Besides this price advantage, the matrix of spun polyurethane fibers that make up the. Ascentshell is up-and-coming and may very well prove their worth in time. 95. Outdoor Research’s Alpine AscentShell bivy makes use of cutting edge breathable fabric technology for reduced condensation, and we all know that means better sleep after a hard day on the mountain. With polartec neo shell being the first to market, but few adopting it in their gear. Outdoor Research Snowcrew Insulated Jacket - Men's. They stop water ingress but are about 10 to 100 times less breathable than a windshirt. But because the brand doesn’t have to pay to license AscentShell (it’s proprietary), OR’s outerwear will save you a Benjamin or more compared to the price of other brands’ technical garments. . My first one lasted 7 seasons before the zipper broke. @bpeugh. All-Season Shell Jacket. The Dryzzle is a classic rain jacket with an adjustable hood and hem, an exterior chest pocket and two hand pockets. Conclusion. I just bought a replacement FA Sandstone Shield jacket for $149. RAB NeoShell Pant reviewed by Craig Pope The noise is deafening. Ascentshell is up-and-coming and may very well prove their worth in time. 9 oz (men’s), 12. That's why Neoshell and like style membranes work well for aerobic activities vs. BPL Member. NeoShell or AscentShell. But, Ascentshell is more WP than Neoshell (15k v 10k). Best Polartec NeoShell Jackets. 18 models Outdoor Research Aspire Trench - Women's. With a price tag of $299 and the use of Gore-Tex’s Paclite Plus, the Arc’teryx Zeta SL is an impressive jacket. September 8, 2022 by Michael Lanza. Gore Pro is much stiffer and louder, and to my knowledge, doesn’t have the stretch fabric option. 9oz/310g. jebrennan. Results Time (minutes) FutureLight: 19. But again, despite these minute differences, the fit of each jacket is superb overall. Another strange claim from the OR rep. To my understanding, it uses electrospun membrane technology similar to TNF Futurelight and Polartec Neoshell. what typically works well for skiwear. com. Comfort Advantage: Softshells. backcountry. There are various HHs with these techs, from 15,000mm to 10,000mm (and probably lower now). If you need a helmet compatible hood and only have $150, your best bet is to search steepandcheap, Sierra, mountainsteals, campsaver, mtnoutlet, etc for “goretex” “event” “neoshell” “futurelight” “ascentshell” and sort by discount/percent off, plan on buying a few and eating the return shipping on the ones that don’t fit right. The thing is, nanospinning isn't entirely new – Outdoor Research's AscentShell and Polartec's NeoShell precede FUTURELIGHT by a few years and already offer serious propositions in the waterproof-breathability stakes. I have a lot of use with Neoshell. Very dry. I used an OR AscentShell jacket for the entirety of my AT hike last year. It has a hydrostatic head of around 10,000mm. According to OR rep. OR also offers the Skytour AscentShell jacket and bib in a men’s version. Sometimes I ended up zipped up pretty tight in my bivvy bag in winter. Spent 5 days this winter in the Adirondack High Peaks wearing a Marmot ROM (M2), which sold me on the soft shell for most conditions. SELF features the Helium Rain Jacket. It has a 3-layer construction, with not one, but a multi-layer membrane. Highly recommend checking it out. Awards : Price: $164. Featuring proven Gore-Tex Paclite waterproofing and a thicker-than-average 50-denier (D) shell, Outdoor Research’s Foray II GTX Jacket provides excellent protection from wind and rain. Four-season bivy for alpinism and solo backcountry adventures. Skinning uphill on a sunny south face in temps from the mid-20s Fahrenheit to around freezing, he stayed warm enough without getting sweat-soaked sans jacket, with the bibs’ front and sides fully unzipped. By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor. Try different models for fit and design like pockets and hood. The beading seems to continue forever. Thinner, more stretchy, and with the highest breathability of any hardshell in its ski line, Outdoor Research is bullish on the Skyward and its AscentShell electrospun. Polartec recently stated that they are developing a sustainability innovation for the fabric. Polartec also claims to be caching ammunition for a NeoShell comeback. The RSE has been hands-down the most breathable, waterproof softshell jacket I’ve tested. Streamlined hiking shell to get you where you're going. This is another electrospun nano fiber fabric, similar to Futurelight and Neoshell. Anywhere from €150: jack wolfskin texapore membrane, no brand 20000mm water column,. It’s created by an electrospinning process where charged polymers are affixed to a grounded surface. Material(s): AscentShell 3L, 100 percent nylon stretch ripstop 30D, 100 percent polyester | Waterproof Rating:. 