Chrome Surveyor’s Jacket – So Versatile and Comfortable

Mattis Sessel

First thing I noticed about the Chrome Surveyor’s Jacket was how soft the merino wool poly blend felt and how the merino blend added excellent warmth. The jacket felt more like a cozy base layer designed to function as a jacket. The Surveyor’s Jacket is specifically for cycling, yet it is super versatile.  The jacket proved a great outer layer for cycling, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and relaxing around the house quickly making it a favorite item in my closet.

Since the jacket has DWR panels to add some additional wind and moisture protection, I was inclined to use this piece as an outer layer in some low temperatures. No, it is not a parka! Yes, it should be worn as the outer layer during high exertion cycling and other activities.

When hiking and Nordic skiing, I wore the surveyor jacket as an outer layer in temperatures as low as 20 degrees only adding a parka when exposed to substantial wind or shade.

At 6’1” tall and 175 pounds, the large fit my frame perfectly. I was comfortable layering a base layer and zip-up

shirt under the Surveyor’s Jacket. The natural stretch in the merino wool poly blend easily accommodated layering. The sleeves handled my 36” sleeve length. The thumb holes made a significant difference allowing the sleeves to merge into my riding gloves aiding in keeping my hands and fingers warm and protected from road wind infiltration. 

The Surveyor’s Jacket has a comfortable zip-up neck that replaced the need to add a scarf or neck gaiter. The tail is cut long for plenty of coverage while cycling. The jacket’s back panel is designed to allow hot air to escape and prevents overheating on borderline days. The zippers are substantial and easy to operate on all pockets. I particularly liked the chest pocket for stashing my cell phone. For cycling with the added wind chill, I would rate this jacket as being comfortable in 40 – 60 degrees depending on your layering approach.

Mattis Sessel

While growing up in St. Louis, MO, Mattis spent his summers with his family in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).  The trails of RMNP became his favorite stomping ground and he went to summer camp in nearby Estes Park first climbing Longs Peak as a 13-year-old camper.

He shared this passion for the Rockies with his wife, Deb, and ultimately they decided to imprint the Rockies on their three daughters by spending their childhood summers in Estes Park camped in a travel trailer. This love affair with the Rockies continued while Mattis pursued his business interests for 25 years on the East Coast.  Winter ski trips and summers spent in RMNP stoked the fire to ultimately make the move to pursue his passion’s full time in Colorado in 2015.

Hiking, skiing, biking and fly-fishing were the activities of choice and Mattis decided to build any future businesses around these pursuits.  He’s come a long way since he caught his first fish in Kentucky Lake as a 3-year-old with a bamboo pole.

His first fish caught on a dry fly was in the Indian Peaks and he quickly took to hiking to alpine streams and fishing for wild trout.  He’s fished throughout Colorado and into New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.  He’s always got his fishing gear in the car and has created the concept of the “double,” skiing / biking in the morning and catching some fish in a nearby river in the afternoon.

He maintains his fitness on his road and mountain bikes and is known for his all-seasons, all-weather, “always train outside” approach to his physical training sessions with Sean Sewell at Colorado Personal Fitness.  His passion for gear that enhances his pursuits and allows for more time outdoors is reinforced in a favorite Colorado adage, “there’s no bad weather, just bad gear!”