I live on the Mendocino Coast in Northern California. We have a cool Mediterranean climate meaning all of our rain for the year comes in the winter and the temperature all year long is between 35 and 65 degrees. If you want or need to get outside during the winter months, you need to be comfortable with the rain. And if you do get out, it's nice to wear something that can manage the epic overgrowth of blackberry brambles and also keep you dry. I can put this jacket on and go for a three-hour hike in the redwoods or birding along the coast, and not worry about the rain. The lack of insulation in this jacket is ideal for our climate. I just add as much insulation underneath the jacket as I need for that day, and walk out the door. I used to carry a backpack for some food, coffee, gloves, field guides, etc when I would go on long day hikes. With the large and numerous pockets, I skip the backpack and just fill my pockets.
I held off on this review until I got caught in a proper sustained rain. During the annual Christmas Bird Count in our area, I spent several hours in steady rain with camera batteries and some food in my pockets, but my shirt, batteries, etc were bone dry when the sun finally came out. Is the coat waterproof? No. Is it weather resistant enough to handle several hours of blowing rain. Yes.
Before buying the coat, I seriously questioned whether the coat would be worth the cost. However, the tailoring, design details, durability and utility in all kinds of situations means that I now use it instead of the other 4 coats sitting in my closet.
I'm a small general contractor and I have no doubt this coat would handle the rigors of my work day, but frankly, the coat looks too good to be covered in caulk, paint drips, wood sap and concrete splatter. I'll keep my junk coat for work and use the Salt Farm Chore Coat for everything else.
I only write an online review every few years. But the Chore Coat is excellent and deserving of high praise. Thanks for a stellar product.