For about 10 years I’ve had a smash-able, crushable windbreaker that would fit into it’s own webbed pocket. It’s small enough to stash anywhere and I did exactly that, usually in my Osprey Flap series. But what I sacrificed was rain proofing. Over the last two years I’ve been commuting between 2-3 different offices for work by nearly all transportation modes that exist; walk, motorcycle, bus, car, plane, cab. Now, I wanted something that could stand up to the weather regardless of latitude or time zone.
The Sherpa Thamel 2.5-Layer Jacket is a great replacement. I got mine as a gift (thank you!) oversized so it would fit over my ever-present fleece I wear (which I’m wearing it right now in fact) and it’s feather light.
Sherpa spent a lot of time on the hood. When you have it up, it’s a full cowl with an elastic cord running around the leading edge so you can glue the hood to your face if you want. But rather than walk around like a nerdy 10 year old, I usually just flip the hood up and zip the jacket to the chin. In this position the high collar keeps the hood up-right. This has the added benefit of narrowing the opening slightly opening so even in wind it stays on.
On sunny days, and for a cleaner look, you can stash the hood by rolling it down into the collar and fastening it in place with a short piece of velcro. The zipper still comes up to the chin and the rolled up hood acts as a high collar – keeping the rain and wind off your neck.
The YKK zipper and Sherpa signet loop at the end is first class and the inner flap is reinforced with a layer non-catch fabric. The zipper will not snag. This. Is. Awesome.
Using it:
The cuffs are gathered but won’t cut off the blood flow. The left side chest pocket is pretty cavernous with no indication outside that the pocket goes from mid-line to extreme left chest. Inside the chest pocket is a small inner opening to snake your ear buds through – keeping the cord inside the jacket. I store all sorts of things in the chest pocket; phone, keys, receipts, ear-buds, etc. In fact it’s a dumping ground for my stuff but that just tells you it’s very useful.
There are two large deep pockets inside that will take one large glove each, or a medium padded envelope. You can fit a Kindle in one of these pockets but it will weigh down the jacket and you start looking like a nerdy 10 year old again.
Why you want it:
- Does what it says it does – stops the rain and wind
- Sherpa took a very simple feature – the hood – and make it awesome
- It’s smash-able, crushable and folds down into chest pocket
- The breathable nylon rocks
- You won’t look like a nerdy 10 year old wearing it
What would make it better:
– The nylon is breathable, so it tends to cling when really soaked. Slightly stiffer nylon is preferred.
– This jacket doesn’t have any external pockets for your hands. That’s a letdown because two-way access to those large inner pockets would be ideal. I’m inclined to add them myself.
Sherpa’s Resham 3-Layer Jacket does have large outside pockets but you trade the chest and inner pockets for two large outer ones and one small pocket mounted on the sleeve (which I would never use).
Would I recommend it? Yes. For sure.
Listed on Amazon in three colors for $60 – $90
–Jon