00. Im not hardstuck on these 2 jackets and am open to options if there is something else. Men's Helium Rain Jacket. to €600: goretex pro jackets. A major trade off between the jackets will be Hydrostatic head (water resistance) vs breathability. While less waterproof (but not enough that you’d get wet in rain), Neoshell is twice as breathable than System 3 or Gore-tex, making it better for cold weather sports where you’re probably sweating more than the rest of. Neoshell, some of Patagonia's M10, Mountain Hardwears Stretch Ozonic, OR's Realm jacket are way better options in. It performs similarly to both of those products. It is stretchy, feels substantial both in use and in hand, and breathes better than expected. Good feature set, moderate weight. Softshells are designed with robust materials for durability. Westcomb Shift LT Hoody. 3L material. Ascentshell remains a competitor to Gore-Tex, however. There is where the relatively low HH reveals itself. Award Winner. 3L pro, there's something called a Ret test that measures breathability on a scale of 1-30, where 1 is like a breezy linen shirt and a 30 is completely unbreathable. 18 models Outdoor Research Foray II Jacket - Men's $225. That seems to be better in the than every rain jacket but the Montbell but then again I have not seen a comprehensive list of them. Fabric: AscentShell™. 5L. 7/5) See the Women's Arc'teryx Alpha FL See the Men's Arc'teryx Alpha FL. Probably. Our Verdict. The North Face Futurelight, and Outdoor Research’s AscentShell. We tested ski jackets from Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Columbia, Outdoor Research, and others at resorts and in the backcountry to find the best models. Water Resistance. The 5 Best Rain Jackets for Men of 2023. Movement-mirroring stretch fabric to excel on technical terrain. The fabric is, unlike the old Gore-Tex Pro Shell, also air-permeable. 6 ounces and uses the company's. Similar to NeoShell and AscentShell. Different people prefer different technologies, but air-permeable membranes (like NeoShell, Outdoor Research's AscentShell, and Pertex Shield Air) and the Gore-Tex family of fabrics are all good bets. There's also the breathable fabrics that don't need DWR like Shakedry and Outdry EX which would be the best for extended rain as they will never wet out the face. Stuff like Neoshell, Pertex Shield Air, Futurelight, and Ascentshell. The biggest change is the use of Polartec Neoshell instead of EMS’s proprietary System 3 waterproof/breathable fabric. It’s far and away the most breathable, and the most vented on top of that. They wash ashore every half hour and players can spend a long time. I never had problems with getting wet through the jacket until after many years of use. Product swatch type of Bordeaux. Aug 18, 2013 at 7:36 am. I have both: helium is a lot smaller and lighter than the alpine, but the alpine is the one to go during winter! I've used it twice in an ice storm and I was amazed that I stayed dry even though there was an ice crust on top! Helium is perfect for light camping! The Skytour AscentShell is a very breathable hardshell, meaning it provides very little warmth to the user. @bpeugh. And less money. The adjustable, helmet. It's made of Electrospun polyurethane which is not just vapor permeable but also actually AIR permeable (meaning a small amount of airflow goes through the fabric - very small). I would get that if possible. Comparison of waterproof and breathable laminates for jackets, bivouacs, etc. Stephen Seeber BPL Member North Face has introduced their latest technology, Futurelight, with lots of marketing fanfare. I'm still not sure why they aren't using the powershield pro spec version of the Neoshell membrane - the HH is plenty high to still be waterproof and it has a much higher CFM. It uses high-quality laminate. Thanks for sharing about DryQ, that is really interesting info!The Outdoor Research Motive Rain Jacket is an affordable three-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket made with OR’s AscentShell membrane. All the air permeable electrospun polyurethane membranes are pretty similar (Neoshell, Ascentshell, Futurelight) and definitely are nicer with real activity than goretex. Sale Ends Nov 27 . Neoshell