2025 Reboot - Winter is Coming! Time to break out your favorite jackets!

Ok, ok...new year...new-to-me jackets...you know the story. You can never have too many jackets...well, you can...buttttttt...life is short...

Truth be told, I have been coming to the realization that I've just got too many...so expect to see some 'catch & release items' in the classifieds...maybe...someday...The Ship John Wills jacket and Tin Duck are on the short 'when I retire' list...but otherwise...these below are about it...

As such, I've been on a 'American Made' kick lately...so I've picked up a few last homegrown 'keepers.' Lest you think I'm made of $$...like pretty much all of my acquisitions, these have been 'pennies on dollar' pre-owned scores I've snagged with more than a bit of patience & shopping...and most of my other clothes (except for critical footware) are elcheapo retail beater stuff.

Without further ado...

The famous Flint & Tinder Flannel Lined Waxed Trucker. Made 'famous' as the 'Joel' jacket from the Last of Us series (his was tan). Probably one of, if not the most, comfortable jacket I've worn in a long time. It feels like nice thick sweatshirt. Things like this really give you perspective (like I'm getting old!). If you can find a deal, snag it.

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The 'mighty' full-weight Tom Beckbe Tensaw jacket (not the lighter Early Season/ES version). I was on the hunt for the lighter 'Tobacco' color variant, but I got such a sweet deal on this Rye Brown colorway, I couldn't pass it up. The 'warm brownish' color is starting to appeal to me...a very nice all arounder...

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The Tensaw^^ was supposed to be my last purchase...buuutttt...life had other plans, the stars aligned and this custom Bradley Mountain 4 Season Cabin jacket appeared out of the fog of the interwebz and called my name. You see, 'm what you might call 'semi-stocky'... as such, jackets that fit my chest typically have sleeves 2+ inches too long. Not so bad if the cuffs are adjustable (snaps) and I can cinch them down...but if not, sleeve drape annoyingly over my hands. This particularly jacket popped up with custom altered sleeves 2" shorter...I couldn't pass it up...and glad I didn't. The sleeves hit about perfectly at my wrists. It's a nice, heavy mid weight material jacket from a true small outfit/maker.

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Honorable Mention #1. American Made Alpha Industries M65. Every outdoorsy 'dude' should have an M65 IMHO. Honorable mention as, at the moment, these are available for $29+S&H from Sportsman's Guide (no affiliation). The only non-pre-owned jacket listed.

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Honorable mention #2, and the only non-'Merican made jacket here today, but good enough IMHO worth mentioning. Kuhl Kollusion jacket. They come in several flavors, but the non-hooded fleece lined variant is a steal if you can snag one around $60. A really nice M65-pattern/style jacket with modern/user friendly touches like modern materials, zipper/buttons, zippered handwarmer pockets, and the fleece lining. This a 'tailored' fit...meaning it tapers top down...so if you're rockin' a 'dad bod', go up a size so the lower torso isn't too snug.

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That is all, carry on.

Boss
 

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Earlier this year I sent my vintage Taylor's leatherwear CMPD issue jacket off to Bedo's leatherworks to have some costom patchwork done to it, once I got it back I modified it to accept a detachable faux fur collar off of a Blauer police jacket to make it more versatile and useful in colder weather.
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This 1970's flannel lined JC penny's plain pockets denim jacket that I bought off Ebay back in March has become one of my absolute favorite most worn light jackets.
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I scored it very cheap, and when it arrived I was happy to finally have a denim jacket that fits me well.
The denim is night and day better than any affordable denim you can get today.

I have kind of given up hope of ever owning a 1950's-60's Big Smith Buckaroo denim jacket, but I will continue to lust after them.
 
This 1970's JC Penny's Big Mac that I got first cheap on Ebay a few years ago is another that I really like.
The wool quality is definitely on the cheaper side, but it's a well tailored fit and is just a good lightweight wool piece.
20250129_150012.jpg
I don't know the weight probably 20oz or so, not particularly dense but sometimes it's nice to have a lighter piece that provides some warmth while still breathing some when it's just a little cool out.
 
BOSS1 said:
Ok, ok...new year...new-to-me jackets...you know the story. You can never have too many jackets...well, you can...buttttttt...life is short...

Truth be told, I have been coming to the realization that I've just got too many...so expect to see some 'catch & release items' in the classifieds...maybe...someday...The Ship John Wills jacket and Tin Duck are on the short 'when I retire' list...but otherwise...these below are about it...

As such, I've been on a 'American Made' kick lately...so I've picked up a few last homegrown 'keepers.' Lest you think I'm made of $$...like pretty much all of my acquisitions, these have been 'pennies on dollar' pre-owned scores I've snagged with more than a bit of patience & shopping...and most of my other clothes (except for critical footware) are elcheapo retail beater stuff.

