Lole Elena Jacket
September 5, 2011
I realize that most of the rest of the country is still locked in a heat wave, but here in the north latitudes it’s cooling off fast. I will expect frost within a few weeks and maybe even snow. Most people might be bummed, but I get all excited this time of year because I get to break out my winter clothes again! Winter clothes are fun because they allow me to defy the elements, and one of my favorite pieces to wear around town is this Lole Elena jacket. I have it in bright yellow which is quite eye catching and is most likely responsible for all the comments I get on the jacket, but hey, no one can lose me in a crowd, that’s for sure.
I never get cold, either, with the 550-fill puffy down sealing out the drafts, complete with a big puffy hood to top it all off. I have about a billion puffy jackets but this one has that extra style flair that makes me reach for it when I’m out and about in the cold and want to look stylin’ and different, as Lole isn’t that common of a brand up here in Alaska just yet. The Elena manages to look different, with angled stitched baffles creating a nice, feminine look.
If you are familiar with Lole you know that everything about their stuff is quality. It’s well made, well constructed, and feels great to wear. The company is focused on women so the fit is always good, and geared towards the active woman who actually needs to USE their stuff. For pieces of such quality, the pricing is extremely reasonable and is a good buy. Just be aware that this jacket doesn’t have a waterproofing finish, just a water-repellent one, so you may not want to count on it in wet, sloppy conditions. This is a jacket for cold, dry, cold, cold, and did I say cold days? I’ll be sporting this one in our traditional 20-below cold snap in January, count on that!
Man, everything is on sale now! Backcountry.com has this jacket for nearly half-off, just $109.
Rapha Wind Jacket
July 18, 2011
I realize that Rapha is a road cycling brand so you’re supposed to wear it while looking all lean and focused on a tiny bike with itty bitty tires, pretending you don’t mind being blasted with road debris from semi trucks and beer bottles tossed at you from cars filled with over-ego’ed young men with flat-brimmed caps (seriously, are those hats the most visible mark of a total douchebag or what?) and eating hummingbird food every fifteen minutes. I also realize that a lot of Rapha stuff is designed to keep riders comfortable while road riding in inclement weather, but it’s hard enough to get me on a road bike when it’s beautiful outside so there’s less than zero chance of getting me on one when it’s crappy enough to have to wear jackets and long pants.
Mountain bikes are a different matter, though, so I took the Rapha Wind Jacket out to really put it through it’s paces on a muddy, rainy, classic Kenai Peninsula mountain bike ride. I admit this was a tough decision because the jacket is super swanky and nice. I was loathe to get it all muddy and messed up but I also recognized the ridiculousness of having a nice cycling jacket and not wearing it simply because I was afraid of getting it dirty, so into the pack it went. I was glad I had it, too, because once we hit the top of the pass it started sleeting on us and the breeze that had kindly kept the mosquitoes away strengthened into a gale that had us chilled. We still had some strenuous riding to do, though, so I needed something that would stave off the wind and rain but still be comfortable through exertion and it turned out that the Rapha Wind Jacket is really, really good at that. The water beaded up and rolled off, the wind just could not get through, and I never got too warm on the climb up or too cold on the ride down. I was really impressed by this piece.
The fit was great – sleeves long enough so that the snug cuffs fit over the tops of my gloves, keeping all the wind out. The length was great, too; long enough to cover what needs to be covered without flapping around and staying put under my backpack. I’ve absolutely no complaints over the fit or the performance, that’s for sure. There are a few missteps though. There aren’t really any pockets to speak of save one tiny, useless, totally pointless one on the left hip. Maybe road riders need this pocket for something? I don’t think that more pockets would appeal on this piece, at least not for me, so I don’t know why they bothered with this tiny one. I’ll not use it for anything, particularly when I’ve got a nice, handy backpack to put things in (road riders really should learn about backpacks).
The other feature I’m not crazy about is the offset zipper. Guys tell me this has something to do with a center zipper chafing their whiskers or something, but I’m a chick and I don’t have whiskers so I found the flappy extra collar kind of weird, and the off center zipper hard to operate while riding (especially with that pack chest strap in the way). The fact that the zipper doesn’t line up with other center zippers, say, the ones on my jerseys, makes whatever venting one could get from unzipping the jacket kind of moot. I’d rather the zipper be centered since there’s no advantage to having it offset other than having it look kind of fashiony and cool. If it’s cold enough to keep the zipper up there’s no issue, but if you have to adjust the venting, it’s a bit of a hassle.