also continues to branch out and create waterproof breathable fabric. The result are pants that keep you dry from the inside out, weigh less, and pack down into their own back pocket. David Steele in the Patagonia Pluma Jacket, Boulder Hut, BC (photo by Andy Carlson)Hard shells are great for windy days or for the days when it’s wet. Unfortunately it's only a simple test on a new and clean membrane. I vet the writers here and edit their content. Mar 28th. The Skytour AscentShell™ Jacket is versatile, lightweight, and waterproof, perfect for backcountry touring, ski mountaineering, and other high-aerobic activities in cold weather. Outdoor Research vs Arcteryx Shell. Gore-Tex vs Paramo Nikwax; Header Cell - Column 0 Gore-Tex Paramo Nikwax; Price: $600/£500 for a jacket: £300/$400 for a jacket: Design: Endless choice, swishy fabric: Less variety, softer and quieter: Performance: Waterproof and durable: Waterproof and durable: Sustainability: Uses PFOAs, PFCs: No PFCs, completely. Marmot Precip: often on sale for $65 os so. Breathability is the major X factor in all hardshells. Polartec Neoshell might beat them out, but the last jacket I tested with that fabric had the lining fall apart after about a year. Eddie Bauer Cloud Cap: currently $50 on sale, pit zips and pockets, 9. Expert: Chad Kelly, Director of Sales and Product Line for eVent fabrics. Which is probably honestly just Pertex licensing the Neoshell membrane from Polartec (and probably the same for Ascentshell). Price at time of publish: $279. 00 (Save %) Unit price / per . Frequently bought together. However, they work better when there is a gradient. Polartec NeoShell Key Facts. 75 $229. Also more breathable but less durable. See full list on gearjunkie. This is big as the last frontier of innovation seems to be waterproof breathable comfort. But there are huge differences in prices. for the Fjallraven and 27. Not sure about Future Light but AscentShell is among the more breathable hardshell fabrics and definitely more breathable than Gore Tex. Fully-sealed seams keep water and wind out. 3 CFM, but better water resistance at 20000K vs. 5 layer membranes like. The first garments to use eVent BIO will hit the market in fall 2022 (eVent declined to name its partner brands). Gore-Tex is the older, more proven product. I can’t oversweat it — no matter how hard I try. Serious objectives require serious protection and comfort. The Trail Series Rain Jacket is the flagship of Specialized’s new Trail Series weather protection range, investing in Polartec’s expensive Neoshell fabric for outstanding breathability and weather protection. $180. MicJalbert • 1 yr. The Alpine bivy is to be replaced by the ‘Alpine AscentShell’ bivy. Ideally this would be an all year jacket for the PNW. It is faceless so the poly processed membrane is not covered by a face fabric. Mountain Equipment Lhotse ($749) Category: Alpine Weight: 1 lb. Goretex is not air permeable. I think they are best for minimalist urban travel vs backpacking. Question. Men's Motive AscentShell Jacket. " Waterproof is one of those terms that seems absolute, but once you. The OR new bivies made from Ascentshell are your best bet. Materials: 20D nylon x 45D mechanical stretch ripstop shell, AscentShell 3L membrane, 30D polyester backer | Weight: 14. 66North Men’s Snaefell Jacket. Fabric: 3-layer Futurelight waterproof / breathable membrane w/ 4-way stretch. The AscentShell™ fabric is breathable, waterproof, and windproof, with fully taped seams to keep the weather out. Air can move through it - you can feel a slight chill in heavy winds. Fabric: The OR Ascentshell fabric is really excellent. Thanks. Weight: 10. Another point of distinction is 2L vs. Take liquid. Sep 9, 2021 at 5:56 am #3727014. The MicroGravity AscentShell jacket is the most breathable and protective rain jacket that is made by Outdoor Research. I would look outside of Arc'teryx. Guardian II jacket is another option. $199. vagus nerve massage benefits. Of course, we don’t know the extent to which any of the fabrics in your products might vary from the fabrics I tested. L. Outdoor Research, the creator of AscentShell, claims that this fabric has more pores than any other waterproofing membrane and is, therefore, more. 66North Men’s Snaefell Jacket. The Interstellar is $150 cheaper and is probably easier-going when it comes to warranty claims, should it ever be necessary. The MicroGravity is made from AscentShell, OR’s proprietary fabric. Breathability & Venting. The Neoteric Shell is First Ascent’s top