Headed to the hills, or just headed to the office? With Merrell’s Darrien jacket, it may be hard for folks to tell – but you’ll be equally prepared for both options.
Merrell Darrien Jacket Features
- 100% polyester fabric
- Merrell Opti-Warm synthetic insulation
- DWR finish
- Dual hand pockets
- Internal zippered storage pocket
- Taffeta lining
- Adjustable drawcord hem
- 4 color options
- MSRP $119
Merrell Darrien Jacket Review
Merrell specializes in making highly functional outdoor apparel that is also very stylish for everyday casual use. The Darrien is a perfect example, as illustrated by the following conversation I had with my wife as I was headed out the door to work one morning:
Wife: I really like that jacket.
Me: Yeah … it’s a new one. I’m testing it for hiking.
Wife: But it looks too nice for hiking!
So I guess one downside of the Darrien is that people on the trail might mistake you for someone who wandered away from the office for a while … but that’s not such a bad problem to have.
(And come to think of it, I am someone who wanders away from the office to hit the trail … only I usually change clothes first.)
On the trails ... or off to the rat race
The Darrien is constructed as a bomber-style jacket, with warmth provided by 100g of Merrell’s proprietary Opti-Warm insulation, and a very soft taffeta finish on the entire interior surface. The external surface has good tear-resistance and a comfortably coarse finish, along with DWR coating that is sufficient to hold off light rainfall.
Silky taffeta interior lining; interior zip pocket
Fit of the jacket through the torso is slightly bulky, providing plenty of room for layering underneath, but which might be a problem if you’re hauling a day pack over the top of it. I’d love this jacket much more if it were just a little bit thinner, or if the torso cut was trimmed down just slightly.
Nevertheless, the combined comfort and warmth of this jacket is outstanding, and during a fall camping trip, the Darrien became an ideal “Wow, it got cold once the sun went down – I need to throw on something warm!” solution for whiling away the evening hours before climbing into the tent.
Good Darrien
- Very fashionable styling for trail or casual use
- Excellent insulation
- Comfortable overall feel
Bad Darrien
- Feels bulky underneath a backpack
Bottom Line: Merrell Darrien Jacket
Equally suited for winter hiking or cool-weather casual wear, Merrell’s Darrien jacket is an attractive choice, whether you’re headed to the office or escaping from it.
Buy Now: Visit Merrell.com
