Outdoor activities can be affected by diverse factors some of which involve the elements of weather. When it comes to rains and precipitation, you will always need something to protect you. Waterproof jackets should always be part of your gear when going for a walk or cycling. Out there, you are not sure of the type of weather that you will meet. It might be chilly or even freezing especially during the winters. To ensure that you are fully protected from these elements, a waterproof walking jacket will save you a great deal.

For cold and wet weather, you will need a jacket that retains your body temperatures while at the same time keeping you dry. This factor will largely depend on the materials making the jacket. Since the main aim of buying this kind of jacket is for protection against elements of weather, you will need to go for the one that is made from the best materials for maximum protection. There are several factors that you should consider when purchasing a waterproof jacket for walking. This article will evaluate these factors as well as how to protect your jacket.

Fit

The best clothing of any kind is the one that fits you well. A waterproof jacket is not an exception. You should make sure that it has a good zip that does not stop midway but zips up to the chin. Moreover, the best waterproof walking is the one that has cuffs that have been fastened. If the fastening goes up to the wrist the better. This will ensure that water does not get its way through the inside of the jacket to the body. It is also essential to ensure that the kind of jacket that you go for has its waist drawcords in the right position. This ensures that the long jackets are easy to adjust as fast as possible hence ensuring maximum protection. This property is mostly relevant when the involved jacket is longer and goes way down to the knees or even further. However, you should ensure that you do not go for a jacket that can restrict your movement due to its length. Too long jackets that are zipped from the bottom hinder comfortable pacing. At the same time, the jacket should not be too short such that as you move it exposes your back. Such a jacket should be avoided because it might not serve its purpose as required. Nonetheless, make sure that the jacket you purchase fits the underneath base layer and the mid layer in the best way.

Hood

When the rest of the body is covered most of the times, the head will tend to be the avenue to heat loss. Therefore, going for a hooded walking jacket is a good idea. However, you must ensure that the hood is easy to adjust. It should fit in the head and be easily adjustable such that it moves together with the head. Make sure that your view does not get restricted by the hood. When the weather is very bad, go for the jacket with a stiffened hood. The hood should also be helmet compatible to avoid complications in times when you have to take a ride back home.

Zips

Most of the times, people do not consider the nature of zips when they go about purchasing attires. During cold and bad weathers’ a jacket that is not easy to fasten is very frustrating. The zips should always be waterproof to prevent the water from slipping into the inside of the jacket. When a jacket is waterproof, all the other parts must be waterproof to avoid frustrations. However, in some cases, the zip might not be waterproof. In such cases, you should make sure that the zip is covered in straps that prevent water from penetrating into the jacket. Zips are also important to open up the jacket when the body gets too hot.

Pockets

When you are walking, you might need to carry something around. The number of pockets in your jacket depends on how you intend to use it for. If you will have to use a compass or even an OS map, you will need the kind of a jacket that has large chest pockets or inside pockets. Make sure that the pockets have flaps covering the zips to prevent water from penetrating to the inside.

Conclusion

Your walk might at times be frustrated by the elements of weather. Mostly rains and chilly weather are the reason as to why most people do not like walking. However, you do not have to worry because the waterproof walking jacket takes care of these factors. It ensures that you are protected from the elements of weather and stay warm. Get one for the best results.

Riding is enjoyable in the right weather. However, planning for the weather is a little bit complex which needs you to have something that you can put between yourself and the weather. When you need to cycle and the rains become unavoidable, having a waterproof jacket for running is the best deal. It keeps you from becoming wet from the outside and keeps you warm. Moreover, it avoids the accumulation of sweat from the inside through its breathability mechanism. This article has all you need to know about the waterproof jacket for cycling

What to Look For In a Cycling Waterproof Jacket

There before, waterproof meant garments made from hard shells that were more like plastics. In recent years, however, there has been a rise of rain jersey that is more protective while at the same time providing the required comfort to the user. The shells being used at this time are rather soft and they use a DWR treatment or a waterproof membrane to prevent water from getting into the inside of the garments. It would have been a little bit easier if the main goal was to prevent water from getting into the inside of the jacket that you are wearing. Those with experience in cycling will inform you that the temperatures of your body rise and you begin to sweat when you are pedalling. There is moisture buildup on the inside of the garment which makes it complex for the waterproof material barring the entry of rains into the inside from allowing the escape of the dampness that builds up on the inside.

