More and more great responses and thoughts on the matter. Thank you.
I think my bf and I (him more than me, I must admit) are in the camp of "rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it"

Oh and thank you so much for the info on the Cabela's sale...we're going to go to our local Cabela's and see if they have the same sale in stores, or at least try the jackets on to see what size we need. Great deals there. I wouldn't have even thought to look there!

And yes acclimation...I lived in Louisiana for the past 20 years, and Texas for the last (almost) year...so I imagine I'll be feeling miserable for the first couple of days, as well as colder than usual.