of the line ski shell. Good bargain alternative. Four-season waterproof, durable, and versatile bivy choice for adventurers looking for a little something extra out of their shelter. I have some that clocks in at 3 which blows away eVent, ascentshell, etc. Monday November 13, 2023. The interstellar and kinetic are both stretchy rain jackets. Outdoor Research Skyward II AscentShell. Here is an example. It is quite lightweight for the level of protection it offers. Compared with a hardshell, rain jackets are less durable. • 1 yr. The Ascentshell Bivies are the ones with way less condensation - it's a much newer style membrane. This makes Neoshell an air permeable membrane, and it was the first company to market itself as such – though eVent is also considered air permeable and. Fully-sealed seams keep water and wind out. $114. It has a lot of features, making it a great choice for backcountry skiers. Fabrics include Polartec NeoShell, Outdoor Research AscentShell, and The North Face FutureLight. Grove Bronze Black Men's Snowcrew Bibs Regular price $224. Men's Motive AscentShell Jacket. Gore-Tex is a membrane made of PTFE (Teflon). Sounds great but OR USA gave us no details about this sack. This jacket needs to be paired with insulating mid-layers (like a top-rated insulated jacket) if any warmth is expected. Polartec was demonstrating their new waterproof and breathable fabric, whilst Gore-tex was showing their latest addition; Active Shell. Comfort, Mobility, and Fit. Weight: 21 oz. The Skytour AscentShell Bibs kept my son comfortable in a wide range of conditions. And especially in Europe more and more brands are ditching/lowering their use of GTX. There is where the relatively low HH reveals itself. Neoshell is a bit more breathable and less windproof than eVent and DryQ Elite. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. The Centurion is made with a 4-way stretch Polartec NeoShell laminate. 29 for. Which for all practical purposes is similar. It is designed to let air out and not let water in. The Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket is a mainstay in the ultralight hiking world for good reason: its unique combination of light weight, packability, and affordable price sets it apart from the. Results Time (minutes) FutureLight: 19. ago. There is where the relatively low HH reveals itself. Both types have a waterproof (but importantly. I picked up a Sugoi Neoshell biking jacket that is lightweight, but no hood. Among Gore-Tex competitors, eVent offers a noticeable bump in breathability and Polartec NeoShell and Outdoor Research’s AscentShell are also more air-permeable, but all lack the same level of durability and weatherproofing as Gore’s Pro laminate. Enter the MicroGravity AscentShell™ Jacket is a dynamic, breathable, waterproof shell for alpine climbing,. The Arc'teryx Alpha FL is one of the most straightforward and best-constructed hardshell jackets that we have ever worn. Neoshell is strictly a PU membrane (NOT ePTFE) so it can STRETCH! It is also only as waterproof as it needs to be (10,000m2 vs 20,000m2 water column). The Micro is built for Alpine pursuits and also good for BC skiing, backpacking or climbing. Due to the higher surface energy of polyurethane, you’ll find a max hydrostatic head of something around 20,000mm. The external NeoShell layer provides excellent waterproofing even keeping dust and other small particle debris from entering the shoe. At A Glance: Our Favorite Gore-tex Alternatives. Polartec NeoShell vs Gortex Active Shell. But what about the other options – the likes of Polartec NeoShell and the new kid on the block from The North Face, FutureLight? Outdoor Research didn’t invent this concept. Constructed with Polartec® NeoShell®, the jacket is designed for everything from lift-accessed powder to backcountry heli runs. Two powerful technologies fuse into one hard shell that far surpasses the performance of heavier jackets. Downside to Neoshell - makes poor ski jacket as it does not block wind that. I have a Marmot Minimalist I use as an around town rain jacket. The magic that TNF is contributing here is likely the method of spinning, the gauge poly filament they are able to spin. grump gnome:. Since I posted my analysis, I had the opportunity to test OR Ascentshell. 