The solution here is acquiring a cycling waterproof jacket. This jacket is made in a way that it protects the user from the outside wetness while at the same time allowing the escape of the moisture that has built up on the inside. This is a very hard balance to acquire. Therefore, some of the companies acquire the balance by ensuring that the garment has vents while others make use of advanced materials. The main aim here is to acquire a jacket that is waterproof and breathable at the same time. Do not forget that you will have to pack your jacket someday. Therefore, look for a jacket that can be folded easily into a tiny peace which can easily be pocketed. The kind of a jacket that is easy to store in a rucksack, saddlebag or jersey pocket is good for cycling since you can carry it around all the time in preparation for bad weather. Moreover, you can put away the jacket when it stops raining and this saves you the problem of experiencing excess heat even after the rains have stopped.

Apart from breathability and waterproof, taping should also be another factor to consider when purchasing a waterproof cycling jacket. Taping occurs on the inside in order to act as a seal to the seams. However, it reduces the breathability of the jacket and also makes it more colossal. Some jackets sold in the market have a characteristic seam leakage that makes them perform better. It all depends on the design that you want.

Care

Once you have acquired the waterproof cycling design of your choice, you need to know how to take care of it. When you decide to wash it, a washing machine should not be used. This is because it tends to destroy the fabric that makes the jacket waterproof and in a short while, the jacket will be useless. The use of detergents is also detrimental because it tends to wear off the waterproof fabric. At the same time, conditioners are not the best for washing waterproof garments because they tend to clog the fabric pores that are involved in wicking and breathing. Regardless, your jacket has to remain clean because the accumulation of oil and dirt clogs the breathing pores and tends to cause DWR treatments to degrade. You should always be aware of the material to use by reading the washing instructions. When you use your jacket for a considerable longer period of time, you will need to retreat your jacket with DWR treatments. This will add it a few more months or years of service.

Conclusion

Waterproof cycling jackets exist in different designs. It all depends on the design that you want. Different designs will have a different cost depending on the material making them and the quality. However, when you go to buy one, you should consider the breathability, waterproof and taping and decide on the best design to go for. Moreover, you should read the washing instructions to understand how you are supposed to take care of your jacket.

Hello all!

I recently collaborated with Jeff DeLaCruz (photography), Angela Flatland (model) and Chelsea Blair (hair and make-up) on a super fun photoshoot.

We did some experimenting with lighting, color, background and explored an industrial city parking lot. I mixed my designs with some vintage for all three end of summer/ back to school looks.

Dollparts Design Lisianthus Cropped Tank, Vintage Tarazzia Pleated Floral Skirt

Vintage Sophisticated Petites by Jonathan Martin Gold Silk Tank (purchased from Una Mae’s), Vintage CLIO 2 Suit Business Blazer, Dollparts Design Legs High-Waisted Shorts, Vintage Silk Scarf

Dollparts Design Sweet Pea Overlay, American Apparel Skirt

Oh hi!

I have some more new pieces to show from my Spring ’14 collection – “Found in Reverie“. This collection was inspired by a mix of ideas. My first inspiration was vintage lingerie, which is why I chose a lot of sheer, flowy fabrics and lace detail. My inspiration then transitioned into dreaming. And then lucid dreaming. And then a dream of aimlessly wandering through a beautiful and peaceful floral garden. After taking a few seasons off from designing for a number of stressful reasons, I chose to design a collection that elated thoughts of contentment, calmness and growth. The right tone of music is a must for designing properly, so I ended up listening to a lot of “dreamy” type artists including the “Lost in Translation” soundtrack, Julia Holter, Brian Eno, Bibio, Tame Impala… among many others. I also watched the movie “Zazie dans le Metro” a countless amount of times, which isn’t directly related, but got me thinking a lot about surrealism and how I want incorporate surrealism into clothing (while still making it wearable). This will always be a future goal in mind…I have a long ways to go. The collection was photographed in the work/live loft where my clothing line was essentially born…a place my friends and I call Kilimanjaro. I rented a corner as a workspace for about 3 years, then moved in for a few months. The loft is full of never-ending rooms, surprises and mysteries. This collection is full of pieces that encourage layering, which makes each piece super versatile (and surprising and mysterious). As always, each garment is made with love and care, ethically in Chicago. I hope you enjoy!