Jacket for Grandpa on Alaskan Cruise

great_lakes_mom · April 27, 2014, 7:40am

If you want to fit in with the locals, this is the garment: <a href=“Spring/Summer Collection: Urban Looks and Outdoors | Woolrich USA”>https://www.woolrich.com/woolrich/main/browse/productDetailColorSizePicker.jsp?categoryNav=true&navAction=jump&navCount=14&atg.multisite.remap=false&productId=6138&categoryId=cat20005</a> We used to call them halibut jackets, and worn with a turtleneck, they are the coziest thing ever in the damp of southeast Alaska. Add a windproof rainshell, and you’ll be set for most conditions.

dmd77 · April 27, 2014, 3:15pm

Our August Alaska cruise was cool and rainy 6 days of 7, hot and sunny the 7th day. The rain was mostly sideways. Wool sweater, comfortable enough to go over pajamas for sleeping, was essential. I took mine off once. Rain jacket with hood was very useful, and it was an actual rain jacket, the kind that repels water. The ones that are water resistant? Those need to dry out–and that’s not always easy to manage.

So my answer would be: wool sweater (preferably two), classic raincoat.

As NW residents, we didn’t take umbrellas; we bought them at the first town stop, because they were useful for walking around. A Juneau resident told me they go to Seattle for the sunshine ;-)

interesteddad · April 27, 2014, 5:54pm

Based on what DMD77 has described, then I would definitely go with the real rain jacket. The only alternative I would offer would be to go with a fleece intstead of a wool sweater. Speaking as a New Englander who wore sweaters (wool or cotton) every day nine months a year. I have entirely stopped wearing them for casual, around the house, errands, etc. I wear fleece instead. Why? It’s just as warm. Warmer if it ever gets damp. Dries quickly hanging over night. More comfortable. And – the biggie – just throw it in the washing machine. So when you dribble coffee or whatever, it’s not a $$$ trip to the cleaners or a big ordeal of washing. Washing machine. Dryer. Hanger. No ironing, no fuss, no muss. Sweaters are a royal pain in the butt. Fleece is easier to wash and wear than a t-shirt.

So for Gramps, I’d recommend a fleece and a rain hoody. Maybe a fleece beanie cap to top it off. There are two weights of fleece that make sense. The very heavy 300 weight fleece is too heavy for practical use, IMO. So, if you want a heavy fleece to replace a heavy wool sweater, get what Polartec calls 200-wt fleece. This is the standard fleece you will find for dirt cheap at TJMAXX . For something a little lighter, and what I wear around the house, there’s 100-wt fleece. This is more the equivalent of a standard wool crew neck sweater for weight. The rain jacket adds warmth, so I almost always wear the ligher 100-wt fleece under a jacket. Also, perfect for around the house when the thermostat is between 60 and 70. Even works as heavy PJs.

Here’s the package from LLBEAN:

Rain jacket:

<a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;

200-wt fleece in full zip jacket or pullover:

<a href=“Men's Trail Model Fleece Jacket | Men's at L.L.Bean”>Men's Trail Model Fleece Jacket | Men's at L.L.Bean;
<a href=“Men's Trail Model Fleece Pullover | Sweatshirts & Fleece at L.L.Bean”>Men's Trail Model Fleece Pullover | Sweatshirts & Fleece at L.L.Bean;

Fleece beanie:

<a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;

Option:

If you want an all in one solution, LL Bean makes their rain jacket in a version lined with the lightweight fleece. I personally think this approach is MUCH less flexible than the separate versions. It would be far too hot to wear as a rain jacket running to the grocery store on a summer day. And, you don’t get the separate fleece jacket which might well become his favorite piece of clothing. But, this would be 100% waterproof, fairly light, and the perfect choice for an all in one from the conditions that DMD77 describes.

<a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;

Option 2:

Rain pants to match the unlined rain jacket:

<a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available;

<hr>

All of Bean’s fleece stuff above (not the all in one) is Polartec fleece. More expensive than the no name fleeces, but very high quality. Lasts forever.

interesteddad · April 27, 2014, 6:27pm

If you want to buy locally at REI (unfortunately at list prices), but like LLBEAN, it’s easy to send/take stuff back.

Rain Jackets:

I can’t in good conscience recommend the fleeces at REI for full list price. All the brands make super nice Polartec fleeces, but paying $100 to $150 for a fleece jacket is absurd. REI does have the Columbia non-Polartec version of the 200-wt fleece for $35:

<a href=“http://www.rei.com/product/846800/columbia-steens-mountain-20-fleece-jacket-mens”>http://www.rei.com/product/846800/columbia-steens-mountain-20-fleece-jacket-mens</a>

Otherwise, if you go in, ask 'em to show you what’s on sale in a 100-wt and a 200wt fleece. There’s no point in paying more than LLBEAN’s prices for polartec fleece jackets. Polartec fleece is polartec fleece

Agentninetynine · April 27, 2014, 6:51pm

We cruised out of Seattle to Alaska in late July and it was 70 degrees and clear all the way to Skagway! However, you may not be so lucky. I would recommend a Columbia Sportswear jacket with the thermo - something liner - it’s silver and a light fleece.

AllThisIsNewToMe · April 28, 2014, 4:54pm

Thanks so much for all the help! Especially interesteddad, who, I think, could have a second career as a personal shopper!!! I feel much better informed and am leaning towards the LLBean rain jacket + lighter fleece from our Columbia outlet. Really appreciate all the input and I’ll be thrilled if the money I spend on the rain jacket is totally wasted due to beautiful weather!

dmd77 · April 28, 2014, 5:30pm

Just a note: I recommended the wool sweater because every Grandpa I know has a closet full of them, some of them twenty or thirty years old.

emeraldkity4 · April 28, 2014, 8:16pm

I like wool. It can be denser than fleece, it does take longer to dry, but it is warm when it’s wet & it retains it’s loft after many years whereas the less expensive fleeces do not.
Thumbs up for a down vest & Pendelton wool shirt, that I expect every grandpa has in his closet.

BunsenBurner · April 28, 2014, 8:20pm

And just in case, if you find out the last minute that you need another option, there is a Columbia Sportswear megastore not too far from the Pike Place market! Enjoy your cruise!

Jacket for Grandpa on Alaskan Cruise

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