Other than those quibbles I’d say this is one of the best technical cycling-specific pieces I’ve tried, and it works great for mountain biking, not just road riding. Its built-in temperature regulation is just the thing for riding in the mountains on misty, rainy days. The hassle of stopping to de- or re-layer can be drastically reduced by the breathable, windstopping fabric and I must admit that the cycling-specific cut is great.
I fully expected the jacket to be a muddy mess after the end of our rainy ride, seeing as how everything else I was wearing was a total disaster of muck. Strangely enough, the mud just slid off the Wind Jacket, leaving it looking perfectly new. I can’t believe it! It looks great, functions great, and I don’t even have to wash it. Amazing. Heidi Swift of GritandGlimmer.com reviewed this jacket (calling it the Stowaway Jacket but I’m pretty sure it’s the same) and had the same observation about it being hard to get dirty.
Now, for the question that everyone asks when I review Rapha: Is it worth the money? Interestingly, I rarely get this question when reviewing other top-tier stuff – I guess people are just used to dropping a lot of cash n mountaineering gear, but not cycling gear? Not sure why that is. Anyway, Rapha is spendy, we all know that. This jacket retails for about $260.00. That doesn’t seem all that ridiculous to me, knowing how much good gear costs, but it’s always – ALWAYS a discussion point for Rapha stuff. So, IS it worth it? Well, the first answer is always that it’s up to you. Everyone has their own comfort zone for buying stuff so if YOU think it’s worth it, then buy it. I can tell you that you’ll get a lot of technical use out of this jacket and you won’t be disappointed in the performance or the fit, and it will last a long, long time. To me, it’s better to spend on things that will last rather than throwaways that you have to replace every few years, but that’s up to you.
Featured Brand: Columbia Peak Power Shell
June 8, 2011
[The Graying Geargal is back! Her last review was so popular that I just had to have her as my tester for one of my Featured Brands. I sent her the Peak Power Shell to test in the drizzle of an Alaskan "spring." ~HG]
I have only worn this jacket for two weeks; however, I must blog immediately because so many women have stopped me to admire the jacket and to ask where they can buy it. Of course, I refer them to the Geargals site because they can read about the latest apparel and obtain honest reviews. [Shameless plug! But I like it. HG]
I have worn this shell on several hikes in temperatures that range from the high 30s on a sunny day to low 60s on a windy day. I confess that I like being warm so I took a light down jacket along on the first hike just in case the day did not warm into the 40s. After all, this was the first time using the shell, and one does not want to be far from shelter when weather does not cooperate! As it turned out, I never used the extra layer.
This is a wind-proof jacket! I will not reiterate the scientific details about Omni-Dry, they are available on the Columbia website. I will confirm that the shell performs exactly as they state. On the first hike, I was comfortable all day with the jacket completely zipped. Even though I did not open the underarm vents, I did not get too warm. I did not get too cold either. As Goldilocks would say, I was just right all day! I LOVE the sleeve length and the extra length in the back. I use trekking poles when I hike so I appreciate sleeves that allow me to move my arms without restriction and without sleeves that pull back from the wrists.
On the second day, I started out with zippers closed, but I opened the under arm vents as the day warmed. Since the wind was brisk, I kept the front zipper closed. This was another “just right” day.
I love the bright turquoise color (officially Oxide Blue) paired with the two-toned grey collar and lining. Since I do not like to shop for clothes, I have been envious of my friends who were wearing this trendy color for weeks. The shell comes in black and tan also if you prefer neutral colors.
I have not tried the attached hood yet, but I did notice that it has three gray thingamajigs that enable the wearer to adjust it to perfection. Without any help from Head Geargal, I figured out how they work! It has not rained since I obtained the shell, but as a true gear tester, I rallied to find another alternative and now I can attest to the fact that these zippers are waterproof! While enjoying my favorite white chocolate mocha, I felt a drop fall from the lip of the coffee cup onto my new coat. DRATS! It landed perfectly on the front zipper where everyone would notice! Nothing worse than cleaning coffee off a zipper when you are nowhere near water except having to wear the obvious spot for the rest of the day on a NEW jacket. Readers of
previous blogs will recall that I really do leave new clothes in a closet for months and admittedly years before I use them. I dearly love new, perfect clothes! Prepare for a shock: I blotted the zipper with a tissue: coffee bubble GONE! I cannot state that this fabric will not stain; however, liquid does not permeate this ultra-light laminate membrane.
This is a women’s shell! It fits a women’s body! Wow! Have I been getting compliments! My athletic friends immediately noticed that the sides tapered at the waist to provide a flattering line for active women. Having just lost twenty-seven pounds after decades in frumpy clothing, I appreciate the contour and am inspired to lose another fifteen pounds in the coming months [evidently the Graying Geargal is on a quest to disappear. ~HG]. I really like the look and usefulness of the cute Velcro dots at the wrist. There are several spaced for flexibility in desired tightness around the wrist.
