Those who think that there are only two kinds of jackets—functional or pretty—are wrong. A few brands have shown that it’s possible to have both in one package, and the latest examples from Sherpa Adventure Gear have given me two of my current favorite jackets.
The Preeti Jacket is a lightweight hoodie—considered a spring or summer layer—but don’t relegate it to the seasonal closet just yet. I use mine as my go-to airplane jacket, where I don’t need something super heavy, but a good lightweight layer to cover my arms and keep me warm. Also, just because there might be cold temps where you live, there’s always the possibility of traveling to warmer climates.
The fabric incorporates Polygiene technology, which utilizes natural silver salt to keep odor-causing microorganisms at bay. That means you can wear the jacket more than once before worrying about it being too funky. The fabric is also moisture-wicking and has a UPF rating of 50+. My favorite thing, aside from the great pattern, is the invisible, zippered security pocket inside one of the hand pockets.
The Sonam Hooded Jacket is a thermal full-zip jacket that’s considered lightweight as thermal jackets go, but it’s a bit heavier than the Preeti, so you can switch between them depending on the weather. Its fabric is 200-weight Polartec Thermal Pro with Repreve—53 percent of which is recycled polyester. The two-sided fleece is brushed on both sides for a cozy, warm feeling.
The hood is adjustable with a drawcord, and there’s also a separate standing collar for added warmth. The two hand pockets have zippers, so you don’t have to worry about things falling out. And the seams are placed away from shoulder tops and hips to avoid chafing if you’re wearing a pack.
55 percent of Sherpa Adventure Gear products are made in Nepal, and the company helps strengthen the fabric of families, villages, and the country by giving scholarships and meaningful employment to people in Nepal. Since 2008, the company has been able to create jobs for more than 900 people in the country.
The Preeti Jacket comes in Blue Tara (a blue-dominated pattern) and Monsoon Multi (a red-dominated pattern) and lists for $49.98 from its original $99.95 price on the Sherpa site.
The Sonam Hooded Jacket comes in Kharani (gray), Rathee (dark blue), Rathna Green (green), and Anaar (red), and lists for $119.95 on the Sherpa site.