Winter is here, time to break out the Hobo Coat

A year or two ago, I was talking to my wife about needing a new coat. The one I was wearing at the time was a little too light for extended periods of time out in the cold. In most cases I was only going from the house to the car, then from the car to wherever I was going. I never felt the need for a heavier coat until I had to shovel snow from a couple hundred feet of sidewalk and walkway.

So, being in need of a new coat, my wife picked one up for me as a Christmas gift last year. When I opened it, I was a little skeptical because of how light it felt. It looks like a much thinner version of the old Marlboro Down Coats from the 1990’s. The coat extended beyond the waist and contains a draw string to snug it up in spots.

Not wanting to disappoint my wife, I put my new coat on the very first time I had snow to shovel. I was amazed at how warm it was and actually broke out into a sweat a few minutes after getting started. After having used it a couple of times, I began referring to it as my Hobo Coat.

With my wife thinking I was teasing her for buying me a coat that a homeless person would wear, she demanded an explanation for the naming of my coat. With a laugh, I explained to her that a homeless person could wear this coat and survive all winter long. It has enough pockets and compartments that they could easily store a winters worth of canned goods, with room to spare. In addition, it is dark in color to show less wear and the liner has an old time flannel pattern (which stands out inside the detachable hood).

While she may not appreciate the name I have given my coat, I think it is fantastic. Not only does it keep me warm, it also has a place for all kinds of gadgets when I walk out of the house. At times it works a little too well and I have to take it off before going on a long drive or I find myself traveling with the window down.