Which jacket to take to Europe this fall?

[Bern1]

Hi all,
My wife and I are going to Europe for 6 weeks from mid October to the end of November. We are traveling light with a lot of carry on flights. So I will be taking only one jacket. We will be in and at points-between Bucharest, Romania and Malaga, Spain from beginning to end.

Last time I took my LW A2 to Italy at the end of spring, hit a heat wave and wound up carrying it around most of the time without wearing it. This time it’s again in the running, since it might be cooler/wetter in some places.

Another jacket in the running is another LW, this one a sateen cotton Raider. Lighter, not waterproof but pretty good in a shower. I’d probably get wet in a downpour. Advantage with this one would be I could layer it easier and would be more comfortable in different situations. Plus it has better cargo options. The A2 is cooler though.... but short and tight with a sweater. I’m not carrying an umbrella around, I’ll have a hat.

Last jacket I’d consider is a 70’s military issue G1 I have. (I think it’s goat.) It’s got pockets, pretty comfortable, could layer maybe with a wool shirt, not a lot of room in it though. I haven’t tested it in the rain but I figure it should hold up for a while.

Help me decide if you are so inclined, especially if you have a feel for the weather in those parts!

Thanks for reading, cheers and thanks in advance,

Bern

 

[steve u]

Bern, Can't help with the Jacket,but I'm jealous reading about the trip.
Safe Travels...steve
P.S. when traveling overseas I pack light

 

[willyto]

I'm 100% sure you won't need a jacket in Málaga during October. In November maybe but fall there isn't "cold".

I would get a jacket you can layer under if it gets cold in other locations.

 

[mihai]

Hi Bern,
Romanian here. First thing first check the forecast. In this period you can get rainy days also. From November temperatures are close to freezing at night, 10-15 Centigrades max during the day.
For versatility G-1 is the best. Put some Pecard leather dressing in it before and it should be good to go. You can layer with a sweater as you said I think it's the best option. LW jackets are too heavy I find for wandering all day long.
About the umbrela - what about using a good quality foldable one? Like German Knirps. They are fairly light. In Romania it can rain quite heavy on some days.
In case you need more specific location info don't hesitate.

 

[Edward]

I was last in Romania in November 2011. I took with me a covert coat to wear with a suit and wore a B3 travelling. The B3 was great; I shivered in the covert. Dependng on how hot you run, you might findyou can get away with one of the leather you mention and a heavy wool sweater. You might not need either in the South of Spain even in November, but in Eastern Europe it's a different matter. You're moving across some very different climates, it sounds like.

 

[Peacoat]

I like the G-1 as Mihai suggested above. A coating of Pecard will help it repel water, and you can layer a sweater under it for cold weather.

 

[Bern1]

Thanks all. Yes, stops everywhere with different climes. I’ll be in Northern Europe in October, then mostly in the south during November. I’m sure it can rain anywhere at any time.

 

[Carlos840]

Don't take this the wrong way, but IMO that's a bit like asking "what jacket should i take to the USA"
Europe is large, covers many different countries and climates.
To think that you will need the same clothing in Spain and in Romania is wrong.

I mean, you wouldn't dress the same going to LA in winter as you would going to NYC?
Same situation in Europe!

 

[Monitor]

Don't take this the wrong way, but IMO that's a bit like asking "what jacket should i take to the USA"
Europe is large, covers many different countries and climates.
To think that you will need the same clothing in Spain and in Romania is wrong.

I mean, you wouldn't dress the same going to LA in winter as you would going to NYC?
Same situation in Europe!

Yeah, exactly. Also, just a hundred miles either way makes a lot of difference. Right now, the thermometer is around 30f where I live and I was just on the phone with my friend who's only 100 miles away toward the sea and he still doesn't need anything warmer than a T-shirt.

Either way, take a jacket, @Bern1. As others have said, it can get cold in Romania. It's a big country with a diverse climate, don't know where you're heading but better safe than sorry.

 

[Bern1]

Sure, understood all. I don’t take any of this the wrong way btw. It was just a fun exercise, considering that I like to travel light and will only take one jacket.
I think I’ve settled on my sateen cotton Lost Worlds Raider and my LL Bean replica navy commando sweater. That should take care of it all!
Cheers.