Note that if you’re used to North American ski jacket sizing, you may want to size up as these are more European size standards. It’s also notable that there are no traditional front waist pockets, only chest pockets. This helps make the shell work in the backcountry where overheating is a real concern. What really jumps out as unique here are the angled cuffs at the wrist and the oversized pit zips plus a large chest vent that nearly runs the length of the jacket. The Lofoten shell isn’t loaded with lots of features for the sake of features, though it does offer a tethered goggle wipe and a dedicated phone pocket. But it also incorporates more flexible materials to offer increased stretch compared to older versions which were often rigid and uncomfortable. The latest Gore-Tex Pro is still a breathable membrane sandwiched between two fabrics that maximize durability. This technical shell from Norwegian outerwear company Norrona laughs at weather thanks to Gore-Tex Pro, the recently reimagined membrane from Gore-Tex. I prefer a wide-mouth sleeve that easily slides over gloves and clamps down with Velcro only. My only gripe is with the elastic in the wrist cuffs. ![]() The rest of the offerings outside of the weather protection are tried and true features of the genre such as hand pockets, chest pockets, a wrist pass pocket, large pit zips, and sealed seams. On an early-season rain and sleet day inside the resort, I had zero worries about feeling the precipitation (besides when I had to wipe it off my goggles). It’s a serious technical shell first and foremost. ![]() Still, the Cosmic isn’t too steezy and the body stays fairly fitted down to its hip length so it provides freedom where you want it without looking sloppy. I should note upfront that I’m biased toward a more relaxed, freeride fit, so I immediately loved the roomier body and longer cut of the Cosmic which was comparable to some of my other favorite jackets such as Burton’s Swash AK Jacket which has a more traditional snowboarding fit and allows more freedom of movement. Material: 3L PNW | Insulation: None | Fit: Relaxed You can read more about their development process here. The nylon face fabric used is meant to be so tightly woven that it still retains water-shedding abilities after use and abuse destroys the DWR coating. ![]() Their team developed (with a Japanese textile company) and then tested fabric and membrane combos in the field for a decade before landing on the mix found in the Cosmic. Trew reports a lab-tested 20K/20K waterproof/breathability rating for their PNW 3L, but these aren’t numbers in a vacuum. Simply put: This is not some lightweight touring shell that sacrifices durability and waterproofing for breathability. It provides enough breathability for the occasional sidecountry hike or climb up the skin track. Their proprietary PNW 3L membrane is paired with a durable nylon face fabric that blocks wind without feeling too stiff. Backcountry- and ski-first brand Trew made the Cosmic Jacket to hold up in the Pacific Northwest’s famously wet conditions and still breathe, whether riding the lifts or sweating it out in the backcountry.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |