Berghaus Fronter Windshell -
Tested
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Price:
£60
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Weight: 160 grammes (men's
medium)
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Features:
Lightweight, wndproof windshell made from Airfoil fabric
- Polyamide with PU coating - with single zipped chest
pocket, retained elasticated back neck draw cord, retained
elasticated hem draw cord, elasticated cuffs, double
collar
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What's It For?
New for this summer, the Frontier is part of the Berghaus Ator
range, so it's intended to be not only a functional lightweight
windproof, but to look good as well. So think cool-looking all-round
windproof jacket and you won't go far wrong.
The Techy Bits
The Frontier uses Berghaus' own brand Airfoil fabric. It's a
closely woven polyester that's completely windproof, but also
according to the care label has a PU coating, which will increase
windproofness and also water resistance compared to a standard
closely woven polyester, though we'd also expect it to slightly
reduce breathability.
That's it really, nothing revolutionary except...
How It Performs
... the first thing you notice about the Frontier is that the
fabric has a rather cool print on it, a sort of mix of splodges and
lines and grids that's really unusual and looks great and really
distinctive in a world of identikit windproof fabrics.
The cut is neat and slim and just long enough to give some butt
and groin protection. Cuffs fit neatly and the hem and collar are
adjustable. The collar itself is double layer making for a more
substantial feel.
In use it's completely windproof and above average for water
resistance as well, which makes it viable in drizzly conditions.
Breathability is about par for the course and perfectly
acceptable.
At a real world 160 grammes, the Frontier isn't ultra lightweight
- there are waterproofs at around the same mark - but it's certainly
not heavy either and is easily packed away until you need it.
Let's not beat about the bush, what really makes the Frontier
stand out are the cool looks - whenever we wore it, folk would sidle
up and ask what it was. It really does look unusual . None of which
would matter one jot if it didn't perform technically, but the good
news is that we wore it running and biking and it simply does the
job.
There are lighter windproofs and slightly more breathable ones out
there, but none of them have the Frontier's wow factor. Of course
that will matter to some people while others won't give a stuff, but
it's nice to know it's out there.
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Great looks with unusual fabric print making it stand out,
decent windproof performance.
A little spendy.
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Performance
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Value
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Know more or want to?
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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.
Mr Fuller
