Canada Goose Abbott lightweight packable jacket is a traveller’s dream

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Canada has long, cold winters, short, hot summers and a few confusing weeks between those two seasons. 

The Abbott Hoody (the men’s equivalent is the Crofton Hoody) from Canada Goose is a solid investment piece because it’s high quality, and you may only wear it a few weeks throughout the year, so it should last you a long time (say, a lifetime — read Canada Goose’s Lifetime Warranty). However, I planned to use the jacket for travel — a two-week trip around Tanzania and Kenya.

While doing research for the trip, I found out that mornings and nights in these African countries can be jacket-level chilly. I was leaving a cold Canada at the end of April and wanted to be done with bulky jackets, so I found the Abbott Hoody, a packable lightweight puffer that’s perfect for travel. 

The Hoody (it’s a puffer) can be packed into an interior pocket — I did just that and brought it on the plane to use as a pillow. I ended up using it as a pillow throughout most of the trip because there were many short nights and long drives.

I also got the Abbott Hoody because it’s water repellent, and we were headed on safaris during the rainy season. I was prepared for all sorts of weather, but ended up getting spoiled with warmth and sunshine. Luckily, there was one crisp morning in the Serengeti when I could test the jacket as a jacket versus a pillow. I continued to wear the jacket when I returned to Toronto, but I love it and am excited to have a transitional weather, travel-friendly jacket that will last.

What: Abbott Hoody
Temperature rating: -5 C – 5 C
Key features: Water repellent, wind-resistant, adjustable hood, two-way zipper, interior zipped pocket (the jacket can be packed into this pocket)
Size range: XS – 3XL (without a doubt, size up from your usual size)
Price: $895
Where to buy: Canada Goose

Canada Goose Abbott Hoody review

The Abbott Hoody is made in Canada (check out our Canada Goose factory tour to learn more about how its jackets are made). It’s water and wind resistant, has a down-filled hood and other key features that make this jacket a wardrobe staple. It has a neutral appearance, so it’s also trend-resistant and can be loved for a lifetime.

My experience: To quote Scar from The Lion King, it’s good to “be prepared.” I was ready for the supposed “rainy season” in Tanzania and Kenya, but was spoiled with clear skies and warm sunshine. Though it was only cold enough to test the jacket one morning on the trip, the best part is how packable and light the jacket is. It can get compact, not adding too much to limited luggage space or weight limits. The morning I had the chance to wear it, it was comfy and a great cozy top layer. 

After returning to Toronto, it was still cold enough to test the jacket. The Abbott is ready for Toronto’s middle seasons, to protect me from cold winds and frosty mornings. However, you should size up from your regular size. I’m usually a medium and felt like I could Hulk right out. The large fits well, and there’s still room for me to layer.

Favourite features: It’s ready to protect from the elements, and it’s lightweight and packable. I like the jacket because it’s resistant to the elements and comes with a well-fitted hood that does the same. It’s great for travel and the middle Canadian seasons because it’s light and easy to put on and take off. It’s not a big, schleppy jacket that reminds me of winter; it feels like a spring and fall hoodie that happens to be more technical. It’s also a gem for travelling because it fits nicely in a pocket and is ready to serve as a soft pillow.

Overall recommendation

I love wearing Canada Goose jackets in the Canadian winter because they keep me warm. I also love wearing Canada Goose when I travel because I like wearing Canadian artisanship proudly. The Abbott Hoody can protect against the chilly, windy and rainy elements that can happen during the transitional seasons in Canada or while travelling abroad — and can be used as a pillow when the weather spoils and a jacket isn’t required.

What: Abbott Hoody
Price: $895
Where to buy: Canada Goose

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