Test report
I was able to test the jacket in all conditions. From sunshine, cold and snowfall to sleet, the jacket withstood everything. As advertised by the manufacturer, the fabric reliably held back wind and rain. Even after 30 days of use, no technical deficits or material weaknesses became apparent.
The opening at the neck felt a little wide at first. Particularly when there was no hood integrated into the layer worn underneath, the neck opening felt a little wide. However, this was quickly remedied with a buff. After a short time, I got used to it and haven't found it annoying since.
The hood is easy to pull over the head even when wearing a helmet and can be adjusted very precisely thanks to the two different adjustment options.
The merino lining makes the jacket very comfortable to wear and feels very supple. In addition to the pleasant feel, the jacket also impresses with a 4-way stretch textile. This means that it follows all movements effortlessly, even with a more body-hugging cut.
What I don't like so much is the position of the front pockets. They are very central and not particularly large. It is possible to store small items in them, but they are too small for larger items - such as a map. In addition, the inner pocket is in the same place as the left outer pocket, which further reduces the space in the outer pocket.
Conclusion
I personally find the jacket very comfortable to wear. I particularly like the stretch fabric. The jacket feels more like a thin softshell than a typical hardshell. Nevertheless, it also impressed in terms of water and wind resistance. Whether it makes sense to integrate a merino lining into a 3-layer jacket remains to be seen. After all, you usually wear two more layers under the hardshell and therefore don't have quite as much of the merino on the outermost layer.
The only thing I don't find completely satisfactory is the position and size of the pockets. Larger pockets on the sides would have made a better impression.
Nevertheless, I can highly recommend the jacket. For the relatively high purchase price, you get a really high-quality product.
Advantages & disadvantages
+ Great workmanship
+ Very comfortable to wear
+ Stretch fabric
- Size and position of the pockets
