Skip to content

Cookies 🍪

This site uses cookies that need consent.

Learn more

Zur Powderguide-Startseite Zur Powderguide-Startseite
Map

Search PowderGuide

gear reviews

Gear reviews | Ortovox 3L Guardian Shell Jacket M

Stretchy hardshell with merino inserts

01/26/2019
Philip Crivelli
Matthias Paintner
Jakobshorn, Davos
Philip Crivelli
Matthias Paintner
Jakobshorn, Davos
Philip Crivelli
A third layer jacket with merino wool sounds a bit strange at first. On closer inspection, however, you realize that the merino wool is only used on the inside. On the outside, the jacket shines with the high-performance Dermizax®EV membrane from Toray with a water column of at least 20,000 mm and is therefore permanently wind and waterproof.

First impression and features

The workmanship of the jacket is high quality and appears very robust. The soft outer material of the jacket is striking. Unlike many other 3-layer jackets, which are often quite stiff, the Guardian feels more like a softshell, not only on the outside, but also on the inside thanks to the merino layer.

The zippers are of high quality and can be easily adjusted. The Velcro fastener at the cuffs is also well made and comfortable to use, even when wearing gloves. Only the snow skirt is rather narrow and tends to ride up a little on me, which I find a little annoying. However, the snow skirt can be easily removed thanks to a zipper.

There were different reactions to the design of the Guardian Shell. Some people didn't like the bluish camouflage, but I personally like the jacket very much.

At a height of 191 cm, I had a size L available. I'm usually more of an XL type, but the jacket fitted very well. The cut is rather sporty and close to the body, and the sleeves and length were a good fit. The stretch fabric allows very good freedom of movement.

Matthias Paintner
Jakobshorn, Davos
Philip Crivelli
Matthias Paintner
Jakobshorn, Davos
Philip Crivelli

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

Pros

  • Great workmanship
  • Very comfortable to wear
  • Stretch fabric

Cons

  • Size and position of the pockets
Matthias Paintner
Jakobshorn, Davos
Philip Crivelli
Matthias Paintner
Jakobshorn, Davos
Philip Crivelli

Details

RRP €699.95

Waterproof - min. 20,000 mm
4-way stretch material
Non-porous PU membrane - durable and easy-care
min. 20,000 g / m² / 24 h
Windproof - min. 20.000 mm
Merino inside
Made in Europe
Outer fabric remains supple and soft even in very cold conditions
2 front pockets
2-way zip underarm ventilation
Adjustable hem
1 inside pocket
2-way front zip
1 inside pocketway front zipper
Ski pass pocket
2-way adjustable storm hood
Removable snow skirt with elastic insert
Width-adjustable cuffs

Here is the manufacturer's website with further information. Here is where you can buy the jacket from our partner store Bergzeit.de.

This product was provided to PowderGuide free of charge by the manufacturer for testing. Find out how we tested it in our test statement.

Ortovox
Guardian Shell 3L M
Ortovox
Guardian Shell 3L M

Photo gallery

The people behind the article

Note

PowderGuide.com is nonprofit-making, so we are glad about any support. If you like to improve our DeepL translation backend, feel free to write an email to the editors with your suggestions for better understandings. Thanks a lot in advance!

Show original (German)

Topics

Related articles

Comments