What is WanderweightTM, and why is it the best packable coat around?
Here at Lands' End, we pride ourselves in being outerwear experts – people who know how to face the elements head-on, who have the solutions for the big problems quality winter gear solves. We are based in Wisconsin, after all, so we know winter's worst all too well. We've learned over the years that winter coats and jackets tend to have a lot of the same problems. The warmest winter coats tend to be bulky and restrictive, while the thinner ones can be downright flimsy, not warm enough, or simply unable to stand up to the wind or rain – you know, the elements. And when you're not wearing your coat or jacket, it can be bulky or hard to manage. So, we got together and tried to figure out how we could fix as many of these problems as we could. That was the beginning of our newest and most exciting line of winter coats and jackets – the WanderweightTM Packable Down Collection.
We set out to make a collection of winter coats and jackets that were lightweight, portable and always dependable, no matter the weather. Winter gear that would never get in your way, but instead help you go farther, to wander wherever your sense of adventure took you.
So what makes WanderweightTM so great? First, as the name suggests, it's the perfect weight for nearly all of your wintertime adventures. On the outside, we've used a shell that's lightweight and flexible. It's the kind of fabric that's ultra-smooth to the touch but is as lightweight as it is nice to the touch. Made from 100% nylon, it's got a bit of stretch, so you know it's ready to move with you, wherever you're headed. And what's more, the fabric is downproof. That means those fine little down feathers on the inside stay where they're supposed to be – on the inside of the jacket, keeping you warm, and not poking through the fabric (and poking you).
The fabric shell is great, for sure, but as they say it's what's on the inside that counts. Here's where we really didn't cut any corners. The insulation for our WanderweightTM collection is 800 fill power HyperDryTM down. Let's break that down a little (wink wink). Fill power is a way of rating down's loft – the higher the fill power rating, essentially, the fluffier it is. And because insulation is all about trapping warm air close to the body, more fluffiness means more of that insulating air. And 800 fill power translates to pretty darn fluffy, so Wanderweight's inslulation is sure to go farther towards keeping you warmer.
You might also be thinking, "What is HyperDryTM down, and why would I want it?" While down is famously nature's best insulator, its one drawback is that it traditionally doesn't insulate as well when it gets wet. HyperDry™ down is treated through a special process to make it hydrophobic – meaning it resists moisture, so it stays lofty and insulating even when exposed to moisture. So on the off-chance that any water gets past Wanderweight's water-resistant outer shell, the down inside will still keep you warm and toasty.
And one more note on the down insulation – see those quilted lines all over the coat? They're not just for looks. Those channels sewn into the coat's shell help make sure the down insulation stays in place, evenly distributed through the coat (and around your body) for all-around warmth.
A coat isn't just insulation and a lining, though, it needs to be functional and provide unmatched ease of use, too. That's why our Lands' End WanderweightTM coats include an adjustable hood and elastic arm cuffs to keep out the breeze. Two zippered side pockets make it complete – for stowing hands, gloves, or our other favorites, hand warmers (lots and lots of hand warmers).
The most functional part of WanderweightTM? We made sure it was completely packable into its own pocket. Pack it up and throw it in your backpack or work bag, your suitcase, the trunk of your car, wherever you're headed. It's a handy and effective solution for any time cold weather hits or the inspiration for adventure strikes you. The WanderweightTM jacket is sure to be your travel-friendly sidekick, always down for adventure and easy to bring along. So, wander on in confidence, friends, and wander further than ever before. If there's anything holding you back, it surely won't be this jacket.