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Loos Threads

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  1. Merino stays warm when wet, though. I have shied away from synthetics because I sweat too much for them to stay reasonably wearable on multi-day trips. Cotton kills. 

    'Smartwool' can often be found on sale, and Costco also has decent merino base layers from time to time for cheap. I have started to wear Veilance and Outlier shirts now that they are old enough to fray and have holes. I usually pack a merino t-shirt and then a long sleeve to put on over top. Wool toque for taking breaks up high and in the evening, Arc'teryx down and shell, Fjallraven or Outdoor Research pants, Salomon boots.

    I like ultralight gear: Hyperlite Mountain Gear backpack, MLD trailstar tarp shelter, Enlightened Equipment quilt... there is a plethora of excellent lightweight gear being produced by small cottage manufacturers based in the US (and elsewhere) these days. REI/MEC do pretty well for more conventional and available equipment at a more accessible price point.

     

     

  2. New Field jacket hood fits a little snug compared to jackets with a dedicated hood - it should be considered more of an emergency feature than an everyday use. It does stow away more elegantly than past iterations.

    Looking into getting a Conduct to complement mine and replace the outdoor Spring/Summer functionality of my old Align.

  3. I am a bit skeptical of the breathability. Also, in my experience, the fabric tends to wear through around folds and seams - works great for minimalist packs but perhaps not so well for articulated garments.

  4. 10 hours ago, tv_ice said:

    Carlooa: This is something I've thought about quite a bit. I rationalize my love of ACR on the basis that capitalism is perfectly fine when it comes to the distribution of fancy goretex jackets - as opposed to say, open-heart surgery. I guess you could say I'm a socialist when it comes to the necessities, but I like getting paid and buying cool shit too. 

    In a capitalist system, only the rich can afford luxuries. Under full communism, everyone can wear Acronym.

  5. messenger bags are a funny thing, i always wonder what people have to be carrying around all the time? i suppose it makes sense if you're in NY and you cycle and don't have a dedicated office. i was attracted to tech wear out of minimalism and a better quality of items. i actively remove things from my life that aren't necessary and used frequently, ex. an ipad. i'm constantly on the hunt to make my wallet even thinner, i'm down to 3 cards now. i guess my question is, what're people carrying around?

     

    The same things I use everyday, at home or otherwise: a water bottle, a mug, a sketchbook, whatever book I'm reading, a camera, and a layer of clothing or two. I think it is an extension of minimalist living to take the quality objects that you use in your house and carry them around with you as well. When your principal method of transportation is a bike it is also necessary to be adaptable to changing weather conditions and have some lights at hand, as well as be able to carry some groceries without needing plastic at the store. Pockets are nice, but there is a diminishing functionality to the clothing as they become filled. I do prefer a backpack, though.

  6. Alittle late, but Smartwool have very limited branding. I think it has been brought up already but Costco also has logoless merino long sleeves sometimes this time of year, at least in Canada. Uniqlo heattech isn't the same obviously but a nice cheap option.

     

    Outlier shirts are worth the wait (weight?), though - really nice, thick fabric that drapes well and feels more substantial than a lot of the base layers out there (that for me, on the trail, tend to wear out fast).

     

     

    also regarding merino layers -

     

    i was going to pick up merino shirts from outlier, but still haven't restocked on my size in my color. Any recommendations for alternatives (that isn't logo heavy)?

  7. Align and Field Jacket are fundamentally very different jackets, with the former being closer to a mainline bird sportswear aesthetic and feel, and the Field Jacket being a sort of contemporary take on vintage military jackets - the heavy, textured nylon fabric face does not suggest Gore-Tex.

     

    Also note that the hood configuration differs considerably between the Arris and Align. I think the Arris is much more forward thinking in its cut.

  8. Does anyone have any suggestions for sunglasses? In particular, since I wear prescription glasses I'm looking for more convenient than "have a completely separate prescription pair" or "contact lenses". The best solution I've found seem to be a clip on like Oliver Peoples, but they don't been to be in stock anywhere and I'm wondering if there are any other solutions.

     

     

    Garrett Leight is an offshoot of Oliver Peoples and also offers clip-ons in a variety of styles. For another poster above, Costco can be good for plain merino socks (and shirts) but they're not always available.

  9. I think I've said this before elsewhere here but suede will never be as good in rain as leather - it's basically leather removed of its natural protective and waterproof layer for cosmetic and textural effect. Note that there are products specially designed for waterproofing suede. Dab with white vinegar if you put it down in the snow in the city as the salt will stain.

  10. I don't have that jacket but I find Veilance to have very consistent sizing and I wear a medium in their jackets as well as in Patagonia's.

     

    There is a Veilance feature article and interview in Intelligence Magazine issue 2 for those who can find it at their local shops.

  11. That being said, I like my Catlike Whisper (and have the unfortunate experience of testing it), although some people are completely repulsed by the looks, so be ready for that kind of reaction.

     

     

    Really? I've gotten so many strong compliments on mine. I often choose to ride without a helmet, especially in the summer, and agree with you on the importance of riding offensively/conscously. I think that not wearing influences both riding style and how cars react to sharing the road with you. But I have no strong opinions either way. Those who ride, decide.

     

    Love that meanswhile piece above.

  12. does anyone know about a safe, practical and nice looking helmet for biking downtown?

     

    i've been biking helmet-free for over a year in Paris now but several people i know having had accidents lately made me decide to become extra safer

     

     

    catlike-whisper-side-tmb.jpg

  13. (Anyone know: Do any Arc'teryx outlets except the one at the factory in Vancouver get any Veilance pieces? Have one opening soon where I live...)

     

     

    Yes, all of them in my experience. I get the impression that they have been trying to push Veilance within the brand the last couple years - special Veilance section, and staff are keen to introduce you to the collection if they see you looking. The factory store is unique in also having dead stock and seconds at discount.

  14. ^ Didn't read that whole article, but it all seems so tech (industry, not wear): over-engineer a 'solution' to a problem while completely missing the point. In this case, workplace sexism and patriarchal beauty standards. Their 3D mesh model Rhino screenshot is also pretty unconvincing, especially for a brand pretentiously called 'Thesis'.

     

    On another note, these Montbell sandals are amazing (thanks for the tip merzbot). Simple, updated take on trad design. Light and cheap - now I need to find a proxy because the plain black ones aren't available outside of Japan as far as I can tell.

     

    Whoah, liking the alk phenix stuff. 

     

    Anyone have any info on these sandals?
    10.jpg

  15. I'm currently looking for an ultralight windbreaker.

    Which jacket from AV would you recommend?

     

    • Windshell Blazer --> really ultralightweigt, can I wear it at a chilly but warm beach day? i.e. casual, or is it really more like a blazer (I have the Quoin Jacket and like it very much, if the windshell blazer is similiar I'd buy it immedtiatelly)
    • Nemis Jacket - not too warm ? I have to say I'm sweating very fast

     

    or any other Brand you would recommend? Which have similar look and materials like AV and no branding visible

     

     

    Old Isogon if you can find it, before they started using the brushed cotton blend and it was nylon like the Nemis. Blazer LT could also work. I'm a big fan of that light stretchy nylon.

  16. Great Season. Love the colours, especially the subtler, darker variations like Soot and Peat, and the new Indisce jacket and pants. I also appreciate that the beginning of the catalog breaks down the line in terms of which weather conditions form the context for the pieces. My only disappointment is the continued lack of a lightweight down jacket for layering. 

  17. It looks to be the same as last year's. Great pant - I put them through the ringer this past summer and they look just as new as when I got them. Very light fabric with subtle stretch.

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