Christmas songs fill the streets, and the cold weather bites into your skin. Many people probably have disposable hand warmers tucked into their pockets
Workman is a popular brand offering a wide selection of low-priced, high-performance clothing. In recent years, their own brand has also been doing well, and their "FieldCore" outdoor activewear series is often seen being worn by people in the mountains. However, just because something is cheap doesn't mean it lacks functionality or is of poor quality. It's important to actually try it out and assess how easy or difficult it is to use
As a Workman ambassador, we have been given the opportunity to use a lot of gear this season, so we would like to share some reviews of some of the items we are looking forward to using in the next few posts. First, let's introduce some of the winter wear we are looking forward to
- HJ001D AERO STRETCH Blouson
- 2230 Cold Weather Wind Shell Jacket
- WZ4000 WindCore Heated Vest (Battery Set)
- HJ006A AERO STRETCH ULTIMATE Hooded Parka
- HV004C Cold weather vest
table of contents
- HJ001D AERO STRETCH Blouson (Outdoor Recommended Rating: ★★★★☆)
- Cold weather wind shell jacket (Outdoor recommended rating: ★★☆☆☆)
- WZ4000 WindCore Heated Vest (Battery Included) (Outdoor Recommended Rating: ★★★☆☆)
- HJ006A AERO STRETCH ULTIMATE Hooded Parka (Outdoor Recommended Rating: ★★☆☆☆)
- HV004C Cold Weather Vest (Outdoor Recommended Rating ★★★★☆)
- summary
HJ001D AERO STRETCH Blouson (Outdoor Recommended Rating: ★★★★☆)
Water repellency △ Wind resistance ◯ Heat retention ◎ Soft to the touch ◯ Stretch ◎ Breathability △
It's very useful when resting. Both the outer and inner linings are very stretchy, making it easy to move around in. It's very warm, but it gets stuffy when used for long periods of activity. It's not very breathable
We've picked out the 2019 model of the original outdoor brand "FieldCore" blouson. This popular item is windproof, stretchy, lightweight, and multifunctional
As advertised, it has a stretch rate of 130%, making it extremely stretchy and easy to move in. The arm area in particular is not only designed to be easy to move in, but the amount of padding around the armpits has also been adjusted. Thanks to this, you can move your arms up and down very smoothly
And best of all, it's warm thanks to its 100% polyester padding. It's also anti-static, perfect for the dry winter months. The 2019 model is now pocketable and can be stored compactly in the large inner pocket (which can fit three 500ml PET bottles). Its warmth is excellent, so we recommend wearing it during breaks. While it does retain heat, it tends to get stuffy, so it's not ideal for hiking or other activities
It's a pocketable model, and as you can see, it's quite compact. However, I feel like it could be compressed a little more
The wrist area also has a moderate amount of stretch
Cold weather wind shell jacket (Outdoor recommended rating: ★★☆☆☆)
Water repellency △ Wind resistance ◎ Heat retention ◯ Soft to the touch ◯ Stretch △ Breathability △
It's a little large, so it's best worn as a windproof outer layer
Fleece lining, very smooth to the touch
The jacket is slightly oversized, so you can wear it even if you have a fleece underneath
A windproof (TPU) sheet is built in between the outer and inner fleece to keep out cold air from outside, while the soft, comfortable inner fleece keeps you warm
However, when worn for long periods of time as outdoor wear, heat tends to build up inside the garment. Its breathability isn't very good (but its heat retention is quite good). To store it compactly, you can simply wrap the entire garment inside the hood. If the hood had an adjustable cord, it would be even more convenient
I wrapped it up in the hood and it was quite compact (I think). If the hood had an adjuster cord it would be even more compact
WZ4000 WindCore Heated Vest (Battery Included) (Outdoor Recommended Rating: ★★★☆☆)
Care △ Wind resistance ◯ Warmth ◎◎ Feel ◯ Stretch △ Breathability △
Charge the battery, turn on the battery, and then turn on the vest. It takes less than a minute for the vest to warm up. You will feel a gentle warmth around your waist
It lights up red, about 50°C. It's hard to check the color of the light while wearing it, so you have to take it off first (sigh)
A heated electric vest. Yes, it's a cold weather vest with an electric heating sheet built in. It's battery-powered, and the heating sheet on the back can reach a maximum temperature of about 50°C, just like a wearable kotatsu
The temperature can be adjusted in three stages, and the switch on the right chest lights up in three colors. Red indicates high temperature of approximately 50°C (approximately 5 hours), white indicates medium temperature of approximately 45°C (approximately 7 hours), and blue indicates low temperature of approximately 40°C (approximately 17 hours). The battery is charged using a dedicated AC adapter. It takes approximately 2-3 hours to fully charge. Connect the battery to the terminal cord built into the right side pocket of the vest and turn the switch on (press and hold for 3 seconds to turn on/off). It warms up in an instant. The warmth is particularly noticeable around the waist. It's as warm as wearing multiple adhesive heating pads
