when it rains, it pours
19 Nov 2006
winters in the northwest are not really winter so much as rainy season. in portland they don’t get rain so much as drizzle, but in seattle and san francisco, we get us some serious friggin wetness. some days the heavens will just open up… for hours. and you can’t always stay inside.
the jetstream is the most perfect rain jacket i could find. it has the same water proof rating and advanced technology as jackets that cost twice as much from burton or oakley. in fact, it’s even more high tech than those, it’s just not quite as hip in the style department – though in black it doesn’t look nerdy or outdoorsy. it has welded seams instead of sewn and taped ones. it has waterproof stretch panels under the shoulders and pit zips so you can wear it for more athletic pursuits. it and it has the most adjustable hood i’ve ever seen other than on montbel jackets.
warning. the jetstream is cut slim. very slim. if you pack on pounds in the winter and have to add layers, you might want to pay more for the burton continuum, which had a slightly more generous cut (seriously, not by much). or if you think you need to order up a size, check out the awesome deal on last year’s continuum, which fit much looser. if you are generally slim but have a big chest or shoulders, the jetstream’s stretchy panels have you covered.
really the only shortcoming about the jetstream the length. it’s only a jacket, so it comes about halfway down your butt. it is not a coat. i actually went looking for a coat length thing first, because nothing sucks more than wet thighs. i checked out the north face premeire line, which features a number of coat length models but the cheapest waterproof one is $750. YEOUCH! so my suggestion is get one these jackets since they’re so packable you can carry them all the time and put a little of the dough you saved into a good umbrella, like the nanonuno.
a cup of joe on a misty day
6 Nov 2006
some things you just can’t go wrong with. a decent grey v neck sweater looks good on any man at any time. it’s perfect for any cool weather and any occasion. in short, you should own more than one.
the banana republic heritage v neck is a toasty blend of wools and acrylic. it has knitted bars that give it that old school university feeling and old school fit too. it has style and a bit of individuality, but it’s such a classic that you’ll be able to wear it forever and no one will doubt your taste.
the rvca bueller is a darker grey and a lighter cotton – making it perfect for west coast winters. plus it’s named after one of the funniest movies from the 80s. do you need a better reason?
early mornings on the north slope
6 Nov 2006
something about the hooded sweater says surf and snowboard all at once. not that they’re much different, it’s just the state of the water. either way, the world needs more hooded sweaters, and more people in them. i mean it only makes sense. if you wear sweaters when it’s cold out, then a hood would come in awfully handy, even if it’s just to keep your neck a degree or two warmer.
the burton comrade is wool and cotton woven like a classic sweater, and that old school look is in right now (see previous sweater recommendations with cable knits and shit). it even has patches on the elbows, like a good old utilitarian sweater should. but burton mixes things up with a nice cut and a cool patch on the back of the shoulder for a modern touch that’s not absurd. i think the red is a winner, the tan is so utterly classic that it shouldn’t be ignored.
if you’re looking for something dressier, more upscale but still comfortable and durable, then banana republic has the ticket. a cashmere and merino hoodie that has classic good looks that dress up any pair of pants. i have had one of these for years and swear it use the most useful and best fitting thing i own. you will get complements every time you wear this out this out, i swear.
better button up
2 Nov 2006
remember when you were a little kid and everyone had the same parka? it was was a blue or green nylon jacket with a zipper and button loops with a big fake-fur hood. they were usually so big they came down to your thighs. yah i remember playgrounds full of them.
now kids and adults alike are rocking the parka again. those in colder, snowier climes may go for the traditional long parka, but those of us who are a little bit rock’n'roll can now look good in a shorter jacket-length version. these things are seriously big pimpin. they’re toasty warm and stylish as hell. trust.
If you live in an seriously cold environment, your winter jacket has to be equally serious, and no one knows this better than burton. vermont gets friggin cold, my friends. the analog cyro2 (analog is a burton brand) is the perfect jacket for those of you who need some cold weather protection but still want to look good. it’s goose down stuffed inside a seriously waterproof. as a nice touch, you can zip out the faux fur hood lining if it’s too wet out or you just can’t rock the fur. but trust me when i say a fur hood keeps your head seriously toasty. the wood camo is as hip as hip can get, but you can always buy the white one if you need something a bit more conservative. just no black, ok?
for urban dwellers who need to battle the cold, but not 550 fill power goose down cold, Alpha offers the N3-B military replica Parka. we’re not a fan of the black, but damn if this jacket isn’t perfect in every other way. it’s filled with polyester instead of goose down, and the shell isn’t quite as water proof, but it’s less than half the price and looks totally bad ass. i mean didn’t bill murray wear this jacket in stripes? what better reason do you need?
spiewak makes a slightly more luxe version of the parka from your youth. it’s still long and nylon, but the cut is a bit narrower and the hood is lined with real fur. for those in wetter climes, this might actually be the best choice since the long cut will help keep your thighs dry.
