Dry - without the high price
Trio of spring-weight jackets keep the elements at bay without breaking the bank
DEDHAM - Like stepping in a puddle in tennis shoes, nothing is worse than the cold, wet feeling of rain or melting snow that's penetrated your weather-inappropriate coat.
The Globe tested three stylish and functional new waterproof jackets that are hitting stores for the spring. We tested The North Face Cirrus Jacket at $129, the Eastern Mountain Sports Thunderhead SYNC at $99, and the Nike Storm-Fit Light Full-zip Jacket at $149.99.
The jackets are cool. Each had its unique features, and each looked and felt as if it were well-built.
We consulted with Chrissy Wheeler at Dick's Sporting Goods in Dedham whose job it is to hawk all kinds of jackets and gear, though she deals mainly in Dick's stock of Nike jackets. Still, she was really impressed with the North Face jacket we showed her, which the store hasn't received yet.
Wheeler says the most important part of a waterproof jacket is that it actually is waterproof. The outer material must allow water to run off it instead of absorbing it and allowing it to seep through, as most natural fabrics do. It should also zip and Velcro or buckle up tightly, sealing off any water from getting in the middle. The jacket should also be breathable - allowing condensation and body moisture to escape while keeping water out. This makes a world of difference on a humid day.
"Any jacket I'd recommend, most of them are waterproof and breathable," Wheeler said.
Price is also a consideration. Spring jackets generally cost much less than winter jackets - up to $100 less for the brands we checked. Be prepared to spend about $100 on a decent spring jacket.
However, if you bought a good, layered winter jacket, check to see if you're able to remove the inner layer. That would leave you with, essentially, one of these spring jackets. Double check your existing gear before running off to buy a new jacket.
In the end, we chose the North Face as the best overall jacket. We liked the way it looked, and Wheeler, who also chose this as her favorite, was impressed with its functionality and the pockets and zippers.
The only thing Wheeler didn't like about the North Face jacket was the fact that the hood tucked away into a Velcro compartment. She said it was a pain to stow the hood and take it back out. We sort of liked that you could get rid of the hood and still have a stylish spring jacket, though.
The price was right on the EMS jacket, but the material was a little thinner than the North Face model's. That would work in some people's favor, though. The EMS jacket weighed less than the others, so it depends on your tastes.
$129
Pros: The Cirrus is stylish and breathable. It would be comfortable on any humid day.
Cons: You might not like the tuck-in hood.
The final word: Function meets fashion. You can't go wrong.
EASTERN MOUNTAIN SPORTS THUNDERHEAD SYNC JACKET
$99
Pros: The jacket is light and very comfortable. It's a very unobtrusive piece of gear.
Cons: The material is a little thin.
The final word: The Thunderhead is an economical, comfortable, and just plain good choice if you want to stay dry.
NIKE STORM-FIT LIGHT FULL-ZIP JACKET
$149.99
Pros: It's comfortable and has a lot of pockets, like one just for your MP3 player.
Cons: The jacket's raglan sleeves make it better for skinny people. There's also no hood.
The final word: It's a bit expensive.
