Travel & street photographers are not reputed for their smart dressing habits. Truth be told, there are probably several reasons for that but one of the most obvious is the need for practicality and comfort when photographing in the streets. There is also a need for blending into the crowds and not being too conspicuous. There are several ways of attracting unwanted attention in such instances by carrying too much equipment or looking too much like a pro photographer. I,for one never understood the fascination for photo vests which are often ugly,impractical (try walking fast with all of those pockets filled of heavy and/or heavy bulky items of equipment). But I guess for those photographers who are already carrying one (or more) heavy dslrs around their neck or on their shoulder it may not matter that much.
Using small cameras like I do and recommend on this site does not eliminate the need for many pockets. You might use the pockets to store the camera when not in use and you want to have immediate access to vital accessories like digital cards, extra batteries, lens hoods (or a place to store the hoods & rear caps) not to mention things you may want to have on you outside camera equipment ( cell phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses…)
Most light jackets that you can find in outdoor stores for instance do not feature enough pockets (especially inside pockets) for the traveling photographers. After extensive research I found one that really ticks all right boxes being comfortable, practical, light and easy to store in your photo bag when not in use. Yet, this jacket is way more discrete and elegant than your photo jacket so that you can wear it in more formal environments when not shooting.
The jacket is made by Ex-officio a reputable maker of outdoor clothing and is called the Rain logic jacket.
Inside pockets on the left side
This jacket features 4 zippered pockets on the outside and four more inside the jacket ( 3 zippered ones and one with a velcro-snap).The jacket has a built in cap which can be rolled inwards when not in use and can easily be worn over a cap or a very small helmet. Fortunately, this jacket also comes in XXL size, which is not always the case for this kind of outdoor clothing. This jacket did actually got a editor’s choice award by Fish Alaska magazine which is a good testimony of its high reliability in the elements. I have used the jacket extensively over the last 2 months (most notably during his very rainy north Scotland summer on skye) and I am very impressed with how it performs. The jacket is light (around 16oz), can stand heavy rains and does not exhibit the typical low breathability of many jackets on the market thanks to its highly breathable material and the two-way zip pits under the arms.The jacket can be rolled up into its own hood to be easily carried in a small bag.
The rain logic jacket is I believe a great choice (and at the currently discounted price a bargain not to be missed) for both photographers and smart travelers who want to travel light while still getting a great and light jacket for windy and rainy situations.
The jacket comes only in three colors. I normally do not get black clothing but I got the black which in real life looks more like a very very dark bluish gray. The moss color is under $90 here the black is currently around $125 here.
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