Posts Tagged jackets
REI Revelcloud Jacket
Those huge down jackets seem so limiting. Perfect for cold weather (even though they may make you look like the Michelin Man), they’re not optimal once winter is over—or for a variety of outdoors activities. The REI Revelcloud Jacket is a lighter weight alternative that you can take hiking, biking, camping, or even wandering through a new city on your travels.
The shell is 70 percent recycled polyester (called Quantum and made by Pertex). The insulation is made with equal parts recycled and non-recycled polyester (made by PrimaLoft). It’s water repellent, blocks wind up to 50 mph and is lightweight.
Raglan sleeves allow for a better range of motion in your activities, and are much easier under backpack straps. The front zipper has a draft flap, and a chin guard keeps the zipper from rubbing on you uncomfortably. The draw cord at the hem and the stretch binding at the cuffs and collar all help to seal in warmth.
The REI Revelcloud Jacket has two zippered hand-warmer pockets that are deep enough to shove your gloves in as well. There’s also a smaller, zippered chest pocket with a media port, so you can plug and play wherever you go. If you’ve got a chunky phone/media player protector, however, you may need to take it off first.
A stuff sack is included with the jacket. I have to admit, even though the Revelcloud Jacket isn’t as bulky as a puffy down jacket, I doubted it would fit neatly into the stuff sack. At the very least, I’d have to figure out some very specific folding/rolling technique in order to get it to work. Not at all. I just pushed the jacket into the sack, without any origami folding required. It compresses down to the size of a super-size burrito. I’d be less likely to lose it if it came attached to the jacket, though.
The REI Revelcloud Jacket lists for $149 on the REI website. Guys shouldn’t feel left out, however, because there’s a men’s version as well for the same price.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on December 16th, 2011
Columbia Triple Trail Shell for Women
We’ve covered Columbia Sportswear a bunch here at Practical Travel Gear. From rashguards to base layers to bug repellent pants, Columbia’s outdoor and adventure gear is durable and technologically on the cutting edge. My most recent Columbia acquisition: the Triple Trail Shell for women.
This is one sturdy coat that keeps me warm (especially when wearing a base layer and light fleece underneath) because it’s lined with Columbia’s proprietary Omni-Heat thermal fabric. Little silver dots helps reflect your body heat back at you (keeping you 20 percent warmer than a standard liner, according to the Omni-Heat website) while moisture vapor escapes in the spaces between the dots for breathability, keep you dry.
Other bells and whistles include cool Invizzip zippers (which enhance the sleek look of the jacket), Velcro strip at the wrists to tighten or loosen as needed, inside pouches to stash a phone and exterior pockets for gloves, armpit zipper vents and drawcord adjustable hem. The jacket is lightweight — not as heavy as the shell that comes with the women’s 2-piece Frosty Forest Parka. And I absolutely love the Leapfrog color hue: it’s a geometric pattern of royal blue, scarlet and lime green. Fun, upbeat, colorful… great shades to brighten up a cloudy winter day.
I’ve worn the shell on hikes and errands around town on drizzly days this fall. I think it’ll be great for spring skiing, too. It lands just below my hip so between the generous sleeves, the storm hood and the length, I feel plenty protected from the elements.
The only problem I’ve found with Columbia jackets is that I am between sizes. I have the parka and this shell in size large, and they are just a bit too large — the sleeves are long and the torso roomy. Unfortunately the size mediums that I’ve sampled are too tight in the chest. I wish I was a perfect fit for the Columbia jackets because I am so impressed with the quality and technology of the pieces.
Purchase for $300 on the Columbia website or online retailers like Backcountry.com and Altrec.
Columbia also makes a Triple Trail for Men at the same price.
Posted by Kara in General Gear, Travel Light on December 13th, 2011
Nau Merino Wool M3 Hoody
Do you keep giving wool garments another try each winter, only to yank the itchy clothing items off and forget about them for another year? Don’t give up on wool just yet—try the Nau M3 Hoody.
Made of 100 percent Zque-certified merino wool, the sleek hoody is far from those itchy specimens in your closet. To top it off, the sustainable merino wool sourcer and animal welfare accreditation program is a responsible alternative that, paired with the recycled polyester trim, gives you a reason to walk a little taller down the street when you’re wearing the M3 Hoody.
The merino wool body has a brushed back, which gives the inside of the jacket a fleecy, soft feeling. I’ve been wearing it for days for pretty much every occasion: at work in my home office, at work on the beach at my kayak shop, out to dinner at the local brewing company, hiking on the California Coastal Trail near my home and running errands.
Considering how much I’ve been wearing it, you’d think by now it might have a slight whiff of, well, me. But the merino wool is naturally odor-resistant, so there’s no funk.
The front zip has a wind flap behind it, so the wind doesn’t blow right through the zipper, and when zipped up all the way, provides enough coverage for my neck as well. Both zip hand pockets are deep enough to shove your hands in, or carry around your favorite cell phone (times two!).
The fully shaped hood includes an adjustable cord (which cinches the entire hood from one side) and is roomy enough that it doesn’t slide back on your head when you’re active. The seams lie flat, making what could be a bulky jacket slim enough to fit in on city streets as well as more remote and outdoorsy destinations.
