Most of the stuff we use in our daily lives either gets outdated or at least looks it. That original iPod? Can you even find the charger? And that ski jacket you wore in high school? It only comes out on gaper day.
Occasionally, however, you come across a timeless piece of gear, something that functions well and looks good now, will function well and look good in ten years, and would also fit in just fine if you traveled back to the 1950s. My favorite piece in this category is the .
It’s built to stand the test of time for two reasons. First, the jacket is made out of a burly, seven-ounce waxed sailcloth that will not only put up with years of chopping wood but will also look better afterward. Like a good leather wallet, the jacket takes on the patina of time and all the activities you put it through. The more you wear it, the more the Waxed Trucker becomes uniquely yours.
And second, the Waxed Trucker has a purposely simple design—one solid color, a button-up front, and one chest pocket—so it can’t be pegged to a certain decade or place. It’s easy enough to picture James Dean wearing the Waxed Trucker on his bike, but you can also see former President Barack Obama wearing it on vacation up in Alaska.
This year’s version has a flannel lining that makes the jacket even more appealing. That lining increases the warmth by 15 degrees—if not more—allowing you to wear it from fall through the heart of the winter. It’s no Gore-Tex shell, but thanks to the waxed coating, the Trucker shrugs off most rain and snow.
In pictures, the Waxed Trucker looks stiff, uncomfortable, and in need of a break-in period. But don’t fret: the outer material, while tough, is more supple and comfortable than you think. And matched with the cotton lining, it’s a jacket you can take out of the box, throw on, and feel good wearing right out the door.