First came running in Central Park: With just a quick-dry tee underneath this jacket, I was boiling within five minutes of my run. That said, it’s light enough to tie around your waist without it being a nuisance. I’d say it’s also essential for throwing back on come your final kilometre. I’m prone to catching cold after a winter jog if I run errands before heading home to shower, but this was perfect to pull on while transitioning from the outside to an air conditioned Whole Foods.
Cross-country skiing in Quebec’s Eastern Townships: On a freezing but sunny day, I was also too hot within a few hundred metres. The jacket’s two-way front zip provides a venting option to prevent overheating when working hard – which made a bit of a difference at first, but I did feel the need to take the whole thing off soon into my ski. I had two long-sleeved layers under the Explorer (which were perhaps too much), but if you’re doing an outdoor activity that involves a fair amount of cardio, best to opt for something thinner. I paired this with Berghaus’ MTN guide Alpine pant, which I highly rate: thin, water resistant and perfect over a pair of leggings or long johns. They’re great for downhill skiing, too, if you’ve got sun on your side.
Alpine skiing in Vermont and Gstaad: I wore this downhill for the first time at Jay Peak, Vermont and actually packed my Spyder hard shell as a backup, out of fear that I’d need it. Jay is one of the best places to ski in the northeast – but it gets cold, particularly on the Green Mountain Flyer, long known to be the coldest chair lift in North America. (I can testify – it’s given me frostbite twice). But on this bluebird, I pulled the Berghaus Explorer over a long-sleeve (I alternate between this training shirt from Lululemon or their half-zip for extra neck protection) and Rab’s Borealis softshell in lieu of a fleece and was toasty all day. Plus the Explorer’s internal neck baffle meant I didn’t need a neck warmer, and the hood’s adjustable hem keeps draughts at bay. The jacket also has two zipped hand pockets for storing essentials within easy reach, which are great for a ski pass – but I did miss the security of my usual ski jacket’s inner pockets, where I keep my valuables.