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: I intend to give up my hoarding tendencies and embrace new
technology as soon as I acquire new clothing!
Merrell Haven Overcoat
June 6, 2011
Thanks to Irene for another fabulous review from the wilds of Alaska! ~HG
In a little town in Moose Pass, Alaska, there lives a woman who loves the deep dark days of winter and is always out exploring in the snow while ice winds often howl and swirl the snow all around her. Yet, she stays warm and dry in her 100% polyester Merrell Haven Overcoat that has the look of a fine tailored wool coat. The insulation is what the manufacturer calls “Merrell Opti-Warm™” a lightweight, low-bulk, synthetic insulation to keep you warm. In addition, the DWR (durable water-repellent) finish keeps you dry.
I love this coat. It is stylish while also being a practical outer layer; and it is warm, very cute, and functional. I have a lot of outdoor clothing for outings far and away in the wilds of Alaska but was lacking a more sophisticated layer. The Merrell Haven Overcoat arrived in the mail the end of April; just what I needed for my wardrobe to offset my fleece and down clothing. This was the layer I was missing and did not know it, now that I have this coat, how did I go so many years without it?
The coat falls right above the knee, giving good coverage when wearing a dress while still offering non-restricted movement. The sizing I find to be true to how this coat fits me. However, I did read two reviews where the buyers returned the coats for a larger size. The next size larger would be too big for me. [I personally found this coat to fit a bit snug on me but I agree that the next size up would be too large. Irene and I are the same size in general but she's a bit smaller than me so this coat works better for her. ~HG] Colors available in this coat are granite, black, espresso, and undyed (read: white).
The coat has dual entry front flap pockets with snap closures and hand warmers, a “Little Red Riding Hood” detachable hood that is so cute, toggle cord closure and large button cuffs, and an interior hidden zip pocket. The finer details of this coat make it even more special. I especially like the quilted floral embossed cute as could be lining that feels like silk, ribbed cuffs and collar that fit well, feels good, and keeps me warm. Lo and behold, the Merrell overcoat is the perfect one for me, casual, or dressy, over jeans, or dress, yes! And, the Grand Finale for me is that this coat can be tossed in the washing machine and clothes dryer!!! Major bonus, sold to the woman who does not have time, or want to take time to fuss with clothing that can not make its way through the good ole’ washer and dryer.
Now for a few particulars I have noticed on this coat: but please do not get me wrong, these are not a turn off, and I would definitely not let these things get in the way of my highly recommending this coat. Currently the hood is a just right trim fit, but could offer more coverage. I think the hood could be a little larger covering more of my head. Mind you, I intend to wear this coat a lot in the winter in the howling winds, and blowing snows so more coverage is always better. Next on the list; I have a problem getting the zipper up, perhaps it’s because I’m used to wearing clothing designed for men on which zippers are opposite of women’s; why is this, anyway? The right hand is supposed to coordinate putting the left hand male part into the right hand female part, then zip, and we are off to a good start. But, sort of like the 1st or 2nd time having sex with a new partner, well, let’s just say that the female on the right hand side did not go into the male on the left hand side very easy, shucks. Oh, wait a minute, I was just thinking about some of my women specific coats, and how I do not recall having a problem with the male finding the female, so I go look at a few of my women specific coats. Guess what? Two of my favorite women jackets have the male on the left, and the female on the right, so what gives? So much for my thinking men’s and women’s coats are zipped differently. Why put the male on the right and the female on the left? Unless there are more lefties than righties.
The toggle closures are cute, but I could do without this look, perhaps because it is just one more detail I do not need to have to fool with, but that aside, I still love the coat. Last, but not least I enjoy the elegant, yet casual look and feel of being a bit more polished, while staying warm, and dry, I recommend this coat for anyone in need of a flattering outer layer for around town, and while braving the elements while wanting to stay warm.
Triple Aught Design (TAD) Valkyrie Fleece
April 9, 2011
TAD approached me very politely (and a bit warily, as I’d just been ranting about pushy PR people blitzing me with press releases) about reviewing this jacket. Honestly I didn’t really have time to fit it in but I was so charmed by their approach that I just made time. I also figure that I should encourage companies who are trying to establish a women’s line. TAD has a well-rounded selection of men’s gear but this is their first women’s item and they are eager for feedback and for the word to get out. You know, just once I’d like to see a company develop a women’s line and only then start making stuff for guys. I bet it makes a difference. For instance, if ISIS started making dude stuff, it would be an uphill battle from the start; they’re known as a company doing women’s clothes so breaking into the men’s market would be tough for them.
