Department > Adventure Toys
Adventure Toys: Warm Duds
Dress Warm...And Keep On Wheelin’
by Rob Reaser
While it’s true that most of our off-roading fun occurs during the spring and summer months, there’s no reason a drop in temperature should drop the wheeling excitement one bit. Having a good time in the winter months, however, does demand a little extra attention to what you wear. In the final analysis, if you can keep your feet dry and your back warm, there’s no reason to stay off the trails when the weather heads south.
We’ve scanned through a passel of outdoor clothing offerings, and have selected an assortment of boots and outer garments that will go a long way towards keeping you toasty and comfy in the field this winter. These aren’t bargain basement picks, so be ready to shell out a few bucks. But just like 4x4 hardware, the best is never the cheapest, and money paid for quality is always money well spent.
Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co.
866-411-1501 • www.dickies.com
Dickies Packable Jacket
Keeping warm in the cold outdoors sometimes requires more than good insulation. Water and wind-resistant fabrics can also help seal the warm in without adding bulk to your layering system. Dickies’ new Packable Jacket is a convenient companion to a warm fleece or flannel shirt. The outer shell is made of 100-percent nylon with a polyurethane coating and DWR finish for water resistance, while the inner lining is a polyester mesh that allows for air circulation. The convenience factor comes from the fact that the front pocket doubles as a self-storage pouch, allowing the jacket to zip securely into a compact bundle.
Dickies Fleece/Nylon Jacket
Here’s a jacket off-roaders can appreciate-lightweight, high mobility and warmth. The Dickies Fleece/Nylon jacket is made from a combination of 440 gram polyester fleece and nylon trim. Key areas-front, shoulders, elbows and drop tail-are protected with water-resistant nylon. Additional features include a side-entry zip chest pocket, zip hand pockets, drawstring bottom, and a sleeve pocket with a pencil divider and side zip. The jacket is available in Black, Charcoal and Dark Navy.
Bradfield Outdoor
866-912-0400 • www.bradfieldoutdoor.com
Bradfield Flannel Shirt
You can’t beat the feel of a warm flannel shirt on a cool day. Whether used as part of a layering system for seriously cold conditions, or as a stand-alone item to keep the chill at bay, flannel rocks. Bradfield Outdoor offers this rugged, stylish yarn dyed flannel shirt made of 8.5-oz. 100-percent cotton. Stress points are bolstered with high-resistance thread at the critical seams for high durability, and the full cut, which includes a long tail and double back yoke, delivers a full range of movement — just in case you find yourself playing Twister under the hood.
Bradfield Deerskin Gloves
A good pair of gloves are definitely a four-wheeler’s friend. They give you a good grip for gear grinding and steering duties, and are mandatory equipment when it’s time for a bit of self-extraction. Bradfield’s Deerskin Gloves fit the bill nicely. Lined with 100 gram Thinsulate, they’ll keep you warm when outside of your 4x4, and the combination of soft, top-grade buckskin and a keystone cut thumb ensures compliant movement plus durability.
Bradfield Wool Pants
OK. Some folks may think they look like Grampa’s get-up, but the fact is few materials can keep you as warm as wool. Wool pants are especially nice because so long as you’re not slopping around in a rainstorm, a pair of these and a quality thermal undergarment layer will keep you absolutely toasty even when the thermometer threatens to crack from the cold. Bradfield Outdoor makes their wool pants from soft virgin wool, so they’re not only comfortable, but offer a good measure of wind and water repellency. These britches are made of 22-ounce wool and nylon (80/20), and deliver a full cut for added mobility.
Bradfield Heavy Hunting Coat
Those folks needing true winter weather protection yet don’t want to dote around in an arctic parka should consider the Bradfield Heavy Hunting Coat, as this classically styled piece combines two of the best insulating materials on the market-wool and Thinsulate. The wool (of the heavy virgin variety) is on the outside, of course, and is blended with 15-percent nylon for wind and water resistance. Inside things get warmer thanks to a 200-gram Thinsulate lining. Other features include four patch pockets, a rear pouch, and two hand-warmer pockets. These coats boast a roomy cut, and come in a variety of colors.
Timberland
800-445-5545 • www.timberland.com
Timberland Cadion Hybrid Jacket
Fleece takes on a high-tech spin with the new Cadion Hybrid jacket from Timberland. Designed for “high-energy outdoor activities” (we’ll take that to mean pulling a winch rope or digging out a high-center), the Cadion boasts two distinct material features. At the core of the jacket is Polartec Wind Pro fleece, which delivers top-notch warmth and wind resistance while keeping weight to a bare minimum. For the occasional rough-and-tumble activities, the jacket is protected by Polartec Wind Pro Hardface on the shoulders and upper arms. Breathability comes from two ventilation zippers in front, and there’s a wind guard positioned behind the full-length zipper.
