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Gear Review | Women's 3-layer Dermizax Shell Jacket by Penguin

The robust three-layer hardshell jacket from Switzerland for all conditions

by Antonia Paulus 03/23/2024
The 3-layer Dermizax shell jacket from the Swiss company Penguin offers a water column of more than 20,000 mm as well as very good breathability and is a faithful companion for your adventures on cold days in combination with a down jacket or on warm days with just a shirt as a base layer.

First impression

The shell jacket is available in six different monochrome earth tones. This makes it easy to combine with trousers, backpacks, hats, etc. The jacket's membrane is very robust thanks to its three layers and with a water column of more than 20,000 mm, the jacket promises optimum conditions for a powder day with snow flurries or more soaking type of ski day. With a breathability of more than 16000mg/m2/24h and underarm ventilation, the upper body stays dry even in high humidity. At first glance, the seams look professionally taped and the 6 pockets offer plenty of storage space inside and out. There is a card pocket on the left sleeve for your lift pass. The snow skirt can be conveniently zipped off and the exact description of the Deminzax membrane and care instructions are attached to the inside pockets, so you always have all the important information to hand.

Test subject and test conditions

I'm about 1.60 metres tall and weigh 60 kilos. As I don't feel comfortable in overly tight outdoor clothing and I really like simple colours, I opted for the hardshell jacket in size medium in the colour midnight. I class myself as a downhill-orientated skier and snowboarder and think a powder day with snowfall is 10/10! This means that I tested the 3-layer shell jacket in rain, snowfall, wet and cold conditions, but also in sunshine and spring temperatures. On very cold ski tours I also wore the jacket on ascents, otherwise mainly on descents and for everyday cycling. The test conditions were very mixed in the period from February to March, so the jacket was tested for its robustness in a wide variety of weather conditions and was in use almost every day.

In this review I will share my experiences with the Penguin jacket when skiing, ski touring, cycling and snowboarding.

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Test report

The 3-layer Dermizax Shell jacket for women is slightly narrower around the waist than the men's version. Personally, I would prefer a unisex version, but that's a matter of taste. The easy-grip zip tabs make it easy to open and close the pockets, while the thumb loops keep the sleeves in place and provide extra protection and comfort. The jacket has two chest pockets, where I usually stow my phone or similar items. The two hip pockets offer additional storage space, but I rarely used these when skiing/snowboarding because of the airbag backpack, which closes exactly around the hip. When cycling, however, they were very practical for stowing a torch or keys. The two inside pockets are very convenient for gloves or money cards and the entire pockets are also waterproof. The snow skirt protects the upper body from snow on deep powder days and is particularly useful when snowboarding. As it is very easy to zip off, I left it at home on most sunny ski tours. On snowy days in the resort, the lift pass pocket on the left sleeve makes it easier to "lift". The seams of the jacket are 100% taped and the zips are also waterproof.

On ski tour ascents, I like to open the underarm ventilation after the first 100 metres of altitude and thus enjoy a pleasant temperature on my upper body. As soon as the ascent gets steeper or more strenuous, I stow the jacket in my backpack. As the jacket is made from a very robust material, it is a little bulky in the backpack, but it is definitely worth it for the summit and the descent! The hardshell jacket is perfect for off-piste skiing in the resort in combination with a down jacket for cold days or a thinner base layer in warm spring temperatures. In pouring rain, you can watch the raindrops roll off thanks to the initial 90 percent waterproofing strength and the high water column. It is important not to shy away from washing your hardshell jackets (or trousers). Penguin recommends washing the products once or twice a season to restore their full performance. You can find more about the washing instructions here.

Conclusion

The Penguin hardshell jacket for women impresses with its robust construction, high-quality materials and well thought-out functions. The detachable snow skirt, underarm ventilation and waterproof properties make it a reliable companion for all skiing and snowboarding adventures. All in all, the Penguin hardshell jacket is an investment in quality and performance that is definitely worth it. Don't forget to wash it!

Advantages and disadvantages

+ truly waterproof

+ high breathability

+ simple design

+ many pockets

+ The hood also fits over the helmet

+ thumb loops

-  Cut shape is not unisex

  

Information

 RRP 590.00 CHF

  • XSmall / Small / Medium / Large / XLarge

  • 6 different colours

  • Dermizax® 3-layer hardshell with tricot protection

  • Water column: >20000mm (JIS L 1092B-1)

  • Breathability >16000mg/m2/24h (JIS 1099B-1)

  • Impregnation strength: Initial 90%, 80% after 100 washes (JIS L 0217)

  • Outer fabric: 100% polyester

  • Membrane: 100% polyurethane

  • Protective backer (backer): 100% nylon

  • Chin guard

  • Thumb loops

  • Comfortable cut for sufficient freedom of movement

  • 100% taped seams

  • Waterproof Pockets

  • Waterproof YKK® zips

  • Underarm ventilation

  • Easy-to-grip zip cuffs

  • Removable snow skirt

  • Hood with 2way adjustment

  • The hood also fits over the helmet

  • 4 outside pockets

  • 2 inside pockets

Here is the link to the Penguin website with further information.

The jacket was provided to PowderGuide free of charge by the manufacturer for the test period. You can find out how we test it in our test statement.

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