Al's Anorak

After my second winter with the anorak I thought it was time for a review. I’m 5’8” 185lbs with a stocky chest and neck. A size medium is nicely fitted to me with light layers under it. If I wanted heavy layering or a sweater under it I would need to size up.
I have a Midweight and found it to be very comfortable with a light merino base layer down to 25° while moving and up to about 55° with the sun out. I have wore the anorak indoors during the winter months and been comfortable while not active. The mid weight does a great job of shedding rain and wet snow for a few hours. Eventually, you will soak through.
The anorak is my favorite piece of outdoor gear. This thing is made for the mountains and is always with me during active outdoor activities whether it’s a four hour or a four day adventure.
The only con with this piece of gear is taking it off and on. This does not bother me at all but some people with bad shoulders will want a different weatherwool jacket. Also, the type of person that just put a jacket on to go outside for 10 minutes or run down to the store will be happier with a different jacket.
Weatherwool customer service and quality of product is the best I’ve ever found. Buy with confidence.

The price concerned me. But I LOVE wool. I scour the internet looking for wool clothing I consider a good deal (usually used, classic old garments). When I found weatherwool, I was interested but never thought I would pay the prices. I started with the lending library to ease into the product because of the price - but the wool was too fantastic. I returned the lending library item (best idea ever), and I then bought a full weight lynx anorak. (my new favorite color). I wear it all the time. I will say it is hard to put on and take off, but when it’s on, it’s golden. I’m 5’8” 212 but stocky and athletic (42 modern or 44 slim sport coat) - not much weight to lose if I wanted to. I got a medium. They would probably recommend a large, which may be easier to put on, but the sleeve lengths would be longer and I like a more fitted garment. I can still wear the medium with a T-shirt and a wool long sleeve under it and it fits fine great. That’s WARM.

People have stopped me on the street and expressed their appreciation of this company - I Live in Idaho. The lynx color gave me away and it surprises me that people recognize such a new/small company from out east. One woman literally ran out of a storefront and waved me down and said “Those guys make the best sweaters ever! I love them”. Kicker was - she was manning an outerwear store.

The price is worth it - Even for my frugal self. I know you can find a wool shirt for $20 or a wool coat for $100 used. I was the king of bargain wool shopping. Now, I check their lending library, I check the “in stock” page, and I read ralph’s blog every day waiting for two things. 1. Charcoal Southshore Chore Coat. 2. Hooded Lynx Jacket - of course in my size. Then I can rest my weary fingers. Maybe.

Why? Both would be easier to take off, but probably less warm - for those shoulder seasons. I wouldn’t ever return my anorak and would still use that on the truly outdoor cold days. I have many jackets that are on the giveaway pile when more weatherwool comes in.

Other notes:
This wool does not itch. It is awesome in the wind - a problem for almost all of my other wool. The hood is huge and perfect - I love the cinch factor on the back of the hood. I thought it looked silly, but it’s very useful. I also love the cinch on the lower back.

Is it pricy? Sure. But I will gladly pay for a US company to make this quality product any day of the week. I just wish they had more stock so I could send them more money.

Just spent a week skiing in Colorado with this, and it performed beautifully. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to don a super special waterproof polyester jacket to achieve total comfort while shredding it on the mountain. In fact, our buddy who did buy a rather pricey skiing jacket was complaining of sweat at the end of each day, and could not stand the smell of his jacket at the end of day 3. Meanwhile, my husband and I were rocking our anoraks in total warmth and breathability. The pockets were plentiful and was as good as bringing a bag with me. And when I fell (which I did plenty of) the snow that stuck on would just melt away later, never penetrating the inside or compromising comfort. Another perk of this jacket, the two side zippers will be very accommodating to my growing baby belly as we get ready to welcome our 4th kiddo!

Note for women: If you are a small in the blanket coat, an XS in the anorak will fit very well. If you have not yet purchased a blanket coat, I recommend you do so! It was elegant and very warm even with a single under layer in the cool winter nights of Colorado.

I wrote my first review just after receiving my anorak (brown, heavyweight, large) at the end of may last year. That review was mostly about fit and features (fits great on me: 195lbs and 6’ tall). Now, having worn it often here in Vermont mostly for winter camping and dog walking , I can say I am truly impressed. With a heavy wool sweater under it, I have spent comfortable weekends camping and sitting outside at 20 degrees F or walking the dog for an hour or so at 10 degrees. I love the way it seems to block the wind but breathes like nobody’s business. Much has been said in previous reviews about its comfort range and it’s all true. The dry comfort is wonderful even when coated with snow. For really brutal weather (super cold and windy) I pull a FjallRaven #8 anorak over the whole works. Amazing!

I have a large mid-weight Lynx anorak, purchased in 11/24. The material is the softest wool I have ever touched. I have found this anorak to be comfortable at a medium activity level (walking the dog) down to about 15F with a wool t-shirt and a light long sleeved winter thermal shirt. It has replaced every other winter jacket I own. I have also used it as a second layer under a down coat for long periods of inactivity and the ability to quickly transition from that to movement by just removing and packing up the down coat is refreshing. I have put my name down for and XL, I’d like to double them up and see how they hold up in colder temps! It’s supposed to get down to -19F next week, but I probably will have to wait until the next manufacturing run and next winter to run that test. I honestly believe that in 30 years my grandkids will be wearing my anoraks, and they will be in as good of shape as when Ralph and Alex made them. The only wish I have is that the arms be a touch longer. For reference, I’m 6’3”, 205lbs, 34” waist, normally wear XL t-shirts. I can comfortably wear two light layers under my large anorak.