Timberland Power Lounger Shoes
For those of you who demand a high comfort quotient when exploring the back roads, you’ll have a tough time finding footgear more cozy in cool, dry climates than the Power Lounger by Timberland. This slip-on shoe secures to the foot with a bungee-style string and spring lock. Inside the Power Lounger we find SmartWool lining on the footbed and under the tongue. From our experience of wearing SmartWool socks in extremely cold and hot conditions, we’ll attest to its comfortable temperature qualities and superior moisture-wicking capabilities. The shoe also features a washable leather upper and Timberland’s Agile IQ stability plate for active support. A range of styles and colors are available for men and women.
Lands’ End
800-963-4816 • www.landsend.com
Lands’ End Quilted Down Vest
If you like to keep your body core at a comfortable temperature, but don’t like to have your arms all bound up when you’re behind the wheel, this quilted down vest (#40468) from Lands’ End might be your ticket. It’s packed with 650 fill power goose down for maximum insulation and light weight. The shell is made of water- and wind-resistant nylon, and features a high-neck collar for added protection from the wind and cold. There are three interior pockets in addition to the two front zip pockets. Finally, the vest is machine washable for easy care.
Lands’ End ThermaCheck 200 Jacket
We’ve always liked fleece shirts and jackets for their high warmth factor and low weight. Land’s End, however, has take fleece to a new level, as evidenced by their new ThermaCheck 200 jacket (#094520). Its claim to fame is that it’s double the warmth of regular fleece and four times more wind resistant. Furthermore, the jacket comes with a DriOff finish for an added measure of water repellency. Additional features include a full-length zipper designed to keep the neck warm, draw cord hem to seal out drafts, zip pockets, and a trim cut so the jacket can be used as part of a layering system.
Georgia Boot
877-795-2410 • www.georgiaboot.com
Georgia Boot #G7532
Who says you can’t have stalwart outdoor footgear and be comfortable at the same time? Certainly not Georgia Boot. Their model G7532 hiker delivers most of what you want in a lightweight boot. For starters, the full grain leather upper is waterproof, so you can splash freely. Terrain gripping is managed by a lug suspension outsole while a steel shank enhances support. Inside, comfort is extended with the company’s own Comfort Core Air Flow orthotic insert and a mesh lining designed to wick away moisture. Overall, the design is clean and crisp, making for a no-nonsense boot that performs on the trail yet is comfortable in the cab.
Georgia Boot #G8182
Nothing wins praise like a rock-solid boot you know will keep you warm, dry and upright under the worst conditions. The G8182 model from Georgia Boot comes with all the right goodies. Packed inside the 8-incher is 600 grams of Thinsulate Ultra insulation backed by a Gore-Tex liner and waterproof full-grain leather upper. The oil-resistant Klaw rubber outsole has the right combination of tread pattern and material construction for a sure grip on most any surface. Additional comfy features include a leather padded collar, removable polyurethane orthotic insert and Georgia Boot’s patented ArcticToe technology.
REI
800-426-4840 • www.rei.com
REI Taku Jacket
We’ve heard of hybrid plants, hybrid vehicles, and hybrid fish, but how about a hybrid jacket? That’s how REI bills its new Taku model. It’s a hybrid because it combines REI’s Elements waterproof and breathable three-layer nylon lamination fabric with a lower body soft fabric laminate. Body vents assist in air movement and temperature regulation, so you can move around without working up a big sweat. The Taku is well-protected from the elements thanks to sealed seams, a full-length zipper with a wind guard, elasticized cuffs with Velcro closure tabs, hem draw cord, and a storm hood with stretch side panels. Average weight is 18 ounces.
REI Squamish Jacket
Here’s the newest inclement weather garment from REI — the Squamish Jacket. As you can see, the Squamish is a foul-weather jacket that’s also lightweight, made so by the three-layer, breathable and waterproof REI Elements stretch fabric. Durable construction features include welded external pockets, gusseted sleeves for full arm motion, a drop-back hood and weather-resistant zippers. In all, the medium men’s jacket weighs in at 16.3 ounces while the women’s version tops out at 15.4 ounces.
Woolrich
800-966-5372 • www.woolrich.com
Woolrich Logan Summit Henley Sweater
Sweaters. They can make a fellow look like a weenie or a true backcountry warrior. If you want to dress like the latter, check out the Logan Summit Henley sweater from Woolrich. The Logan Summit serves up a manly cut of pure boiled wool for a soft, itch-free, medium-weight sweater that you won’t want to take off. The Henley collar combines with leather buttons and Ultrasuede diamond-quilted shoulder/shooting patches for just the right touch of rugged sophistication. Wide rib knit waist and cuffs keeps it all trim, while nylon-lined sideseam pockets provide functionality.
Woolrich Classic Wool Field Coat
If you’re a serious outdoors enthusiast, you know that nothing says “out-of-doors” like the Classic Wool Field Coat by Woolrich. Styled in the traditional Woolrich pattern, the field coat features an 80/20 wool/nylon outer shell that both sheds water and keeps cold wind at bay thanks to its tight weave. Inside there’s a 40-percent polyester brushed twill liner for next-to-skin comfort. Storm cuffs are built into the sleeves to minimize drafts, and an oversized chin warmer collar takes care of neck warmth. Additional features include four outer snap pockets, hand warmer pockets, an inside storage pocket, and a button-close front with a storm flap.