It’s a word that’s popping up more and more: anorak. But a quick survey of the brands making anoraks reveals that there’s not quite a consensus on what exactly an anorak is — some are hooded pullovers, some have quarter zips, and others, equipped with full-length zippers, appear to be no different from what one might normally call a jacket. Regardless of the form they come in, one thing is certain: anoraks are trending.
Given the recent popularity of this type of jacket, it’s probably due the clarity provided by a definitive explanation of what exactly makes an anorak an anorak. For that, we look to the weatherproof layer’s origins. The word anorak comes from the Greenlandic annoraaq, which translates roughly to “wind.” Wind, and cold, are exactly what the first anoraks were designed to protect against. Inuits made these using animal skin, often from seals and caribou, which had to be cured, stretched, and treated with oils in order to turn it into a water- and wind-proof layer. Now, Gore-Tex and ripstop nylon do that job for us, much to the chagrin of seals and deer everywhere.
But still, what exactly is an anorak, and how is it different from a jacket? According to the Autumn 1975 issue of Backpacker, an anorak “is a hip-length, hooded, pullover outer garment,” which “features a short zipper at the hood.” The all-knowing Wikipedia agrees that the anorak, in contrast with a parka or jacket, is characterized as a “pull-over jacket without a front opening.”
So there you have it. An anorak is a hooded pullover — if it zips all the way open, it’s not an anorak. The Inuits lined theirs with fur for extra warmth, but technical anoraks these days can be stuffed with down and synthetics, or lack any insulation and simply act as a water- and wind-proof shell layer.
Thinking about ditching the zipper? Here are our five favorite anoraks that you can get today.
AirPods Pro have been hovering around $200 for a while now, which is a great deal. Competition is now fierce in this headphone category, but the quick pairing and native integration with Apple devices still make the AirPods Pro tough to beat.
These shades are an icon — need we say more? No matter what you're wearing, a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers will always look great and elevate your style. Plus, these are polarized. Save your irises.
This summer we'll hopefully be able to share drinks with friends again, but regardless, this 64oz container from Hydro Flask keeps glass out of parks and drinks in your hands.
Since many of us are going to be spending our days away from the comfortable chairs and desks of our office for a while longer, it may be time to actually invest in a nice chair for the home office.
Yes, Mother's Day is almost here and you should probably get flowers for your mom. If you pre-order from Bouqs, you can get 20% off any of its Mother's Day selection.
Summer is coming and you need a new pair of shades. Right now you can get a pair from Garrett Leight, the California-based brand that outfits celebs like Brad Pitt, for 25% off.
According to our editors, this is the best overall synthetic down jacket to buy in 2021. It is a no-frills insulation layer that has some stretch for comfort and has been updated with a more relaxed fit than previous iterations.
As Nike has stepped its game up, so have other elite running brands. The Carbon X is Hoka One One's foray into running shoes with a springy carbon plate for efficiency and a propulsive ride.
Nike is revolutionizing running and running shoe tech with its NEXT% series — these are the ultimate runners for daily training. These rarely go on sale, so pick some up while you can.
Dyson makes some of the smartest home appliances around, including its exceptional fans and air purifiers. This one has both — a combo that will come in handy for allergy season and as temperatures warm this spring and summer.
$150 OFF + FREE SHIPPING AND INSTALLATION WITH CODE SPRING21
When you're not using it, it functions just like any other mirror in your house. When you turn it on, Mirror reveals an LCD panel with stereo speakers and access to hundreds of workout classes.
It is just about time to start hanging out outside, thank goodness. This Adirondack chair takes one of the most classic outdoor chair silhouettes and twists it just a bit to make it distinctly DWR, which we love.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io