Going back to the end of last year, when we went to Izu for our Circles company trip, we decided to aim for the Nishina Pass from West Izu for a ride on the morning after we arrived.
Unfortunately, the weather was rainy. It looked fine at the foot of the mountain and was forecast to clear up by the afternoon, but it seemed unavoidable that we would hit rain clouds as we headed into the mountains.
Izu is relatively warm even in winter, but that certain jacket I had decided to bring in advance really proved its worth.
The S1-J Riding Jacket, a masterpiece from SEARCH AND STATE that delivers excellent performance for three seasons, excluding summer.
While it certainly serves its purpose as a wind jacket, its greatest strength lies in the membrane (waterproof, breathable film) it uses.
Schoeller’s c_change technology has the unique property of adjusting its breathability in response to the steam emitted from your body, offering ultimate performance: it keeps you warm in winter and lets out trapped heat when your body temperature rises in early spring or autumn, making it the perfect cycling jacket.
Furthermore, thanks to its extremely high water resistance, it functions well enough as a rain jacket unless you're caught in the rain for an extended period, which is exactly why I personally trust this jacket so much.
In fact, I started getting rained on the moment I began the hill climb, and I basically rode right through the rain clouds. Not only did I stay dry and comfortable the whole time, but I was even able to keep my camera safe by wearing the jacket over my shoulder-slung bag, since I didn't have a waterproof camera cover. (Don't try this at home, kids!)
This season, the lineup includes a two-tone color option not seen before. Naturally, the double-zipper detail is still there. (The navy one I’m wearing has already sold out. Sorry!)
S1-J Camo Colorblock Riding Jacket
40,000 JPY (excl. tax)
S1-J Colorblock Riding Jacket
40,000 JPY (excl. tax)
Long Sleeve Merino Jersey
27,000 JPY (excl. tax)
Also, for layering under this jacket, the merino wool long-sleeve jersey from Search and State serves as an excellent mid-layer during this cold season, and works great on its own in early spring or autumn, so you might want to pick one up to go with it.
The cold days are still with us, but this is a jacket that will serve you well until spring arrives. Experience the quality packed into this meticulously crafted item from Search and State for yourself!