The Obtainer - 1/3/23, Monday
↦ The Best Down Jackets at Any Price
Monday, January 2nd Edition
Did anyone else lose track of time between Christmas and New Year’s? Anyways, I’m happy that we’ve reconnected in the new year and looking forward to the next 52 weeks of discovering new things with one another.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
Buying Guide
The Best Down Jackets at Any Price
Hopefully you didn’t get stuck during that hellish winter storm over the holidays, but if you were, I sure hope you dressed accordingly. Yeah, temperatures were well below freezing, but it’s nothing that an excellent down jacket and piping cup of cocoa can’t fix, am I right? The best down jackets have traditionally been made of goose down (and later lightweight synthetic fibers) and many still are—however, other brands have opted for a more sustainable route, like water bottles and other recyclable materials to produce an incredibly insulated jacket. Either way, I’m sure everyone has this type of jacket in their closet, and if you don’t, let this be your sign to get one immediately.You may be thinking, the bigger, the warmer when it comes to down filling. But that’s not always the case—thanks to newer technology and other ways to source materials, a lot of down jackets are lean and “packable”, allowing you to put them in your carry-on instead of lugging them around whenever traveling. And sure, bulky options will no doubt keep you warm (meaning you don’t have to layer as much), but today’s slimmer styles are just as warm, with an additional layer. The simple point of all down jackets is that they insulate body heat, and for all the work they do, the jackets are generally lightweight. The tech trend in men’s fashion seems to be tapering off, but styling down jackets is easy to incorporate into your everyday style. Relaxed denim or cargos and a hoodie look great, but pulling a quilted jacket over your suit adds a technical twist to your dressed-up fit. We’ve handpicked four to help kick the chill in the new year.
4 of Our Favorites
A streamlined, contemporary style that's wind and water-resistant, featuring recycled fill to defend against inclement weather, finished with oversized side pockets and adjustable bungees for a cinched waist.
Ultra puffer jacket,$80 / $64 by Abercrombie & Fitch
There's a reason this will always be a go-to option. The classic Nuptse silhouette is warm and enduring and filled with 700-fill down. It's water-repellent and includes a stowaway hood for traveling—there's no better jacket for the price.
1996 Retro nuptse jacket,$320 by The North Face
This rugged silhouette is influenced by a vintage mountaineers' jacket from the '60s. Todd Snyder gave it an updated twist with a diamond-quilted nylon exterior made from Italian fabric. The down filling makes it easy to layer underneath, and there's ribbed finishing for a clean fit around the collar and wrists.
Italian quilted down snap bomber jacket,$428 by Todd Snyder
Want a down jacket without it being too puffy? This quilted shirt jacket is virtually weightless and filled with 650-fill responsible goose down that has one of the highest warmth-to-weight ratios.
Lightweight down jac-shirt,$295 by Filson
5 Stylish Items to Buy This Week
New year, new scent, right? And Jack Henry has just the fragrance for it. They've just introduced the brand's first cologne—an eau de parfum ($125) that's a warm mix of clean citrus and rich woods and musky incense. The scent is fantastic, but the bottle adds a whole other layer of delight. The magnetized lid pulls off and snaps back on with the precision of an Apple product. And the juice inside is ejected in a satisfying puff—a mist so fine you don't even need to rub the fragrance in. Perhaps that is the secret to why the scent lasts so long on your skin.
Test Drive
The Ultimate Stroller
I don’t think it’s any secret that becoming a parent is a daunting task, but it’s made easier when you’ve got the right tools. Whether you’re gearing up for your first or third child, all the gadgets and parental guidelines are ever-changing. One of the items worth investing in from the get-go is a stroller—one that has ample storage, is easy to clean and can adapt to any terrain.My wife and I recently picked up the Roam crossover stroller from Guava and are kicking ourselves that we didn’t purchase it sooner. We had been using this one from Doona, which is great and breaks down into a tricycle the older he gets; however, it’s a pain to always reassemble with many pieces. On the upside, a lot of passersby often call it a “hot rod”. If the Doona stroller is a hot rod, then the one from Guava is a Land Rover Defender—luxe, technical and rugged as hell.The Roam was created for runners, so the ride is smooth for both the parent and child. There are no small pieces you have to sift through to set up the stroller—pull the red tab at the middle of it, and it’s ready to roll. It is a large stroller, but it’s smaller than most running models on the market. One excellent feature is that you can lock the front wheel, so whenever you’re running, the tire stays straight, and you don't have to worry about the stroller going in an opposite direction and breaking your stride. The rubber tires are airless and the all-terrain suspension allows for a smooth ride no matter where your next adventure is.My son loves to ride in the stroller because it sits up high, has a retractable shade, and can recline back whenever he’s fatigued while on our walks. I get that an almost $700 price tag sounds insane, but this would easily last you for the first five years of your child’s life. And as any parent knows, sometimes paying for convenience is key, especially if both you and the kid benefit.
Roam crossover stroller,$649.95 / $549.95 by Guava
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
A modern interpretation of the classic crewneck sweatshirt is executed to perfection by Sunspel. Made from incredibly soft loopback fabric—its traditional internal loop stitch is super soft, warm and insulating.
$165 / $99by Sunspel
This waxed organic cotton field jacket features four patch pockets and military-inspired details. The flannel lining keeps you warm whenever the temperatures dip below freezing, and it's under $50—I'll take two, please.
$158 / $47by Everlane
Whatever beverage you can think of will automatically be elevated in this glass. Dishwasher-safe and sturdy, these glasses will serve your famous cocktails to guests and stack neatly in your kitchen cabinets.
$24 / $15(for a set of two)by Departo
The three best stories from around the web.
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As well as being the final guard against the weather, it can be a defining part of your ’fit and reveal an inner truth about who you are.”
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The first officially recorded time ball was set up in 1829 at England's Portsmouth Harbor, although there is a written record of similar time-signaling systems dating all the way back to Ancient Greece.”
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Pelé's off-pitch wardrobe oozed both style and sophistication a plenty, two words almost unheard of when describing those playing today's game.”
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Heading home for the holidays 🎄
December 22