The American West circa 1875 was a time of promise and peril, of cowboys and Indians, cattle drives and homesteading. The plains were home to thousands of buffalo and the scars of the Civil War were still raw and healing. This was the year the Yavapai and Tonto Apache tribes were marched from their homes near the Verde Valley of Arizona to the Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. Events that would lead to the Battle of the Little Bighorn where Custer would meet his untimely demise. On the hips of many cowboys, tucked into the leather of a holster, could be seen the heavy outlines of a Remington revolver, the newly released Model 1875.
Designed in the likes of the popular single-action Army revolvers of the time, the Remington 1875 was a popular choice for cattlemen, those gone outlaw, and the lawmen who would aspire to bring them down. These were wild times, hard times.
For those of us at Expedition Portal, we have an appreciation for the past and the brands that helped shape it. This is why we value the legacy of Remington, the oldest company in the United States, and their continued commitment to provide modern adventurers with quality goods. While they could have just slapped a label on a host of modern products, their apparel is designed with a reward glance. Their apparel is designed to reflect the best of our history, the pioneers, the traders and hunters, and of course––the cowboys.
With a subtle nod to the Old West, the Brimsdown Quilted Jacket is another ageless item that challenges today’s high-tech offerings. Few materials rival the efficiency of wool and the blended wool exterior of the Brimsdown, paired to 60 gram synthetic insulation, makes it surprisingly warm for the minimal bulk and weight.
The nylon quilted liner is soft and smooth, preventing bunching and increasing range of motion. The two main chest pockets are secured with two snaps and the heavy collar is reinforced with leather banding for long wear life.
Unlike other jackets cut to resemble a heavy shirt, the fit of the Brimsdown is not overly big and boxy. It has a trim cut that fits under outer layers when temperatures really dive. The detail of construction is superb, as we have come to expect of Remington 1816 apparel, and we see no reason why it won’t last for years of hard and loyal service. Much like a Remington 1875 pistol.
Tester’s Notes:
It’s been over a month since I began wearing the Brimsdown Quilted Jacket and I have to say, I think it’s brilliant. I’m not opposed to modern fabrics and have a closet full of ultra-light nylon pieces, but there’s something about wool that just feels right. It has a substantive weight that is natural and comfortable. In mild rain and snow it fends off moisture better than expected and the thin insulation has kept me warm down to the freezing point. The lining allows me to slip the Brimsdown over base layers and even dress shirts without the under layers bunching or binding. Prone to bemoan the winter months, I’m getting along just fine with the Brimsdown as my go-to outer layer.
