When it comes to college: Affordability is everything
College is many things: a place of higher learning, a chance for growth, and a way to forge friendships that will last a lifetime, but being in college can be a trying time too. Many students face financial obstacles, whether it is paying tuition, finding enough time to sleep after a long day of classes, or even finding a place to live. Affordability can be a critical factor when it comes to the success of college students so that they do not have to worry about expenses as often. Winter clothing is a must-have in Utah, especially during winters, when Utah residents are often subjected to snowstorms, icy roads, and the bitter cold. Unfortunately, many of these necessary winter items can be expensive, and can often put students in an uncomfortable place.
However, there are options for students when finding affordable winter gear, such as the Sierra Trading Post. The Sierra Trading Post was founded in 1986 to provide quality merchandise from popular name brands at lower prices. While the Outdoor Adventure Center provides rental equipment and adventure to students at low prices, Sierra offers its customers a variety of everyday winter gear for more affordable prices than the average retailer. At Sierra’s nearby location in American Fork, people can enjoy the comforts of popular brands such as Carhartt, Khul, The North Face and more for a fraction of the price as opposed to buying them from the companies directly. For example, Carhartt’s flannel lined j140 winter coat sells at $120 on their website but is available at Sierra for $70. Students can also find cheaper alternatives at Sierra for winter boots as well, such as Royal Canadian’s “Castlegar” winter boots, normally sold at $300, for only $130 on Sierra’s website.
Walmart also provides cheaper pricing for winter clothing, and boasts a variety of options, also making it a more affordable option for students looking for cheap winter gear. Their options are more generalized and put a focus on regular winter gear as opposed to Sierra, who places additional focus on skiing jackets and other pieces of clothing.
It is important for students to stay warm this winter, and while many places have price tags that can be harrowing, there are many accessible deals nearby and online on essential winter clothing this semester and beyond.
