Jackets For Cold Climates

Jackets are a must have for anyone who lives in cold climates. Jackets are different than coats as they typically don’t extend down to the waist and have a more casual look.

A jacket not only keeps you warm and looking trendy but it also helps sustain your body from the harsh weather conditions and harmful sun rays.

Waterproof

A waterproof jacket can take a beating from the elements. Look for fully taped seams, YKK waterproof zippers and a membrane lining.

Waterproof-breathable materials like Gore-Tex allow moisture to escape but block rain from penetrating. Compared to traditional oil and wax coatings used in the past this method of blocking water is lighter, more durable, and works better.

This technology creates a membrane that has billions of pores per square inch, yet is completely impermeable to liquid water. The pore size is about 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, which means it’s impossible for any liquid to pass through the fabric. The membrane is then laminated to the outside of the jacket and to an outer layer of tightly woven polyester or nylon.

The result is a lightweight jacket that keeps you warm, dry and comfortable while on the trail or at work. Some jackets feature an adjustable hem, either at the neck or around the waist. This allows you to cinch the jacket down, trapping heat and keeping cold air out.

Some jackets are also treated with a special chemical finish that repels water. Whether it’s a spray on treatment or wash in product like Revivex Wash-In, this treatment will help prevent water from beading and rolling off the surface of your jacket. This treatment will need to be reapplied as it wears off over time.

Windproof

Windproof jackets are designed to block cold air and gusting winds, protecting users from temperature drops by preventing heat loss. They also provide insulation, keeping users warm and cozy in harsh mountain environments. To achieve Jackets this, they use a tight fabric weave to muster up wind resistance and offer a snug fit to prevent cold air from getting through.

Many windproof jackets are also water resistant, as manufacturers usually apply a durable water-resistant (DWR) coating on the exterior of all their products. However, DWR coatings are subject to wear and tear and will eventually lose their effectiveness, especially if the garment is worn while hiking in heavy rain or exposed to lots of abrasion.

To maintain the DWR coating, you should not put a waterproof jacket over a windbreaker or you will get wet. Besides, waterproof fabrics are much thicker and less breathable than windproof materials.

Windproof jackets are available in a wide variety of prices depending on their features, materials, and technical specifications. We recommend choosing a model that best fits your specific needs to avoid unnecessary expenditures. Consider the following factors to select the best option for you:

Lightweight

A lightweight jacket is ideal for warm weather. It’s best for hiking, camping and other outdoor activities where the temperature will vary, but the forecast isn’t likely to call for rain. These jackets are typically breathable, showerproof and may also be windproof. They’re not suitable for heavy Women’s clothing manufacturer rain or snow so they should be used in conjunction with a rain poncho or umbrella.

The most important factors to consider when choosing a lightweight jacket are the materials it’s made of. This will affect the jacket’s weight, insulating properties, durability and packability. Lightweight jackets will typically be thinner shell fabrics (measured in denier), have trimmed down feature sets and slim fits and be less expensive than their heavier counterparts.

Another factor to consider when choosing a lightweight jacket is whether it’s made from a waterproof or water-resistant material. Waterproofing is done by either coating or laminating the fabric. Coated waterproofing tends to be lighter, but not as durable, while laminated waterproofing is a bit more durable but also bulkier. Some brands, like Rab, offer a mix of coated and laminated jackets to provide more options. A waterproof jacket will perform better than a water-resistant jacket in wet climates, but you’ll want to be sure that the label specifies if your jacket is waterproof or not. This will ensure that your jacket will keep you protected against the elements when you need it most.

Insulated

Insulated jackets are the key piece to any mountain person’s layering system, and they’re often critical for a range of winter activities from snowsports to hiking. Our insulated jackets use a mix of insulation technologies that all work to keep you warm in cold conditions. While gram for gram down still insulates better, advancements in synthetic materials are quickly catching up.

For the backcountry skier or hiker that plans on layering their outerwear to fend off the wind and rain, an insulated jacket is a must-have. These jackets usually use a combination of down and synthetic insulation and feature a softshell exterior to protect you from the elements.

Synthetic insulated jackets usually use short-staple or long-staple polyester fibers to mimic down and are rolled into dense mats called batts, then stuffed into shells. These are the most popular option for people who want to avoid down allergies, though they’re still not as warm as down.

Wilderness backpackers typically look for insulated jackets that transition easily between a midlayer and an outer layer, and they’re concerned with warmth for weight, breathability in hot environments, and quality features like hem adjustments or easy zippers. These jackets will usually use synthetic insulation, which is good for people who don’t have down allergies and don’t mind spending a bit more money for more performance.