Jacket Reviews
Posted By Mark on Wed, Jan 2 '08
No season in the outdoors is safe from unpredictability; spring and fall, of course, hold more uncertainty than summer and winter. It’s always nice to have an emergency shell to throw on in the event of a sudden rain- or snowfall. Compressibility is of high priority, and it’s nice to have a hood, as well. The REI Boreas is an excellent candidate for an emergency shell.
Posted By Mark on Wed, Jan 2 '08
For being part of TNF’s Summit Series line of clothing and gear, the Redpoint Optimus is relatively inexpensive, at under $200. But that doesn’t mean it skimps on quality or features. An adjustable hood, seamless shoulders, stellar water resistance and the ability to stuff the jacket into its own interior pocket adds up to a solid entry for cold, wet weather wear.
Posted By Mark on Wed, Jan 2 '08
Hardshells are not necessary for the majority of wet weather cases. Often a softshell, with or without a hood, will do just fine. And if you can find one with Windstopper, Gore’s proprietary windproof membrane, that’s even better, because windproof garments are inherently water-resistant. From all appearances, Cabela’s Cimarron Peak fulfills these requirements: a Windstopper membrane, lightweight, a fully adjustable hood, and seamless shoulders. But there is another, less pleasant side to this jacket: really wonky fit, as we will see.
Posted By Mark on Wed, Jan 2 '08
A down vest can be an excellent addition to any wardrobe, for when the weather turns colder, but it doesn’t quite justify a full down jacket. Most down vests can be easily layered over a fleece or softshell, and layered under a hardshell. This is what I sought: a down vest that was warm enough to justify wearing over a fleece, but compressible enough to wear under a hardshell. I found it in Cabela’s 550 fill-power vest. It’s very simple; no frills, not even zippers. Just metal snaps on the front and slash handwarmer pockets. But it gets the job done.
Posted By Mark on Wed, Jan 2 '08
The Lowe Alpine Flash utilizes Triplepoint Ceramic, Lowe Alpine’s proprietary waterproof/breathable material. Lowe Alpine no longer uses this fabric, having switched to eVent, and now Gore-Tex, but it is a solid membrane, and the jacket itself is one of the most fully featured, complex jackets out there, even for a mountaineering shell. It’s not for lightweight jaunts through the park in spring drizzles, but it does what it was made for very well: extreme wet weather and cold protection, even up on the mountain.
Posted By Mark on Wed, Jan 2 '08
Sometimes, simpler is better. It looks like Marmot got the message, with the ATV Jacket. It’s a simple softshell, water- and wind-resistant, with two handwarmer pockets and a smallish Napoleon pocket. But it’s well-made, and it is one of the best-fitting jackets I own. But more on that later.
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