Photo by B.J. Vickers
Grundns Weather Watch Rain Gear
This lightweight foul-weather jacket will stay dry inside and out, and it’s easily packable.
I’ve been into salty-looking foul-weather jackets ever since I saw the famous (and occasionally infamous) cruising sailor Tristan Jones wearing one with a dark-blue hue, a dashingly high collar, and an unmistakable Helly Hansen logo at the New York Boat Show back in about 1990. But I’ve had one big problem with almost every look-alike I’ve owned: They’ve all been so rain-resistant that every time I’ve worn them for more than ten minutes I’ve darn near sweated to death, even under chilly conditions.
But back in July, a guy sent me a Gage foul-weather jacket from Grundns—the folks who make hardcore stuff for Bering Sea crab fishermen and other commercial types. The guy promised me that the thing’s fabric was so lightweight and breathable I’d notice hardly a drop of sweat. “It’s part of the new lightweight Grundns Weather Watch collection,” he explained. “You’ll like it.”
Florida and Scotland are the two venues I’ve tested it in thus far. Now I’m not contending I had a thoroughly no-sweat experience in the former location. But my Gage Weather Watch did parry the rains of northern Florida with duck’s-back effectiveness and generated very little perspiration upon my torso while doing so, even during the
summer months. And Scotland in the fall? Well, not only did I stay just as dry there, my hands stayed warm as well, thanks to some large outside pockets. Moreover, the high-impact of my jacket’s yellow color—splashy colors make sense at sea as they enhance visibility—was well-proved in Edinburgh. “Bright coat you’re wearing, mate,” remarked a passerby, out of the blue.
Cost of the Gage Weather Watch jacket? Just $53,
according to Grundns.
Grundns
(800) 323-7327.
This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