Doing it TAD’s way also makes it difficult to establish a presence in the women’s market, but it’s probably not as hard because there’s just less out there for women in general. Still, when a new company launches and I wander through their booth at OR and see nothing for women, I pretty much just write them off and don’t think about them again. This didn’t happen with TAD; they wrote directly to me with this review request. Still, it will be tough for them to make a way into the women’s market since their line is so well-established for men, and it’s more of a tactical type line of clothing. Don’t get me wrong, I desperately wish that more tactical clothing for women was out there on the market, but when I see a tactical line I just assume it’s for dudes. No one bothers making it for the ladies – so let’s hope TAD stays the course and puts out some good tactical pants and other gear for women.
I do hope they make it in the market and expand the women’s line, though, because they have a great start with the Valkyrie. Naturally, I have my own preferences about gear, and one of the things I prefer in a jacket is a slim cut, long, roomy arms, and a juuuust right length. The Valkyrie has all these things which, to be quite honest, I didn’t expect from an established men’s tactical clothing company.
Arm length is a big deal for me. I’m not tall, but I am a size small so a lot of jackets and tops have arms that are too short. It’s that Law of Similitude thing again; many companies just make sizes proportional to each other; a Medium would just be a bit larger than a Small in all dimensions. Human bodies don’t work like that, so a lot of times I end up with my wrists poking out of jackets. I have no tolerance for the feel of a baggy torso so I live with the short arms so that I can keep the great torso fit. It’s very impressive to me that TAD figured it out from the get-go. I like the length; it’s past my hipbones but just barely. This gives nice coverage and makes it more comfortable under a backpack.
The jacket also has a really cool hood design. In this age of “must fit over helmet” hoods, it’s nice to have one that’s meant to just fit over your head. Novel concept! It’s also got a little built in brim which I find awesome. Brims are important if you ask me. This one keeps the snow off your face and gives the hood a little structure. Nice touch.
And the POCKETS! The pockets. Pockets are something that the industry in general does not do very well for women, if you ask me. I have so many great jackets with barely-adequate handwarmer pockets and one interior pocket, and nothing else. I get that a lot of things are minimalist and ultralight these days, so if there are just few pockets, I’m OK with that. What bugs me is when they bother to put a pocket on the item but make the pocket so small that you can’t use it for anything. The Valkyrie does not have this problem. It has tons of great pockets. Two handwarmers, three arm pockets (I LOVE arm pockets, by the way), and one giant back pocket. I love the back pocket. It would be hard to use if you were wearing a backpack but if you just needed to carry a few things it’s great. I can imagine using that pocket if you were out for a hike and took off your shell; you could probably stuff it in the back pocket. I’m unlikely to ever use that back pocket but I like having it there. Great option. The front pockets are huge, and the two bicep pockets are similarly actually useful for carrying things. There is a small forearm pocket on one arm as well, which is a little smaller than the others but if you can’t make do with the five other giant pockets, you might just want to break down and carry a bag.
The fleece itself is pretty warm and offers some level of wind protection from what I can tell. The zipper lets in more wind than is typical in a wind resistant jacket but that doesn’t bother me too much; at least the zipper is substantial and of good quality.
The jacket does have a few glaring limitations in my opinion. First, it’s a fleece jacket. I’m a dog handler. The tactical styling and many pockets of this jacket would be great in the field but I just see this thing getting COVERED in dog hair. Several times I have thought with regret that I wish it had a laminate shell. or WAS a laminate shell. But I do like the fleece itself. It’s a conundrum. If you don’t have a dog, you won’t care about this. I have a dog AND I’m vain; I hate being covered in animal hair so a lint roller is always in my arsenal. I only wear this jacket when I’m not interacting with Geardog, for this reason. I don’t even like to WASH fleece because the dog hair from the other clothes gets on the fleece and then you NEVER get it off. Fleece is tough for me.
Why not just wear it under a shell? You ask. That would be the natural solution and is clearly what the Valkyrie is designed for. But if I put it under a shell, I can’t reach all the cool pockets, so then I’m stuck with the pockets on my shell. This is why base and mid layers are usually so simple; there’s no point in dressing them all up only to cover them up. So that’s a conundrum.
The third downside is that the Valkyrie is not light. It’s not super heavy, but definitely not something I’d call “light”. That’s the price you pay for all these pockets. This is okay, as not every single item out there has to be feather light and fragile as surface hoar, despite what we’ve all been told time and time again by the industry. Usually, though, when you buy something a little heavier, you’re buying it because it’s also a little cheaper than its ultralight counterpart, and the Valkyrie isn’t very cheap.
