Beating the Heat with Penfield USA

As people all across the United States attempt to find some form of relief from the summer heat, I’ve been searching for the perfect summer jacket. Why am I looking for a jacket when the temperatures outside are pushing 100-degrees? The answer is pretty simple: When I’m not writing for FAULT, I can usually be found high up on a mountain somewhere in Southwestern Virginia, hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail. While the temperatures at 5,000 feet hover around 80-degrees in August, things start to cool down around mid-afternoon, which means that this girl starts feeling cold around 5 P.M.

Now, the one thing I’ve always hated about outdoor clothing is that it all looks so . . . matronly. When you have a tall, thin frame like me, nothing ever seems to fit right, either. Enter Penfield USA’s Russell jacket. The simple, sleek design is the perfect unisex solution to my summer jacket conundrum. The bright, classic red makes a bold statement, but the most delightful aspects of this jacket are in the details. Antique copper zips and the jacket’s weatherproof Lightweight Hudson Wax Cloth add a sense of nostalgia, because both appear better with age. (Fun fact: Due to the waxed surface, the fabric of the jacket will begin to appear aged with continuous wear. These naturally-occurring imperfections—for me, at least—add to the garment’s appeal.) Did I mention that the fabric actually wicks moisture away from the body? That means no sweating, and I think everyone can agree that that is a definite plus.

Now, whenever I pass someone on the Trail wearing a pair of old running shorts and an ill-fitting sweatshirt, I can feel confident that I’m keeping cool without commiting some terrible fashion faux pas.