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Sprayway Fusion Jacket First
Look
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Price: £100.00
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Weight:406 grammes (men's large) 425
grammes with stuff sac
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Features:
Windproof, water-resistant outer shell, Polartec Thermal Pro
'grid' fleece inner, roll-down storm hood with simple volume
adjuster, twin harness and pack friendly handwarmer pockets
with mesh lining, adjustable half-waist and hem drawcords,
articulated, high reach sleeves, Velcro-adjustable,
elasticated cuffs, comes with stuff sac.
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The Concept The Sprayway Fusion is yet another take on an
alternative approach to conventional fleece, in this case it's a
shelled fleece. Some people would call it 'soft shell' but the term's
getting a tad confusing, so let's just say it's a fleece with a
windproof, water-resistant outer shell.
So what? Nothing new about that you might say except that at a
smidgeon over 400 grammes, the Fusion is a lot ligher than a
mid-weight fleece, but thanks to the use of grid-blocked Thermal Pro
fleece, offers comparable warmth along with windproofing.
Features It's actually quite a simple jacket design, but has
been reasonably well thought through, so the pockets don't interfere
with harness or waist belt and the sleeves are cut to allow high
reaches without hem pull. We like the half draw cord in the waist -
accessed from the pockets - which allows you to pull the front of the
jacket flat for neatness. One of the cord-grip anchors did pull off
however and they really need to be better anchored.
There's also a close-fitting, unlined rolldown hood with
rudimentary volume adjuster. It's really a set and forget Velcro
strip which is a nightmare to use with gloves, but that's not really
a problem. The thin Pertex shell fabric sits happily under a helmet,
by the way, adding warmth on windy days.
In
Action We've been using the Fusion for a few weeks now.
Unfortunately - did we say that? - it's been pretty dry, so wet
weather performance will have to wait for a full test, though
previous experience with Pertex suggests that while it's windproof,
there are other, more water-resistant options around. But watch this
space while we wait for rain.
Pack size and weight are both fantastic - think pint-glass
dimensions when stuffed into the sac supplied - making it ideal for
lightweight escapades. The weight belies the warmth from the
grid-formed Polartec Thermal Pro fleece. The idea is that extra warm
air is trapped in the channels between the blocks of fleece upping
the insulation properties. We'd guesstimate that it's around the same
level as Polartec 200. It also wicks very well when things get
damp.
The Pertex shell is completely windproof, again upping the
effective warmth of the garment and extending use in blowy
conditions. If anything it was a little too warm for us during high
output activities in anything other than very cool conditions.
It's not a particularly sexy looking garment - Pertex has that
soft drape thing going on as always - but functionally it's very
good. The twin pockets sit above a harness or waistbelt and the cut
is neat and non-restrictive too, though may be too short for taller
people. The close-fitting hood comes in handy when the wind gets up
and sits easily under a helmet, though it's obviously not a full-on
mountain item and being unlined offers limited thermal
insulation.
Initial signs are that this isn't far off being a more nicely styled,
modern day, less warm Buffalo with one important difference - it
packs down small and weighs only 400 grammes or so. The inner is
surprisingly warm, particularly given its bulk and the Pertex outer
is not only windproof, but spreads water across its surface for easy
evaporation.
It's also possible to layer under a breathable waterproof shell
without any noticeable impact on overall breathability, while used
alone, both wicking, breathability and windproofing are all very
good. And when you don't need it, the small pack size means it won't
take up half the space in your sac making it a good option for
climbers and lightweight walkers. The fleece inner, by the way, makes
for a more luxurious feel than nylon-lined synthetic fill
alternatives.
Downsides? At £100 it's not cheap, but in the same ballpack
as synthetically lined fleece alternatives like TNF's Redpoint and
the fine Pertex shell doesn't feel like it'll survive close
encounters with coarse, thrutchy rock.
O verall though, first signs are that the Fusion is a
neat,versatile alternative to a fleece (which is effectively what it
is) with added wind proofing.
Know more or want to?
If you'd like to add your own experiences of this product check
out our user review system and post your opinions to the world. If
you have questions you can mail
us direct, ask
Richard Gear or try a posting to our gear
forum.