I don’t want to dwell too much on the downsides because I want to encourage this company to keep going. This is a very well designed jacket and I do like to wear it when I can. The downsides I’ve listed above might not bother other people; and I’ll say for sure that if a fleece jacket is what you’re in the market for, this is an excellent one to consider. The details are extremely well-executed. The jacket is of high quality, well constructed, with excellent attention to detail. TAD is clearly a company that can make good, tough clothing and can design well for the female body. My vote is for them to take this exact design and construct it out of a water resistant softshell material. This would eliminate the need for a hardshell on top and would also eliminate the dog hair problem. I’m impressed by the design and the execution and I’d bet they’d turn out a killer softshell. What do you say, TAD?
Old Favorites: The North Face Apex Softshell
March 2, 2011
I haven’t kept up with North Face technology over the years since starting this site, in large part because they for whatever reason don’t really engage that much with bloggers like myself and with all the other brands that DO engage with me, I’ve had a little gear overflow issue and have not felt the need to seek out even more of it. However, today I was reminded of the true value of the gear we buy (okay, the gear YOU buy) when I was kitting up for an outing and found that I’d reached for the tried-and-true rather than the new-and-exciting.
I had grabbed my North Face Apex softshell setup; the pants and jacket that pretty much started this blog way back in the day. The reviews are so old that the photo links are now broken. However the gear itself is still going strong and is a perennial favorite. I wear the Apex jacket at least – AT LEAST – once a week and have taken it on countless adventures, misadventures, mountain bike crashes, climbing trips, lost-person searches, you name it, it’s been there. And it is still in super good shape five years later. There is a little wear around the cuffs and a burred area on an elbow from an encounter with pavement, but the zippers are solid (watch, now they’ll break this week, what am I thinking making this post?) and the softshell still performs like it did the day I got it. It’s really filthy now, so it doesn’t exactly look new, but it works like it’s new, and that’s what matters.
I haven’t worn the pants nearly as much, but today I got them out and realized belatedly that I should be wearing them more. I was just bitching on Twitter about how women’s pants don’t ever have good pockets and these pants have at least one good pocket. It’s a side pocket of good size; great for snow science tools or a map. Why didn’t I notice how great that pocket was before?
The Apex jacket seems to be mostly the same in its current iteration. The Randonee Pants have evolved quite a bit so I don’t know what they are like now. It appears that they still have that pocket which is a big part of the appeal for me. I’m fairly confident in saying that these items will perform as well for you as they have for me, and they have paid for themselves over and over and over again.
When you’re purchasing new gear, remember that the initial hurt of that big price tag will fade if the piece lasts and lasts. I think I paid about a hundred bucks for each of these pieces and they have been more than worth it. I am hoping very much that these items are still representative of North Face quality, because if that’s the case I would not hesitate to buy North Face.
If I ever get to try something from TNF that isn’t five years old, I’ll let you know!
GoLite Softshell Collection
February 5, 2011
GoLite sent a softshell grab bag consisting of the Wind River pants and the Black Mountain Thermal jacket and vest. I’ve been liking this set for a while, but hadn’t given it a proper test in the NW because it’s rainy in the NW and rain and softshell are not compatible. What are compatible are cold, dry conditions, softshell, and exertion, so I tested this set extensively this winter by skiing in SW Colorado and most recently while ice climbing in Ouray last week. Basically, I’m in love. I’m a big softshell fan by nature (hm, that might actually reflect on my love for cold dry conditions, but I digress – as per usual) so I was very keen to get back on the softshell train.
I was surprised to find that the size Medium samples sent my way fit reasonably well. I usually get all whiny and bitchy when I get Medium samples, because they’re always too big and believe it or not, it’s really hard to figure out whether something is good or not when you’re drowning in it. It seems that GoLite has not yet succumbed to the Great American Size Creep in which sizes are becoming bigger and bigger; what used to be a M is now a S, and what used to be a S is now an XS, and what used to be an XS just doesn’t exist. GoLite’s sizing is pretty decent though I suspect I could go either way (S or M). The jacket and vest were a tad roomier in the torso than I typically like and the pants fit everywhere but the waist, where they were insanely too big and required a belt. I had other items in this GoLite shipment that were mediums and were indeed to big, so maybe err on the smaller side if you’re going to purchase.
Since the waist of the pants was too big, I had to wear a web belt and suffer through an annoying break-in period in which the pants weren’t very comfortable. I’ve learned from this gear testing gig that pants need to be worn a few times in order to feel just right. That makes it really hard to figure out if you want them just by trying them on in the store. Hence this web site. We come full circle, no? Anyway, once I wore the pants a few times with a belt, they felt better as is usually the case. I found the one belt loop in the back to be inadequate; it is way better when there are three belt loops in back; this seems obvious but was left out in this case.
