Discover the Best Winter Gear Deals as Costco Clears Out Inventory
As Costco begins clearing out its inventory to make room for spring, members can find some fantastic deals on quality winter wear. We've compiled a list of the best markdowns we're seeing on everything from insulated jackets and boots to cozy base layers.
Key Winter Apparel Categories on Clearance
As the seasons change, savvy shoppers know that it's the perfect time to find incredible deals on off-season apparel. Costco, known for its bulk bargains and high-quality Kirkland Signature products, is a prime destination for this type of strategic shopping. When the retailer begins making room for spring and summer inventory, its winter wear section sees significant markdowns. Here are the key categories where you can expect to find deep discounts.
1. Heavy-Duty Winter Jackets and Parkas
Perhaps the most significant savings can be found on heavy-duty outerwear. These are often the highest-ticket items in the winter clothing lineup, and getting them on clearance can mean saving a substantial amount. Look for a variety of styles, including insulated puffer jackets filled with down or synthetic materials, long parkas designed for maximum coverage and warmth, and versatile 3-in-1 jackets that feature a removable inner fleece layer. Brands commonly seen at Costco include its own highly-rated Kirkland Signature line, as well as names like Gerry, 32 Degrees, and Weatherproof.
The features you find in these clearance jackets often rival those from premium outdoor brands. Many offer water-resistant or waterproof shells, sealed seams, adjustable hoods, and plenty of pockets. Buying a jacket like this at the end of the season is a classic "buy now, save later" strategy. You get a high-performance piece of gear for a fraction of its original price, ensuring you are fully prepared for the first cold snap of the next winter season without having to pay full retail.
2. Versatile Fleece and Puffer Vests
Vests are a workhorse of any cold-weather wardrobe, perfect for layering on chilly days or as a standalone piece during transitional weather in the fall and spring. Costco's clearance events are an excellent time to grab these versatile items. You'll typically find both lightweight puffer vests and cozy fleece vests from brands like 32 Degrees, which are known for their "packable" down vests that are easy to travel with. These pieces provide core warmth without the bulk of a full jacket, making them ideal for activities like hiking, running errands, or simply staying comfortable in a cool office.
Because of their versatility, vests cleared out at the end of winter can often be worn almost immediately in many climates. The clearance pricing makes them an easy and justifiable purchase. They are fantastic layering pieces that can be worn over a long-sleeve shirt or under a heavier shell jacket, extending the functionality of other items in your closet. Stocking up on a couple of different colors or styles during a clearance sale is a smart way to build a flexible and practical wardrobe.
3. Cozy Base Layers and Thermal Wear
The foundation of any effective winter outfit is a quality base layer. This is another area where Costco's end-of-season sales shine. The retailer frequently offers multi-packs of thermal tops and bottoms, providing exceptional value. Shoppers can often find products made from various materials, including soft synthetic blends designed to wick moisture away from the skin and keep you dry, or even merino wool blends that offer superior warmth, breathability, and odor resistance. Brands like 32 Degrees Heat and Paradox are common sights in this section.
These base layers are essential not just for extreme cold but for any outdoor activity in cool weather, from skiing and snowboarding to simply taking a long winter walk. Because they are sold in sets or multi-packs, the per-item cost during a clearance event becomes incredibly low. This is the perfect opportunity to replace old, worn-out thermals or to stock up for the entire family, ensuring everyone stays warm and comfortable when the temperatures drop again.
4. Durable Winter Boots and Footwear
Footwear is another expensive category where end-of-season clearance can lead to major savings. As Costco clears out its winter stock, you can often find durable, insulated, and waterproof boots at a fraction of their original price. These can range from heavy-duty snow boots designed for deep snow and frigid temperatures to insulated hiking boots that are perfect for cold, wet trails. Look for features like temperature ratings, waterproof membranes, and high-traction outsoles for safety on icy surfaces.
While the brand selection can vary by location and year, names like Khombu, Weatherproof, and sometimes even CAT have been spotted in Costco's footwear section. A good pair of winter boots can last for many years, making a clearance purchase a wise long-term investment. Just be sure to act quickly if you find a pair you like in your size, as footwear inventory, especially in common sizes, tends to disappear fast once it's marked down.
