Mission Workshop Jackets

Well, it seems Mission Workshop has continued to up their game with the arrival of apparel to their line - two jackets, the Orion and the Bosun have come to On the Rivet just in time for fall. The Orion is a waterproof shell and the Bosun is a wool jacket. At 500 hundred bucks and 275 respectively, it's a steep cost to swallow but not exactly out of the question when you look into the details...


The Orion jacket is a fully taped and seam-sealed jacket made for any sort of weather Mother Nature wants to throw at you. The fabric, a four-way stretch Schoeller c_change, is "designed, developed and manufactured in the Swiss Alps." Now, if you don't know, this is a fabric that reacts to changing temperatures and activities. The membrane increases or decreases heat-retention and breathability based on outdoor temperatures. The example given is that of a female fir cone - if the environment is hot and dry the cone opens its scales to the fullest, if wet and cold, it will close up completely.


The c_change membrane works in much the same way - if the environment is warm and dry, the membrane "opens up" and allows excess heat to escape to the outside air. If it is rainy and wet out, the structure of the membrane "closes up" or condenses and retains heat for the body while still allowing moisture to wick through.


The jacket is made in Canada - right here in Vancouver, in fact. Production is done in the same factory where Arcteryx used to do their jackets before they were outsourced. That's kind of cool even though the materials aren't locally-sourced.


Other bike-friendly features include pit-zips for extra ventilation and articulated sleeves for a sleeker fit and easier movement. A rear touring-style pocket at the back of the jacket allows easier access to the rider on and off the bike.



While built more as a jacket on the bike, the Orion does have walkabout status. With a chest pocket for your wallet, an inside pocket for your music, and the rear touring-style pocket, it allows a person to use it off the bike without much hassle.


The Bosun jacket can be paired with the Orion or worn on its own.


Made of New Zealand merino wool and lycra, this mid-weight jacket boasts a longer cut in the back than the front and reinforced shoulders and elbows made from a 4-way stretch fabric from the U.S.


Just like the Orion, it has a zip chest pocket for valuables, an internal pocket for media, as well as a touring-style rear pocket for easy access on the bike.