Patagonia's latest Inegral windshell jacket blew us away, ahem... Possibly the best fast-movers windproof top we've encountered
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Patagonia Integral Jacket
(Unisex)
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Price:
£100.00
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Weight: 331 grammes
(medium)
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Features:
Microfibre polyester face fabric with integrated brushed
back, Encapsil treated, full front zipper backed by
windflap, refelctiv e patches front and rear, armpit to
waist zip pockets with double ended zip and mesh linings for
venting,, drawcord hem, dropped tail, mircrofleece-lined
collar.
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Horribly good.
Horribly expensive.
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This is our favourite windproof of all time, period. It's part of
Patagonia's 'Regulator Soft Shell' programme, but here in the real
world it's a very nice winter windproof for running, biking and other
fast moving stuff.
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Patagonia Integral Jacket -
£100
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So what makes it special? Item one: the fabric. The Integral uses a
microfibre face fabric with their Encapsil treatment. Individual
fibres are coated with a waterproof polymer making for a highly
water-resistant material. It's laminated to a soft, brushed lining
fibre, which Patagonia say gives the equivalent warmth of a
baselayer.
We think that's overstating the case slightly - MHW's Tempest SL
is definitely warmer - but it's more comfortable in cold weather than
a 'bare' wind shell material and also wicks well without the slick
feel of condensation we've grown to know and hate. The end result is
a windproof that's very water resistant, dries fast and is completely
windproof. The only time you need a full-on, less breathable
waterproof shell is in deluge conditions and, if you're moving fast,
it's questionable whether you'll stay drier anyway. Condensation's
going to get you.
Item two: the cut. Patagonia are past masters at outdoor tailoring
and the cut of the Integral is great. On our medium athletic build it
was trim without being tight and the drop tail was great for biking
and running. Our one reservation is that it's hard to roll the
sleeves up to your elbows, so if you habitually do that, look
elsewhere.
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Big pockets run from armpits to
hem for superb ventilation
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Item three: venting. You may not be able to roll up your sleeves, but
there are two whopping pockets come body vents with mesh linings and
double-ended zips with easy-to-grab cord pulls. They run from arm-pit
to hip and, with any sort of breeze, tunnel air direct to your trunk.
Nice.
Item four: detailing. Last but not least, the little details have
been sorted. There's a meaty anti-snag wind flap behind the main zip,
reflective strips front and rear, with the rear ones sited for
visibility with a small pack and an adjustable shock-corded hem. The
overall feel of quality is excellent. Just about the only thing
missing is a foldaway hood, then again, if you're moving fast, you
probably won't be using one. If you want a slightly more versatile
windshell, check out MHW's Tempest SL.
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Verdict: Lovely cold conditions
windproof for fastmovers with a high performing fabric
combined with superb cut and excellent detailing. Cut is
snug, so not an ideal walking or climbing garment where
layering is in the offing. Only real weakness is the snug
sleeve cut which makes rolling them up difficult, but
excellent venting arrangements help to offset that. Price
seems high, but more reasonable when you consider that you
won't be using a waterproof again when moving fast. Small
and reasonably light too.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
Top-notch, fast-movers, winter windshellf which offers
windshell plus a light baselayer warmth in one highly
breathable, very water resistant and totally windproof
slim-cut top. Detailing, fit and build quality rock and the
venting from huge torso pockets is excellent in breezy
conditions. If you run or mountain bike, it's questionable
whether you'll ever bother with a waterproof when you have
one of these. Dries fast and packs small too. Flaws? Hard to
roll the sleeves up if that's your thing plus in some
situations a hood would be nice. Too single-minded for most
layering use, so keep moving fast.
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