0 feels reassuringly protective, and it certainly did its job of keeping us dry in some pretty fierce conditions up in North Wales. vs 27. They have done some interesting things with materials, namely rebranding Neoshell. Yes, read your paper and understand there are different MVTR standards and that variables can be manipulated to get different results. The only other hard shell material I've seen proof of waterproofness AND Air permeability is eVent and Neoshell. Best Polartec NeoShell Jackets. $229. They should at least do the test with. The Torrentshell 3L is indeed a 3-layer jacket that uses Patagonia’s own H2No waterproofing. The RSX NeoShell is Sugoi’s latest top-shelf rain jacket for mountain bikers (there’s also a road version, the RSE, which lacks a hood) and the company is making big claims about this piece of gear. Details. The lightweight durability of Pertex® Diamond Fuse. I was excited to see that the MicroGravity is extremely flexible and makes minimal noise while in motion. 25 $399. Generally, these are two of the most breathable waterproof laminates on the market. And for the money, the. Style could be better. Raptor v Foray is not a fair comparison, neoshell v 2L. Prioritizes breathability over waterproofing and not quite as durable as Gore-Tex Pro. And especially in Europe more and more brands are ditching/lowering their use of GTX. I am fully sold on Ascentshell over the other fabrics after a few months of comparing all three. Hip-high, 3/4. (Which is it hard with a Gore tex hardshell). Ok, if you have made it this far into the article, you know that this is not the most “objective” or “lab tested” review of FutureLight on the web. Although if OP is looking for a more air permeable jacket like NeoShell, there are now others made by similar process (electro-spinning and similar techniques to make polyurethane fibers form a porous membrane. What We Like: Effective Minimalist Design. Electrospun polyurethane-based such as NeoShell, AscentShell, and FutureLight. The 3L shell is waterproof, windproof and breathable to keep you comfortable in the storm. Three-layer membrane with winning stretch, weight, and breathability. The Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit uses a proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane to provide top-of-the-line weather resistance. The Tupilak fits slightly wider just because the fabric has more structure, causing it to feel a touch shorter in the body. 50 $399. Arc’teryx 2013 vs 2023. Try r/ultralight more super detailed gear nerds there. So I am very familiar with the functionality of AscentShell, and really like it. Since all of their products are made in Canada, they are my first choice. Arc'teryx uses some of Polartec's products like Power Dry on the Delta MX, Classic 100 on the Delta, Alpha on the Practioner AR, Power Stretch Pro on the Kyanite and Power Stretch with Hardface Technology on the Fortrez and Rivet. . Other standouts include the Big Agnes Three Wire Bivy (which uses a membrane similar to Neoshell) and the OR stargazer (fairly small fit) and the OR Interstellar (very tight fit) which use Ascentshell (also similar to Neoshell). Hardshell vs. While being very lightweight, it still looks roomy and has nice features. To test breathability, we took one subject and had them walk at 2 mph at a 10% grade with 30 lbs on a treadmill for 60 minutes, testing each jacket. I feel like a lot of their products are superior to Arc'teryx. But there are huge differences in prices. On the flip-side, i'm a little worried. All the air permeable electrospun polyurethane membranes are pretty similar (Neoshell, Ascentshell, Futurelight) and definitely are nicer with real activity than goretex. Buy OR’s SkyTour AscentShell Jacket: evo. Through its sub-micron membrane structure, Neoshell allows dynamic air exchange and a full range of motion while providing the strength and durability of a weather protective fabric. 3 layer PU fabrics are decently durable, but not as breathable. (30. Mellin said TNF would release more. An internal fabric that protects the membrane and reduces friction by allowing your base layers to move freely beneath the jacket. It was almost like a softshell, but you could feel cold air "diffuse" into the jacket when it's windy. But based on reviews and your analysis it seems like it’s really not much different from Ascentshell and Neoshell in terms of vapor transmission and HH. Newb. Black. Lab Coat Jacket by FlyLow Gear $525. The Big Agnes bivy beats everything else I've used hands down and I've even made my own Neoshell bivies that are very very light. By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor. Outdoor Research MicroGravity [New] ($123+tax) Early 2020 Arc'teryx Beta LT [Lightly Used] ($145+tax) People have been hyping up OR's AscentShell technology for how breathable it is while still being extremely water resistant, but GoreTex Pro seems to be the endgame if you're just looking to stay dry. MVTR ranged from 2800 to 3000 for Neoshell, Ascentshell and Futurelite. Naturally it is difficult to give a detailed review of a fabric I haven't worn or used on the hill, however this. 2. 