When carrying a backpack or similar, the vest presses against your back, making it uncomfortable and hot, so it's not something you should wear while actively moving around. Another drawback is that the vest itself doesn't have much heat retention. When the battery dies, the heat retention drops sharply. To be honest, it's cold. I have to say that it's not suitable as your main cold weather garment. Also, the switch is located on the upper right chest, so it's a little hard to see what color the light is while wearing it. And since the length is a little short, you need to be careful about what you wear underneath. Also, because it's a battery-powered electrical appliance, it cannot be hand-washed or machine-washed, and can only be washed by hand, which may be a bit of a hurdle when using it in the mountains
On the other hand, in situations where the outside temperature is low and you are not moving around much, such as watching sports outdoors in winter, this thin and compact device will be extremely useful as it provides the same warmth as a heated carpet
The cord for connecting to the battery is in the right pocket. Once connected, store it in the back of the pocket
This battery is compatible with an AC cord. I put it next to the iPhone 8 (in the back). I'm concerned about its thickness
HJ006A AERO STRETCH ULTIMATE Hooded Parka (Outdoor Recommended Rating: ★★☆☆☆)
Wind resistance ◎ Heat retention ◎ Feels good on the skin △ Stretch ◯ Breathability ×
It is made of thick ball-shaped padding and has a bumpy surface
This parka features a highly reflective aluminum print on the lining. When you put it on, you can tell it's filled to the brim with 100% polyester padding, making it incredibly fluffy. The 2019 model uses ball-shaped padding for improved warmth
Just as advertised, the warmth and wind resistance are as good as expected. Even strong north winds are no problem. The aluminum print on the lining reflects body heat, keeping the inside of the garment warm. The cuffs and wrists are highly stretchable, ensuring a perfect seal. The maximum stretch rate is 130%. The entire garment is stretchy, making it surprisingly easy to move around in
However, it cannot be denied that the stuffiness of the padding inevitably restricts ease of movement. Its weak point is its poor breathability and ventilation. It has good heat retention and windproof properties, but if you move vigorously, heat will just build up. It is difficult to wear unless you are in an extremely cold field, but it can be said that it is an ideal piece for light exercise or taking a break
The aluminum print reflects body heat and keeps you warm. It looks a little flashy!
The hem and cuffs are made of highly elastic material to keep out the cold
HV004C Cold Weather Vest (Outdoor Recommended Rating ★★★★☆)
Wind resistance ◎ Heat retention ◎ Soft to the touch ◎ Stretch ◯ Breathability ×
The generous padding around the collar keeps you cozy and warm!
This is a great product! This winter vest is filled with synthetic down-like padding, giving it a soft, comfortable feel and keeping you super cozy and warm
The outer fabric is brushed for a calm texture. The lining is stretchy, so it doesn't feel too tight when worn. Above all, the generous amount of padding around the collar is crucial for its warmth and comfort. As expected, it doesn't have the warmth per weight or compressibility that high-priced synthetic padding does, so it's inevitable that it's a little bulky, but since it's a sleeveless vest, it doesn't get in the way too much. It also has lots of pockets, which is great. The design is classic and a little old-fashioned, but it's a great piece to wear outdoors as a regular cold weather garment
summary
The best thing about Workman's winter jackets (for outdoor use) is their warmth for the price, durability, and ease of movement. They offer ample performance for watching sports, winter camping, and light hiking. All of the models featured in this article felt high enough in quality to rival outdoor wear in that respect
On the other hand, while many people may think this is obvious, just to be on the safe side, it should be remembered that when it comes to long periods of intense activity in harsh, snowy environments, it still falls short in many ways of full-fledged outdoor wear. In exchange for the surprisingly high price, there are clear differences with mountaineering wear in terms of adaptability to various situations, such as when sweating, and in small details such as weight and packability. It's hard to say for sure, but I think it depends on the use. You should choose outerwear, innerwear, and clothing that suits your outdoor lifestyle. To be continued..
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