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Explorer and philanthropist David de Rothschild cares deeply about nature. With his lifestyle brand the Lost Explorer, he makes sustainable garments and wellness products aimed at facilitating people’s immersion into the natural world. “What we want to do is try and encourage people to travel and explore,” he said. “We want to try and encourage people to look at nature through a different lens — look at it through the lens of excitement and look at it with a sense of awe and wonder.” The brand’s new Aardvark jacket is designed with the traveler in mind and is windproof, waterproof and breathable.
The jacket utilizes c_change, a membrane that adapts to changing temperatures, from the Swiss textile-innovator Schoeller. “Membranes have existed for many years, but we made one which can be water and windproof, breathable, adaptable to a wearer’s activity level and the temperature around the wearer,” said Roland Lottenbach, the head of R & D for Coatings and Finishings division at Schoeller. “It opens to let warmth out, and when it’s colder, keep the warmth in. It’s also hydrophilic, which means that it releases sweat as liquid and not just gas, so you never feel damp either.” A jacket that changes for your comfort seemed futuristic and almost too good to be true, so I had to get my hands on it to see for myself.
The Good: This jacket windproof, waterproof and highly breathable. If you’re looking for a shell to protect you in variable weather conditions, this one is ideal. The jacket’s breathability changes depending on temperatures and activity, keeping you comfortable, no matter the situation. The design is understated and tasteful, and the grey wool weave appears far less tech-y than other waterproof jackets. For those concerned with sustainability, this jacket utilizes sustainable materials (wool) and the c_change technology has “below detectable levels” of PFOA and PFOS.
Who Its For: This is the ideal travel jacket for someone who needs a waterproof shell but wants something that doesn’t scream “mountain bro.” It excels in variable weather conditions and is suited for transitional temperatures. If you care about the planet, this jacket addresses sustainability more than other jackets with similar features.
Watch Out For: The price of this jacket is steep compared to other waterproof breathable shells. While it offers good breathability, that may not justify the increased price for certain people. Because of the nature of the c_change technology, the membrane is less breathable when it’s colder. According to Stephen Kerns, Schoeller’s president, this is the tradeoff to producing a high-performance membrane that is sustainable. The jacket doesn’t have a two-way zipper — this is more standard for rain shells — so if you need a lower zipper, you should probably look elsewhere. Also, the hood is streamlined and doesn’t feature the extended bill that some coats have. In heavy rain conditions, this could be more of an issue.
