A helmet-compatible, Gore-Tex Paclite shell jacket weighing in at just 380 grammes? That's what's coming your way later this year as the Kiwi company revamp their Zealot jacket.
A rapid scoop from Kiwi kit specialists Macpac who've been
producing some very impressive clothing over the last couple of
years.
We met up with men from down under yesterday for a sneak preview
of what's coming your way later this year. The most interesting
development is a thoroughly updated Zealot Jacket which takes
the existing lightweight mountaineering shell concept and runs with
it, Jonah Lumu stylee, towards the try line.
The current Zealot, which we tested
last year, uses Macpac's hard-wearing Extremadura version of Gore's
XCR fabric to create a lightweight alpine jacket that we weighed at
628 grammes. That's reasonably light, but only 100 grammes less than
the company's full-on Prophet jacket in the same fabrics.
The new version takes the lightweight tag a lot more seriously by
using Gore's Paclite fabric to create a jacket that Macpac claims
weighs a feathery 370 grammes. What's astonishing about that,
is that the new Zealot still features four pockets - including a
chest pocket that will take an OS map and a helmet-compatible hood.
The jacket also utlises Gore's 14mm microtape to minimise weight and
increase overall breathability.
We'd expect the new version to be a lot more breathable than the
existing XCR version, but also less durable, so one for the
ultra-lighthweight mountain freaks and ideal, we reckon for carrying
in your pack, and throwing over a softshell climbing top when the
heavens open, as they do in NZ. Of course, it will also do duty as an
ultralightweight all-rounder, but as with all ultralight kit, you'll
have to accept a certain reduction in toughness in return for the
drop in weight and bulk.
The price of light once it's available in August 2005 will
be approximately £180. And here it is thanks to the wonders of
digital photography and OM lensman, Jonathan Pritchard.
The rest of the Macpac clothing range remains broadly unchanged
with a few modifications to the Sundowner down jacket and a
substantial expansion of the excellent Interwool baselayer kit, which
uses a combination of merino wool and synthetic fibre for a 'best of
both worlds' result - see
OM test.
Full details of Macpac's current range of tents, packs, clothing and
sleeping bags on their
web
site.
