Best time to buy winter coats and boots for less

Verdict: Wait until winter clearance if you can. January and February tend to be the lowest, but sizes are limited.

When is the best time to buy winter coats and boots? In most years, deep clearance comes in January and February. That is when stores clear winter stock to make room for spring. Fall has the best choice and the fewest cuts. The November sale season is the middle: some good prices, with sizes still in stock.

The reason is simple. Stores buy coats before winter and want them gone by spring. The longer they wait, the lower the price.

What is the rule?

Match the window to your risk. If your size is common and the coat is basic, wait for clearance. If your size is rare or the style is popular, buy in November when selection is still wide. See buy now, wait or skip: November and December verdicts.

Check the fit and the warmth rating. A coat that is not warm enough is a waste at any price. Try it with the layers you will wear underneath.

What is the exception?

Buy now if the cold has arrived and you do not have a coat. A needed coat is not a good place to save. Also buy now for kids who have outgrown last year's coat. Sizes change, and the cold does not wait.

For a calendar of other items, read the best time to buy 10 common things. Check the return window, since fit can change with layers.

What should you look for in a coat?

Check the fill, the hood, the zippers and the length. Boots should have grip on the sole and a good seal against water. Try them with winter socks. Kids' coats should have room to grow but not so much that the sleeves hang over their hands. A coat that fits well is worth more than one that is cheap.