Penguin is a Swiss brand that produces functional winter clothing in a simple design for all weather conditions. As they are freeriders themselves, their own experiences on the mountain flow directly into the products. For me, the hardshell combo proved to be a reliable companion with small deductions. As I have been doing more than 30 off-piste and touring days per season for many years, the wear and tear on the material is correspondingly high. I'm 1.81 m and 84 kg and a firm believer in the onion principle. I tested the 3-layer Trizar Shell jacket & dungarees from Penguin for you.
The features of the combo
The features of the jacket and trousers fully meet my needs for off-piste skiing or touring. Storage options for important small items such as ski tickets, maps, bars, goggles, small change and a snow guard are a matter of course. A hood and detachable bib with a small pocket are also obligatory. Both the jacket and the trousers have two side ventilation openings for climate regulation. Both the jacket and the trousers fit me really well in size L.
The combo in action
The wearing comfort of the combo is great for me! The freedom of movement is excellent and I remember the comfortable entry of the dungarees very well. All zippers and the Velcro sleeve fasteners can be easily operated with gloves. The one-way front zip in particular runs like clockwork. The hood is easy to operate, but when pulled over the helmet it feels a little restrictive. The positioning of the adjustment buckles for the length of the suspenders is also a little awkward. In my case, it comes to lie under the backpack straps, which can be uncomfortable when worn for long periods.
Due to the strong temperature fluctuations in the current winter, it was possible to use it in very contrasting weather conditions, from polar cold to spring temperatures. At low temperatures, especially in combination with wind, body heat escapes somewhat faster than with comparable products with a different membrane, but breathability is also very high. This fact, in combination with the ventilation openings, ensures very good climate regulation at temperatures around freezing point or higher. In my opinion, the positioning and length of the 2-way trouser ventilation is particularly successful. However, the mesh underneath is a little annoying, as the zipper can eat into it. The combo remains tight in wet snow and rain.
The edge protection has held up perfectly so far, but I would like it to be attached to the end of the trousers along the entire length. The weight and pack size meet my expectations and can easily keep up with big-name manufacturers.
Conclusion
Comfort and freedom of movement are great for me! The climate regulation works perfectly. The 2-way trouser ventilation in particular meets the requirements perfectly. Overall, it's a functional, lightweight and robust combo that meets the requirements for off-piste skiing or touring in all weather conditions.
Advantages & disadvantages
+ Comfort & freedom of movement
+ 2-way trouser ventilation for climate regulation
+ All zippers are easy to operate
+ Weight & pack size
- No underarm ventilation
- No 2-way front closure on the jacket
Details
Material: Trizar™ 3-layer shell with multi-layer
Water column: >20,000mm
Breathability: >23,000mg/m2/24h
Weight: 1,600 g (own measurement) for jacket & dungarees in size L 1.050 g (manufacturer's specification, size unknown)
Miscellaneous : Jacket: ski map pocket, snow guard, 1 inside pocket, 2 outside pockets, ventilation openings
Bib pants: Keprotec edge protection, removable bib, 2 patch pockets, additional pocket on bib.
Here it goes to the jacket and pants on the Penguin website with further information, here you can buy the jacket and the pants at our partner store Bergzeit.de.
This product was provided to PG free of charge by the manufacturer for testing.
