It might be cooling down as we head into autumn, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to hibernate. It’s all about picking the right outerwear for the right situation; whether you’re a Joe (or Jane) about town or walking in the country, you can still be warm, dry and, most importantly, stylish.
We tried out a couple of offerings from German apparel maker Jack Wolfskin. The company combines 40 years of experience producing outerwear, leisure clothing and equipment with classy designs and contemporary colours. The jackets we tried — one from the men’s range and another from the women’s range — are made from recycled materials, keeping us warm and dry while being kinder to the environment.
Jack Wolfskin Mainkai Men’s Jacket
£100
The Mainkai jacket
is waterproof and windproof, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of situations. The outer layer is made from Texapore Ecosphere Pro fabric, which gives the jacket its lightweight, breathable exterior and has a good stretch to it, ensuring that you don’t feel restricted and have plenty of freedom of movement.
The hood has an adjustable element, which can be tightened to give better visibility while keeping you covered. The bottom seam has an adjustable toggle, helping to keep out any unwanted drafts.
Your hands needn’t get too cold either, as there are two good-sized exterior pockets. There’s also a breast pocket that’s the ideal size for your mobile phone, and with the zip opening on the outside, there’s no need to let any cold air in as you reach for it.
It’s an excellent all-rounder, especially as it doesn’t need bulky linings to keep you protected, making it a cinch to stuff it into a backpack while you’re out walking. That means it’s also thin enough to use as a secondary layer over a light fleece — perfect for those unpredictable autumn days.
What really plays into the Mainkai jacket’s favour is that as well as being great for walking or cycling, it’s also incredibly stylish and high quality. It wouldn’t look out of place as smart casual wear.
Jack Wolfskin Routeburn Pro Women’s Insulated Jacket
£155
The Routeburn Pro Insulated Jacket is a lightweight, hooded jacket that incorporates technologies to keep the wearer warm and comfortable in different weather conditions. It’s durable, thanks to the use of Texashield Pro recycled ripstop fabric, which makes the jacket windproof and breathable and ensures plenty of stretch in the fabric, making it less vulnerable to being snagged and torn.
While it isn’t fully waterproof, it is highly water-repellent, so unless you’re caught in a deluge, you’ll have plenty of time to throw on a waterproof layer or find some shelter before it becomes a problem.
The inner layer is made up of Texatherm Pro Fluff, so if you are unfortunate enough to get a little soggy, the fluff traps in plenty of warm air, keeping you warm and insulated, even when the outer layer is damp.
A chest pocket offers easy access to essentials, and there are two hip pockets, all secured with zips. The hem is adjustable for that extra windproofing factor, ensuring it stays tight to the hips to seal in the warmth and prevent drafts.
The Routeburn Pro is warm, lightweight and extremely packable, thanks to the soft shell nature of the fabric throughout. If you’re hiking and it’s a little too warm for a jacket, it’s easily rolled and stowed without filling a backpack. It’s a great option for outdoor activities but looks stylish enough for a walk to a country pub or even just a trip to the supermarket.
Ariat Skyline Solaris Men’s Walking Boot
£165
If you’re talking about outerwear, you can’t ignore your feet, so we also put some walking boots through their paces. Ariat is an American brand most widely known for its equestrian and workwear — and a range of Western boots — but now also boasts a range of leisure and walking boots. We tested two very different styles of boots; one had a traditional walking boot aesthetic, and the second was more akin to the equestrian boot that Ariat is perhaps best known for.
Ariat has introduced the Skyline Solaris walking boot to its men’s and women’s range. These lightweight boots are durable and comfortable, with a good level of grip on different surfaces. This new addition incorporates a contoured, removable cushioning insole, which makes the boots very plush while providing valuable foot support.
The midsole is made from a lightweight EVA, which not only acts as a shock absorber but is also tough enough to resist wearing easily. This is surrounded by a Duratread outsole, which is flexible and grippy, providing both comfort and stability.
As well as keeping feet snug and dry, Ariat has incorporated technology which creates air vents in the sole’s base layer to regulate temperature, keeping feet cool and fresh in warmer conditions.
What makes the Solaris stand out, though, is just how lightweight it is. Ariat has managed to combine all the properties you’d want from a quality walking boot — comfort, strength, grip and weatherproofing — and made it lighter, which is an excellent combination.
Skyline Solaris are available in two different colour combinations, but even with the more vibrant flashes of orange in the bolder colour choice, the Skyline Solaris look and feel contemporary and stylish, no matter what the setting.
Ariat Moresby Waterproof Women’s Boot
£165
The Moresby Waterproof Boot is a bestseller for Ariat, and there’s a good reason for that. Made with Ariat’s Dryshield construction, the boots are fully waterproof, keeping feet dry, whatever the weather. The sole is made from recycled materials with a tough shock-absorbing midsole, but remains lightweight enough to make them extremely comfortable to wear.
The upper part of the Moresby boot is made from full-grain leather and suede, ensuring that it’s not only flexible and durable but also great to look at. These boots can be worn in a multitude of settings, whether that be in the middle of a field, up a mountain, or as everyday wear, and they would suit each perfectly.
A perfect boot for just about any occasion that you’ll be happy to wear again and again.
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