Popular Mechanics - USA (2020-11 & 2020-12)

BEST 3-IN-1

THE NORTH FACE THERMOBALL

ECO TRICLIMATE JACKET

Price: $299 | Insulation: 10-gram

synthetic | Rating: Warmer | Moisture

Protection: 2.5-layer waterproof shell

The versatility of three-in-one coats—

comprised of an outer waterproof shell,

an inner jacket or vest that zips in and out,

and both worn together—makes them

a smart investment. And the ThermoB-

all TriClimate is the best we’ve tested. It’s

comfortable, light, and protective. Soft

to the touch, the PU-coated waterproof

jacket kept us dry during a drizzly hike and

has a soft fleece-lined chin guard on the

collar. The inner shell (which shows sweat

easily) has 10-gram insulation. Combined,

they offered just enough warmth for days

when the mercury hovers in the 30s. The

hood’s cinch cords tighten with a quick pull,

so we didn’t have to mess with any buttons

when the skies opened up. We do wish,

however, that the pockets on the outer

shell were lined for additional warmth.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT

TYPE OF INSULATION

Down and synthetic materials

are the most common types

of insulation used in winter

coats. Each has its own advan-

tages, but the way they keep

you warm is similar: Your body

generates heat and warms the

still air that’s trapped between

the fibers and filaments of the

materials. “We know air is

the best insulator on earth,”

says Hsiou-Lien Chen, a tex-

tile researcher and associate

professor at Oregon State

University. “If you can create

more spaces to trap that air,

the material will have better

insulation.” Here’s how each

does it.

DOWN

Numerous filaments diverge

from a central point. This cre-

ates the spherical shape of—and

pockets of air in—down clusters.

And the clusters offer the most

warmth for their weight of any

insulator. But they collapse when

wet, losing their ability to retain

warm air. Also, down is usually

the most expensive insulator,

given it’s sourced from geese

and ducks.

SYNTHETIC

Polyester insulation is made of

terephthalic acid and ethylene

glycol, two petroleum deriv-

atives (though it’s becoming

increasingly common to source

these compounds from recycled

water bottles). The resulting

fibers have hollow cores and

are crimped, which creates air-

trapping loft, and spun into a bolt

of fabric. Newer, more sophisti-

cated synthetic insulation, such

as Patagonia’s PlumaFill and The

North Face’s ThermoBall, mim-

ics down with ultrafine threads

and clustered construction.

Regardless of shape, synthetic

insulation is generally cheaper

and traps less warmth than

down, but it better retains its

insulating power when wet.

BEST WORKWEAR

CARHARTT DUCK

QUILTED FLANNEL–LINED

ACTIVE JACKET

Price: $100 | Insulation: 7. 2 - o z.

flannel and 4.4-oz. nylon | Rating:

Warmer | Moisture Protection:

Water-repellent cotton duck

At 3 pounds, 6.4 ounces, this jacket

is among the heaviest in the test.

But that weight is a fair trade-off

for such a durable, warm coat that

won’t wither under a hard day’s

work. The 12-ounce cotton duck

exterior on the Active is made of

ring-spun fibers that are woven to cre-

ate the tough canvas-like fabric that can

stand up to abuse at construction sites

and home workshops. Meanwhile, a quilt-

ed-flannel lining in the body and hood and

quilted nylon in the sleeves add comfort

and warmth. It felt more like a super-soft

blanket than a capable piece of workwear.

Inner and outer pockets fit tools or a wal-

let and were large enough that they didn’t

appear bulky when full. However, the hood

is a touch large for casual use when you

don’t need to fit a helmet under it.

November/December 2020 79

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