Despite being across the pond, I’ve been aware of HAVEN for well over 10 years, now. The Canadian retailer was one of the frontrunners in bringing to the West the Japanese labels I had grown to love through my late teens like WTAPS, Neighborhood, Sophnet, and Wacko Maria.
But while HAVEN is known as a Western tastemaker in the world of Japanese streetwear, perhaps even more forward-thinking has been its focus on tech-wear. Brands like Veilance (Arc’teryx), Acronym, The North Face, and Stone Island Shadow Project have all graced the HAVEN shelves over the years, in addition to GORE-TEX helpings from some of those aforementioned Japanese labels. In short, if I wanted to look at some technical outerwear that would seriously hurt my bank account, HAVEN is the first place I log on to find my new grail.
It’s for these reasons that I was super excited to discover that HAVEN had launched its in-house label back in 2017. Since launching its private label, HAVEN has been putting out a range of considered products that draw on influences from military garb, techwear, and the good parts of some of the brands it has dealt with for over a decade. In-house labels seldom excel, but HAVEN’s private label has grown year-on-year, outselling some of the other heavy-hitting brands in the HAVEN roster.
Today, I’ll be reviewing HAVEN’s Logan parka, which they kindly sent to me in the black colorway. With this being my first piece from HAVEN’s in-house label, I’m hoping it will highlight why the brand has succeeded so well since its inception.
First Thoughts
Just two days after receiving my confirmation email, I was unboxing my Logan Parka on a grey drizzly day in the U.K. – so it’s fair to say that HAVEN’s international shipping is rapid. The unboxing experience was great, too. The Logan arrives in a large, HAVEN-branded plastic ziplock bag – something I expect from a jacket in excess of $500, but isn’t always the case. There are labels and tags galore on the jacket, explaining the GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER fabric and its features.
As I slipped the jacket out of its ziplock bag, the first thing that caught my attention was the tactile, matt feel of the fabric. Also, it’s black — but not jet black — there is a subtle graphite undertone. I didn’t notice this until I saw the lining, which is dark black, as well as looking super lightweight and comfortable. A quick scan of the zippers and other hardware confirmed my expectations of a sturdy and well-built jacket. But more on that later. Let’s look at the fit and aesthetic of the jacket.
Fit, Sizing, & Styling
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I was slightly apprehensive about size with the jacket traveling such a long way to reach me, but I went true to size and it fits like a glove. If you want to wear the Logan Parka over a thick hoodie or fleece, consider sizing up. Me? I’ll be rocking this over mid-weight loopwheeled sweatshirts and long-sleeve tees, so my true size works perfectly.
The silhouette is wide and short, but not cropped, lending itself to easy styling with more heritage-centric garments like wide-legged jeans and fatigues. It is, by nature, a techy-looking garment, but it doesn’t have the stiffness of a 3L, taped-seam GORE-TEX jacket or anything – it’s soft, pillowy, and cozy.
I’ve had no problems styling the Logan with pretty much anything. My wardrobe has a bit of everything — from military repros and raw denim to gorp gear and streetwear — so I would say that this piece would slot into pretty much any modern wardrobe with aplomb.
Features & Performance
Water still beading up after around 45 minutes of drizzly rain.
I’ve got to say, the features of HAVEN’s Logan Parka have had me reaching for it a lot. As you can see from the images in this review, I spend a lot of time walking my dog in a rainy, grey — often chilly — England, and the Logan is perfect for this environment for a host of reasons.
First up, water-resistance. The image above shows that water easily beads up on the surface of the GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER fabric – a welcome sight to those who enjoy a water-resistant jacket. I’ve worn the HAVEN Logan Parka in light rain and a total downpour, and come home dry every time. The fabric lives up to its name, too, shielding against blustery winds as well as rainfall. I imagine that continued exposure to serious rainfall would let some water in, as the seams aren’t taped. But honestly, the fabric resists so much water it would be difficult for it to pool or saturate anywhere, so I’m not too worried about that and it hasn’t been an issue for me.
The adjustable hood helps keep the cold out by pulling the hood and neck tighter to your neck and face, and the two-way zipper allows you to dial in the fit.
Secondly, comfort. The roomy fit and silky nylon lining means this thing is super comfortable to wear. It never feels restrictive, and further cozy details like a smooth collar inside the hood (see image 2 in the First Thoughts section), microfleece-lined pockets, and soft cuff welting add to the comfort levels. Drawcords at the waist also allow you to cinch in the bottom in or loosen it off, which is always a bonus.
Lastly, warmth. Now, on some occasions, the level of heat offered by the Primaloft® Gold insulation in HAVEN’s Logan Parka has actually been an issue for me. It’s hot. So when it’s baltic outside, this thing is my best friend, but when it’s milder or the clouds make way for a spot of sunshine, I start sweating. This isn’t an issue, but something to consider if you live on the West Coast or somewhere that doesn’t get stupid cold. The back end of winter is very cold in the U.K., so I’m sure I’ll find ample opportunity to wear this thing a lot more.
Construction
I’m no expert in techwear, but the Logan Parka looks and feels like it could go toe-to-toe with any of the outdoorswear from other brands in HAVEN’s roster. Being a fan of what HAVEN has done for many years could suggest I was biased before receiving this piece, but it’s my honest assessment that the Logan Parka (and likely the rest of HAVEN’s in-house label) is a great investment.
I get the feeling that HAVEN understands exactly what it wants its garments to do, and chooses the silhouettes and materials to achieve those goals – all in a process informed by over a decade of independent retailing. Everything is made in Canada which is a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality. It’s all too easy to outsource the production of garments like this to China or South Korea, but HAVEN has stuck to its homeland to produce its in-house label, setting it apart from adjacent brands like The North Face Purple Label, who are just one of many makers to have moved their manufacturing to China.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a mid-weight jacket that offers warmth and water resistance, this is a compelling option. As I alluded to earlier, I can’t guarantee this interview is free from unconscious bias, but I know a good jacket when I see one. If you purchase one and disagree, the worst that can happen is you can return it and berate me in the comment section. I doubt it will come to that, though.
The Logan Parka is available exclusively at HAVEN for $555.
