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
