Just In - Kathmandu Alopex Jacket

Just in from New Zealand brand Kathmandu and just in time for the autumn monsoons is the Alopex Jacket, a three-ply Gore-Tex Pro Shell waterproof shell, which the company says is 'for alpine and hiking activities'.


Kathmandu is a new brand to us here on OUTDOORSmagic, but the basic spec of the jacket looks promising, as it should do with a price tag of £349.99 which  is top-end money. You get three-ply Gore-Tex Pro Shell fabric, water-resistant pit-zips, a conventional main zip complete with double external storm flap, hand warmer pockets with water-resistant zips and a snow-skirt.

A quick initial appraisal shows that the pockets are too low to be used comfortably with a harness or hip-belted pack and that the hood, though it adjusts well enough and moves with your head, has a pretty much unstiffened peak.


On the plus side, the jacket's cut long and straight which should suit anyone looking for that rare beast, a Pro Shell jacket that protects your crotch from driven rain. More feedback once we've had the chance to use the jacket properly.

Weight is a very reasonable - for the length - 570 grammes and, oooh, just spotted, it has a neat stretch neoprene internal phone pocket.

More about Kathmandu at www.kathmandu.co.nz