The pants look great, with a low rise and flattering boot cut which was just big enough for my ski boots. The inner gaiter was not at all big enough for my ski boots, though, and I contemplated cutting it out. I’m glad I didn’t, because it worked really well for my ice climbing/mountaineering boots last week. The inner gaiter only has one stirrup loop, though, so I couldn’t tie the pants down around my boots like I usually do for ice climbing – instead, I threaded the strap to my crampons through the loop and that worked like a charm. I’m still not sure why there’s only one loop there….maybe because we’re trying to “go light” and two loops would be heavier? I really don’t know. But I made it work.
The pants also come with suspenders, which in my opinion is just a waste of time and weight on women’s pants. First of all, no suspender can solve the issue created by the curves of a woman’s body. The suspenders go over your shoulders and down the curve of your shoulder blades, and then contact NOTHING until they get to the pants. This creates a very unflattering clown-like bucket look. My climbing companions joked about putting my spare layers and lunch in the pants bucket, and that’s not a bad idea, though I really don’t want to eat a sandwich after it’s been in my pants all day. There is also the problem of peeing. I am not a fan of anything that makes me take off layers to pee. I just want to drop the drawers, do my thing, and zip back up. None of that off-with-the-jacket, off-with-the-midlayer, remove the suspenders, drop pants, do business, repeat in reverse order for me. No, those suspenders won’t do at all. They are detachable, though, so they are easy to remove. I just don’t get why they are there at all in the first place.
I like that both the jacket and the vest are a nice long length; well past the hipbones. I was able to fasten my climbing harness over both layers and they stayed put nicely. The downside of this is that I could no longer use the pockets, and there was no Napoleon pocket which would have been a nice addition.
Performance-wise, the entire set is very good. All the pieces are light, breathable, and very stretchy, allowing for full range of motion. Bells and whistles are kept to a minimum, with only two pockets per upper body item and three on the pants (hip pockets and one thigh pocket) which is fine, though I do appreciate a Napoleon pocket on jackets as I mentioned. High friction areas are reinforced a bit, which is nice, especially for me as I knee-jammed front-pointed my first real mixed pitch LIKE A BOSS the other day. That dirt stain on the knee of my white GoLite pants? Um…I must have leaned up against my dirty car. That’s it, it’s from the car.
I’ve worn this set during activity in some seriously cold weather and it’s been great. Like any softshell, once you stop moving you better throw on some more layers, but while you’re moving you’ll stay warm and dry. It’s pretty tough material for something so lightweight, and it mostly survived some crampon stabbings with only the expected damage. The pants could be a bit longer, but the sleeves on the jacket are nicely long so I’ll take it. I’d estimate that this set is good in exertion to temps well into the lower teens, and possibly lower if you’re really working hard. I have both the black and the white, and I recommend the white for a snazzy look, though it’s likely you’ll get dirt all over them like I did. I’d love to see a selection of pants in other fun colors, but for some reason the outdoor industry is loathe to let go of the black pants, bright color jacket scheme. At least the white pants are a nice change.
Columbia Frosty Forest Parka
January 2, 2011
This jacket was my first introduction to Columbia’s Omni-Heat technology. Technically they sent me a few samples last year but evidently they didn’t make it through the gauntlet of Canadian customs because I never got them. Some border person got herself some nice swag, I’ll wager. So, poor Columbia had to send me out a new round of samples and for that I thank them heartily. It’s hard to be a PR person and make sure the samples are sprinkled evenly throughout the land, I’m sure! So I finally got to try this parka and I’m pretty stoked about it.
Let’s chat a little bit about the Columbia brand. I’ll be very up front and mention that many people are snobbily derisive towards Columbia. It’s true that Columbia is more of a price point brand than some of the other super high end and conversely super high priced brands, but as a very wise teacher of mine says, the best gear is the kind that works for you that you can afford. If you can’t afford a $400 outer shell plus a $275 insulating layer like those offered by some of the mega brands, then I’d strongly urge you to take a gander at the Frosty Forest parka from Columbia, which gives you both for a price range of about $280, or even $150 if you look for a bargain. Why the price difference? Well, part of it is because people have this bias against the Columbia brand. They’ll pay twice as much for a similar item that has a fancier label on it. Look, I’m not going to name names here, but there are some pretty popular brands that cost twice as much as Columbia and have exactly the same materials and workmanship. So…be a brand snob if you really want, I won’t stop you. BUT be aware that if you spend more money you won’t NECESSARILY get more gear for the buck. You just have to be in the know, which is why I’m writing this review.