Without further ado...

The famous Flint & Tinder Flannel Lined Waxed Trucker. Made 'famous' as the 'Joel' jacket from the Last of Us series (his was tan). Probably one of, if not the most, comfortable jacket I've worn in a long time. It feels like nice thick sweatshirt. Things like this really give you perspective (like I'm getting old!). If you can find a deal, snag it.

View attachment 2997171

The 'mighty' full-weight Tom Beckbe Tensaw jacket (not the lighter Early Season/ES version). I was on the hunt for the lighter 'Tobacco' color variant, but I got such a sweet deal on this Rye Brown colorway, I couldn't pass it up. The 'warm brownish' color is starting to appeal to me...a very nice all arounder...

View attachment 2997173

The Tensaw^^ was supposed to be my last purchase...buuutttt...life had other plans, the stars aligned and this custom Bradley Mountain 4 Season Cabin jacket appeared out of the fog of the interwebz and called my name. You see, 'm what you might call 'semi-stocky'... as such, jackets that fit my chest typically have sleeves 2+ inches too long. Not so bad if the cuffs are adjustable (snaps) and I can cinch them down...but if not, sleeve drape annoyingly over my hands. This particularly jacket popped up with custom altered sleeves 2" shorter...I couldn't pass it up...and glad I didn't. The sleeves hit about perfectly at my wrists. It's a nice, heavy mid weight material jacket from a true small outfit/maker.

View attachment 2997179

Honorable Mention #1. American Made Alpha Industries M65. Every outdoorsy 'dude' should have an M65 IMHO. Honorable mention as, at the moment, these are available for $29+S&H from Sportsman's Guide (no affiliation). The only non-pre-owned jacket listed.

View attachment 2997178

Honorable mention #2, and the only non-'Merican made jacket here today, but good enough IMHO worth mentioning. Kuhl Kollusion jacket. They come in several flavors, but the non-hooded fleece lined variant is a steal if you can snag one around $60. A really nice M65-pattern/style jacket with modern/user friendly touches like modern materials, zipper/buttons, zippered handwarmer pockets, and the fleece lining. This a 'tailored' fit...meaning it tapers top down...so if you're rockin' a 'dad bod', go up a size so the lower torso isn't too snug.

View attachment 2997170

That is all, carry on.

Boss
Click to expand...
If you haven’t already check out Heat Straps.
 
3 or 4 years ago now I bought this 24oz wool " cruiser " from Johnson woolen mills.
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it's certainly not the nice densely milled Pendleton wool or pre 70's Woolrich, but it's a decent quality American made piece and 50% cheaper than Filson.
I'm sure Filson is better, but JWM offers more sizes more color options and Filson is just getting way overpriced.

It has the caped shoulders / upper back which is nice, and the thick tall collar I can pop up to keep the back of my neck warm.
 
At 29oz these 2 models from Bemidji woolen mills might be the heaviest American made ( with British wool ) wool pieces on the market today.

Bemidji Woolen Mills - Voyageurs Jac Coat

Bemidji Woolen Mills - Voyageurs Jac Coat - Voyageurs Jac Coat - A hurly burly classic with slanted slash pockets and tailored styling. This jacket's generous fit, substantial fabric, quality sewing and broad color choice feels good and looks right on the roughest of trails and the most stylish...
www.bemidjiwoolenmills.com www.bemidjiwoolenmills.com

Bemidji Woolen Mills - Superior Heavy Lined Hunting Coat

Bemidji Woolen Mills - Superior Heavy Lined Hunting Coat - Superior Heavy Lined Hunting Coat - We had the cruelty of February in mind when we built this coat. Lined with 200 gram Thinsulate for superior warmth, this heavy hunting essential gives you two hand-warmer pockets, a roomy game pouch...
www.bemidjiwoolenmills.com www.bemidjiwoolenmills.com

If they really are a 29oz 100% pure virgin wool, I'll bet they blow filson out of the water at this price unless you don't want the synthetic 3m Thinsulate lining.
 
Dragged all the coats and jackets out, got the light right, took pictures, none of them were in focus.

So, unless and until I feel like trying again, you'll have to imagine that I have a lot of weather cover. A total of ten dedicated outdoors coats, jackets, and windbreakers, and that doesn't include the hoodie that I wear around the house, the wool top coat for weddings and funerals, and the vest that I just got from my job.

I would like to get that down to a more "essential" number, so I created a little chart that matches temperature ranges and activities and guess what? I have a use-case and a temperature range for every. Single. One.

There's some overlap, so maybe there's room for downsizing. I'm going to pay attention to what I wear, where and when over the winter, and take another look at this afterwards.

Between now and then, we'll see if I can scrape together the motivation to do a proper fashion show.
 
