How To Buy A Technical Jacket

How To Buy a Technical Jacket
1 of 5
http://www.theclymb.com/stories/buying-guide-item/how-to-buy-a-tech...
HOW TO BUY A TECHNICAL JACKET
(HTTP://PINTEREST.COM
/PIN/CREATE
/BUTTON
(HTTPS://TWITTER.COM
(HTTPS://PLUSONE.GOOGLE.COM
/?URL=HTTP
(HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM
/SHARE?URL=HTTP
/_/+1/CONFIRM?HL=EN&
%3A%2F
/SHARE.PHP?U=HTTP
%3A%2F
URL=HTTP
%2FWWW.THECLYMB.COM%2FSTORIES%2FBUYING%3A%2F
%2FWWW.THECLYMB.COM%2FSTORIES%2FBUYING%3A%2F
GUIDE%2FWWW.THECLYMB.COM%2FSTORIES%2FBUYINGGUIDE%2FWWW.THECLYMB.COM%2FSTORIES%2FBUYINGITEM%2FHOW- (http://www.theclymb.com
GUIDEITEM%2FHOWGUIDETO-BUY-
/?utm_source=blog.theclymb.c
ITEM%2FHOWTO-BUYITEM%2FHOWA-TECHNICALTO-BUYA-TECHNICALTO-BUYJACKET%2F&
om&utm_medium=referral&
utm_campaign=more_than_a_
A-TECHNICALJACKET%2F&
A-TECHNICALMEDIA=&
magazine)
JACKET%2F)
TEXT=HOW%20TO%20BUY%20A%20TECHNICAL%20JACKET)
JACKET%2F)
DESCRIPTION=)
(HTTP://WWW.LINKEDIN.COM
SH OP TH EC LYM B . C OM
/SHAREARTICLE?MINI=TRUE&
URL=HTTP
(HTTP://WWW.TUMBLR.COM
%3A%2F
/SHARE?V=3&
%2FWWW.THECLYMB.COM%2FSTORIES%2FBUYINGU=HTTP
GUIDE%3A%2F
ITEM%2FHOW%2FWWW.THECLYMB.COM%2FSTORIES%2FBUYINGTO-BUYGUIDEA-TECHNICALITEM%2FHOWJACKET%2F&
TO-BUYTITLE=HOW%20TO%20BUY%20A%20TECHNICAL%20JACKET&
(http://www.theclymb.com
A-TECHNICALSUMMARY=&
/show-product
JACKET%2F)
SOURCE=IN1.COM)
/157771?utm_source=blog.theclymb.com&
utm_medium=referral&
Dont let inclement weather thwart your outdoor plans.
utm_campaign=blog_product_updates_121514)
Todays technical jackets are a product of decades of innoCIRQ Raven 700 Down Parka
vation and boast technologies that will keep you comfortable in the face of the worst Mother Nature throws your
direction. Whether youre gearing up to bag peaks or
camp out with the family, the topics in this guide will help
you learn how to choose the best technical jacket to suit
your needs.
TYPE: Technical Jackets come in varying levels of insula-
--Shop Now
/show-product
/157771?utm_source=blog.theclymb.com&
utm_campaign=blog_product_updates_121514)
tion, breathability, and weather resistance. Pick yours

based on your level of activity, where youll be using it,
and how cold you get.
HARDSHELLS: Hardshell jackets, made of two or

three-layer fabric are made to be weather resistant;
theyre typically the most waterproof and breathable
option. Just an outer layer, they are designed to be worn
1/10/2016 4:54 PM
2 of 5
with multiple layers underneath if the going gets cold.

Hardshells provide protection from wind, snow, and rain.
INSULATED: Insulated jackets feature warming layers typically made from either down or synthetic filling, or fleece
lining. They usually have a hardshell outer face, but that
can vary and impact the price of the jacket. Insulated jackets are inherently warmer, so theyre a good bet if you run
cold, or plan to travel somewhere the temperatures are
low. Beefier than shells, they can inhibit layering. Many
come with removable inner layers.
PUFFY JACKETS: A puffy jacket is an insulated jacket filled

with synthetic insulation or down. In dry, cold climates
puffies can make for good outer layers, but theyre often
best used as midlayers because theyre insulating, but not
always wind or waterproof.
A NOTE ON DOWN: Still considered by many to be the best

