What makes a fall jacket!

October 06, 2016

The mornings now have a bit of a chill to them, but it’s not quite cold enough to pull out the parka - time to talk about what makes a great Fall jacket!

Warmth- Once the temperatures start to drop, it’s nice to have a jacket that will keep you cozy without overheating. There’s many ways to achieve this such as using lightweight down and synthetic fills, or fleece which has made a comeback with stylish and super soft finishes. Many of these jackets will also do double duty as a liner under a winter jacket for the extreme cold. Examples - Men’s DropLine Jacket by Marmot/Women’s Savina by Kuhl

Water Resistance - After our unusually dry summer, it’s nice to have a jacket that will keep you dry during surprise rain storms while running errands, or out for a quick walk with the dog. These styles will breathe better than a fully waterproof jacket since there’s no coating or membrane. Examples-Men’s Skogso Jacket by Fjallraven/Women’s Rekon Jacket by Kuhl.

Waterproof- Don’t let the rain stop you! For longer excursions outside like hiking during wet weather, your jacket needs to be waterproof while also being breathable for maximum comfort. Look for materials like Goretex Paclite which will offer top performance for years to come. Examples - Beta SL Jacket by Arc’teryx or Minimalist Jacket by Marmot.

Packability- Traveling this season? Need a jacket that’s light weight and packable? Maybe it’s just to go in your golf bag in case of a surprise storm. Many waterproof/breathable jackets now have pockets that also double as a packable pouch. When checking out jackets, look for pocket zippers that have a pull on the inside – a telltale sign it’s meant to be stuffed into its own pocket. Others come with their own handy stuff sack like the Qikpac Jacket by Trespass.

Now get out there and enjoy one of the best times of year to be outside!

Photo: Fjallraven