WESTERN RISE AIRLOFT HOODED JACKET: REVIEW
FOREWORD
Before jumping into the review, I have to say that it’s been 3 months since the full-scale russian invasion in Ukraine. It’s surreal to witness a bloody war in Europe in the 21st century! Anyone willing to help and support Ukrainian resistance, feel free to reach out to wanderingdots@icloud.com and I will share the trusted organizations you can contribute to.
As you can imagine, my review activities have been on ice since the war started on February 24th, but I owe these articles to the brands that trusted me with their products and, I must admit, getting back to reviews is also a welcome distraction.
Today I’d like to share my take on Western Rise Airloft Hooded jacket that I have been using since October 2021.
WHO IT SUITS
Those who value comfort, mobility and durability of their garments.
Anyone seeking a versatile, modern looking piece of clothing for ever changing weather.
If you are practicing the “less is more” approach and hoping to downsize your closet.
Anyone already invested in Western Rise products would appreciate how well it goes with basically all of their product line.
WHO IT DOESN’T
Those who need the jacket in Black might be disappointed to find it difficult to get.
ABOUT THE PRODUCT
* PRICE: $258
* COLOR OPTIONS: Black, Olive, Blue Grey
* COMPOSITION:
• Exterior Fabric: 100% Primeflex® 50d 102gsm Polyester
• Insulation: 40g 3DeFX+™ Polyester
• Interior Fabric: 100% Polyester
First things first, I got the Airloft Hooded jacket in size L and in a very nice Olive color. For reference, I am 176cm, 97 kg and 34 years old.
The package arrived on October 8th, when the temperature at night dropped to +2c and did not get higher than +14c. I immediately incorporated the jacket into the rotation and, to my surprise, I was very comfortable wearing it over a simple cotton t-shirt throughout the day with no issues or wanting for anything!
Before getting the Airloft hooded jacketI had to layer thoughtfully - a fleece cardigan, windbreaker for the outer layer. But with the hooded jacket it was as simple as throwing a t-shirt or a shirt and I was good to go.
The fit was perfect: the length of the sleeves, shoulder length, chest… It all felt like this piece was tailored to me. Word of advice - if you do plan on layering with sweaters, fleece jackets, etc I would size up.
I did a review on the Airloft shirt jacket a while back and it is not surprising that it shares a lot with the hooded jacket. The similarities don’t end with the brand’s DNA, but actually the fabrics and insulation are identical. I’d argue that the hooded jacket is a more versatile piece thanks to the hood, double zip for closure and overall better protection against the wind and the elements.
COMFORT
Same as with the Airloft shirt jacket, the comfort of the Airloft hooded jacket is simply outstanding. There are multiple factors that combined make this hands down the most comfortable item in my entire wardrobe, such as:
Temperature regulation. Sure this could be added to the features list but the impact of this on comfort is undeniable. Almost magically the jacket adapts its warmth to the conditions I am in, which allows me to wear it in a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions.
The 4-way stretch. This is just a godsend and makes me not want to take the jacket off at all. It never limits the range of motion and ensures excellent mobility indoors and outdoors.
Breathable. I have pieces that are great and warm for cold weather but as soon as I am indoors I feel like I am standing beside a furnace and the heat is suffocating. The Airloft hooded jacket does not have this curse and the breathability in combination with the aforementioned temperature regulation makes me feel comfortable all day, every day.
To sum up, the Airloft hooded jacket has a unique combination of features that make it hands down the most comfortable piece of clothing I had the pleasure of owning. This is no small feat and a testament to Western Rise’s expertise and understanding of what modern clothing should look like and, more importantly, how it should perform in our demanding lifestyle.
DESIGN & FEATURES
Unlike the Airloft shirt jacket, the hooded jacket has, surprise-surprise, a very nice hood (that might be too tight if you plan to wear a bike helmet for example) and a double zipper that allows opening the jacket from the bottom - an extremely useful feature especially when sitting.
On the outside, the jacket features two zippered hand warmer pockets and a pretty large flat concealed pocket on the back. This large pocket can be used to pack the jacket into itself (perhaps you want to turn it into a travel pillow) but I mostly used it to store a spare mask or some cash.
On the inside, there is one hidden zippered pocket, roomy enough for a wallet, a passport or other flat items. The zipper pull, however, is so tiny that I found it difficult to catch and operate. Perhaps it’s just me and my sausage fingers, but I wish the zipper pull was longer and easier to grab or just featured a string with a knot for easier opening/closing. Because the zipper was uncomfortable to operate, I barely used that internal pocket.
The 100% Primeflex® 50d 102gsm Polyester used for the outside of the jacket not only has stretch but is also very water-resistant and feels quite durable. During my testing I had more than a few times when I rubbed the jacket against rough concrete or brick surface and I am happy to report the outer fabric still has no signs of use and is quite abrasion-resistant.
The quality across the board is superb, everything from the stitching and build to the materials and performance is making me enjoy wearing this piece more each day.
WHAT’S HOT
4-way stretch, breathability and temperature regulation make the Airloft jacket the most comfortable and versatile item in my wardrobe to date.
Double-zip is an excellent way to improve comfort, especially when sitting
Brilliantly designed to work equally well in a wide range of temperatures and fitting perfectly for any age demographic.
The modern fit and lack of flashy branding make this jacket great for any occasion.
WHAT’S NOT
The zipper pull on the internal pocket is tiny and hard to use, I wish something more grabbable was used.
Black version of the jacket is hard to come buy
Available only for men, I can definitely see how women could be missing out on sizes and styles.
VERDICT
Western Rise has created another modern classic. In an already overcrowded market they released a jacket that could be easily recommended as a go-to piece for anyone who likes versatility, appreciates comfort and seeks quality.
I lost count how many times I wore this jacket and being such a frequent item in my day-to-day use I can confidently say that the asking price of $258 is more than reasonable.
Personally I am trying to simplify my life as much as possible. I am not yet where Steve Jobs was with his dozens of identical turtlenecks, blue jeans and the same pair of sneakers but I am definitely more streamlined now than 5 or 10 years ago.
Creating a thoughtful capsule wardrobe frees up a ton of time and saves from decision fatigue - and the Airloft hooded jacket has quickly become my default piece. Based on my experience I can easily see this versatile jacket improving the lives of so many people.
I highly recommend this jacket! Just wish the black one was back in stock..
