The Kinetic Jacket fulfill’s Tom Larimer’s wish list.
One of my closest friends and Simms sales rep, Eric Neufeld often receives my insights on products that guides really need. I’m sure he gets bombarded with similar conversations from every fly shop he walks into and every guide he knows and I’m positive he gets tired of hearing sentences that begin with: “What we really need is — “. Being a true friend (and a great sales rep), Neufeld always listens.
Earlier this year we had one of those conversations and I began my rant about how Simms needs to make a hooded puffy jacket. He smiled and replied, “Just wait — it’s coming.” Sure enough, a couple months later, I owned the Kinetic Jacket, the answer to my request. However, upon further inspection, I realized the Kinetic was way more than just a fluffy hoody, this jacket was a new breed.
The first thing I noticed about the Kinetic was its Polartec® Wind Pro® stretch-fleece located under the arms and body panels. Not only does this feature allow the jacket to breath when rowing or hiking, it gives you great range of motion when casting. Brilliant. The fit is perfect. Unlike some puffy jackets, which are too bulky, it’s an ideal layering piece to wear under a shell. The jacket’s PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation creates ultimate warmth without weight which allows you to stay warm without feeling like the Michelin Man. More so, it keeps you cozy even when wet. Finally, the hood fits perfectly and keeps your head and neck warm even in the worst weather.
After already having spent a bunch of days living in the Kinetic, I’ve come to appreciate every aspect about this jacket. It keeps me warm when running my jet boat up the Deschutes on cold mornings, it breaths when I hike long distances, and doesn’t hinder my casting whatsoever.
These days, it’s so difficult to improve products but once again, through innovation, creativity and creating products that fulfill a specific need, Simms has done it once again.
Learn more about the Kinetic Jacket and other PrimaLoft® Products here.
-Tom Larimer
Larimer Outfitters
Hood River, Oregon