Nobody wants to travel with three jackets, but when I visited Alaska’s interior in mid-December, I knew I needed a variety of options: a solid shell, a puffy, and a combination of both. Instead of bringing three jackets, I packed the 686 women’s Smarty 3-in-1 Spellbound Jacket.
The jacket consists of a shell and detachable layer for integrated insulation on the coldest of days. Wear the shell only on moderate days, and the detachable layer only for more casual occasions.
The shell is made with 2-layer infiDRY waterproof and breathable fabric, and the PFAS-free durable water-repellent coating is the outermost finish applied. It also helps repel stains and oils that can damage your garment’s surface. All infiDRY fabric can sustain multiple washings with a specially formulated outerwear detergent like Nikwax Tech Wash.
The interior liner has a quilted, puffy infiLOFT fabric that covers your core with lightweight insulation made of circular-like filament groupings that individually retain heat, yet provide air movement between each group. The result is moisture resistance with a loft-like feel for superior warmth. The sleeves of the liner are fuzzy and warm.
Strategically placed panels of comfort fleece line the collar for added warmth and comfort, adjustable wrist cuffs help you dial in fit on the fly, a Glove Link Inner Thumb Grip created a glove-to-jacket connection to keep snow out, and a secure 5-point connection between your powder skirt and pants also keep that cold powder out of your clothes.
The hood is helmet compatible, and you’ve got a variety of pockets—for phones, goggles, passes, and hands—to stash all your gear.
The Smarty 3-in-1 Spellbound Jacket lists for $299.95 on the 686 site and comes in black texture, limestone heather, sassafras geo jacquard, and stellar blue dobby.