What jacket mixes old-school mountain parka style and modern technology?

Sorry to say, there’s nothing on the market that is similar to your Madden of 1978. To which I can only say: Saints be praised! Are you kidding me?? In that era (alas, the Gear Guy dates himself—but with age comes much wisdom) I had an expensive (for that time) Ventile cotton parka from REI. It was waterproof in the same way a sponge is waterproof—it could absorb only so much. Once the outer surface was soaked, it would shed water.

The Exposure II Jacket

Today there are SO MANY good choices. I suppose if I were to conjure a “classic” type of shell, I’d go with Patagonia’s Men’s Storm Light ($200). It’s an all-around jacket for mild and damp conditions. Very clean, very functional, waterproof/breathable, all that good stuff. And it’s cut to fit over layers.

Mountain Hardwear’s Exposure II ($200) also is an old-timey-style jacket, with the bonus of a removable powder skirt for snowy conditions. It’s made from their Conduit fabric, which is a good-quality proprietary waterproof/breathable material.

My advice: Break with the past. Chart new territory. Be bold. Get REI’s Shuksan Jacket ($289). A classic all-mountain design coupled with super-new eVent fabric, which is extremely breathable, waterproof, and wind-resistant. And at a great price. This is a great buy on a great piece.

Write to me again in 30 years, Mike, we’ll see what’s a crack-a-lackin’ then.