A lightweight, compact, water-repellent and yet very robust combo that is aimed more at the weight-oriented tourer, but with which you don't have to be afraid of a serious freeride day and also cuts a good figure when going to the Christmas market...
Test conditions
I was lucky enough to get this combo in the middle of last season and was able to use it for about 40 days. The weather ranged from cold, storms and snowfall to sunshine and spring conditions. It had to withstand everything from crampons to snow bivouacs lasting several days. I wear a size L at 85 kg and 1.86 m.
Genius Jacket
The first contact with the jacket is more than pleasing. It makes a robust impression, is fairly light (470 g), not too loose-fitting and the color and cut are very successful. The logo is also small and discreet (shoulder and right arm). So testing the Genius Jacket was not just a duty, but also a real pleasure - I still love wearing it. As already mentioned, the cut is not super tight alpine, but it's not gangsta jibber either. A mid-layer can be worn comfortably underneath, but even without this it doesn't look like a bag. The freedom of movement is great, the sleeves are nice and long and have a Velcro fastener at the end to adjust the size of the waistband. I usually wore the glove shaft under the jacket, which worked wonderfully. The membrane is Polartec Neo Shell, which is supposed to be particularly breathable, water-repellent and lightweight. In any case, the jacket is very compact and lightweight, making it easy to stow away in a backpack during spring ascents, for example.
The design is simple and clear, with two waterproof zippers on the chest providing access to the jacket's two large pockets. These are also used for ventilation when touring or on warm days, as the inside of the pockets is made of mesh material. This is absolutely functional, but when the pocket is open (fully ventilated), there should be no objects in the pocket that could take on a life of their own. There is another pocket on the inside of the right-hand side of the jacket. It has a zipper and an exit for a headphone cable. There is an open pocket for goggles on the inside of the left-hand jacket. The jacket's seams are all taped and are permanently waterproof. The hood is helmet-compatible and can be easily adjusted. There is also an elasticated waistband so that the jacket can be adjusted if necessary. This is particularly useful as the jacket does not have a snow skirt.
IQ Pant
Like the Genius Jacket, the IQ Pant is made from stretchy Polartec Neo Shell, which makes it very breathable, water-repellent, comfortable and lightweight. The fabric is very comfortable to wear and doesn't get in the way when running, which is probably also due to the Flylow-typical pre-shaped knee section. The cut is more alpine and therefore designed for climbing and scrambling, but of course it is by no means a racing suit. The rather tight cut is also beneficial when walking with crampons, as the trouser legs are not too wide when they come into contact with the spikes, which could be very dangerous under certain circumstances. The leg ends are reinforced and fitted with a gaiter, and all seams are taped. Due to the good and comfortable fit, I also like to wear them on pure powder days (which are coming soon:-)). All exposed zippers are sealed. These also provide access to the two well-placed pockets on the thighs. There is another pocket on the hip and another on the back. There is plenty of ventilation for fast runs or warm days thanks to zippers on the inside of the thighs. The only thing that could have been added to these is a mesh to prevent unwanted snow penetration (e.g. on culoir ascents).
Conclusion
For me, the Genius Jacket and IQ Pants are a combo without a lot of gimmicks and with a clear message: "Go out and I'll be there for everything!" It looks good, is super durable, lightweight, water-repellent and offers everything I want from a winter sports combo, above all uncompromising functionality.
Advantages & disadvantages; Cons
+ comfortable fit
+ good breathability
+ good ventilation options
+ robust and stretchy material
- rather short trouser leg length
Information
- waterproof, breathable Polartec® NeoShell®
- reinforced leg ends
- gaiters
- pre-shaped knees
- waterproof zippers
Click here to visit the Flylow website for more information on the Genius Jacket and IQ pant.