Another thing to note about price differences is that on price point pieces, the small details will be different. On a $400 insulating layer you might get a soft chamois type of chin flap; on a price point piece you get to scrape your poor raw, cold chin on the end of a zipper. Do you want to pay $200 to protect your chin? It’s up to you. I have no opinion on it one way or another since I have many options open to me at any given time. I’m just tellin’ you the facts, readers. I will say that I choose my Columbia Frosty Forest Parka fairly often, sooo…take from that what you will.
At first I didn’t realize that the FF parka was a three in one piece. Once I bothered to take a closer look I noticed that the inner liner zips out and becomes a stand-alone insulated jacket, and the shell becomes a regular shell. I remember when this was super cool back in the ’90s and I don’t know why it went away, because it’s pretty rad to have two pieces for the price of one. However, I only discovered that the jacket is a transformer because unfortunately it didn’t fit me super great when it was put together as one jacket and I started poking around at it in disappointment, only to discover the miracle of the zip-out liner. I am a strong girl and I’ve got some guns for arms, and the arms were a tad tight for me when the liner was zipped into the shell. The liner alone is fine and the shell alone is fine, so probably that little bit of extra compression was causing the discomfort. If you’re not as into pullups as I am, you will be fine with this jacket as an all-in-one.
I can tell that yellow is coming back in a big way because the inner jacket of the FF was a bright yellow, and it’s the second yellow piece I’ve gotten recently. So, hope you’ve done your Color Me Beautiful consultation! You Spring people have hit the jackpot for 2011. I’ve been wearing it on its own a whole bunch lately and I think there is something to this Omni-Heat thing. The inside of the jacket is a metallic shiny mesh type of thing that allegedly reflects your body heat back onto yourself, keeping you 20% warmer, or so say the marketing claims. I think it works because dayum this thing is warm. I have never once put it on and failed to have to take it off later due to overheating. This is not too common since I’m one of those skinny no-body-heat bitches who needs insulation like she needs water. I can only conclude that there is something to Omni-Heat.
The shell, now…the shell. That’s the part I really love. I don’t mean to discount the insulating layer; it’s just that as a gear reviewer I literally have a closet full of insulating jackets. Hardly any of them stand out from the others. Insulation is insulation, yes? Mostly I choose by color, these days. But the shell of the Frosty Forest…that was a sleeper. I put it on as an afterthought one day as I was snowblowing the driveway and I was blown away by the fit. It was reminiscent of another high end brand that may for some people invoke a “Rodeo Drive” ethos, if only to poke fun at the high prices. But the FF fit just like my absolute favorite super high end jacket. Well! Imagine. I love the fit because it’s past the hips but not waist-elastic-circa-Tommy-Lee-Jones-in-The-Fugitive style; and flattering without being dramatically form fitting. Love at first wear!
I admit I haven’t beat this jacket up quite as much as I usually do before posting a review. I’m sure I’ll have to update later. So far, though, everything seems kosher and of decent quality. It’s the minor details that give this piece a lower price; the chin scraping might be an issue for some, and the pockets don’t have cozy linings like the ones you find on expensive parkas. The fabric on the insulated jacket could be a little better, and the stitching is a little tiny bit sloppier than on a twice-the-price parka (you might find a loose thread end or something, but that’s just cosmetic), but none of these issues are major. The fit and performance are excellent and I see no reason why this piece would not serve many consumers very well indeed. As a matter of fact I just recommended the Frosty Forest to a friend who is looking to get more into winter sports and was looking for information on good gear. I can’t justify recommending an $800 upper body clothing system for a beginner, and Columbia fills the gap nicely with no reduction in performance. Sure, the Frosty Forest is a bit heavier than one for which you’d pay five times the price, but seriously – if you’re not taking this on any major alpine adventures you’re doing yourself a disservice by overlooking Columbia’s offerings. So go forth and check it out.
Sugoi Zap Jacket
December 28, 2010
I was excited about this high-vis addition to my cycling gear, but unfortunately I was ultimately extremely disappointed. This is so obviously just a men’s jacket cut smaller that it’s just unwearable. Hello? I have a WAIST and I don’t care to have yards of extra fabric flopping around in the breeze as I ride. I don’t really need a parachute brake, which is pretty much all this jacket is good for if you are not shaped like a man. See the picture above, showing the jacket shaped like a woman? That is a LIE. It was so big in the body it was just ludicrous. I would have gone down to an extra small but the jacket hem was already well above my hip bones in my regular size small, so the extra small would just have ended up a flappy bolero. Boooo. Take the time to cut your women’s clothing for, I don’t know, women, or just don’t bother.