5. Essential Winter Accessories: Gloves, Hats, and Socks
No winter wardrobe is complete without the right accessories, and this is where Costco's bulk-model offers fantastic value. The end-of-season clearance is the ideal time to stock up on multi-packs of gloves, beanies, and, most famously, wool socks. The Kirkland Signature Merino Wool Socks have a cult following for their quality, comfort, and durability, and finding them on sale is a major score for savvy shoppers. You may also find sets of touchscreen-compatible gloves, fleece-lined beanies, and neck gaiters.
These smaller items are easily lost or worn out, so having extras on hand is always a good idea. Buying multi-packs on clearance means you can outfit your entire family for the next winter at a very low cost. It’s a practical way to ensure everyone has warm hands, heads, and feet without breaking the budget when the first frost arrives.
Understanding the "Why" Behind Costco's Seasonal Clearance
The phenomenon of end-of-season clearance sales isn't random; it's a critical part of the retail business cycle. For a massive retailer like Costco, floor space is one of its most valuable assets. Every square foot of the warehouse is meticulously planned to maximize sales and efficiency. As winter wanes, the demand for parkas, snow boots, and thermal underwear plummets. These items are now taking up space that could be used for incoming spring and summer products like patio furniture, gardening supplies, swimwear, and grills, which have a much higher chance of selling quickly.
Costco's entire business model is built on high volume and rapid inventory turnover. Unlike a traditional department store that might hold onto seasonal stock for longer, Costco aims to move products out as quickly as possible. When an item is no longer in season, it becomes a liability. The clearance process is a strategic method to liquidate this remaining inventory, recoup some of the cost, and, most importantly, free up that precious real estate for the next wave of seasonal goods that members are looking for.
This cycle creates a win-win situation. Costco successfully manages its inventory and maintains a fresh, relevant selection of products on its floor, while its members get a golden opportunity. By shopping off-season, consumers can access high-quality goods at their absolute lowest prices. It requires a bit of foresight—buying a winter coat when the weather is warming up—but the financial savings are often well worth the effort of planning ahead.
Maximizing Your Savings on Costco Clearance
Finding great deals on winter wear is one thing, but understanding Costco's unique system can help you ensure you're getting the absolute best price possible. The secret often lies in the price tag itself.
How Do I Know If an Item is on Clearance at Costco?
The most famous clue is what dedicated Costco shoppers call the "death star." If you see an asterisk (*) in the upper-right corner of the price sign, it means that particular item will not be reordered. Once the current stock is gone, it's gone for good, at least for the season or potentially forever. The presence of an asterisk is a clear signal that the item is on its way out and is a prime candidate for markdowns.
Beyond the asterisk, the price itself tells a story. A price ending in .99 is typically the item's regular, full price at Costco. However, if you see a price ending in .97, it means the item has been marked down by a manager at the national or regional level to clear it out. These are official clearance prices. Even better, a price ending in .00 or .88 usually signifies a local, store-level manager markdown. This is often done to get rid of the last few units of a product and can represent the lowest possible price you'll see.
By learning to read these codes, you can quickly scan the aisles and identify not just the clearance items, but how deep the discount is. An item with an asterisk and a .97 price tag is a clear signal to buy if you want it before it's gone.
When is the Best Time to Shop for Winter Clearance?
Timing is everything when it comes to clearance shopping. For winter apparel, the markdowns typically begin in late winter, around February, and can extend into early spring, through March and April. The exact timing can vary significantly based on your geographical location and climate. A Costco in a warmer state might start clearing out winter gear much earlier than one in a colder, snowier region.
There's a strategic trade-off to consider. If you shop early in the clearance cycle, you'll have the best selection of styles, colors, and sizes. This is crucial if you need a specific size that is very common. However, if you wait longer, the remaining items may receive further markdowns. The risk, of course, is that the item you want will be sold out by the time the price drops again. The ultimate sweet spot is to find an item you need, marked with a .97 and an asterisk, with a healthy amount of stock left, giving you a chance to wait for another markdown while minimizing the risk of it selling out.
Conclusion
Costco's end-of-season winter wear clearance represents a significant opportunity for budget-conscious shoppers to acquire high-quality apparel at deeply discounted prices. By keeping an eye out for key categories like heavy jackets, versatile vests, essential base layers, and durable accessories, you can prepare for next year's cold weather for a fraction of the cost.
Understanding the simple clues on Costco's price tags, such as the asterisk and prices ending in .97, transforms a regular shopping trip into a strategic hunt for the best possible deals. Planning ahead and buying off-season is one of the most effective ways to maximize your savings and leverage the strengths of Costco's unique retail model.