The Best Puffer Jackets to Survive the Cold
Klattermusen Lopt Hooded Down Jacket Yet more insulated brilliance from Sweden, where northerly winter temperatures drop to −22 to −40 Fahrenheit. Klättermusen, which translates to 'Climbing Mouse', manufactures some of the highest-performing and stylish outdoor gear available. Yes, they've been co-opted by the fashion-oriented Gorpcore Gang, but don't let the hipsters put you off. The Lopt, which is also available as a vest and without a hood in both men's and women's sizes, weighs just 15 ounces (435-grams) and boasts a generous 800 fill power of sustainably sourced white goose down. It's water-repellent, temperature rated between +10 to -10-degrees Centigrade, and the PFC-free bio-based outer fabric is impressively wind-resistant. I've been using this jacket daily in London and also as a midlayer while skiing, and I've been impressed by the lofty warmth from the down and the comfort of the fit. It can also pack down into a pocket, which is always a bonus. The asymmetrical opening—something you
find on a lot of their gear—does take a bit of getting used to, but once fully zipped up there's absolutely zero chin chafing or annoyance from the zipper. You might not think you've ever been irritated by a zip, but trust me, you notice when it has been eliminated. It is hard to look past the high price of Klättermusen gear, and you do not need to spend $400 to find a jacket to keep you warm, but if you do have deep pockets, I think the brand offers a significant upgrade on athletic and aesthetic performance compared to fashion-focused brands such as Moncler and Canada Goose. — Chris Haslam Specs Down fill power 800 Fill weight unlisted Weight 15.3 oz $459 at Klattermusen (Men's) $459 at Klattermusen (Women's)
Unlike everything else on this page, Ororo's insulated jacket isn't just insulated. In addition to the synthetic Thermolite insulation, the Ororo heated jacket generates heat through a series of carbon fiber heating elements, which plug into a rechargeable battery. There are heating pads on the left and right chest, mid-back, and collar. You can't control heat to individual pads, but there are three heat settings to let you dial in a comfortable temperature to match your exertion level. The outer shell is a DWR-treated nylon that does a good job of shedding light rain and snow, though as with most of these puffer coats, you'll want a rain jacket if it really starts to rain.
Ororo claims up to 10 hours of battery life. That's on low. Running at high in some very cold conditions, I found that 5-7 hours was more realistic, but plenty of time for most things you'd want this jacket for (my daughter declared it the perfect ice skating jacket). Due to the limitations of batteries, I would not take this jacket into the backcountry, but for around town, running errands, walking the dog, this is a great jacket for those coldest of days.
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3 days ago
Avoid new shoes and look after your mental health. How to be well at the Hajj
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There's a lot of walking at the Hajj, even when pilgrims are not performing rituals. Too much traffic, or not enough transport, means people end up walking up to 25 kilometers (15 miles) every day. All the rituals are on foot. High temperatures, adrenaline, and physical exertion will elevate the heart rate. If pilgrims are not used to working out, they should have at least prepared their bodies for the long periods that will be spent outdoors and upright, as going from an inactive or sedentary lifestyle straight to the Hajj will be a shock to the system. This year, temperatures at the Hajj are expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). The body's resting core temperature is typically about 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), just 4 degrees Celsius (7 degrees Fahrenheit) away from catastrophe in the form of heatstroke. The bigger killer in the heat is the strain on the heart, especially for people who have cardiovascular disease. 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It is common to see Muslims streaming into the city by foot. There is smooth tiling on the outer courtyard of the Grand Mosque that is washed by an army of cleaners at regular intervals. But pilgrims go barefoot when circling the Kaaba, where the marble flooring is cool to the skin whatever the weather. But the terrain changes in Muzdalifah, where people collect pebbles to use in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil. They also spend the night in the open air so it's better to wear a sturdier, closed-toe shoe and also at Mount Arafat, where people clamber over rocks to reach the hill's 70-meter-high (230 feet) summit to spend hours in prayer. Cough? Runny nose? Sore throat? Fever? That's 'Hajj flu,' a nickname for the respiratory infection that people develop during the crowded conditions of the pilgrimage. It's common to see people wearing face masks during the Hajj, even though face coverings are not a religious requirement, because they are in close proximity to each other, making droplet infections inevitable. Pilgrims are exposed to new germs, new environments and new routines. These are tough on the immune system when combined. To minimize the chances of developing the Hajj flu or giving it to others, pilgrims should wash their hands well, especially before eating and after sneezing, coughing or using the bathroom. Coughing or sneezing into the arm or elbow can help prevent the spread of germs when a tissue isn't available. It's worth sanitizing frequently touched objects and surfaces in the camps at Mina and opening windows for ventilation. It's important to stay on top of mandatory and recommended vaccinations before traveling to Saudi Arabia. The Hajj can be daunting because of its scale, religious significance, practical difficulties, the expense, the physical exertion and the pressure to get it right. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the core beliefs and acts of worship that Muslims must practice. It can feel tough to fulfill this obligation when you're away from home comforts. Not following your normal routine, sleep deprivation, vast cultural and linguistic differences, and being surrounded by upward of 1.5 million strangers add to the challenges. You can't even wear your regular clothes. These factors can rattle your calm, kindness and patience. Prioritizing your health, and resting whenever needed, can alleviate some of the stress. Focusing on what you are doing, rather than comparing yourself to others, can also relieve the pressure. Being grateful for the opportunity to be at the Hajj will help remind you why you are there. Talking to friends and family back home will ground you. Hajj is about endurance, humility, mindfulness and struggle. A willingness to let go of negative emotions. It's a test of your spiritual connection with God, even when everything around you is testing that connection.
