Jackets that won't make you look like everyone else
Trade in your Nuptse for a new winter jacket that will have you excited to brave the cold weather.
If you’re an avid reader of the newsletter then you’re here for many reasons. For some it’s about discovering new brands, for others it’s about keeping up with releases, but for most of us, we’re here to actively avoid dressing like everybody else.
I recently got a message from a friend saying he’s looking for a new winter jacket and that the Stussy puffer or the Nuptse from The North Face isn’t going to cut it this year. While there’s nothing wrong with these jackets per se, they are extremely popular, and if you don’t want to end up looking like everybody else, then avoiding these jackets is probably the right choice.
In today’s letter, we’re looking at where you can buy a winter jacket that won’t make you look like everyone else, what you should consider before starting your search, a Canada-based brand that’s making high-quality custom puffers, and what brands you should look at for budget options that still use down fill.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Before starting your search for the perfect winter jacket you need to consider one important thing. Do you want natural down fill or do you want a synthetic filled jacket?
Down is the fluffy parts found on the outer feathers of geese and ducks. It’s extremely lightweight and provides superior warmth for cold and dry climates. Because of the structure of these clusters the fill is very compressible, which won’t make the jacket puffy—this way you can avoid accidentally looking like the Michelin man. Downside of down fill is that it becomes less effective when it becomes wet. It also tends to be more expensive.
Synthetic fill is significantly cheaper and is more ideal for wet climates. You need to use way more of it to achieve similar warmth capabilities as down fill, which results in jackets that look bulkier, rounder and are much heavier. This also causes for your jacket to have way less breathability in comparison to down fill.
While the idea of short term money saving might seem appealing, going with a down fill is always something I recommend first. I’m a big believer of buying less but buying better, especially when it comes to something like a puffer.
With that being said, there’s no right or wrong answer. For some, choosing synthetic fill is a conscious decision. It really comes down to personal preference—I prefer down fill because it gives me more mobility and they’re insanely warm. Montreal winters aren’t a joke and I need proper equipment to survive.
Once you figure out what works for you then you can begin your search for that perfect winter jacket.
KLUANE MOUNTAINEERING
Going with a custom jacket is probably the best way to make sure you have an item that nobody else does. Kluane Mountaineering is a Canadian-based brand that’s been making custom sleeping bags and jackets since 1970.
With the help of Kluane Mountaineering, you’re able to customize pretty much everything. You decide the lining and the outer fabric. Choose from snaps, hooks or velcro for the opening, customize the hood and pretty much anything else you need to make that perfect jacket that works for you.
