I have a 60/40 parka, purchased used for my son, back in about 1996. No mention of the fabric content on the tag. Even though the extra small is fairly roomy, he outgrew it (or it became uncool) by the time he was 11 or 12. I will be selling it unless one of my daughters marries soon and produces offspring that I may corrupt with genuine US-made goods.

By the way, the zippered opening on the back allowed one to pack a small sack with the 10 essentials, a lunch, or sweater.

The military field jackets have a zippered collar opening that takes the place of the zipper on the back of the SD parka and allows one to pack a sweater–as long as the bottom hem is sewn shut (the lining was allowed to float, so to say).

You said: “This is like complaining that Motorola doesn’t make the ‘classic’ Dyntac phone anymore, even though it was as big as brick and weighed a ton compared to the modern equivalent.”

BUT Sierra Designs DOES make continue to make the original 60/40 parka. It’s already a done deal. It’s happening. It’s just that they only sell them in Japan.

I think company reasoning is opposite of what you say. Sierra Designs no longer sells them here because they don’t have the “look” that Americans expect and we Americans always want the newest stuff. The weight of the 60/40 parka is also out of line with the new ultralight craze.

I worked in the outdoor equipment industry for nearly a decade and directed a college outdoor education program for the same number of years. I own some of the best, most modern gear available. I own custom made tents and sleeping bags. I know fine, expensive gear very well. In terms of functionality in outdoor clothing design, the vast majority of what’s made today doesn’t come close to being as useful as older designs. Yes, modern materials have improved within their niche – waterproof fabrics are truly waterproof and breathability has greatly improved. In design, venting is better, hood designs are better but everything today is styled to emphasize looks not function.

If function were a real consideration, then parkas would be made large enough to fit easily over under layers, big cargo pockets like those on the 60/40 parka would still be used, etc. Look at the modern wind parka and pants used by NOLS – they look entirely different than the new stuff. The parka looks very much like the 60/40 in fit. Why? NOLS has them made to order BECAUSE NO MAKER PRODUCES A FUNCTIONAL GARMENT LIKE THAT. When a serious outdoor school has to have their shell clothing made because it is otherwise unavailable, that speaks volumes about the lack of functionality in what’s available on the market. BTW, I’ve completed the NOLS Instructors Course and have seen how rough their trips can be on equipment. They want and insist on dependable, durable equipment.

FYI, Sierra Designs still makes some very popular but not-very-functional stuff. The Microlight Jacket is a great example. It’s not very water resistant much less waterproof yet, the water resistant finish they use really inhibits breathability. When I managed an outdoor gear store we had dozen of folks complain or return them because they were not breathable or very waterproof. The older guys always remarked that an old 60/40 was far more breathable and was at least as water resistant. Just not as light.

I agree that the Japanese are enamored with anything American and buy this stuff primarily for fashion reasons but I’ll bet very few 18-30 year old Americans wouldn’t know a 60/40 parka from 5 feet away. Therefore, they couldn’t be described as being a wanker. The real wankers are the folks who wear a current North Face jacket with the label plastered all over it including on the back shoulder AND wear it only to the library. There is no difference in their motivations from the “wanker” you describe.

I’m in my 50’s and have camped, hiked, backpacked and engaged in outdoor activities since the early ’70’s. Through the ’80’s and early ’90’s, when I was younger, I regretfully sold or gave away some truly great old gear in order to replace it with something that promised to be better – only to find out later that the new “improved” stuff was not as good in some other ways as what I’d had before. No perfect gear is made or has ever been made. The 60/40 is not perfect. Yet, the new stuff is weakest where it should be the best – functionality. The best, most modern fabrics and materials cannot improve that.

It really sucks to go online and see these perfectly reproduced 60/40’s in Japan and not be able to get one. I’ve also seen a cool ’60’s Eddie Bauer Skyliner jacket in Japan. Yet here, we can’t get anything like it. What gives?

steve

Interestingly, vintage Sierra Designs have been talked up a lot recently these past couple of years on the more discerning and sartorial minded British Football Casual messageboards.

There must be something in the water…….