The Norse gods of weather gear at SWIMS have always made sloshing around in the rain stylish. Whether keeping raindrops off of your head or out of your socks, they’ve consistently been able to make the words dry and dapper go hand in hand. This time around is no different as they release their new collection of Mobster galoshes. The zip up ankle boots, available in both black and brown, fit right over your favorite kicks to keep dampness from infiltrating your feet — which might eventually come in handy if you ever have to sleep with the fishes.

When I first peeped the Excubo Jacket made especially for sleeping on the bus or subway by industrial designer Matthew Gale, I laughed. But then I remembered a million late nights watching people on the metro play the doze-off game with their hoodies pulled tight around their heads, arms crossed, desperately trying to defy gravity in an upright position in order to get some Z’s before their stops came up. Gale, apparently, was one of these people getting cricks in his neck, or at least he’s been a caring sympathizer; putting his design talent to use, he invented a jacket with a stiff-shell interior layer featuring a collar that becomes rigid with a few yanks here and there, forming a sort of cocoon the wearer can nestle inside. When not in use, the oversized collar is stylishly turned down, disguising its true function. But hold your horses — the jacket’s still in patent-pending status. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear otherwise.

A special collector’s limited edition release collaboration between The North Face and Goldwin Japan has resulted in a very small collection of snowy winter pieces to be sold for one day only in three US stores. The NSE collection, inspired by the white birch forests of Japan’s Kitakami Mountains, will be sold on December 8th at The North Face Soho (beginning at 6am), alife, and at San Francisco’s HUF, and offers the latest innovations in insulation, construction, and high-tech fabrics. The collection includes hoodies, puffy jackets, and accessories, but the centerpiece of the collection (and likely the most sought after item thanks to its smokin’ hotness) will be the birch forest camo print jacket and snow pant. Hunters should know to roll out of bed early for this one — it’s been blogged and read and hyped all over, so you might face a frenzy at the front door. Check out more pictures at Cool Hunting.

I love winter fashion so I was immediately drawn to Nau — just like Josh and Jamie were, earlier this year. In case you’ve forgotten, their outerwear is aesthetically pleasing as well as being technically functional. It doesn’t stop there, however; they offer a full range of solutions from the most basic base layer to down-filled jackets. Their forward-thinking and holistic design philosophies touches every aspect of their business from the choice of materials (some can be sent back to be recycled) to their Partners for Change program. Their retail space is green in every aspect, even down to not keeping excess inventory in the store. You actually order at a kiosk, and the order is shipped to your home. Unlike many other companies, both the men’s and women’s lines have incredibly attractive pieces. I am drawn to nearly every item in their FW07 collection, and the free holiday shipping promo means I’ll be placing an order as soon as I can narrow the choices down.

Assuming other areas of the country are less chill-deprived than my own, it will be to your advantage to know about Scapegoat, a small line of men’s outerwear that offers the benefits of premium construction and trend-proof (ie, good-looking, from a long-term perspective) design. These are the jackets that function to the cold and wet’s disadvantage, while sacrificing nothing, stylistically, to those same foes. Subtle, confident, and — of course — wind and waterproof, Scapegoat jackets are made with the best materials to keep you warm, dry, and happy in seasons of inclement weather…. should you be lucky enough to have it, that is. Be sure to check out the Nelson (pictured, and extra smokin’ in white) and the Fraser; two jackets that are making me want to move into a freezer until November pulls itself together.