I always thought Han Solo was the man. He didn’t care who you were, he was going to kick your ass and steal your girlfriend. Then fly off to the nether reaches of the galaxy. He was kind of a style master, too.
I guess you sort of need that same security with your manhood that Solo had to wear the Keb Eco-Shell Parka. The fur trim on the hood will have you looking like Solo, circa The Empire Strikes Back and the Hoth battle. But if you’re outside of Aspen or Sun Valley, the fur is actually removeable on this slick little jacket that features high-loft mesh insulation and an Eco-shell exterior (recycled polyester). I wore this baby in the backcountry, in the crappiest, wettest weather and it kept the layers beneath the jacket super dry.
Lighter shells are genius for hiking off-piste. They stuff down super-small and can be removed as soon as you start to sweat. Hit the summit and throw that sucker back on before you get chilled. And Fjallraven’s version is burly enough to keep you dry and warm if you’re riding wet chairlifts all day, too.
The shell isn’t that breathable, but that doesn’t really bother me. I wear shells to keep the elements out. Plus the Eco-Shell has zippered ventilation up the sides. It isn’t cheap, but for a company you might not have heard of (unless you’re from Sweden), this is a solid piece of gear for the winteriest of winter conditions. And the faux fur works great. If you’re at cocktail party in Vail. Or if you just feel like kicking the crap out of a wookie.
“Your tauntaun will freeze before you reach the first marker.” “Then I’ll see you in hell.”