45. Sale Out Of Stock Helium Rain Full Brim Hat. Waterproof Fabric. grump gnome:. Primary use would be rain protection both in town and on hikes all year around. 00 (Save %) Unit price / per . At just under 20 ounces, it's only a few ounces heavier than our. I wore it all the time. I found Neoshell would wet through (pants) when sliding down snow. Like NeoShell, AscentShell consists of millions of tiny polyurethane fibers. Details. Neoshell was seen as a bigger deal, probably helped by the new name. Best for: hiking, trail to town, occasional commuting. Regular price Sale price $449. The Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Bibs. Polartec ® Neoshell ® is the world's most breathable waterproof fabric technology. At just over 10 ounces, the Arc’teryx Alpha FL is lightweight for a hardshell but does not compromise on weather protection. Naturally it is difficult to give a detailed review of a fabric I haven't worn or used on the hill, however this. Save 25%. 1. Gore-tex Pro now has breathability (MVTR) of 25k+ (eVENT = ~ 30k). Gear Junkie features the SuperStrand LT Hoodie. Brett Peugh. AscentShell electrospun process creates a 3-layer construction that breathes faster, weighs less, stretches more and surpasses the comfort of traditional waterproof membranes. 1. Membrane: The North Face’s Futurelight. What We Don’t: Price. Westcomb Apoc Jacket. It combines durable Pertex Diamond Fuse fabric and OR’s waterproof-breathable AscentShell membrane for reliable weather protection and superior breathability and comfort. 5 oz (women’s) Waterproof Material: 3-layer H2No Waterproof Rating: 20,000+ mm/24 hours Breathability Rating: Not stated Pit Zips: Yes Pockets: 2 zippered handwarmer pockets What we liked: 3-layer waterproof jacket for a reasonable price, eco. It's no surprise it won our Best for Weather Resistance Award, with its tightly woven Ascent Shell fabric technology. Men's Skytour AscentShell Bibs. The Ascent stormed onto PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 last month, and we rather liked it in our 7/10 review. Feeling good, feeling strong at the start of the FutureLight sweat test. Westcomb Shift LT. Photo Galleries; My Photo Gallery; Latest Photos; Weekly Top 10; Videos; Latest Videos; Categories; Hashtags; Athletes; SearchVigor Plus Fleece Hooded Jacket - Men's. The extra layer of fabric on the inside of a 3L shell is much less suceptible to abrasion and wear than the laminate that a 2. Once the face fabric wets out, which is relatively quickly, you're done. The Helium AscentShell™ Jacket is the lightest, most breathable waterproof shell in the Outdoor Research line. The Pyramid’s fabric feels slightly softer than newer, less-crinkly shell fabrics like Gore-Tex C-Knit and the AscentShell fabric of the Outdoor Research Skyward Jacket, although AscentShell and the Pyramid’s Neoshell fabric are fairly similar. It’s the air-permeability that sets NeoShell (and eVent) apart from Gore-Tex that relies on tiny pores. This jacket excelled at breathability on our most uphill-focused days. I spent some days searching for the perfect bivy and broke it down to these 3 models: Outdoor Research Helium Bivy Material: Pertex Shield+ 2. ” AscentShell Fabric is used in a number of Outdoor Research shells, including the Microgravity AscentShell Jacket, the Motive AscentShell Jacket, the Skyward AscentShell Pants, and — new for Fall 2021 — the SkyTour AscentShell Jacket and Bibs. 03 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers: $123. 00. ) Additionally, the Helium AscentShell balls up small. Weather Resistance. Constructed with AscentShell™ technology, an electrospun membrane that is waterproof and windproof while still air-permeable and stretchy, the Skytour AscentShell. But based on reviews and your analysis it seems like it’s really not much different from Ascentshell and Neoshell in terms of vapor transmission and HH. The brand is also known for its on-trend colors and prints, so if you’re looking to stand out in the lift line, check it out. For this update, we purchased and tested 10 of the best hardshell jackets. Just trying to give the readers at CT a differing few than my own on occasion.