Batten down the hatches. Draw the curtains. Don’t bother going outside. Winter has well and truly arrived – the clocks have gone back (or forward, we’re never quite sure) and there are now more rainclouds in the sky than orange leaves on the floor.
The next few months can be pretty tough if you’re ill-prepared for the lack of sunshine and daylight, so for that reason, we’ve launched about a million jackets into this month’s Proper Picks. Plus enough boots and GORE-TEX bits to make wading through the endless puddles feel almost enjoyable.
Norse Projects Fyn 3.0 GORE-TEX Jacket
We were lucky enough to try out this Norse Projects jacket on a recent trip to the Alps, and it might just be one of the nicest coats we’ve ever come across. Synthetic insulation, GORE-TEX waterproofing and loads of pockets. 10/10.
Right, how are we just learning about this Mountain Light colourway? Absolutely sensational. Maybe even better than the iconic tan and red.
Thinking of majorly upping your Bolognese game? Then look no further than The Sopranos Family Cookbook. As compiled by Artie Bucco, himself.
Got a pair of these at a recent sample sale, and haven’t taken them off since. Fleece-lined pants are one of winter’s only redeeming qualities.
If we didn’t know any better, we would’ve said this Stone Island jacket was straight from 1988. Easily one of the best offerings from the brand we’ve seen in years.
Mammut & Cabourn Direttissima Blanket Jacket
You might be bored of us talking about the Nigel Cabourn & Mammut collab, but we really don’t care. Just look at how good this blanket coat is, crafted entirely from 100% Swiss army blanket.
Imagine using this for your weekly Tesco shop. Gliding around the aisles, chucking all sorts of crisps and fancy toilet roll into your Montbell Field Wagon. ‘Need a trolley mate?‘ ‘Nah, you’re alright, brought my own.’
Arc’teryx have been guilty of putting out some fairly bland colours over the years, but this tremendous Alpha SV sets the record straight.
Few shoes look as natural on a morning coffee run as they do on an afternoon hike or attending an evening meal, but the Merrell 1TRL Wilderness somehow manages it. If we could only have one pair in our rotation this winter, it would be these.
Norse Projects Erik Donegal Diamond Jacket
Pair this Norse Projects cardigan with a pipe, a well-worn armchair, and a long beard, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate pondering ensemble.
Haven’t you heard the news? Rockport are back. And these Umbwe Hikers look even better than they first did back in 1991.
If Oi Polloi were still around, you best believe these Another Aspect Rugby Polos would be front and centre of the shop. Absolutely sublime colours.
South Korean brand Khakis have a real knack for reimagining classic garments in a highly wearable, understated way. As instanced by these Field Pants.
This Haglöfs hat looks like it belongs to a bloke called Nige, the only fella still talking at 3 a.m. on a houseboat afterparty, halfway through a story you’ve heard three times already.
Somewhere deep in the hills, Merrell has a lab, where balding blokes in long white coats mix strange chemicals to produce footwear that looks like this.
Filson are renowned for their rugged backcountry outerwear, but this lightweight rain jacket proves they’re a brand who can most definitely do both.
Fjallraven Expedition Down Lite
Fjallraven’s Expedition outerwear series is the stuff of legend, and this mustard yellow number could be the best of them all.
Mizuno Wave Prophecy LS GORE-TEX
It’s hard to go wrong with a triple black, GORE-TEX shoe. But this effort from Mizuno is absolutely exceptional. Just look at that glossy heal counter.
Nanga absolutely nailing everything a Mountain Parka should be here. Six 3D pockets, two zip pockets and a high-density fabric.
Human Made Duck Dry Alls Coffee Mug
We’re including this Human Made mug because your hot drink intake is about to skyrocket over the winter period. Expect three a day in November, four in December, and by January, you’ll be north of six.
Winter is also the perfect time to prove just how much of a hardcase you are – and there’s no better way than rocking a pair of Danner shorts in minus-five weather.
Pretty much the definition of a big coat. We’re sure you could also somehow work this into a Father Christmas costume for next month.
BEAMS Outdoor Expedition Book 99
We like to think of ourselves as big coat enthusiasts – but our knowledge pales beside that of BEAMS Plus’s chief buyer, Shigeru Kaneko. He knows (and owns) just about every big jacket on the planet, and in this book, he shares his thoughts on them all.
Branding seldom gets more iconic than the ACG Lungs logo. It looked good back in the ’90s, and it manages to look even better now.
Patina living up to their name here. Somehow capturing the worn-in look of a jacket that has been trapped under a mossy rock for fifteen years – on a brand-new garment.
Pound for pound, Tarvas create the most attractive-looking approach-inspired shoes in existence.
Montbell Climaplus 200 O.D. Cap Navy
Montbell answering the prayers of those who only look good in caps, but are tired of getting cold hair follicles in the winter months.
C.P. Company Micro-M Field Down Jacket
C.P. Company have clearly been taking style notes from Taxi Driver – pure Travis Bickle matchday attire.
Finisterre Shipyard Insulated Gilet
When we’re not Chatting With Finisterre, we’re drooling over their latest collections. Pick of the bunch so far is this Shipyard Insulated Gilet.
CATERPILLAR don’t just produce 47,750 kg bulldozers, they also turn out some surprisingly tidy-looking shoes – like these.
Pair this beautiful cactus ornament with the above doormat, and you’re well on your way to opening your very own saloon bar.
Khakis Camper Hooded Down Jacket
This Khakis Down Jacket has the perfect amount of sheen – shiny enough, but not so shiny that your coat looks perpetually wet.
Timberland Luxe Waterproof Boot
A good attitude and a pair of waterproof Timbs are all you need for world domination.
Cafe Mountain Music and Arts Cap
Do you like cafes? How about mountains? Music and arts? Well, as it happens, we’ve got just the cap for you.
OTW by Vans & Undercover Era 95
Turns out Jun Takahasi, Undercover’s founder, is really into small dogs. Fair play.
Not sure about you lot, but we’ve always dreamed of dressing like the Incredible Hulk halfway up Everest – and this Klättermusen jacket gets us pretty close.
British temperatures rarely ever warrant wearing down-filled pants, but these Amundsen Pants have got us wishing they did.
Almost certain that Berghaus designers in the ’90s were taking inspiration from ice lolly wrappers. Can’t tell us this isn’t just a more saturated Fab wrapper.
It has been a long, long time since we’ve spoken about a pair of Nike TNs, but these were too nostalgic for us to ignore. Very early 2000s, listening to bassline in the back of your mate’s Renault Clio, vibes.