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Right! Different camera, less ambitious photo session.

As part of an effort to reduce the amount of weather cover I have (we'll see how that goes), I've been trying to figure out the lower temperature limits for the coats and jackets I do have.

Route 66 unlined windbreaker. Brass zipper. I think Route 66 is Kohl's in-store brand here in the States.

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The windbreaker is good down to about 50. From there, it's the Carhartt Blanket-lined shirt-jac.


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I haven't found the lower limit for the Carhartt, yet. I also don't know how wind chill is going to affect my choices. I do know that working outside for all of my 30's developed my sense of how to dress for the weather.
 
Small side note, as waxed cotton jackets are now one of my favs...I applied a couple coats of Nikwax Wax Cotton Proofer to my F&T Trucker. Smells a bit funny, but easy to apply (spray and spread with sponge) and happy with the results so far...much easier than heating the can-o-wax and applying...haven't had any rain on it yet tho...

nikwax.com

Wax Cotton Proof - Nikwax NA

Nikwax Wax Cotton Proof is a specialty, spray-on, PFAS-free waterproofer that restores the finish of waxed cotton garments.
nikwax.com nikwax.com

Its bit darker in real life...

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Got a bunch that I use. Was issued a Cabela's Guidewear Gortex Parka, with a 200 gram pile liner for a quick trip to Afghanistan in 2002. Got "Invitational Orders" from a 3 star to come, but we could not wear U.S. Uniform, but clothing that "would not compromise the troops". IMO from folks like Geraldo Rivera (not my favorite person), who I remember out on a patrol with U.S. Forces wear a BRIGHT blue flak vest, you could see for miles, while the soldiers were in camouflage uniforms. Later got a vest from Cabela with the same grey/black pattern. The three kept me warm and dry to include a trip to Finland in the Winter. Got another jacket from some work I was doing, a 5.11 Aggressor Parka, with a 300 gram pile liner. Wore it on another Winter trip to Finland, were it kept me warm and dry in rain, sleet and snow. Bought a Sorel Tool Belt jacket in Loden color. Warm and very good water resistant. As I should have realized, it was made for people wearing tool belts, hence the name, so it is a little short. I wear it mainly around the house or like today to go out to get the mail, strong wind and rain, but warm and dry. Then I saw a Wolverine Rockfort jacket, dark brown (I like earth colors) at half price and it is just about 2 1/2 inches longer than the Tool Belt. Same warmth and water resistant. The jacket I wear most around here (Western Washington) is a Filson Elliot Bay jacket, I also got for half price, kind of a dark tan, almost looks like Tweed. Basically a shell, that if cold I either wear a 200 gram Woolpro vest or sweater with. If looks to be colder I will also throw in a Wiggy's Lamite liner, which handles anything I will run into around here weather wise. John
Also wore a Mountain Hardwear Parka to Finland with a 200 gram Woolpro sweater and a thick wool and pile vest from LL Bean, on another Winter trip to Finland, served me well, but have outgrown that jacket.
 
I love my vintage flannel lined JCP plain pockets so much that I found an unlined one for $35 on Ebay the other day and bought it.
s-l1200 (5).webp
I have 2 vintage unlined denim jackets but neither fit me very well, whoever made these for JCP got the fit on these just right.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I love my vintage flannel lined JCP plain pockets so much that I found an unlined one for $35 on Ebay the other day and bought it.
View attachment 3008311
I have 2 vintage unlined denim jackets but neither fit me very well, whoever made these for JCP got the fit on these just right.
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I've layered a denim over a light flannel, before. Warm, and windproof. Good to at least 25 degrees in Bananas, maybe lower. If you need more and still want to be able to fold your arms, add a Sherpa vest as your base layer.
 
Shorttime said:
I've layered a denim over a light flannel, before. Warm, and windproof. Good to at least 25 degrees in Bananas, maybe lower. If you need more and still want to be able to fold your arms, add a Sherpa vest as your base layer.
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I personally need more than that to stay warm if it's 50°f or below, but everybody is different.

I have a sherpa lined wool vest, but it's too much to wear under a trim cut denim jacket like these.
Under the blanket lined Big Smith or the unlined Key Saddle king that doesn't fit me satisfactorily sure I could definitely do it, but I've got plenty of vintage wool outerwear for when it really gets cold for me.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I personally need more than that to stay warm if it's 50°f or below, but everybody is different.

I have a sherpa lined wool vest, but it's too much to wear under a trim cut denim jacket like these.
Under the blanket lined Big Smith or the unlined Key Saddle king that doesn't fit me satisfactorily sure I could definitely do it, but I've got plenty of vintage wool outerwear for when it really gets cold for me.
Click to expand...

Well, maybe I did forget the wool socks and wool beanie that I was also wearing. And the coveralls. So, yeah.
 
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