This limited-edition outdoor jacket just scored $150K on Kickstarter

By Kraig Becker October 5, 2017

A new jacket aimed at outdoor enthusiasts is having quite a successful run on Kickstarter. The Action Jacket from Jumper Threads incorporates a slew of great features, along with a clean, athletic design that is obviously striking a chord with backers. The garment has pulled in more than $150,000 in its first few weeks of crowdfunding, easily surpassing its original $30,000 goal. But anyone who wants to add one of these coats to his or her closet had better pre-order soon. According to the Kickstarter page, there will be only a limited number of Action Jackets available — with only one production run planned.

Made from lightweight and breathable fabrics coated in a durable-water repellant finish, the Action Jacket is built to protect the wearer from wind and rain. Design features include a back vent to allow excess heat and moisture to escape, reflective trim for increased visibility in low-light conditions, and thumb loops to hold the sleeves in place on colder days. It comes with an adjustable hood, mesh underarm fabrics for improved venting, and a draw-cord hem for adjusting the fit as needed. The jacket is also highly packable, stuffing down to a surprisingly small size into one of its pockets, making it much easier to carry in a backpack.

Action Jacket — Image used with permission by copyright holder

One of the more interesting features of the jacket is its specially designed media pocket, which is built to safely carry a smartphone through rugged outdoor environments. This “pocket” resembles an armband used by runners to hold their phones in place during a workout. In this case, the armband slides onto one of the Action Jacket’s sleeves, integrating deftly with the rest of the coat. Jumper’s designers have given it the ability to cinch into place as well, preventing it from moving while hiking, trail running, or climbing.

Made to be a three-season jacket for use in variable weather conditions, Jumper says that the Action Jacket is ideal for use around town or on daily commutes as well. Pre-orders are still being taken on the jacket, with Kickstarter backers able to reserve one for as low as $105. It is expected to ship in March.

Topics

Contributor

Kraig Becker is a freelance outdoor writer who loves to hike, camp, mountain bike, trail run, paddle, or just about any other…

Outdoors

I had written off bicycles, until e-bikes unlocked an entire world for me

Himiway C5

I have a lot working against me when it comes to riding a traditional bicycle: collapsed foot arches, bad knees, and nerve issues that extend into my pelvic floor and make it challenging for me to sit for any extended time on a standard bicycle seat. For all those reasons, I gave up on any chance of comfortably bicycling as an adult.

But when Himiway offered to let me try its new C5 e-bike, which features a motorcycle-style saddle that is both wider and longer than the average bicycle seat, I reconsidered. I cautiously hoped it could improve my ability to enjoy bike riding. However, I didn't expect it to completely change my life for the better.
The making of an e-bike guy
From the Engwe M20 to the Ride1up Revv1, e-bikes have embraced the motorcycle aesthetic, and the larger seats that go with them. For most riders, it’s just a cool look. For me, it opened a whole new world.

Outdoors

I ditched my car for a month of e-biking. Here’s what I learned

Aventon Abound rider with plants and store bought items on road.

Since settling into my life as an "e-bike guy," I've been testing new bikes left and right. So when someone suggested trying to replace my car with an e-bike for a month, it didn't take much to convince me. With a growing variety of bikes at my disposal, it sounded exciting to challenge myself and to find out just how much of my normal routine could be maintained with two wheels and a battery.

Though I live in a rural county just outside of Atlanta, my townhome community is located right beside a commercial strip packed with restaurants, department stores, banks, and gyms. So while I've historically used my car to get around, I've always known I could easily reach anything I need on foot or by bike in a mere few minutes if needed. Now, it was time to put that knowledge into action.
Week 1: Growing pains and happy kids

Branded Content

TORRAS COOLiFY Cyber offers ultimate personal cooling to beat the summer heat

TORRAS COOLiFY Cyber personal AC worn outdoors

Imagine this: The summer heat is baking down on you from above. You're close to overheating, and you desperately need to cool down. The problem is you don't have quick access to a vehicle, nor can you retreat indoors to cool down quickly with central AC. Drinking some water and staying hydrated might help, to a point, but otherwise, you're stuck in that heat, dare we say, suffering. That's the perfect time to throw on TORRAS' COOLiFY Cyber, a cutting-edge wearable air conditioner. Wait, what? That's right, it slips right over your neck to keep you cool and comfortable. Thanks to the 6,000mAh rechargeable battery built-in, it can provide up to 13 hours of cooling on a single charge. But that's not all it does. A fan mode provides extra airflow, ideal for hot, musty, or humid weather. On colder days, it even provides a little heat. So, it's incredibly versatile and one of the most innovative personal comfort solutions on the market. Let's talk a little more about why you might use it.
Buy Now

Cutting-edge personal comfort when you need it most

The default scenario is when you're outside in the heat, like standing around at your kid’s sporting event, visiting a local park, on a walk or run, or just about any time you’re outside. The COOLiFY Cyber can provide the right temperature for what you need, delivering an ice-cold feeling. It's an excellent companion for those who have trouble with temperature regulation and often find themselves facing uncomfortable conditions, even where others seem fine. For example, if you're hot at home or while visiting friends or family when no one else seems to be, you can turn to the COOLiFY CYBER to get your body comfortable again.