are extremely warm and useful. I highly recommend those despite their price tag. They were the best of any winter boots I’ve ever used.

But not the ones you’re thinking of. That style is not for snow, no.

This is hilarious. such a prennsylvania response. snowblowers? OP, get a shovel. Grow a pair. Snow tires yes, trust me though, snowtires won't adjust for bad driving. Drive slow, dont make sharp turns and accelerate at the exit of a turn if the roads have snow. Asking this question on reddit is hilarious. Love it. Good luck Texan.

Usually hiking boots will suffice, but maybe 3-4 weeks over the winter you'll be glad for decent winter boots. Get decent Pac type boots and they'll last for years. Note they can be a pain to drive in.

Carhartt jacket and Carolina boots. Welcome to PA.

Hi neighbor! Fellow Blair-ian :)

*waves furiously out window

Strongly recommend a 2nd set of wheels for the winter tires, makes switching over between seasons sooo much easier. OEM wheels (unless you are already running after market wheels) is the way to go so you don't have to worry about fitment or issues with lug nut compatibility.

would be funny if we know each other irl

The official Pennsylvania uniform is a carhartt hoodie and enormous basketball shorts. 12 months a year. All you need.

Stock up on toilet paper, frozen pizza, chocolate and beer (whatever are your necessities) in case you can’t get out for a few days.

Well it's supposed to be 6°f tonight, does that help with an idea of what you'll need? 😆 Summers are around 90's - 100°f+

Timberland boots or Columbia with the special lining.

Unless you think you're going to be walking/hiking a lot outside, or if you do construction, any regular water proof boots will be fine. I have a pair of Ariat work boots that I wear pretty much year round for work, and they work fine for the cold. I just wear slightly thicker socks during the winter. I mostly work inside, and limit my outside time to an hour here and there and go inside to warm up. I've had good luck with Walmart's "Ozark Trail" boots in the past for the times that I'd be outside for extended periods of time, but even then, I think my feet just sweat more than they stay warm. Luckily for me, they come in wide width sizes, if you end up needing them.

Usually I dress in layers, with a hoodie and a work coat, I grabbed a Walmart branded coat on sale a year or two ago, and that with a hoodie is my go to winter coat setup. When I get warm, I take the coat off and I'm fine. Gloves are super important to me. I lost a lot of weight recently and my hands don't stay warm like they used to. I have a pair of Milwaukee cold weather work gloves. They work rather well.

Snow tires are great, I have some General Altimax Arctic tires for my Dodge Neons that I keep on a spare set of wheels and they work great. I saw you have an SUV, if you don't do a ton of driving, I'd even look into some Mud/Snow rated tires and you'd be fine all year. Snow blowers are pretty great, but not necessary if you're pretty younger and somewhat in shape (or have kids that are helpful). Get an electric one and a long extension cord, having to take care of a winter version of a lawnmower that you might use a handful of times over 3 months is super annoying.

Keep an ice scraper and a broom in your car. The broom is for fresh loose snow, the scraper is for ice on your windshield.

Fetterman

Yokohama geolanders AT, and a Subaru got me everywhere I needed to go in Pa snow.

A jump pack, blanket, flashlight, and snow/ice brush are all car necessities here.

I moved here from DFW last fall. The upgrades I found myself getting were a better winter coat, thermal underwear, gloves where I could use my phone. I had something like that but I got a better pair. I still need to get flannel jeans but other than that I feel like I've been okay. Also don't just get a warm coat, get a warm coat that extends past your waist. You do want wind coming up your coat. I actually had a coat that could handle the cold but not the wind. All my cold weather gear is from REI.

I have a pair of water proof work boots from tecovas and those have handled the snow and water just fine. If you need boots I'd go LL Bean. I'd have gotten a pair by now if I didn't have my cowboy boots.

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Chains for your boots. It’s come in handy more than once for me. Especially if your boots don’t have the best traction

Cute boots are rarely warm enough, warm boots are rarely cute.

That’s a shitty comment to say they are obviously bulky snow boots and have tons of reviews on how warm they are from people in Canada Wisconsin Minnesota etc. I think they are cute and they are incredibly warm and waterproof . So take ur negative comment somewhere else

Boots = Bogs

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I actually have Uggs. Not the fashion kind that look like ugly colored pillows but the real Uggs for Alaskan snow. I bought them probably 7 years ago and they look brand new.

I also have Doc Martin's winter lined boots that i love. Also have held up wonderfully. As well As Sorels.

Personally, LL Bean isn't a brand I have enjoyed. I don't care for them when its wet.

Indoors during winter I do like a boot w warm socks but tend to go with leather that isn't lined too heavily. I do not care for my feet being overly warm.

I also have a great pair of rainboots. I got them w a nice wide calf so i can use them w thick socks and over thick pants if needed.

Personally, i prefer a thick cotton sock over wool. Wool can be itchy when your feet sweat.

This! Yes. You want a coat that goes as long as possible. That is true.
However I dont care for LL Beans boots. I dont think they have great traction for rainy, ice days