As winter approaches, it's easy to underestimate the importance of a good jacket. The colder months bring cold days, brisk winds and occasional snow. Why do you absolutely need a jacket this winter? First, a jacket provides essential insulation against the cold. A warm jacket helps trap your body heat and keeps you comfortable even when temperatures drop. Second, jackets can protect you from the elements. Whether it's wind, rain, or light snow, a quality winter jacket acts as a barrier between you and the harsh weather. Waterproof or water-resistant fabrics keep you dry, while windproof materials shield you from the biting winds that can make it feel much colder than it actually is. Heavier fabrics also can keep the cold out. Staying dry and shielded from the wind will not only keep you warmer, but it will also prevent you from getting sick this cold season. As an added bonus, let’s not forget about style. A well-chosen winter jacket can elevate your seasonal wardrobe, combining function with fashion.
This winter, we don’t want you risking getting caught unprepared—invest in an IPD jacket that will keep you warm and dry. Your body (and your style) will thank you equally. Below you can check out our current rotation of jackets to choose from.
BANDIT JACKET
This is the night out or the early morning surf check jacket. Rock this classic jacket silhouette that has a unique IPD twist to it. While it may not be the warmest of the bunch, this jacket has a unique style and color to it. If it’s freezing out, maybe reach for one of the ones below. But for a sleek and easy to wear style, reach for the Bandit.
SHIPSTERNS JACKET
This Jacket features a classic look and a nice weight to keep you warm this winter. Ever wish your favorite flannel kept you a little warmer? If so, consider this jacket as your wish being granted. A quilted interior, zip-up closure, and fleece hood makes this heavy-duty flannel jacket ready for the colder months. A fan favorite among our brand ambassadors as well as the IPD fan base, the shipsterns is essential for when the temps really drop.
SHADE JACKET
Lightweight and agile, the Shade Jacket can do it all. Whether it’s a little wet outside or you just want a light layer that looks great, this jacket should be the one you reach for out of the closet. It’s great for going on a run, wearing it during a warm up at the gym, or for how we use it-surf checks, windy beach days, you get the picture. Our ambassadors in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica really love this jacket. While it never gets too cold in these places, it does rain often, which is where this jacket really comes in handy.
MAVERICK CORD JACKET
Early fans of the brand will remember the all black Maverick Jacket made of a tough canvas with a black sherpa interior. Our classic Maverick Jacket got a retro re-make. With a corduroy outer and cream sherpa inner, this rendition of the Maverick will still keep you dialed in the cold, but is still easily wearable with your favorite fair-weather kit. The corduroy is a little bit more of a flexible fabric than the canvas. While you might be slightly a bit colder, it makes the jacket much more flexible and comfortable. A classic trucker jacket by IPD.
DISPATCH JACKET
Maybe our most underrated Jacket, the Dispatch jacket is a really cool silhouette. A workers jacket with a ripstop outer and sherpa lined interior. Also, a stylish color combo of dark navy with earthy green adds a pop for the inner liner. If you layer this warm jacket with a lightweight fleece it could probably keep you as warm as the other jackets listed above. By itself, it is a nice California winter jacket, but does lack a hood. Hit the road running in this jacket. A sherpa lined interior means you’re staying toasty and stylish.
Each one of these jackets is tailored to a different need as far as warmth. With Maverick and Shipsterns keeping you the toastiest, followed by the dispatch jacket, the shade jacket for those hawaiian and more tropical winters, and then the Bandit Jacket really just being an elevated piece for nights out, where you live will help make the decision for one of these jackets easier.
Editor's note: From the person writing this article who lives in California, i like this trio of jackets for my winter needs: The Bandit for shoulder seasons, the maverick for the coldest (layered with a fleece underneath it for the coldest days, and then the shade for the random days of light rain.
