Sometimes it’s not all about the most tech ski or snowboard jackets for the winter season. Sometimes you just want something nice for when you’re off the hill and want to walk around town or grab a beer. I put the new Oakley Men’s Unification (Seth Morrison’s signature line) Soft Shell into the latter category. No, I don’t plan on taking this jacket up to the slopes at all this season, even though I could in Colorado or Utah, but I will wear it all the time when I’m not on the hill.
The Oakley Unification Soft Shell jacket features GORE-TEX Windstopper laminate to keep those pesky breezes out, it’s stretchy for full range of motion, the DWR (durable water repellent) coating will keep you dry in most conditions and the fixed hood will keep the elements off your head. This jacket is nice enough to be worn out in almost any city during the fall or winter, it has a cut that isn’t too baggy and the supple lining feels more luxurious than you’d think. As I mentioned before, you could take this jacket skiing and it would perform just fine in dryer climates like CO or UT, but it’s cut a little too short for most riding and there’s no powder skirt.
There is one major feature that this jacket is lacking that I would be remiss to not point out and that is the lack of an inside chest/media pocket. I always listen to music on my iPhone and there’s no place to put a phone or mp3 player other than in one of the two outside hand pockets. It’s not a deal breaker, but this jacket would be absolutely perfect with that added feature. Hopefully, they will add that next season. If you’re looking for a cruising around jacket with some understated Oakley steeze, then put this one on your short list. I know that you’ll see me wearing this jacket all the time when I’m not skiing this fall and winter.
