REI is one of the largest outdoor products companies offering just about every imaginable type of recreational gear, including travel clothing. The Men’s Sahara Jacket is one of their products I use for travel and as urbanwear. Living in the Pacific Northwest I get used to being prepared for any type of weather at any time of the year. I have found that the Sahara jacket is warm on cool evenings, water repellant on drizzly days, and a good windbreaker on breezy days.
Since we get a lot of rain and damp days here, I like the fact that it has a hood for rain or to keep the chill off your head, and that the hood retracts into the collar when it isn’t in use. When fully zipped, the Sahara jacket provides a nice chin and neck cover. Although it isn’t rain-proof, it is water repellant. I found it to be an excellent windbreaker when in moderately windy days. It is warm and comfortable with a nice cozy fit. 
Just about everyone uses a phone, MP3 player or other device with headphones. This jacket has a cord port from the inner pocket through which I can run the cord. The inner pocket helps keep your device dry.
The outer pockets have a snap-down flap to make them more secure. The hand warmer pockets let you help keep the chill off in windy or rainy situations or while out boating or fishing. Conditions on the water can change rapidly. When the wind comes up it can get pretty chilly fast. The fact that this jacket is so good at reducing wind chill makes it a great addition to my fishing tackle.
Some outer layer garments may be effective at preventing weather intrusion but just don’t have style. I feel this jacket provides good protection against the elements, but also provides that high quality urbanwear look in either the gold or twilight colors.
If you are an international traveler, you will find this to be the right jacket for a wide variety of weather and climate conditions for that trip to Europe in Fall or Asia in Spring. It folds or rolls nicely to fit into your travel bag or backpack without wrinkling.
The inner mesh lining helps your body breathe and evaporate moisture. It also doesn’t stick to your skin like some rainwear does, which keeps you from feeling clammy in humid environments. The two-way zipper also lets you open and vent the jacket as much or little as you need to maintain a good comfort level.
The fit and sizing seem to be close to what you would expect when purchasing a specific size. For me, I need a large, and the Sahara jacket fits me well. The sleeves seem to be just a bit long for me, but I find that to be an advantage as I like to have my wrists somewhat covered in wind and cold situations.
Overall, I am very satisfied with the product and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a high quality, durable, breathable, jacket. You will find you use it a lot if you live in a windy or damp climate or for any time you just want to look good on an evening out with friends. I anticipate using it almost anytime I travel overseas or just downtown to meet friends.
As with all REI products it comes with a no-questions-asked return policy where your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Pros
- Water repellant outer fabric
- Machine washable
- Comfortable fit
- Breathable inner mesh lining
- Cord port for electronic device
- Snap cuffs for adjustment
- Stow-away hood
- Two-way zipper
- Good looking jacket
Cons
- Not Waterproof
Tech Specs
Nylon Fabric for durability
Cord Port
6 Pockets, Two with Snap Flap, Two Hand Warmer, One outer Breast Pocket, One inner Breast Pocket
Hip Length
Cost About $100
Wind Resistant to 60 MPH
Interior Mesh for Breathability
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