The one thing I’d put on my wish list for the hoody is a sneaky inside pocket, so I could stash my cell and my cash, and still have the two zip hand pockets for my hands. Aside from missing that, this is my new favorite mid-weight jacket.
The Nau M3 Hoody lists for $225 on the Nau website, which is pretty much the same price as you’ll see on outdoor clothing sites, like Backcountry.com. Just think again about the itchy wool that you never wear, and it just may be a bargain.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, General Gear on November 18th, 2011
Women’s Hoodies from Triple Aught Design
I’ve had these two fleece and wool hoodies from Triple Aught Design on the floor in my office all summer, just waiting for an opportunity for temperatures to fall when I could really put them too the test. That happened last week on a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park, when the thermometer plummeted to at least 38 degrees Fahrenheit each morning. Boy, was I glad I packed these form fitting, stylish and warm pieces of travel gear.
Women’s Valkyrie Hoodie LT
This fleece jacket is no cheap piece of clothing — both figuratively and literally. Retailing at $215, the hoodie is going to set you back a large chunk of change, but if you’re looking to purchase just one quality layer for fall and winter travel, I’d consider this one.
The garment — made from Polartec Wind Pro fleece (100% polyester) — is thick, but sleek. The silhouette is decidedly feminine, but this is no girly top. It’s designed with sporty endeavors in mind — with a bunch of deep pockets (one in the back is even labeled a “double-entry hunter’s pocket,” not that you’ll ever catch me wearing this fleece to hunt in), single underarm panels with pit vents (open, button-hole like slits), thumb-holes in the long sleeves, drop hem and bottom adjustable draw cord.
Now, this is definitely a dense fleece, but it’s not bulky. As I mentioned, it’s form-fitting, and definitely fits me snugly around my (middle-aged) waist. Because the Valkyrie is made with Wind Pro fleece, I’m told it’s great in unusually windy conditions, plus the fabric is treated to repel light rain. I foresee wearing this jacket under a shell for outdoor winter pursuits, or on its own this autumn. This particular Triple Aught Design item is made in the USA — California, to be specific — and is machine washable. Currently, this jacket comes in the color black.
Triple Aught Artemis Hoodie
I think of the Artemis as a stylish, sweater jacket — less sporty than the Valkyrie, and one I’ll happily wear with jeans and clogs (or skirts and boots) out to dinner or out and about sightseeing this fall. That said, the 100% merino wool is a soft but functional fabric, as it’s insulating and breathable, so it could certainly be worn on the hiking trail on a cool day.
Unlike the Valkyrie with its multiple pockets (heck, it could nearly double as a carry-on, with the amount of gadgets you could store in it), the Artemis has two hand patch pockets, with no zipper closures. I do like the thumb hole cuffs that keep hands extra warm, as well as the drop back hem.
The Artemis has a more moderate (than the Valkyrie) retail price of $169, and it currently comes in black and a pretty charcoal grey. Look for it in a new color for Triple Aught Design, “loden heather green.” This wool garment is, happily, machine washable. It runs a bit smaller than the Valkyrie – I have the Artemis in a size large and the Valkyrie in a size medium; both fit me about the same way.
More hoodies on Practical Travel Gear:
Posted by Kara in Adventure Gear on August 23rd, 2011
Ibex Shak Lite Merino Wool Jacket
Ibex Shak Lite Merino Wool Jacket
Before you scoff at wearing a wool jacket in warmer months, consider the versatility of the Shak Lite lightweight jacket from Ibex during early morning strolls, evening jogs, or even on an airplane. This trendy, full-zip jacket is soft and durable making it easy to roll up and pack or wrap around your waist. It is a great “in-between” jacket for those too-warm-for-heavy-coats spring and fall days and those nippy summer days.
Immediately noticeable are the stylish color variations contrasting the main color down the inner sleeve and under the arms giving it a dash of elegance even as a casual jacket.
The jacket is made in the USA, but produced with high-quality New Zealand merino wool. The material is both breathable and insulating, which is important for outdoorsmen, but also convenient for a variety of uses when on the road. Unlike other wool jackets, which tend to easily overheat the body at times, the Shak Light uses lighter synthetics to make this jacket ideal for warmer weather while still being an excellent under layer on colder days.
The soft knit is stretchable adding to the comfort while still conforming to the body in a snug slim fit. Clever thumb holes at the end of each sleeve allow you to loop your thumbs through the opening to pull the sleeves down further keeping your hands warm. Large side pockets are great for storing small items without being baggy or protruding from the jacket when empty. The whole look of the jacket seems streamlined.
Ibex uses sustainable practices in the production of these jackets while also putting an emphasis on supporting the community. The company has also helped to collect jackets and donate others to earthquake victims in Japan following the recent disaster there.
This jacket tucks perfectly into my carry-on bag and is the perfect combination to casual business attire. It does not wrinkle and takes up very little space. The compliments flow when walking through the airport terminal because of the unique color combination. This is the perfect year-round jacket. Ibex makes half-zip, hoodie, and pullover versions of the same Shak Lite jacket, all available at www.Ibexwear.com.
Posted by Ramsey in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on June 6th, 2011
