Introduction
Having spent copious amounts of time in 50°C heat, I just don't like the cold at all. Lately I’ve been very brave and have been using the Original Pile on frosty mornings with just a t-shirt on underneath in an effort to put the windproof lining to the test; spoiler, it did not disappoint. No draughts! Warm and snug.
What is it made from?
Having a traditional looking fleece with a windproof lining makes for a very comfortable, effective jacket which works brilliantly at capturing your body heat and keeping it with you, even if it gets breezy. The fact that the lining is recycled is a nice touch too. When not moving, the fleece kept me warm, the lining was nice and smooth and it slid nicely over additional layers on particularly cold days. Coming in at approximately 800g, it’s by no means lightweight, but reassuringly weighty.
Favourite features?
Having the double pile collar was a great addition and made it extra snug around my neck; this along with the cinch cords on the collar and hem kept the heat from escaping. Both of these cords are easy to adjust with thick gloves on too. Another useful feature was the 'matrix' storm flap for further protection along the main zip. The pockets are roomy enough for gloves, hats or even a small flask, and the fleece on the cuffs feels great against the back of your hands. Lastly, the zips made by YKK feel durable enough to last years of use, are easy to use with cold hands and the chinguard flap kept my whiskers out of the zip.
How does it fit?
The fit of the jacket is fairly generous, has nice long sleeves, can fit layers underneath on really cold days and even if you're a little rotund, like me, fits really well. For reference, I’m 6ft tall, 44” chest, 35” waist and wear a size large.
What could be improved?
The only aspect of the Original Pile that left me wanting more was the height of the collar. Personally I would prefer it if it was higher so you could hunker down into it more, further enhancing its sense of warmth and cosiness. Other than that, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’
Verdict
I really enjoyed using it for general life; the blend of windproofing and fleeciness is an awesome combination that means even when the weather picks up, your heat isn’t instantly sapped away.
