Jan 13

Jan 13 Amundsen Heroes Anorak (2019)

Amundsen Heroes Anorak (2019)

Type: Parka / Use: Lifestyle / Face: Cotton-Linen / Insulation: n/a

Technologies: Waxed Fabric

Norway’s Amundsen Sports is named after Norway’s Roald Amundsen, the legendary explorer who in 1911, discovered the South Pole. To his homeland, Roald is a national hero. And to his relatives – the Amundsen clan, from A to Jørgen – he’s even more.

The Amundsen Heroes Anorak is a reproduction of the Inuit-style parkas worn by Roald and his crew during their polar expedition. A waxy, oversized smock well north of 3lbs, the Heroes is less jacket than artifact. The design was recreated from a photo of Amundsen on the Artic ice. The Halley Stevenson linen-cotton face fabric was selected for authenticity. While the waxed coating-coyote ruff combo grants some element of weather resistance, technical performance isn’t the point here.

It’s just not worth. So I won’t.

The following is an entry from the Captain’s letters home.

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Bjørg my dearest,

The party presses on and I with it. This is the third day of darkness. The third straight day of creaking ice and lecherous frost. At night the penguins sing; their buoyant songs and happy feet will some day make great IP. In this endless midnight, their rhythms – Circadian and 4/4 - are our own.

Oh and also thanks for this coat.

I’ve heard the men whispering in the galleys at night. Their spirits are being tested by this tremendous black veil. What each sees and hears in the polar darkness is his own. Some see loved ones – I do not for they live in my letters. Others see past mistakes – many do not come to the Arctic, but run here instead.

That said though I can’t help but feel like this sick jacket keeps coming up.

Seriously Bjørg. Like the noble narwhale, this thing is a beast. I understand why, again, like the noble narwhale, it holds imaginations. Majestic tusk (lacing). Arctic coat (removable ruff). What it lacks in blubber (insulation) it makes up for in looks. Please do not read that the wrong way. One thinks often of blubber here. It is just cold.

If I could change one thing I would return home to you at once. Life itself is an adventure and I feel like our life together will be warmer than any scientific feat I could achieve. I might also unstick myself from this ice. And add side-zips to this anorak. And see the South Pole before others. On second thought I would actually change a lot of things. Being with you right now is definitely around the coat changes though. Bjørg my jubilant bronze medal I miss you relatively.

The penguins have begun their song again so I must be finishing this bit if I am to sleep tonight. Then again some of the men have been whispering about stealing my jacket while I sleep. I fear my choices are either to rest tired bones and lose this coat or rail medicinal cocaine ‘til the penguins come to roost.

The snow here is lovely Bjørg. Thank you for my coat.

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Amundsen’s Heroes Anorak is a simple proposition. If you like how it looks, buy it.

With its rough-hewn textile and thigh-length cut, this furry frost fighter is essentially a budget visvim parka. Drop the Amundsen chest logo and it could be Ten C. Or Yves Salomon. Or Mister Freedom. Kapital. You name it. Whatever reference-based retrofuturistic brand you prefer, the Heroes Anorak could fit right in line. It’s fucking hard to wear, but then again, so is a down kimono. If you’re dropping $600 on Hoth cosplay, you probably have other jackets.

That said, it’s hard to get away from the fact that the Heroes Anorak may just be physically hard to wear. While it may be a Rick-alike at half the price, wearing the Heroes is like wearing an x-ray smock that can only be pulled over. And then there’s the wax. Just forget about wearing a backpack with this one. It will ended up coated.

In summary, Amundsen’s Heroes Anorak is a bonkers statement piece with a cocktail party story and a niche value story. By any modern standards, it’s not great. But, it looks really cool and I wanted to wear it, so I planned out an entire outfit, tote bag included. That’s not something I want to do on weekdays – both for the effort of planning and the effort of actually wearing a 4lb un-insulated Inuit smock. On a lazy Saturday spent with other fashion people, however, the net effect of the Heroes worn right just feels awesome.

Awesome enough to validate pairing with wide-leg pants and Bean Boots. Awesome enough to shrug through the lack of real features.

Awesome enough to inspire whole Arctic Circle letters instead of actual thoughtful reviews.

Dearest Bjørg I’m wearing the coat.