Canada Goose Resolute Parka
December 10, 2010
This review was a bit challenging to bring together because I had to amalgamate the comments of all the Geargals who kidnapped this coat from the gear closet to use it at some time or another. If you really need an Arctic parka, you really need one, so who am I to say no?
I asked Canada Goose if we could try this piece because I selfishly wanted something super warm to wear while standing around responding to or training for avalanche rescues. People think there is a lot of action in SAR, and I guess there can be, but there is also a lot of standing around and when the standing around is occurring at 10 below, you really need some warm gear to do it in. Little did I know that not only is the Resolute parka an outstanding bit of kit, but that it is THE super fashion item to have in – no surprise, here – Canada.
The Resolute did a season of standing around in Alaska, and then was taken to Antarctica by one of my lucky compatriot Geargals. She’s one of those biology nerds that goes to distant places and walks around putting birds in her pockets and what have you. Luckily no birds ended up in the pockets of the Resolute. After that, the parka went with me to Canada where I had to literally tie it to my body to prevent someone from stealing it. Yes, folks – not only is a trip to Vancouver guaranteed to result in your car getting broken into at least once, but you stand a chance of getting your jacket ripped off your back. If you are an Olympic mucky-muck, you might get your credentials cut off your neck too. This seems to be a state of affairs that Vancouver residents are OK with. I’ll never understand it. When our car got broken into, the Vancouverites all laughed and said “it won’t be the last time, honey.” What?!? Now that is a society tolerant to crime. At times I miss the good old USA where it’s OK to dump a can of bear spray down someone’s neck if they try to steal your jacket off your back. In Vancouver I was advised to find ways to tie the jacket to myself so that it couldn’t be torn off and stolen. Just…wow, Vancouver. Wow. I have a hard time with this aspect of Van culture. Still…I guess it’s differences that make the world go round.
One of the reasons this is a fashion item is that it’s a) expensive and b) used by lots of famous people. I’ll skip listing all the Hollywood nitwits that wear Canada Goose jackets when it’s fifty degrees out and refer you to the most famous Resolute wearer of all: Lance Mackey, Alaska’s Iditarod hero. Lance is sponsored by Canada Goose so if you see him mushing you’ll see him in a black Resolute parka. Now, it’s pretty cold in Alaska and I refer you back to the problem of “standing around.” You’d think that traveling overland for 1,000 miles would create some body heat but mushers are in large part standing on the rails of their sleds, getting cold. OK, so there’s more to it than that, but rest assured that to mush the Iditarod, you need warm clothing. And Lance uses the Resolute parka. That’s all you need to know.
But my job requires that I tell you more than that, so keep reading. The features of this parka are not for fashion. It’s all function, baby. There are several grab straps on the shoulders and back that are designed for rescuers to use to hoist the unlucky wearer out of water or a crevasse. Mesh pockets line the inside of the parka and on the off chance the purchaser couldn’t figure out what they were for, they come helpfully stocked with chemical warmers. The ruff of the hood is lined with coyote fur, and I’m sure there is some bitching and complaining about that and I’m not a fur-for-fashion supporter either; but if you’re in actual arctic conditions you’ll be glad to have it. Nothing keeps the warm air in and prevents frosting like real fur, so that’s what CG uses.
The parka is nice and long, almost to knees, to keep in as much heat as possible while allowing freedom of movement. The size Small fits me just fine and, though it’s by necessity a bulky piece, allows me to move around relatively comfortably. I have my doubts as to whether or not the parka is actually designed for a women’s body; it’s just too hard to tell with a pice this bulky so I guess it doesn’t matter. It fits fine, so there you go. It seems maybe a little longer than the men’s version but that could be just because I’m short. The Antarctic Geargal reports that she was able to hike around without getting too overheated even though there are no pit zips (because that would be stupid on an Arctic parka) and that the hooks located all over the jacket are useful for carrying things and clipping your mittens to the parka so they don’t get blown away. I liked the ID sleeve on the chest and the many fleecy pockets. I’m not wild about the velcro used on pretty much all the flaps, but I realize that its par for the course these days and that it’s probably better than snaps for cold conditions.
Our Resolute has had a lot of use in some pretty cold parts of the world, and it’s held up well. We have the red color so it can get dirty if you, say, crawl around in BIRD NESTS in it, but even after that debacle there are no scuffs, wear marks, or damage of any kind. The seams stay nice and tight and the burly zipper shows no sign of tweaking. If you’re using this coat as it’s intended, you really can’t afford to have the main zipper go bust, so it’s good to see a top quality zipper holding it all together.
I don’t think you could find a better piece for extreme cold. It’s not light, it’s not cute, it doesn’t flatter your figure – but it ensures that you’ll live another night when you really need to.
