This week at travelpod we’re exploring everything you need to wrap yourself up in to explore the beautiful season of Autumn. Our recommendations will ensure you stay warm, dry and naturally stylish.
There’s now an abundance of choices in the jacket and outerwear department, and an option for every environment and change in the weather. A lot of the examples we cite below pack away into small bundles so are perfect for shoving in your rucksack.
Let’s start with an affordable brand, in the shape of the Craghoppers Compresslite Long Jacket. A great product at an excellent price point, it’s lightweight, windproof and insulating with extra length version for superior cover. As the gold standard in lightweight, packable insulation, this jacket offers excellent wind and cold resistance; and packs away into the included stuff sack for easy storage and transportation.
Our reviewers loved the extra length of this jacket as well as it’s style, comfort and washability.
The Sprayway Vela Jacket is a stretch side panelled hybrid Mountain jacket.
The Vela is constructed from Windstopper® and is built over a layer of synthetic insulation which is enough to feel comfy over a tee-shirt or baselayer in low temperatures.
The stretch side panels allows a good range of movement on the Mounrtain or Hill but the jacket works best when worn with a proper waterproof stashed away for anything a bit naughty weather-wise. The fit is slim and technical, with no activity being limited by the Vela.
The shell of the Helly Hansen Verglas jacket is constructed with a ripstop fabric called Pertex for durable, lightweight protection. It’s treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) 
coating — droplets of water run right off of your back. The chevron quilting is insulated with 700+ fill European goose down. An adjustable hem is slightly rounded in the back for extra coverage, and raglan sleeves make it easy to layer with either a base layer or sweater. Finishing the Verglas a full-length zipper, two zippered front hand pockets, and Lycra cuffs to seal out the cold. We found this jacket among the warmest we tested, and really liked the fashionable style. The jacket runs a little longer than usual which is great for keeping out the cold. Can be worn as an outer or mid layer.
Buy at www.hellyhansen.com
For incredible warmth, but perhaps less points on the style stakes, we opt for the Snugpak Softie Jacket 9. Designed for the winter months with a permanent, adjustable, insulated hood for extra warmth around the head, neck and face.
You’ll be comfortable right down to -10°c. The whole range is manufactured in Snugpak’s West Yorkshire factory, quilted on state of the art machinery and hand-assembled by skilled sewing staff. This jacket is often used by military staff who often have to stand guard in cold conditions. If your job, or hobbies, lend to that then we most heartily recommend the Snugpak – honestly, it’s like the warmest sleeping you can imagine. And perhaps as fashionable – but when it’s cold, really cold, fashion tends to be the last thing on your mind.
Not so for Didrikson’s Angelina hooded parka for women. This insulated parka is one of the reasons we love Autumn and winter gear. Excellent craftsmanship and fashion forward design mean this women’s coat will turn heads as well as keeping you warm and cosy.
The jacket has a soft cotton feel yet is highly waterproof with multiple pockets, insulated cuffs and removable fur hood. This sumptous parka looks great but it’s also packed with technology to keep out anything the harshest winter can throw at you. With a highly breathable and fully wateproof outer, inner synthetic insulation and a host of practical day-to-day features such as a media pocket and 2 way front zip, it’s an exceptional winter jacket from a fantastic Swedish brand.
The Angelina is our pick for warmth without sacrificing style this Autumn season.
There are some fantastic options for keeping your feet protected this season and we’ve chosen the best of offer to review.
First up comes the Sorel Campus Boot which is the perfect pair for a walk among the Autumn leaves. The water-resistant suede boot has a soft, quilted back panel and padded ultra-comfortable sole. Plush fleece lining keeps feet toasty warm, while an adjustable strap across the back provides a secure fit.
Another affordable option is the Hi-Tec Dubois Boot. A comfortable and stylish winter casual boot ideal for chilly days, the Hi-Tec Dubois Women’s Winter Boot is packed full of excellent features. A Dri-Tec waterproof and breathable lining keeps rain and wet snow out whilst allowing moisture to escape, whilst the i-shield coating repels water and prevents stains.
The 200 weight insulated lining keeps feet warm on even the coldest winter days, and the deep tread pattern on the sole offers excellent durability and grip in the worst winter conditions.
Check out the Dubois at www.hi-tec.com
Getting more technical let’s look at the Q2 Ultralight Hiking from Anatom. Designed as an ultra-light hiking boot that is equally at home on valley foot paths as well as in the hills, the Q2 Ultralight features nubuck leather and a Vibram pillow outsole. The manufacturer claims the new boot offers an enhanced level of comfort out of the box with no break-in period required – our reviewer can attest to this, and says these are the most comfy boot out of the box yet.
Anatom also do a reliable hiking pole in the form of the Explorer Walking Poles made from aircraft grade alloy, a great accompaniment to the Q2 boot. Find out more at www.anatom.co.uk
A more contemporary looking boot is available from Helly Hansen. The company calls on 136 years of Scandinavian design, technical experience, and game-changing technologies for its men’s and women’s outdoor, sportswear, and wintersport footwear collections. The men’s and women’s Odin Flow Hiker HT is a high performance waterproof hiking boot with unprecedented temperature control. The Flow liner’s heat-trapping positive and negative spaces give the boot weightless warmth. This boot has a highly modern style which our reviewer praised, and was very comfortable to wear on a first hike out of the box.
Buy at www.hellyhansen.com
Lastly you don’t have to be a child to have fun and splash about in the rain which inevitably drenches us this time of year.
How about the traditional welly? The all new Bogs Tacoma Wellington offers complete waterproofness, with comfort rating to temperatures down to -15C. Buckle details and a stacked heel offer stylish feminine details.
A DuraFresh footbed protects from odours, while pull-on handle. This is some serious fun – so let it rain!
Choose from a range of rainbow colours at www.bogsfootwear.com
