When the temperature drops, I tend to fall back on some of my “classics” outerwear. Some of these things, like my 25 year old Carhartt Jacket, have been around for awhile. I do have a new one in the closet, I still fall back to the old one that is almost bleached white, and has frayed cuffs. I have a plethora of jackets, vests, hoodies, sweaters laying around. This last year I decided to change up my cold weather gear a little. I wanted to clean out the closet, and replace them with some quality wool items. Classic in the good sense.
From experience, I know I like things that breath, and things that I can layer. That way when I am outside shovelings the driveway for the fifth time in two days I can adjust so I am not sweating or freezing. My two base layers became a Filson Mackinaw Vest and an Asbell Wool Pathfinder. The FIlson vest is made of a very dense wool, that on cold days I could wear under the Pathfinder to keep my core warmer. On warmer days, it was often enough just over a long sleeve shirt. The Asbell Pathfinder is actually a half zipper pull over, which has the comfort of a hoodie, but can vent heat by pulling the zipper down.
The half zip hoodie is a design I have had in cotton before, but is much improved in wool. The generous hood size also helps when wearing a hat. A large kangaroo pouch can keep your hands warm and a separate zipped pocket keeps things secure. They claim the wool is “blanket weight,” but it is very breathable. It is perfect for walking and working. Yet it might be cold if you were sitting.
When outside working or hiking, I topped it off with a Spanish Beret, and my walking stick. Because I don’t like to sweat in my everyday beret, I decided to use a Boina Super Lujo from Boinas Elósegui just for working outside in the winter. This heavy wool beret is actually a dark blackish green called Tui, and is the perfect hat for cold Michigan Winters. Most of the winter I also just wore my Xero shoes, that were never meant to be winter wear. While these thin minimalist shoes could be cold at times, I actually found the flexibility to be a help in the snow. I would not use them ice fishing, but they were perfect when on the move. Good, warm socks helped a lot.
I loved the Asbell Pathfinder for outdoor activities, but it is not the most fashionable. I actually used the Filson vest most days under my jacket when going to work and shopping. It is just a great, warm base layer. I have thought of finding other wool vest to add to my daily dress. Ideally something more fashionable, because cold weather gear doesn’t have to be ugly.
