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The North Face Prolix Delta
Tested
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Price:
£60.00
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Weight: 285 grammes (men's
medium)
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Features:
Lightweight softshell jacket made from Apex™ Alpha
stretch-87% polyester, 13% elastane fabric and VaporWick Zen
mesh, four-way stretch, DWR treatment, reflective detailing
on back, mesh insets under arms for airflow, infused chest
pocket, thumb loops at cuffs, Ultraviolet Protection Factor
(UPF) 30+, adjustable hem. Available in men's and women's
versions.
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Excellent water repellent treatment and breathability plus
light and compact.
Cut may be too lose for some users.
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The Concept Like the Montane Dynamo we've been using at the
same time - see
test
- the
TNF Prolix Delta uses a lightweight own-brand Apex
wind-resistant fabric with a DWR water repellent treatment and decent
wind resistance combined with good breathability and is aimed at fast
movers - bikers, runners, climbers, quick walkers - who need
protection from wind and drizzle, but without sacrificing
breathability or wicking. If you find a full-on windproof is
generally too sweaty, this is intended for you.
Features Another simple jacket with just a neat infused chest
pocket for storage, an adjustable hem and unusually, a set of simple
thumb loops at the cuffs. It also has neat looking mesh venting
panels under the arms and running round the tops of the sleeves -
they're the cream bits in the pictures. There are also small
reflective areas to the rear of the jacket.
In Action As with the Montane jacket, we weren't really
convinced by the Prolix Delta until we started using it. First time
out was a run on a chilly evening in drizzly conditions where a
baselayer would have felt inadequate, yet a full-on windproof would
have been too sweaty. The PD - we're tired of typing Prolix Delta
already - was excellent giving good breathability and also really
impressive water resistance.
It's not massively wind resistant, you can blow through the fabric
easily, but it's enough to take the edge off the wind and the pay-off
is that very good breathability. We also liked the thumb loops for
running on cool spring days when they gave us something to do with
our thumbs and had a sort of semi-glove effect.
The mesh panels look good, but to be honest, the fabric's so
breathable, that it doesn't really need them in our opinion. One
thing to be aware of is that although the PD is part of The North
Face's Flight Series of lightweight, active kit, it's still cut in a
characteristic boxy, slightly loose style. That means it may sit a
little loosely on some sleeker users, but could be ideal if you find
the cut from the likes of Montane too tight for you.
Finally, while the fabric was very breathable, it didn't move
moisture quite as effectively as Pertex Equilibrium Stretch when
things did get sweaty.
If we seem to be comparing the PD with Montane's Dynamo,
that's because they basically do the same lightweight,
weather-resistant, highly breathable gig. We liked the Prolix Delta a
lot despite its looser cut and were particularly impressed with the
water resistance of the fabric. It's an ideal choice if you're
prepared to sacrifice a little weather protection for significantly
better breathability and makes a great spring through to autumn
running, biking and general fast-moving jacket.
If you tend towards a slimmer, conventionally athletic build
you'll find the PD a bit loose and we'd steer your towards the
Montane. If, on the other hand, you're slightly beefier, then the TNF
jacket may well fit you better. All in all, a good looking and
effective lightweight softshell.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time
Wind resistance with an excellent DWR, the lightweight
Prolix Delta is ideal for anyone who wants a good compromise
between lightness, breathability and weather protection,
though the more generous cut won't suit everyone.
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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.
The indoor ice wall at the TNF store in Manchester is open for business with 40 tons of ice just waiting for a good kicking from your expertly wielded crampon points :-)