insulating material available, high-end down is warm,
light and extremely compressible. For many years, the
only negative associated with down was that it lost
/shop/more
/pets/310?utm_source=blog.theclymb.com&
utm_campaign=blog_category_products)
Gear for Pets
--Shop Now
/shop/more
/pets/310?utm_source=blog.theclymb.com&
most of its insulating properties when wet. This is still

the case with standard down, which must be kept dry
to work properly.
With the advent of DriDown, this material became
much more versatile and resistant to moisture.
Hydrophobic treatments have created a type of down
that dries quickly and maintains loft even when damp.
These treatments are not a cure-all and down should
still be kept dry if possible.
Down is rated by fill power. An entire article can be
devoted to the types and qualities of down, but the
short version is this: the higher the number, the
/shop/camp?utm_source=blog.theclymb.com&
lighter, more efficient, more compressible, warmer

per ounce, and more expensive a down jacket will be.
Outdoor Gear
---
Frank Kvietok, the Director of Advanced Development at American Rec (makers of Sierra Designs DriDown) explained the advances in hydrophobic
down technology.
Shop Now
/shop/camp?utm_source=blog.theclymb.com&
Basically think of DriDown as a down with a Durable

Water Repellant on it. You have not made the fabric
waterproof, but the fibers are waterproof. It doesnt
turn a down jacket into a raincoat. It makes the down
itself highly water repellent.
SOFTSHELLS: Softshell fabric is lighter and stretchier than

hardshell fabric. Its typically more breathable, and less
waterproof. Softshell jackets are good in dry climates, or
for skiers who have high aerobic output and need a
breathable outer layer.
LAYERING: Layering depends on personal preference and

weather conditions, but a three-layer system, with base,
mid, and top shell layers, is a time-tested standard that
/search?q=skate&
utm_source=blog.theclymb.com&
can be easily adjusted for conditions. Look for a jacket
1/10/2016 4:54 PM
3 of 5
that accommodates a range of layering systems underneath, so you can adjust your setup to the temperature.
Skate Gear and Apparel

---
WATERPROOF: Waterproofing either comes from a membrane in the fabric, like GORE-TEX Pro Shell, or from a
coating thats applied to the outside of the fabric. A fabrics
water resistance is measured in millimeters of water it will
hold before it leaks, so a pant thats rated 20k waterproof
Shop Now
/search?q=skate&
utm_source=blog.theclymb.com&
was tested to hold 20,000 mm of water over one square

inch of fabric without leaking.
BREATHABILITY: The level of breathability you need depends

on your level of activity. Breathability comes from the fabric, and is usually inversely related to waterproofing,
although some fabrics, like Polartec NeoShell, are built to
be both. Breathability is measured by how many grams of
water get pulled through the fabric in 24 hours. For
instance fabrics rated as 20k waterproof, pulled
20,000 grams.
WINDPROOF: A jackets resistance to wind comes from its

outer layer. Some fabrics, like GORE-TEX Windstopper
have a membrane laminated into them, which makes the
garment windproof. Others are tightly woven, so air
doesnt pass through. Some jackets will be treated with a
windproof coating, but that can wear off after use and
washes. Often softshells, which arent waterproof, are
still windproof.
HOOD: Jackets that have hoods come with attached, detachable or stowaway hoods, which roll up into the collar.
Attached hoods are the least bulky. Climbers, bicycle commuters, and skiiers/snowboarders should for a hood thats
helmet compatible, so you can still use it when it
gets stormy.
SEAMS: Any seam or zipper is essentially a hole in your

jacket and a way for moisture to get in. If the weathers
going to get particularly ugly, youll want to have a jacket
with sealed seams. There are three main ways that seams
are sealed: fully taped, where waterproof material is
sealed over the edges of the seams; critically taped, which
is similar, but taped only over the seams that are exposed
to the most moisture; and welded, where instead of a
seam the edges of the two fabrics are bonded together.
Welded seams are the lightest and most waterproof, but
also the most expensive.
BACK LENGTH: Your jacket should be a little longer in back,

so it doesnt gap when you crunch up into an athletic
stance. The extra length will keep snow and rain out, too.
FIT: Look for a jacket thats roomy enough that you can
layer under it, but not so baggy that you loose insulating
value. If youll be using it for skiing or winter hiking, make
sure the sleeves are long enough that they wont gap
around your gloves, and think about how your cuffs will
integrate with your gloves. Do you have gauntlet style
gloves that go over your cuffs, or slimmer cut ones that
1/10/2016 4:54 PM
4 of 5
go under?
VENTING: Jacket ventilation comes from underarm zippers

(pit zips) or patches of highly breathable material under
the armpits, which allow you to dump heat from the
sweatiest part of your torso. Two-way pit zips, which zip
from both the top and bottom, are convenient, especially
when youre wearing a pack. Some jackets also feature
large pockets over the chest that double as vents.
/?utm_source=blog.theclymb.com&
utm_campaign=article_footer_banner_ad)
REL ATED A RTIC L ES
/stories
/stories
/stories
/stories
/buying/buying/buying/buyingguideguideguideguideitem/howitem/howitem/howitem/howto-buyto-buyto-buyto-buya-wetsuit/)
a-watera-watch/)
trekkingbottle/)
poles/)
HOW TO BUY A WETSUIT
HOW TO BUY A WATCH
(HTTP://WWW.THECLYMB.COM
(HTTP://WWW.THECLYMB.COM
HOW TO BUY A WATER BOTTLE
HOW TO BUY TREKKING POLES
/STORIES/BUYING-GUIDE-(HTTP://WWW.THECLYMB.COM
/STORIES/BUYING-GUIDE-(HTTP://WWW.THECLYMB.COM
ITEM/HOW-TO-BUY- /STORIES/BUYING-GUIDE-ITEM/HOW-TO-BUY- /STORIES/BUYING-GUIDEA-WETSUIT/)
A-WATCH/)
ITEM/HOW-TO-BUY-A-WATERITEM/HOW-TO-BUY-TREKKINGBOTTLE/)
POLES/)
(http://pinterest.com
(http://www.linkedin.com
/pin/create
/shareArticle?mini=true&
/button url=http
(https://twitter.com
(https://plusone.google.com
/?url=http
(http://www.tumblr.com
%3A%2F
(http://www.facebook.com
/share?url=http
/_/+1/confirm?hl=en&
%3A%2F
/share?v=3&
%2Fwww.theclymb.com%2Fstories%2Fbuying/share.php?u=http
%3A%2F
url=http
%2Fwww.theclymb.com%2Fstories%2Fbuyingu=http
guide%3A%2F
%2Fwww.theclymb.com%2Fstories%2Fbuying%3A%2F
guide%3A%2F
item%2Fhow%2Fwww.theclymb.com%2Fstories%2Fbuyingguide%2Fwww.theclymb.com%2Fstories%2Fbuyingitem%2Fhow%2Fwww.theclymb.com%2Fstories%2Fbuyingto-buyguideitem%2Fhowguideto-buyguidea-technicalitem%2Fhowto-buyitem%2Fhowa-technicalitem%2Fhowjacket%2F&
to-buya-technicalto-buyjacket%2F&
to-buytitle=How%20To%20Buy%20a%20Technical%20Jacket&
a-technicaljacket%2F&
a-technicalmedia=&
a-technicalsummary=&
SHARE: jacket%2F)
text=How%20To%20Buy%20a%20Technical%20Jacket)
jacket%2F)
description=)
jacket%2F)
source=in1.com)
B U Y I N G G U I D E S ( H TTP://W W W.TH EC LYM B.C OM /STORIE S/C ATEGORY/BUYING-GUIDES)
1/10/2016 4:54 PM
5 of 5
(/)
Company
My Account
Support
Who We Are
(/about_us)
Prole (/account)
Track Your Order
(/my-orders)
Privacy Policy
(/privacy)
Contact Us
(/contact_us)
Terms of Service
(/tos)
My Password
Careers (/careers) (/change_password)Vendor Inquiry
(/vendor-inquiry)
Aliates (/aliates) Invite
(/invitations/new) Member Support
Brand Directory
(/contact_us)
(/brands)
FAQ (/faqs)
Category Directory
(/categories)
Shipping &
Returns
Shipping Policy
(/shipping_policy)
Track Your Order
(/my-orders)
Returns
(/return_policy)
Connect
Suka
363 rb
Twitter
(http://twitter.com
/theclymb)
Instagram
(http://www.instagram.com
/theclymb)
Stories
/stories/)
2009 - 2013 Retail Innovation Group Inc. All rights reserved.
1/10/2016 4:54 PM

How To Buy A Technical Jacket

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

How To Buy A Technical Jacket

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

How To Buy a Technical Jacket